James McDonagh’s Post

The tech job market presents a mixed bag for recent graduates. Devin Ertel, CISO at #MenloSecurity, suggests these strategies for job seekers: ☑️ Attend local conferences ☑️ Experiment and learn security skills on your own time ☑️ Explore how #AI can enhance your cybersecurity expertise ☑️ Engage with the online security community Ertel emphasizes the importance of being open to learning: "My biggest piece of advice? Admit when you don't know something. People will teach you, and if you don't, you will never learn." See more via Dice ⬇️

Thank you to everyone who participated in my poll about #collegedegrees last week! Out of the 90 votes it looks like: - 38% of you got a 4-year degree and are doing work in the same field that you studied - 42% got a degree but are not doing work in the same field - 20% did not get a degree I did some follow up research to find some data around cyber degree programs and job opportunities. Although we will talk about specific focus areas for a cybersecurity architect role in a follow up post, let’s look at this role in relation to a requirement for a 4-year degree. NC State University provides some information for my research: In the last year, there were 5,533 cybersecurity architect job postings in the United States. 69.35% of those postings required a bachelor’s degree. Just 1.97% listed an associate degree as a requirement. Forbes assures that you don't need a formal degree to get a job in cybersecurity in general, recommending specialized, intensive training bootcamps to gain necessary skills and launch your career. However, they listed a bachelor's degree as a requirement to become a security architect. Knowing that companies are struggling to find security architects, will the requirement of a degree be removed from job postings? Unfortunately, probably not. Here is the problem I am seeing (and yes, I am a mom with 3 kids in college right now): 1. University programs are expensive and many just cannot afford the cost to get the degree. 2. There are a LOT of talented cybersecurity hopefuls out there who, with some time under their belts and focused training could be amazing cybersecurity architects. 3. Cybersecurity architect is not an entry level job, so how would a 4-year degree get you right into this position? Wouldn’t experience get you there as well? Possible solutions to the problem? 1. Promote from within – Grow your architects from analysts and engineers and backfill them with entry level cybersecurity professionals! 2. Tuition Reimbursement Programs – Invest in your workforce! They will be more motivated to stay loyal to the company and contribute. Plus paying for their training is cheaper than hiring an architect that you can’t find anyway. #CyberDegrees #Hiring #CyberSecurity #CollegeDegrees #Tuition #Education #CISO #CyberSecurityArchitect #WomenInCyber https://bit.ly/4bHdDxj https://bit.ly/3UMNKWz https://bit.ly/3uzb5AF

The White House has launched a nationwide sprint to fill 500,000 cybersecurity, tech, and AI job openings, focusing on candidates without traditional technical backgrounds. - 🏛️ National Effort: The program, led by National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr., aims to bridge the significant skills gap in cybersecurity across the U.S. - 👨💻 Inclusive Hiring: It's designed to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds, showing that a computer science degree is not a requirement for many cyber jobs. - 🚀 Workforce Expansion: This initiative follows a broader cybersecurity workforce strategy, emphasizing resilience against cyber threats through education and recruitment. - 🧑🎓 Training Focus: The effort also highlights internships, apprenticeships, and federal programs to train and place new talent in high-demand roles. #Cybersecurity #Hiring #TechJobs - 💼 Opportunities Abound: The program offers accessible pathways to well-paying jobs, even for those without traditional technical degrees. - 🌐 Addressing Burnout: The industry’s ongoing challenges, including burnout and job stress, underscore the need for fresh talent and sustainable workloads. https://lnkd.in/g26M6_Hn

Five tips to start your career in cyber security Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field. There are many opportunities for talented individuals in the industry. Here are some great tips for you to introduce yourself to the world of cybersecurity: 1. Start your journey with a solid foundation Gaining a strong foundation in computer science, programming, and networking will give you a strong footing in the field. 2. Get the necessary certifications What other way to prove that you are qualified for the job than to go for a certification like CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)? 3. Stay up to date on the latest industry news This is a field that is constantly evolving. Every day, there will be something new for you to learn about cybersecurity. You can attend webinars and listen to podcasts on the latest tech topics. 4. Build experience through new jobs You can gain some practical experience in the industry by seeking out internships, temp jobs, or freelance work. 5. Networking is a must Connect with other professionals in the industry by attending industry events, conferences, and seminars. You can also make connections via LinkedIn. #resume #jobsearch #job #jobs #career #cv #hiring #employment #resumetips #recruitment #interview #careers #resumewriter #jobseekers #nowhiring #resumewriting #work #jobhunt #recruiting #resumehelp #jobinterview #hr #business #resumeservices #jobsearching #jobseeker #humanresources #coverletter #jobopening #curriculumvitae

