The 8 most in-demand cybersecurity skills for 2019

The key reason why companies are unable to locate good cybersecurity professionals is the dearth of expertise in this field. If you want to take advantage of this untapped job opportunity, you need to work on building the right skill sets. The problem is, technology is constantly evolving and cybersecurity professionals must stay updated on recent developments at all times to stay a few steps ahead of modern malicious entities. Still, considering the high demand and payout, it might be worth your while to develop the following cybersecurity skills and personal traits:

DevSecOps

DevSecOps is a fairly new term in IT but it’s rapidly catching on because of its effectiveness.

Dealing with the introduction of security elements earlier in the app development life-cycle, DevSecOps helps reduce vulnerabilities and ramps up the security measures by getting everyone involved. Core security activities get automated by integrating the safety controls and processes early on in the DevOps process.

Although not as clear-cut as other cybersecurity skills, experienced professionals in DevSecOps workflows find numerous employment opportunities with firms seeking to integrate this fresh approach.

According to Gartner, 80 percent of rapid development tasks will adopt DevSecOps practices by 2021. So, expect to see the demand for this skill increase exponentially among IT security-related companies in the coming years.

IoT security

IoT security

The Internet of Things has been around for quite some time now but several security loopholes still exist. Hackers and other digital threats are constantly trying to exploit these gaps, and if they succeed, businesses could be looking at a wide variety of cybercrimes.

Unfortunately, the large number of interconnected networks and devices in a single organization makes it hard to keep track of the vulnerabilities.

Enter IoT security experts who possess valuable cybersecurity skills, including the development of IoT attack countermeasures, IoT hacking, and analysis of possible IoT threats. These professionals benefit the IoT platforms in many ways, including better decision-making, improved time management, and increased productivity.

With IoT practices being adopted by numerous industries, from agriculture to business management to energy, picking up strong IoT security skills can aid you greatly in the coming years.

Vulnerability assessment

As data continues to increase in value, new rules and regulations are being implemented to safeguard this data. Take, for instance, the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR) in EU countries.

Now, all the data gathered by manufacturers, businesses, and banks contain personally identifiable information that can be used for malicious activities, like financial fraud and identity theft, if they fall into the wrong hands.

Having a skill like vulnerability assessment allows you to locate and plug weaknesses in the network of a company, its end systems, and communication infrastructure.

By pinpointing the likely targets of cyber attackers, vulnerability assessment professionals can deter attacks.

They use a combination of methods, from hardware troubleshooting to antivirus software installation, patch management to network security. Right now, companies are looking for IT individuals capable of selecting suitable assessment tools, patching vulnerabilities, and analyzing reports to stop attacks before they actually happen.

Customer service

Customer service

In any organization, the IT department requires a vast number of people working in tandem to fulfill tasks and meet requirements. These teams, including cybersecurity, must possess some degree of customer service skills as there is a constant need to interact with the company’s internal clients or other partners, clients, and co-workers.

For example, reporting a breach internally is a serious matter. The incident response team must give people sufficient time to vent before they can proceed to the problem-solving phase.

AI and ML

Machine learning and artificial intelligence may be used to bolster a firm’s cybersecurity by identify new loopholes and weaknesses and preventing malicious botnet or ransomware attacks.

A Gartner report mentions that 10 percent of all penetration tests will be performed via machine learning-enabled smart devices by 2020.

Not only does this decrease the burden on IT security, but it’s also a quicker, more automated method of dealing with digital attacks. Most of the time, normal antivirus cannot pick up on cyberattacks until it’s too late. AI can aid a company in warding off the attack before it happens.

Intrusion detection and penetration testing

Modern businesses must schedule constant intrusion detection and regular penetration testing to stay aware of vulnerabilities in their existing cybersecurity measures. Otherwise, they will know about an unknown access point only when hackers have gained entry into the system and wreaked havoc across the organization.

Failure to perform thorough penetration frequently allows attackers to raid your networks, stealing sensitive information from your company. And the worst part is, it could be months, even years before you notice missing or corrupted data.

Similarly, intrusion detection skills identify supposedly dangerous activity before it grows in magnitude and causes a breach.

With cyberattacks occurring almost daily against companies, the demand for IT professionals with penetration testing and intrusion detection skills will increase as businesses will attempt to identify possible vulnerabilities and shield their organization from evolving attacks.

Cloud security

Cloud security

Companies across the world get numerous advantages from cloud computing, including reduced costs, improved collaboration, and scalable storage. But cloud computing may allow for easier attacks if left unsecured for a long time.

When the cloud is kept secure, companies enjoy privacy and security, encrypted data, and confidentiality. Individuals knowing about the common cloud cybersecurity threats and preventive measures will be in great demand in the coming years.

Malware protection

Malware protection

Nobody wants their personally identifiable information to be leaked all over the Internet. But that’s precisely what happens if a company does not adopt the right anti-malware techniques. From Trojans to worms, scareware to keyloggers, malware can spread across systems with ease.

With new malware variants emerging on a yearly basis, cybersecurity professionals must adopt the skills necessary to secure companies against incoming malware threats. Focus on perfecting countermeasures, anti-malware software deployment, and analyzing dynamic and static malware.

Cybersecurity skills: Make the right choice

A full-time career in cybersecurity holds a lot of potential. As more employers discover how investing in this area results in improved retention and hiring, you will enjoy tremendous scope for professional development. So, don’t miss out on this security and secure your future by learning the right cybersecurity skills.

Featured image: Pixabay

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