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Cyber Security

Is Cybersecurity in Demand? 8 Reasons Demand Keeps Rising

Written by: University of Tulsa   •  Jan 29, 2025

A cybersecurity professional using a laptop and tablet with a symbol in the foreground.

Is Cybersecurity in Demand? 8 Reasons Demand Keeps Rising

Cybercrime rates are rising, and the growing number of attacks puts lives at risk, costs companies millions, and threatens national security. According to the U.S. Agency for International Development, the global cost of cybercrime was approximately $8 trillion in 2023. They project that figure will surpass $23 trillion by 2027.

In light of these statistics and future potential losses, as an area of expertise, cybersecurity is in high demand. Organizations likely understand the importance of IT security and risk management. However, they may lack the resources to onboard the necessary IT professionals to implement a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Cybersecurity remains a field defined by high demand coupled with massive skill shortages. Forbes and other publications report that there are hundreds of thousands of cybersecurity job vacancies in the U.S. alone. In other words, there’s probably never been a better time to earn a cybersecurity degree or launch a cybersecurity career.

If you’re thinking about expanding your computer science, information technology (IT), or information systems skills to launch a career in cybersecurity, consider enrolling in an online M.S. in Cyber Security program.

The Cybersecurity Job Outlook Remains Strong

Cybersecurity was one of the few industries that didn’t experience a significant employment downturn during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the cybersecurity job outlook may have gotten a boost. The rapid transition to remote work and expanded cloud migration led to increased cybercrime rates, prompting organizations to improve digital security measures.

However, the skills gap in cybersecurity — the ever-widening divide between the number of cybersecurity professionals needed and the number of qualified personnel who can competently do the job — may frustrate those efforts.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that positions for information security analysts will grow by 33% over the next decade — much faster than the average growth rate across all occupations.

Because the data and systems businesses rely on are increasingly digital, jobs for computer network security analysts, digital security managers, security project managers, and cloud security specialists will also grow.

Eight Factors Fueling Sustained Growth in the Field

Cybersecurity is in demand, but what is driving that demand? Let’s explore the main factors behind this strong job growth.

1. More Devices = More Points of Vulnerability

Think of all the internet-connected devices you currently use during a typical day. Your laptop and smartphone may be top of mind, but you probably also interact with smart home devices, credit card readers, connected systems in your car, and more.

Every single one of those devices represents a point of vulnerability requiring endpoint security. As smart device adoption has expanded, even objects as innocuous as TVs and exercise machines have become hackable. Companies that make smart devices must have professionals with cybersecurity know-how on their teams to create and maintain the necessary security protocols to keep up with the increasing complexity of cyber attacks.

2. Rates of Cybercrime Are Increasing

Criminals have found many ways to capitalize on the widespread adoption of digital technologies. Exploding Topics reports the number of annual malware attacks is over five billion while the number of intrusion attempts is over six trillion. Clearly, cybercrime is a numbers game geared toward volume, which helps explain why cybersecurity is in demand.

3. The Cloud Represents a New Point of Vulnerability

When COVID-19 drove remote work transitions across industries, it also forced many organizations to make a rapid — in some cases, risky — transition to the cloud. Cloud computing platforms, like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, offer increased storage, empower remote collaboration, and simplify file sharing. However, many companies could not or did not prioritize cloud security during transitions, resulting in security vulnerabilities.

Cloud adoption will continue, even though many workplaces currently don’t have cloud security strategies in place or protocols to ensure employees secure the data they share. As a result, many of the most in-demand cybersecurity skills are related to cloud security.

4. The Federal Government Is Pushing Cybersecurity Investments

Governments are doing their part to keep data and information safer in the digital age. There are three pieces of federal legislation that address data protection and cybersecurity:

  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects digital health care data.

  • The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires financial institutions to make their information-sharing practices transparent and protect sensitive data.

  • The Federal Information Security Management Act, which requires federal agencies to implement processes that protect confidential systems information.

Attacks like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware hack highlighted cybercrime as a national security issue. International cyber threats have prompted a hiring boom in military and non-military agencies.

5. States Are Forcing Organizations to Bulk Up Their Cybersecurity

States are making moves to safeguard against cybercrime. For example, California passed the Notice of Security Breach Act, which requires organizations to notify California customers of data breaches. All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, have similar laws for private companies and, in many cases, government agencies. In Michigan and Arizona, private and public organizations and universities have partnered to create cyber ranges to train new experts in the field.

