Is now the time to aim for a career in ethical hacking?

The first step toward becoming an ethical hacker should be to gain work experience in information technology.

With unemployment reaching 4.8 million in June (for nonfarm payroll only), surpassing the number of unemployed in the United States during the Great Recession, it's no surprise that fear of job loss is on everyone's mind. Since the coronavirus came to the United States, nearly one in every five households has experienced a layoff or reduced working hours. While some employers may consider less drastic measures such as pay cuts and layoffs, the threat of job loss remains.

As millions of people wonder what to do if they lose their job, organizations are beginning to classify most cybersecurity jobs as "essential" or National Critical Functions. This is an excellent time for students and working professionals to look for secure career opportunities in the cybersecurity industry, particularly in ethical hacking. To get your cybersecurity career off to a good start, you'll need to learn ethical hacking skills aligned with the cyber roles in demand in the industry.

With nearly 3 million job openings worldwide, cybersecurity is an appealing industry. However, more security breaches make headlines every day, and organizations are desperately looking for skilled cybersecurity professionals to shore up their defenses.

True, every IT role has a cybersecurity counterpart. However, the primary emphasis on security gives rise to many new career opportunities. For example, with the right cybersecurity skills and knowledge, you can begin as a security operation engineer and progress to become a risk assessment analyst, cyber forensic investigator, compliance educator, and various other positions. Aside from that, the industry's limitless growth potential allows you to take on challenging learning opportunities to change tracks as the industry matures.

Due to the Centre for Cyber Safety and Education, unfilled cybersecurity jobs will reach 1.8 million by 2022. The data indicates that the cybersecurity skill gap will only widen in the coming years. Isn't now the time to hone your skills and begin your career as a security professional?