It’s in demand
By best estimates, Australia needs about 2300 extra cybersecurity workers to close the skills gap. And that’s right now. Experts reckon that, by 2026, we’ll need 17,600 additional cyber professionals to meet the growing threat, and to help businesses stay compliant with cyber regulations.
It pays well
Careers in cybersecurity tend to pay very well, and employers are looking for graduates with a good mix of technical skills. According to Indeed, Network Security Engineers in Australia earn about $133,000 per annum while IT Security Specialists benchmark around $140,000.
It’s future-proof
As long as there are cybercriminals, the world will need cybersecurity. Joe Franzi from the Australian Signals Directorate told the ABC, “the demand for cybersecurity professionals is insatiable at the moment. And it’s not just an Australian problem. It’s a global problem.”
It opens doors
Cybersecurity experts can apply their skills overseas. They can work for governments, not-for-profits or private industry. Cybersecurity is a broad field with many applications, and it’s a useful skillset for anyone looking to work in IT, cloud computing or the Internet of Things.
It’s accessible
If you’ve got some previous experience in systems technology or coding, that’s great, but they’re not necessary to learn cybersecurity. Anyone can upskill into the basics (and then hone that knowledge with further study). The RMIT Online cyber curriculum is designed to be accessible.