Want to know which corner of tech is hiring like crazy right now?
It’s cyber security.
As other areas of tech have experienced layoffs and stagnation… Cyber security has been just the opposite. There are more positions than people to fill them, salaries are continuing to rise, and demand is higher than ever.
That means right now is the best time to break into this field.
What’s inside this guide:
- Why Cyber Security Is Eating The Tech Job Market
- The Roles That Are Booming Right Now
- How Ethical Hacking Certification Fits In
- What This Means For Your Career
Why Cyber Security Is Eating The Tech Job Market
Cyber security is no longer just an “IT thing”.
It has become essential for every business nowadays. Banks, hospitals, schools, ecommerce websites — nobody is safe from cyber threats. Cyber threats are evolving each year.
Enterprise money dumps are being made into cyber security teams. US public and private sector employers posted over 514,000 cybersecurity job openings within the last year. This is a 12% jump from last years numbers.
That’s a huge number…
And here’s where it gets really interesting:
While large tech companies have been laying off workers, cybersecurity has been adding them. There simply aren’t enough qualified applicants to fill open positions.
The result?
- Higher salaries for security professionals
- Faster career growth than other tech roles
- More job security because the work isn’t going away
Pretty cool, right?
The Roles That Are Booming Right Now
Cyber security is not one job. It’s many different roles — and some are expanding much more quickly than others.
Let’s break down the ones that are heating up the most.
Penetration Testers & Ethical Hackers
These are the people who get paid to break into systems — legally.
Corporations employ them to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. It’s one of the hottest tech jobs out there, and the compensation proves it.
For those who enjoy solving puzzles and thinking like an attacker, welcome to your dream career. Obtaining an ethical hacking certification is one of the most straightforward paths to break into the field. Training providers such as QAHE Limited offer programs that are aligned with employers’ skills requirements. As cyber attacks continue to reach record highs, so does the demand for ethical hackers.
Security Engineers & Architects
Security engineers build the systems that keep companies safe.
Architects figure out the big picture — how all the security pieces fit together. Both roles are incredibly high in demand due to companies pushing everything to the cloud.
And cloud means new attack surfaces.
GRC Analysts (Governance, Risk, Compliance)
This one is exploding right now thanks to new regulations.
Regulations such as GDPR, NIS2, SEC breach reporting regulations are compelling companies to onboard legal minded security professionals. Cybersecurity/Privacy Attorney positions increased 40.74% in 2024.
That’s massive growth in a single year.
AI Security Specialists
This is a brand new category that didn’t really exist 3 years ago.
As organizations increasingly adopt AI solutions, they are looking to hire specialists to help secure them. New positions like AI Threat Hunter and Model Security Engineer are being created — salaries are nuts.
How Ethical Hacking Certification Fits In
Want to know the fastest way to break into cyber security?
Get certified.
Certifications are just one way companies screen applicants. With hundreds if not thousands applying for jobs these days, hiring managers want an easy way to identify who can really perform.
Here’s why ethical hacking certification matters:
- It proves you have hands-on skills
- It gets your resume past the HR filter
- It often leads to a salary bump straight away
The most popular ethical hacking certifications right now are:
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) — The most well-known, great for beginners
- OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) — Hands-on and highly respected
- CompTIA PenTest+ — Solid mid-level option
Don’t just go out getting certs either. Use certs to actually gain usable skills that companies are willing to pay for. Choose one cert and focus on learning the material. Study up on it. Combine the cert with real world experience.
Why Companies Love Certified Hackers
Think about it from the company’s side…
If you hire the wrong person for security, you might have a huge data breach on your hands. That’s why companies like having skills validated before they hire.
Certifications provide them with that validation. It’s an endorsement from a reputable industry organization. They know you have those skills because the certifying body tested you on those specific skills.
This is why certified ethical hackers often earn more than non-certified peers.
What This Means For Your Career
So what does all of this mean for someone looking to break into tech?
Cyber security might be the best path forward.
Here’s why:
Crazy Demand With No End In Sight
Employment opportunities abound. There are currently 4.8 million open cybersecurity jobs worldwide.
That’s a huge gap to fill…
And it’s not getting any smaller. With more businesses moving online, the need for security pros continues to rise.
Strong Salaries Across The Board
Cyber security pays well. Really well.
Entry level positions start around $90k in US dollars. Senior positions make significantly more than $150k. Certain niches (cloud security, AI security) can command even higher salaries.
Easier To Break In Than You Think
Here’s something most people don’t realise:
It’s possible to break into cyber security even without a computer science degree. In fact many cyber security professionals have diverse backgrounds. Professionals from all walks of life are switching careers to cyber security. From finance to HR to marketing people are making the move mid-career.
Well if you’ve been wanting to change careers… Now may be the time.
Remote Work Is Common
Lots of cyber security roles are fully remote.
That’s awesome because you can work at great companies without living in expensive tech cities.
Final Thoughts
Cyber security is reshaping the tech job market in a big way.
Even as other sectors of technology stagnate, cyber security continues to expand. There’s a huge demand for talent, salaries are robust, and the job can be fascinating.
To quickly recap what we covered:
- Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing parts of tech
- Roles like ethical hackers, GRC analysts, and AI security specialists are booming
- Ethical hacking certification is one of the best ways to break in
- The job gap is huge, which means lots of opportunity for new people
For those looking into technology careers, don’t overlook cyber security. There really is an opportunity there and it will only continue to grow in the coming years.
The best news? You can begin right now. Choose a certification, gain hands-on experience, and get applying.