Every state has a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) responsible for protecting government information — and that title comes with an average salary of around $200,000 or more. State governments will likely continue recruiting experienced and credentialed cybersecurity professionals to keep up with changing regulations.

6. More People Work Remotely

More Americans than ever now work from home. They also attend school from home, shop from home, and log in to medical appointments using computers and phones. Remote work, distance learning, and virtual meetups have created a digital landscape in which sensitive information flows over networks 24 hours a day, meaning a new type of cybersecurity is in demand

Cybercriminal attacks aren’t exclusive to large corporations. They attack individuals, health care providers, and nonprofits. Cyber attacks against small businesses are increasingly common, and many small business owners report they are not prepared to defend themselves.

Employees unused to remote work and unfamiliar with social engineering fall victim to phishing scams. When one employee provides sensitive information to someone they think they can trust, cybercriminals can use it to exploit entire companies.

7. Third-Party Relationships Create Extended Attack Surfaces

In 2020, Russian hackers gained access to Pentagon, U.S. Treasury, and Department of Homeland Security data via security holes in SolarWinds’ Orion software patches. The attack drove home how devastating a cyber attack can be to national security and how much more vulnerable organizations and agencies are as a result of third-party partnerships.

Many organizations lack the necessary resources to evaluate the security practices of third-party vendors, much less manage how vendors use data. In light of this, organizations are expected to add cyber incident clauses to their third-party contracts, shifting data breach liability to vendors who aren’t compliant with current cybersecurity best practices and regulations.

8. Outdated Technology Leaves Data Vulnerable

Too many organizations, in an effort to save money and time, still use outdated legacy software that functions but is not as secure as newer applications and platforms. Software requires updates, bug fixes, and patches to run smoothly and protect the data and functionality of systems.

However, updates and upgrades can be costly and time-consuming, and many organizations avoid them — not realizing that they’re leaving systems and sensitive information vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other attacks.

In some cases, organizations using insecure outdated systems may be liable for damages when breaches happen due to what is effectively negligence. Cybersecurity is in demand for this very reason, as involving security experts in systems maintenance is increasingly important. Experienced cybersecurity professionals can pinpoint system vulnerabilities and determine which upgrades are essential.

The Future of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is already a cornerstone of modern society, and its role will only continue to grow. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of our lives, the demand for robust cybersecurity measures will remain high.

Preparing for tomorrow’s cybersecurity landscape means establishing a future-proofed foundation today. This includes the following:

  • Investing in defenses that leverage AI and machine learning to mitigate threats before they materialize.

  • Promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness and investing in education to reduce human error.

  • Establishing clear and enforceable cybersecurity standards to ensure compliance with regulations.

  • Encouraging information-sharing and partnerships across industries and borders to combat global cyber threats.

  • Investing in educational programs that close the cybersecurity skills gap, ensuring we have the human resources to fill the many cybersecurity vacancies in the IT field.

There’s Still Room for Growth in the Cybersecurity Market

The digital landscape is fraught with risks, and it is largely impossible to predict future cyber threats. The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals will only grow as organizations learn the full extent of modern threats to digitized workplaces.

Currently, there aren’t enough qualified professionals in the cybersecurity field. A bachelor’s degree plus certifications and firewall entry-level experience are no longer all professionals need to defend against cyber attacks.

Launching a cybersecurity career requires not just advanced skills but also advanced credentials. The University of Tulsa’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Cyber Security focuses on the theories, concepts, and techniques of modern information assurance and network defense.

Further, you can learn it all at your own pace and earn your cybersecurity degree in just 20 months. Faculty members are experts in the field. And TU has relationships with industry leaders at high-profile companies such as Amazon, Instagram, and Google. Cybersecurity is in demand and will remain so at companies like these.

Launch your career in cybersecurity with TU.

Recommended Readings

5 Blockchain Careers to Consider

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

Malware Analyst Career Overview

Sources:

Check Point, “What Is Cloud Security?”

Exploding Topics, “How Many Cyber Attacks Occur Each Day? (2024)”

Field Effect, “Overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage in 2025”

Forbes, “Nearly 4 Million Cybersecurity Jobs Are Vacant: Here’s Why You Should Consider Breaking Into This Sector”

NCSL, 2022 Security Breach Legislation

U.S. Agency for International Development, Cybersecurity Briefer: Economic Growth and Trade

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts

U.S. Department of State, Cybercrime

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