It’s rare to find a field with such a huge gap between the demand from employers and the supply of available talent, but currently, that field is cybersecurity.

In the technological age we are currently in, the number of cyberattacks continues to increase. From hospitals to entire government systems, no one is safe. That is why employers worldwide are searching for those with the skills and expertise to take on these challenges and provide the security needed to protect valuable computer systems.

A study from the Capgemini Digital Transformation Institute found that 55% of senior business executives and academics surveyed said the gap is getting bigger between the demand and the supply of cyber security talent.

The gap is expected to continue to expand in the coming years. The key to closing the gap is to educate more individuals in cyber security.

Completing the Cybersecurity training program from Southern Adventist University gives students the opportunity to become experts in the field with the convenience of being online.

What You Learn in a Cyber Security Training Program

Through this program, you’ll learn how to properly defend networks and understand best practices, standards, and trends to secure and protect network vulnerabilities. You’ll understand all of the languages, methodologies and concepts you need to thrive in a cyber security career. The program ends in a large group project where you will do an entire systems analysis to ensure you understand everything you’ve learned from a hands-on perspective.

Some of the skills you can expect to learn within the program:

• Packet Analysis
• Vulnerability Analysis
• Python Programming
• Wireshark and Nmap
• Cyber Defense
• Agile Development

Cyber security is a profession with a large number of legal and regulatory issues surrounding it. Students will learn also the details of the latest laws, as well as the ethical issues that involve the protection of sensitive digital records while within our program.

Salaries and jobs in Cyber Security

The number of jobs involving cyber security is expanding and is expected to continue to do so over the next decade and beyond. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for information security analysts, an area that includes cyber security experts, will jump a staggering 33% by 2030. This number is nearly triple the average number across all other industries. 

There are jobs across almost every industry. If the organization has computer networks that need protecting, they need cyber security experts. The industries that employ the most cyber security experts include:

• Computer system design companies
• Finance and insurance
• Information companies
• Companies that provide administrative and staff support

Salaries are commensurate with the rising demand. The median annual pay for information security professionals in May 2020 was $103,590 according to the BLS. Those in the top 10 percent of the profession earned more than $163,300.

The areas where the most cyber security professionals are employed include Virginia, Texas, California, Florida, and Maryland. DC, Colorado and Delaware also have a large number of job opportunities in cyber security. However, as the demand for cyber security professionals continues to grow, you will see this list change dramatically.

With the rising demand and subsequent low supply of talented workers, there has never been a better time for those with an interest in cyber security to enter the field.

Completing Professional Workforce Development’s Cyber Security training program insures that you are properly trained and prepared for anything you will encounter in the cybersecurity field. Contact us with any questions.

According to Lorman Education Services, 74% of surveyed employees feel they aren’t reaching full potential at work due to lack of development opportunities and 41% consider their organization’s career advancement opportunities a very important factor to their job satisfaction. Professional Workforce Development will assist companies in the tri-state area with employee development and advancement.

Southern’s new Professional Workforce Development program will offer the following non-
credit courses online:

Healthcare:

• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician Professional
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Patient Care Technician
• Sterile Processing Technician
• EKG Technician
• Health Unit Coordinator
• Healthcare Administrative Professional
• Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist
• Healthcare IT Technician

Information Technology:

• Cyber Security
• Data Science
• Software Development

Professional Development:

• Project Management

“Southern has been part of the region for 130 years and is committed to the economic expansion happening today,” said university president, Ken Shaw. “This is an exciting time for the Chattanooga area, and we are proud to provide educational value to the people who live and work here.”

About Southern Adventist University

Founded in 1892, Southern Adventist University provides a quality, Christ-centered undergraduate and graduate education to approximately 2,700 students each year. Caring professors, hands-on training, and a wide selection of academic options prepare students for success, as demonstrated by our graduates’ impressive job placement numbers and high median starting salaries. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Southern’s 1,300-acre campus features nearly 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, a top-notch fitness center, and much more.

*Lorman Education Services, 39 Statistics that Prove the Value of Employee Training