Cybersecurity safeguarding transformation of industries

Contributed Article
September 4, 2019 11:57 am

When we look back over the past 100 years, we can see that our collective computing capability has seen exponential growth. For example, the way we can store data has advanced and today we are seeing a boom in companies who can store vast amounts of data for us in the cloud.

Similarly, we are now seeing massive leaps in bandwidth, thanks to the advent of super-fast 5G networks which enable highly connected technologies blending physical and digital realms from augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, wearable technology and more.

All this progress has inspired us to develop solutions which make life easy, and this has led to the boom of machine-to-machine communications, and the growth of the Internet of Things. According to Statista, the total installed base of IoT connected devices is projected to amount to 75.44 billion worldwide by 2025, a fivefold increase in ten years.

Closer to home, the UAE’s digital ecosystem offers an expanded attack surface for cybercrime. The UAE has the second-highest smartphone adoption rate globally at 85% after Singapore, and the nation is one of the world’s most interconnected countries.

In this backdrop, cyber security has also seen exponential growth on account of its increasing necessity. Hacking continues to be the greatest threat in cybercrime, followed by malware, social account breaches and more.

In the future, cybersecurity professionals will be much sought-after for their skillsets and the crucial role they play in ensuring our lives run smoothly. Having said this, computer science programs struggle to offer adequate cybersecurity courses for the next generation of technologists. Of the top 50 computer science programs in the US, only 42% offer three or more information security-specific courses for undergraduates.

The UAE’s National Cybersecurity strategy aims to tap into an opportunity of AED 1.8 billion in the UAE cybersecurity market and AED 18 billion MENA cybersecurity market. The nation plans to develop the capabilities of more than 40,000 cybersecurity professionals as well as encourage professionals and students to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

They want them to pick up the necessary cybersecurity capabilities and foster a vibrant ecosystem of cybersecurity training providers. In this backdrop, a career in this field will be a lucrative one. Not only that, with an ever-expanding scope, cybersecurity presents the ultimate growth potential—both for a career path as well as for learning opportunities.

It links to all the other IT skill sets and offers a massive opportunity to stay engaged and challenged. Cybersecurity professionals are also extremely well compensated for their skills and talents. With salaries rising with demand, as the shortage increases so will earning potential.

With the number of devices today, it is clear that cybersecurity matters. This field has an impact which goes beyond digital to the physical one. An example is the 2017 Triton malware strike against Saudi oil giant Petro Rabigh, which came close to triggering high-pressure explosions of toxic hydrogen sulfide gases along the Red Sea coast.

Thanks to the quick intervention of cybersecurity professionals, a disaster was averted. Had the attack succeeded, it could have taken a considerable toll on business and human life.  Therefore, for someone wanting to work on IT issues that have real-world impact, cybersecurity might be the right discipline, as well as proof of how important it is.

Cybersecurity skills are not limited to technology-related fields. In today’s digital landscape, almost all industries from banking to insurance to automobiles to healthcare all require information security services. These are highly transferrable skills that companies are in search of and there will be a variety of opportunities available in several industries around the world.

As the digital world continues to evolve and more companies become dependent on technology, professionals with the right skillsets and innovative minds will always be in universal demand as well have plenty of choice.

One does not have to be a technology expert to work in cyber security. In addition to technology-focused roles, alternative career paths include threat intelligence, legal and regulatory compliance, business analysis and recruitment. The portability of cybersecurity skills enables one to pick and choose from various career paths, which a big advantage.

Majid Mneymneh, Regional Director Middle East, Pearson Online Learning Services.

Key takeaways

  • Cyber security has also seen exponential growth on account of its increasing necessity.
  • Hacking continues to be the greatest threat in cybercrime, followed by malware, social account breaches.
  • As the digital world continues to evolve, professionals with the right skillsets will always be in universal demand.
  • Cybersecurity skills are not limited to technology-related fields.

Demand for cyber security professionals is increasing driven by shortage and digital transformation explains Majid Mneymneh at Pearson Online.

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