The constant threat of cyber attacks looms large, highlighting the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. With the rising demand for cybersecurity workers, reports reveal that about 3.5 million new job openings will be created globally by 2025. 

This begs the question – what does the future of cybersecurity work look like? Will it continue to offer growth and opportunities in the coming years, or will it plateau? 

This blog dives into the future of cybersecurity work and hiring, examining the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities. Let’s find out more. 

Future trends in cybersecurity – a brief overview

The world of cybersecurity is evolving at an alarming pace. In the near future, cybersecurity professionals will need to embrace new technologies, processes, and strategies to stay ahead of potential attacks and minimize the risk of data breaches, such as:

Increased focus on threat hunting

This proactive approach involves searching for potential security threats and vulnerabilities before they cause damage. With advanced techniques such as behavioral analytics and threat intelligence, security teams can identify and respond to threats before they become serious issues. 

Increased use of AI and ML for threat response 

AI and ML are increasingly being used to analyze vast amounts of data to detect patterns and anomalies, allowing security teams to quickly identify and respond to potential threats. By utilizing AI and ML, cybersecurity professionals can detect vulnerabilities, identify phishing emails, and analyze malware behavior more effectively.

Higher CISO engagement in business

In addition, CISOs are becoming more involved in business strategy, aligning cybersecurity strategies with business goals to improve ROI. CISOs are often a part of critical business discussions, where the C-suite reveals their top concerns regarding costs, scaling, expansions, etc. By working closely with other departments, fostering effective communication and transparency, CISOs can ensure that security is integrated into all aspects of the business.

Tighter integration into risk management 

Integrating risk management helps build a more risk-aware culture, gives sharper visibility into processes and cross-functional teams, and helps with better vulnerability and threat management. This also helps map business goals to security needs and maximize ROI.

More automation and orchestration in SecOps 

Automation can be used to streamline routine tasks, freeing security professionals to focus on more strategic activities. By automating activities, such as deploying patches and monitoring network traffic, cybersecurity professionals can spend more time on critical activities, such as threat hunting and incident response.

In-demand skills among cybersecurity hiring markets in 2023

Here are five essential skills for cybersecurity professionals:

Managed detection and response expertise

With cyber threats becoming more prevalent, organizations need cybersecurity professionals who can effectively use Managed Detection and Response (MDR) tools to quickly detect and respond to attacks. 

Here are some key considerations to follow when selecting the right MDR service provider:

• Certifications such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI DSS are a must, as its compliance ensures the provider has implemented security best practices and meets industry standards.
• Ensure the Service Level Agreements align with your company’s needs, including the response time to security incidents, reporting frequency, and the level of support provided
• Always seek testimonials/case studies to evaluate any past experience

AI and ML skills

The use of AI/ML in cybersecurity has become increasingly important. Nearly 51% of businesses today depend mainly on artificial intelligence to identify and counter potential security risks, make accurate forecasts, and react to security incidents.

AI/ML can be used to detect and respond to threats in real-time, as well as to identify patterns in large datasets which may indicate potential security risks.

Professionals who can blend AL/ML coding into their work can help organizations detect and mitigate threats more accurately and quickly. Besides, AI/ML can effortlessly automate routine security tasks (monitoring network traffic, detecting anomalies, etc.), freeing cybersecurity professionals to focus on more complex tasks.

Basics of risk management 

Cybersecurity is not only about protecting information systems from threats – it also involves managing every associated risk. Risk management experts can identify which assets are most vulnerable and need the most protection, and prioritize security measures accordingly. 

A comprehensive risk management plan includes policies, procedures, and controls that address identified risks. Cybersecurity professionals can help develop a risk management plan by identifying potential risks and recommending strategies to mitigate them.

Not to forget, cybersecurity professionals with risk management knowledge can allocate their security resources more effectively to identify where the organization’s security budget should be spent more. 

Familiarity with industry-specific nuances

Cybersecurity professionals must be aware of industry-specific nuances, because different industries have unique technological infrastructures, regulations, and compliance requirements. To be precise, this knowledge is crucial for securing assets and data effectively. 

Being aware of industry-specific nuances helps professionals identify and address specific risks and vulnerabilities unique to a particular industry. For instance, healthcare cybersecurity professionals must understand HIPAA regulations, while financial cybersecurity professionals must know about PCI-DSS.

DevSecOps and orchestration expertise

Incorporating security into the development process early on is more effective than adding it as an afterthought. 

Cybersecurity professionals with DevSecOps expertise can help organizations by providing guidance on security best practices, identifying potential security risks, and recommending appropriate security controls. They can also work with development and operations teams to implement security measures throughout the SDLC, from design and coding to testing and deployment.

Here are some key considerations while developing DevSecOps expertise:

• Staying up-to-date with the latest security threats
• Strong knowledge of automation and testing tools
• Collaborating effectively with development and operations teams

From being a nice-to-have to a business mandate, cybersecurity has evolved massively over the last decades. Despite tight cybersecurity budgets, more cost-effective ways to secure data are being introduced regularly. 

Training employees on basic security protocols, implementing multi-factor authentication, regularly updating software and patching vulnerabilities are some more ways companies can significantly avoid cyber attacks. 

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However, cyber threats are constantly evolving, and protection is a bigger necessity than ever – this is where Stack can help by providing expert-backed cybersecurity solutions. Let your business data stay protected and secure in today’s ever changing cyber landscape with Stack – Contact us now.