Public or Private? Understanding Cybersecurity Jobs

With cybercriminals ramping up assaults on computer servers and systems, there's an urgent need for skilled specialists to combat them. LinkedIn and WGU's Cybersecurity Jobs Guide—including its 2021 update—offer a sobering reminder of this challenge, reporting that nearly two job openings exist for every one qualified cybersecurity professional living in some U.S. metropolitan areas, including Washington, DC and New York City.

A lot of help is needed to meet today's cybersecurity challenges and thwart cybercriminal tactics. Luckily, there are many compelling reasons to consider a career in cybersecurity, whether you're coming from another industry or switching between IT fields. Cybersecurity jobs pay well, are projected to grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033, and are in high demand across a wide range of industries and sectors.

Cybersecurity Explained

Cybersecurity roles and responsibilities typically fall into one of two categories: Analysts and engineers. Information security analysts handle business-facing tasks such as reporting and translating security concerns for leadership. Engineers build and test systems to protect against cyberattacks, malware, spam, and other threats. You'll find many roles within a typical cybersecurity unit, including those of information security analyst, network security engineer, information security engineer, and cybersecurity analyst.

As with any IT profession, these jobs require a solid understanding of software analysis, web engineering, cloud computing, and systems administration. But that doesn't mean you need a background in IT. Employers value soft skills like communication and problem-solving just as much as they do technical competencies. Individuals with experience in the military or law enforcement, for example, are often drawn to cybersecurity.

Earning a degree in information technology can help you develop the right combination of relevant hard and soft skills and prepare you to hit the job market running. Below is a breakdown of some of the different cybersecurity roles available to you in the public and private sectors.

Cybersecurity Jobs in the Public Sector

There is an immense need for cybersecurity professionals in the public sector. Law enforcement agencies need cybercrime investigators and digital forensics experts to track down identity thieves, apply advanced data analytics to build criminal profiles, and more. Myriad government agencies need highly trained cybersecurity professionals to protect sensitive, personally identifiable information like names, account numbers, social security numbers, and email addresses.

Working in the public sector could also mean working for the U.S. military or intelligence community. The Central Intelligence Agency, for example, employs cybersecurity officers to assist operations by using digital forensics tools to manage and extract valuable information. The U.S. Cyber Command, a division of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), comprises more than 130 teams that fend off cyberthreats, protect DOD networks, launch counterattacks to support combat missions, and help safeguard national security. Other agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency may forge public-private partnerships with specific organizations to reduce the risk of high-profile cyberattacks. People who are motivated by a sense of mission and duty may find fulfilling work defending critical digital infrastructures in these cybersecurity roles.

Most—if not all—public-sector cybersecurity jobs require a relevant bachelor's degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. Depending on the agency or organization, gaining employment could involve extensive background checks. And these jobs, like other public-sector jobs, may pay a little less than their private-sector counterparts.

Someone working in a public-sector cybersecurity role will likely have different day-to-day responsibilities than somebody employed in the private sector. According to CyberDefenseMagazine.com, many government IT positions tend to be very structured and process driven. This means that responsibilities in public-sector roles are likely rigidly defined, with structured or predictable career advancement opportunities. Putting more effort in at a government-based cybersecurity job may not always equate to a promotion or increase in income.

Cybersecurity Jobs in the Private Sector

Private-sector cybersecurity careers often provide opportunities for upward mobility since they're largely housed within for-profit institutions like banks and similar corporations. Large companies might manage the risk of cyberthreats by establishing extensive internal security departments that employ hundreds of cybersecurity specialists—from entry- and mid-level roles to team leaders and department directors—to prevent and respond to cyberattacks.

But the need for cybersecurity goes beyond just the big companies. Smaller businesses are especially vulnerable to cyberthreats because they usually rely on less sophisticated defense systems and resources. In the digital age, when vast amounts of information are stored online, organizations—big and small—trust cybersecurity professionals to defend their sensitive data, information sharing, and cloud computing services.

Concerning the private sector, CyberDefenseMagazine.com reports that most cybersecurity professionals work shifts according to their employers' business needs. This means that these individuals often find opportunities to learn about and use the latest and most trending cybersecurity programs and technologies. However, those who are more risk averse could feel less comfortable working in an environment that's subject to such change.

Finding the Right Fit with WGU

Ultimately, a career in cybersecurity isn't simply about working in a growing job market with good pay and a promising future. It's about joining and participating in the fight against cybercriminals who intend to endanger computer systems, access and steal private information, jeopardize business reputations, and much more. Plus, cybersecurity careers aren’t limited merely to people already working in the IT field. WGU’s Cybersecurity Jobs Guide reports that 44% of cybersecurity-related job listings are for entry-level positions.

As you prepare to play your part in the field of cybersecurity, consider WGU for a bachelor’s or master’s degree program designed with input from industry experts. With WGU’s competency-based education model, you can progress through your online coursework as quickly as you master the material, potentially saving time and money.

A career path in cybersecurity—whether in the public or private sector—might be closer than you think.