Is working in cybersecurity a good career choice? Analyzing the pros and the cons

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field that attracts many people aspiring at a successful career every year. In 2020, the number of cybersecurity professionals in the United States was estimated at over 870.000 people. Countries with large populations such as Brazil or Mexico also boast a great number of professionals working in the cybersecurity industry.

Salary wise, the annual pay varies based on age. While the average wage for millennials is around 67,000 U.S. dollars, baby boomers can expect an average salary of 112,000 U.S. dollars per year. Also, the job satisfaction rate for jobs in the cybersecurity field increased significantly in 2020, with 75% of respondents stating they were very or somewhat satisfied with their job.

The figures above paint the picture of a field that offers a very promising career outlook, so it’s no wonder so many people are interested in getting into cybersecurity. But as with all things in life, there are both pros and cons to be considered before taking the leap.

If you have been toying with the idea of starting a career in the cybersecurity industry, here’s a look at some of the advantages and the disadvantages that you should take into account, so you can make an informed decision.

The pros

High demand

One of the most notable benefits of choosing a career in this thriving industry is the high demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The rapid pace of technological advancements also gives way to new challenges in the cybersecurity field, meaning there’s always a need for talented professionals who can handle these issues. In fact, certain countries are dealing with a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, due to the high demand they’re experiencing.

Therefore, a career in cybersecurity can provide plenty of job opportunities and give you the reassurance that there’s always going to be a position somewhere waiting to be filled in by someone who has your knowledge and skills.

Good salaries

From a financial point of view, cybersecurity offers high-paying jobs, with average salaries that can easily reach six figures, even for those who don’t have many years of experience under their belt. Obviously, remuneration increases with experience, so professionals who have been working in the field for a while will earn even higher salaries. 

Flexibility

Since a job in cybersecurity revolves around technology, people working in the field usually have the possibility to work from wherever they want. A lot of the workforce in cybersecurity works remotely, at least partly. This means you’ll enjoy a lot more flexibility than professionals in other domains who are bound to the 9 to 5 office life.

Ability to advance

While working in cybersecurity requires you to develop a strong set of skills and improve them continuously, the good news is there are fewer barriers to entry than in other domains. You can secure a job in cybersecurity even without earning a degree, so you can bypass formal education and be a self-taught specialist. Apart from that, the job opportunities are plenty since there’s a need for talented information security professionals in every industry sector. This means you can easily advance your career if you work hard and you’re determined.

Job satisfaction

As we mentioned in the beginning of this article, job satisfaction is quite high among cybersecurity professionals, regardless of their specialization, thanks to all of the benefits we’ve listed above. With low unemployment levels and good salaries, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity ensures a higher than average job satisfaction. Besides, a lot of the people working in the field are genuinely passionate about the activity they perform, and that gives them a sense of fulfillment in their professional life.

The cons

Job pressure

Cybersecurity jobs also come with high responsibilities, since there’s always the possibility of a cyber attack around the corner. As an information security specialist, you’ll be the one who has to constantly come up with solutions to prevent them and minimize damages in case they happen, and you’ll have to do that within tight time limits. That means you’ll have to work under pressure and deal with stressful situations regularly.

Little social interaction

Cybersecurity professionals don’t get too many opportunities to interact with other people or create deep bonds with their colleagues. Most of the time, socialization is kept to a minimum due to the nature of their activity and their work environment. That might not be a problem for those who consider themselves to be lone wolves, but it can be a major disadvantage for people who love to communicate and socialize. If you’re a people person who craves human interaction, cybersecurity will probably feel like a very lonely place to you.

Long working hours

Even though officially your work schedule might not look so crowded, generally cybersecurity professionals are expected to be available all the time. You never know when something might come up and your intervention will be needed, so you can expect to work long hours in between periods of calm and quiet. Things are pretty unpredictable when you work in cybersecurity, which makes it pretty difficult to achieve good work-life balance.

Repetitive tasks

Even if the possibility of dealing with a cyber attack is always present, the life of a cybersecurity professional is not necessarily exciting. A lot of the tasks you’ll have to fulfill on a daily basis are pretty repetitive, so you can easily fall into a routine and lose your motivation along the way.

Final thoughts

There are pros and cons to every job in every field, and cybersecurity makes no exception. Apart from the aspects we’ve mentioned above, there are plenty of other variables that can influence your decision of starting a career in this field. It’s up to you to analyze them and decide which of these aspects weigh the most and if a job in cybersecurity would be a right fit for you or not.