🚀 Kickstart Your Career in Cybersecurity with High Earnings! 🚀 Are you ready to dive into a career where the demand is high, the challenges are thrilling, and the pay is exceptional? According to a recent survey by The Stepstone Group, graduates in fields like Law, Medicine, and IT secure top salaries right from the start. And guess what? Cybersecurity is right up there with them! 💼💰 🔍 Why Choose Cybersecurity? 🌟 High Demand: In an era of increasing cyber threats, organizations are on the lookout for skilled cybersecurity professionals. 🌟 Top Earnings: As an Information Security Officer, you can expect a median starting salary of €57,750. Penetration Testers aren't far behind, with a median of €54,000. 🌟 Exciting Challenges: From ethical hacking to protecting critical infrastructures, every day brings new and engaging challenges. Top 10 Starting Salaries for Graduates in 2024 according to the survey by StepStone: 1. Rechtsanwält*in: 61.750 € 2.🕵🏽♀️Information Security Officer: 57.750 € 3. Assistenzärzt*in: 56.500 € 4. Entwicklungsingenieur*in: 54.750 € 5. Data Scientist: 54.750 € 6. Ingenieur*in: 54.500 € 7. Elektroingenieur*in: 54.250 € 8.🕵🏽♀️Penetration Tester: 54.000 € 9. Data Engineer: 53.750 € 10. Apotheker*in: 52.750 € (Source: https://lnkd.in/eSpGrMCH) 👨🎓 Why Study with us? At Global Cybersecurity Academy, we concentrate on CYBERSECURITY only and thus can offer cutting-edge courses designed to equip you with the skills needed to excel in this high-demand field. Our curriculum is crafted by industry experts and tailored to provide hands-on experience, ensuring you’re job-ready. Ready to Start Your Journey? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to combine passion with profession. 📩 Get in Touch: Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how you can get started on an exciting and rewarding career in cybersecurity! #Cybersecurity #FurtherTraining #TechJobs

🔓 Cybersecurity Skills Gap: How to Bridge the Talent Shortage 🔓 Cyber threats are on the rise, but there’s a problem—there aren’t enough skilled professionals to defend against them. The cybersecurity skills gap is a real issue, leaving companies vulnerable to attacks. So, how do we bridge this talent shortage and keep our businesses safe? 💡 Here’s what we can do: 1️⃣ Invest in Training: You don’t need to look far. Upskilling your current employees through cybersecurity training programs can fill the gap and build a stronger defense from within. 2️⃣ Encourage New Talent: Partner with universities, boot camps, and tech programs to create pathways for fresh talent to enter the field. Internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships can make a huge difference. 3️⃣ Diversify Hiring: There’s a huge pool of untapped talent—women, minorities, and career changers—who are ready to step into cybersecurity roles. Cast a wider net to find the right fit. 4️⃣ Automation and AI: While finding human talent is essential, investing in tools that automate repetitive tasks can free up your team to focus on bigger security challenges. 5️⃣ Support Remote Work: The pandemic showed us that cybersecurity professionals don’t need to be in-office. Offering remote options opens your hiring pool to talent across the globe. 💼 Why It Matters: • The demand for cybersecurity experts is only going to increase. • Bridging this gap means better protection for businesses, big and small. • Building a strong team now sets your company up for long-term success in a digital-first world. It’s time to rethink how we recruit, train, and support the next generation of cybersecurity talent. What steps is your company taking to close the gap? #Cybersecurity #TalentShortage #SkillsGap #WorkforceDevelopment #DigitalDefense #TechCareers