Cybersecurity professions: Informal beginnings, tech-centric advancements

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The cybersecurity industry is a rapidly evolving field, with a growing demand for skilled professionals. In this article, we explore the journey of some notable figures in the industry, the challenges faced by both men and women, and the opportunities for career advancement.

Todd Holloway, the manager of security architecture & engineering at Malwarebytes, found his passion for cybersecurity through movies like 'WarGames' and 'The Cuckoo's Egg'. His interest was so profound that he designed college courses around the subject more than 30 years ago, even when the field was not yet recognised.

Heather Stratford, the founder & CEO of Stronger International and Drip7, a cybersecurity education platform, shared similar sentiments about the industry's challenges. She stated that cybersecurity is difficult due to its technical nature, lack of awareness, and the fear it instils in people. Interestingly, Stratford, a former marketing professional, pivoted her career into cybersecurity.

Stratford's company, Stronger International and Drip7, stands out for having a majority of women in executive positions. This reflects a trend where women outside of IT, such as 42% of those not working in IT, express interest in working in cybersecurity.

The survey of over 2,000 cybersecurity professionals and jobseekers in the U.S. and Canada found that 57% of respondents who have been in the field for more than eight years consider a cybersecurity education as "nice to have." However, among respondents who have been in the cybersecurity workforce for seven years or less, the number drops to 53% and 49%.

Companies are increasingly focusing on the talent they don't have instead of the talent they do have in building out security teams. This trend is evident in the fact that 58% of people seeking jobs in cybersecurity are looking to transition out of IT, while 42% are coming from an unrelated field.

Tasks in updating endpoint security signatures, malware forensics, or IT management are beneficial for career progression in cybersecurity. For instance, Stephani Guimaraes Lima transitioned from a Help Desk role to a SOC Analyst within 10 months, highlighting that prior occupations can be quite varied before moving into cybersecurity.

The initial working environment in cybersecurity is often described as high-pressure and "sink-or-swim". However, employees can learn the fundamentals of infrastructure or information security in a short amount of time. The motivation for joining the cybersecurity workforce is relatively equal: problem solving, fulfilling interests, and opportunity for career advancement.

The cybersecurity profession is in high demand and ever-evolving. As more and more companies recognise the importance of cybersecurity, the industry continues to grow, offering opportunities for those who are willing to learn and adapt. Despite the challenges, the industry is seeing a rise in diverse talent, with more women and individuals from unrelated fields joining the workforce. This diversity is not only beneficial for the industry but also for the security of our digital world.