Cybersecurity professions: Informal starts, technological advancements
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, two individuals are making waves in their unique ways. Todd Holloway, a former university student inspired by the movie 'WarGames' and the book 'The Cuckoo's Egg', and Heather Stratford, a marketing veteran who pivoted into cybersecurity.
Holloway, now the manager of security architecture & engineering at Malwarebytes, started informing the part-time systems administrators at the mathematics department about the vulnerabilities he discovered in their systems. His interest in cybersecurity led him to design college courses around this subject over 30 years ago, even before it was widely recognized.
On the other side of the spectrum, Heather Stratford is a rarity in the cybersecurity industry. As the founder and CEO of Stronger International and Drip7, she stands out as a woman in a field often dominated by men. Stratford, who transitioned into cybersecurity after years in marketing, stated that the industry is difficult due to its technical nature, lack of understanding, and fear.
Interestingly, a significant number of people seeking jobs in cybersecurity are looking to transition out of IT, with 58% of them coming from IT backgrounds. However, 42% of these job-seekers are coming from unrelated fields, according to a survey. Among these aspiring cybersecurity professionals, 40% are younger than 40 years old.
The motivation for joining the cybersecurity workforce is relatively equal: problem solving, fulfilling interests, and opportunity for career advancement. Interestingly, women outside of IT were more likely to have an interest in cybersecurity than men, according to the survey. Forty-two percent of women not currently working in IT are interested in working in cybersecurity.
However, the report by (ISC)2 found that women's presence in the cybersecurity field diminishes with an increase in tenure. Stratford stated that she purposely went toward cybersecurity. Despite this, she acknowledged that the industry can be challenging due to its technical nature, lack of understanding, and fear.
Employees can learn the fundamentals of infrastructure or information security in a short amount of time, according to Todd Holloway. The top technical concepts job-seekers should pursue include cloud security, data analysis, coding and programming, encryption, and risk assessment and management, according to the survey.
The survey also highlighted that the cybersecurity profession is in high demand and ever-evolving. Despite the high-pressure and often "sink-or-swim" environment, the curiosity and openness towards cybersecurity roles among women, especially those outside of IT, are encouraging signs for the future of the industry. However, the precise profile or details of this group are not explicitly detailed in the provided results. The sources mention interest and skepticism among women regarding AI and cybersecurity careers, highlighting that women express both positive and negative feelings towards new tech roles.
In conclusion, the cybersecurity industry continues to evolve, with more individuals from diverse backgrounds showing interest in joining the field. As the industry continues to grow, it is essential to address the challenges faced by women and provide opportunities for them to thrive in this exciting and ever-changing field.
