The Cybersecurity Job market Is Changing... Are you ready for the next 5 years ???
The industry is changing .. Adapt or get left behind!
“Why is it so difficult to find Cybersecurity jobs right now ?? I thought there was a shortage of professionals in the market !”
Welcome to 2024 and an increasingly tough job market
Cybersecurity is changing, and so is the job industry
The reason ( surprisingly ) is not just AI, although it is easy to point the finger towards it.
The last couple of years have seen a major change in the mindset of both employers and employees alike.
We have seen big names in cybersecurity laying off employees like crazy, showing that the once-mighty industry is not immune to economic turmoil.
Workers have also realized that traditional methods of getting certified and then landing a job are no longer viable.
In this article, I want to focus on a few key ways I feel the cybersecurity industry is changing and what you should do to future-proof yourself in the coming years.
1 — Skills Over Certifications
The White House recently hosted an event to boost the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.
This aimed to provide more Americans access to well-paying cybersecurity jobs.
Job seekers can now leverage skills acquired through nontraditional educational paths, such as apprenticeships and training programs, rather than solely relying on college degrees.
Expect this trend to grow in the coming years.
There is an overall shift towards skills-based hiring in the industry as employers are more interested in what you can do as opposed to what certs or degrees you hold
I am been saying this for years now and will continue to stress it .. please do not become a Cybersecurity Certification factory
It is no longer just about certifications, so stop thinking doing a new cert every year means you are moving forward
Rather ask yourself .. what new skill am I going to learn this year and supplement that with a certification if needed
2 —Decreased Focus On Tooling
The last couple of years have seen a massive increase in no-code, automation and AI take-over
We have AI-powered coding, end-to-end no-code business solutions, and autonomous agents, meaning entry-level cybersecurity jobs might soon be replaced.
Why hire a cybersecurity person to do a code review when an AI can generate secure code from the outset and then send it to another AI for review??
Do you really need to hire someone to run a scan on a server and email an Excel / PDF file to the team when that can be automated end-to-end?
While it is difficult to estimate just how much replacement might happen .. there is no doubt that being AI-literate is no longer an option.
Businesses are either going full-on with the adoption of AI while others are still deciding how much AI they want as part of their business operations
This also means that demand for purely tech skills will go down as business leaders and management get access to no-code and AI-powered tooling
Cybersecurity professionals who can emphasize more than just what tools they know on their CV will be the ones who stand out
3 — Rise Of Cybersecurity Freelancers
The good news about the rise of AI and no-code ??
The rise of Cybersecurity freelancing and one-person businesses
Companies looking to cut costs are more than happy to hire Cybersecurity freelancers and contractors without dealing with all the fuss of full-time employees.
Expect an increase in the number of contracts or project-by-project work in the industry.
This applies to everything from penetration testing to risk management to GRC, giving companies the flexibility to scale their Cybersecurity teams up and down as needed.
Cybersecurity professionals who take advantage of these trends will be the ones that truly benefit.
AI and no-code solutions now allow cybersecurity freelancers to automate and streamline their activities.
You can set up an entire cybersecurity consulting business based on your brand and profile ! ( more on that later )
This is also great for skilled professionals who no longer want to be tied down to a 9 to 5 job.
How To Prepare?
Now that you have a rough idea about how the landscape is changing .. what can we do about it ??
Here are a few suggestions
1 — Build Your Personal Cybersecurity Brand
The days of just relying on your CV or LinkedIn profile are behind us
It is essential to build your brand on social media that highlights your expertise and works for you 24/7
Having a LinkedIn newsletter or a Top Voice on your profile can make you stand out in a way that certs simply cannot
Share your knowledge through blogs, articles, and videos.
Write about your experiences, insights, and the latest industry trends.
It takes time, but you will not regret it later!
2 — Focus On Skills Over Tools
In the future, you might be competing against humans AND machines for tech-intensive jobs!
This is why focusing on human-centric Cybersecurity skills is essential
Look at becoming AI-literate combined with analytical / risk skills that cannot be carried out by AI and machines
The ability to quickly analyze risk scenarios and make informed decisions will be crucial.
Focus on sharpening your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership are vital. These skills are difficult for AI to replicate and will set you apart in the job market.
3 — Look Beyond the 9 to 5
The traditional 9-to-5 job model no longer has the charm it once had before tech layoffs hit the industry.
Here are a few ways to adapt to this new world:
Embrace Freelancing: Consider taking on freelance or contract work. This can provide flexibility and expose you to various projects and industries.
Pursue Project-Based Opportunities: Many companies are moving towards project-based hiring. If you are new to the industry, this can be a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio.
Invest in learning things like Copywriting and Content Creation, which will give you access to the skills necessary to win customers.