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Cyber-security focuses on protecting computer systems and electronic data. It encompasses technologies and practices that keep companies, individuals and government agencies safe from cyberattacks like malware erasing an entire hard drive or thieves stealing passwords to access personal information online. It also includes strategies to protect the critical infrastructure that keeps businesses running and our societies functioning like power plants, hospitals and financial service companies.

The need for cybersecurity has never been greater. Recent high-profile breaches highlight the damage that hackers can do. Being hacked can destroy companies’ reputations and lead to regulatory fines and loss of customers. Moreover, hackers are constantly finding new ways to attack. They have found new opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, operational technology (OT), internet of things devices and cloud environments.

As cyberattacks continue to evolve, so too must the security workforce. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for cybersecurity professionals are growing at a faster rate than the average computer-related occupation and four times as fast as American jobs overall.

As you consider a career in cybersecurity, it’s important to know the types of jobs that are available and the skills that are most valuable to employers. Cybersecurity jobs include those in software development, architecture and engineering, application security, identity management, threat modeling, data analytics, and more. You can even find positions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Alex Petitto ’21 is an example of how a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can prepare you for a number of different paths in the field.