We spoke to industry experts about which skills and roles are currently most in-demand, and their best tips for jobseekers.
This week we've looked at the changing world of cybersecurity, from the impact of generative AI to the threat of quantum attacks. With this in mind, there's no denying that it's an exciting time to be working in cybersecurity – and we're already hearing this from those who work in the field.
So what do cybersecurity job seekers need to know about the current situation? According to PwC's Neil Redmond, Ireland's cybersecurity sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing digitalisation, regulatory requirements and the need to protect critical infrastructure.
“Companies across all sectors are investing in cybersecurity people, technology and strategies to protect themselves against cyber threats,” he told SiliconRepublic.com.
“The roles most in demand are those focused on upcoming regulations and how organisations can meet compliance challenges such as DORA, NIS2 and EU AI law.”
Who are companies looking for?
Redmond said the most in-demand roles are regulatory specialists, identity and access management implementers and cloud security architects.
Orlagh Lynch, chief information security officer at Workhuman, agreed, saying that while skills at all levels are in demand right now, “there's particular demand for skills that are hard to develop in-house, such as cloud security and DevSecOps.”
Redmond added that a strong background with practical technical experience is a prerequisite for any of these roles: “Regulatory professionals should have hands-on experience with regulations such as DORA, NIS2, and an understanding of industry frameworks such as NIST. For identity and access management and cloud security roles, hands-on technical proficiency is essential,” he said.
But Lynch said that while technical proficiency is important, it's not everything in a cybersecurity job: “Cybersecurity professionals need to work with stakeholders at all levels of an organization, so effective communication skills and collaboration are also highly valued,” she said.
“Additionally, a key trait I look for is genuine interest and curiosity. The field is in high demand, but without that interest and the ability to stay ahead of the curve, it's unlikely an individual will be successful in the cybersecurity field.”
Tips for Job Seekers
When offering his expert advice, Redmond says he places a strong emphasis on education and awareness: “Start by earning a degree or furthering your education in cybersecurity or a related field. Technical knowledge is essential, and staying up-to-date on market trends is equally important,” he says.
“Look at how the cybersecurity landscape has evolved over the past five years and get insight into where demand will be in the near future.”
Lynch said it's important to keep soft skills in mind and hone your communication skills. “While technology is essential to defending against cyber threats, it's the human factor that ultimately determines success or failure. Infusing the human touch into cybersecurity is important for anyone entering the field,” she said.
“Understand the role and talk to people on the ground about what their day-to-day work is like. The field of cybersecurity is often described as thrilling and fast-paced, but it's important to recognise that incident investigations can take long periods of time.”
Finally, she recommended trying cybersecurity games such as Capture the Flag to improve your skills: “Tackling the challenge with enthusiasm and determination is good practice for an information security role.”
Find out how emerging technology trends will reshape the future in our new podcast, Future Human: The Series. Listen now. Spotifyupon apple Or wherever you listen to podcasts.
