The number of cybersecurity professionals globally stood at 5.46 million this year ( Borgeaud, 2024 ). This number demonstrates that security skills are no longer a market selecting requirement but a necessity for businesses of all kinds. With cybercriminals targeting an extensive network of organizations—big corporations, small businesses, healthcare providers, educational , institutions, and government agencies—every firm needs experts with security skills who can protect their business and maintain computer resilience.
Why is security but crucial for every market today, as a result of this? This realize its significance across various industries.
Relevance of Cybersecurity Across Industries
In recent years, security has become the biggest concern for all sectors.
According to a World Economic Forum report, hacking activities against medical are at an all-time large, with 14.2 pct of attacks targeting vital infrastructure. Healthcare organizations face a number of difficulties in ensuring data security and functional stability, from malware attacks to the theft of sensitive client data. Additionally, according to the same report, financial institutions have become a major target for cyber-attacks, with 8.3 % of attacks having affected critical infrastructure since January 2023 ( Joshi, 2024 ).
Another report by Statista reported that over 100, 000 cyber incidents impacted government agencies worldwide from June 2023 to August 2023 ( Petrosyan, 2023 ). This doesn’t stop below —industries including telecommunications, transportation, and power fields, are also equally impacted by various cyber threats.
All the above statistics make one point evident—cybersecurity is important for all sectors, irrespective of the size and type. This undoubtedly increases the demand for cybersecurity-related professionals year after year, not just in technology-focused fields but also across all businesses.
High Desire for Cybersecurity Experts
The Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 stated that the global average cost of a data breach increased by 10 percent in the last year, reaching$ 4.88 million, which is considered the biggest jump since the COVID-19 pandemic ( IBM, 2024 ). One of the main causes of the major rise in cybersecurity threat losses is the lack of candidates with the right set of skills, or those who can comprehend, improve, and offer the most secure security protections, is this. As a result, there is an increase in the need for qualified security experts, especially in the following positions:
- Cybersecurity Scientist
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- IT Networking Professional
- IT Support Specialist
- Network Engineer
- Network Security Architect
- System Administrator
- SOC Scientist
- Cyber Threat Scientist
As professionals gain knowledge and certifications in cybercrime, these positions have high development potential. The security skills gap in the sector is significant, which makes it imperative to take steps to promote mentoring and expertise.
Top Reasons Cybersecurity Skills Are Essential for All Pros
The skill gap in the security sector is the largest ever, with businesses competing with one another to find the ideal candidates for their organizations.
According to the World Economic Forum, 67 percent of businesses acknowledge a moderate to critical security distance ( World Economic Forum ). The demand for a basic certification is so large that previously qualified professionals frequently receive various job offers and competitive salaries.
Experts say that cybersecurity professionals ‘ average salary is$ 120, 360 a year in the USA ( Bouchrika, 2025 ), placing it among the highest-paying computer science jobs today.
For people wanting to build a career in security, this is just the right occasion. Anyone who has an entry-level security certification from now will have the necessary experience employers are looking for.
Cyber challenges may continue to evolve as demand grows for quantum computing and artificial intelligence. However, the query these is—how does one develop a ? The following section addresses this problem.
C|CT Accreditation: Your First Step Towards Cybersecurity Career
The value of security skills will undoubtedly grow in 2025 and beyond, and this ultimately means that anyone, especially entry-level professionals, may take a step back to learn and adapt to stay relevant.
For those new to the field, EC-Council’s (C|CT) program provides a structured pathway to develop foundational cybersecurity skills. The program covers essential topics like network defense, ethical hacking, digital forensics, SOC, incident response, and more. It combines comprehensive theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning through 85 labs. It is designed to bridge the gap between academic understanding and workplace readiness, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to enter the field. By focusing on real-world scenarios and problem-solving techniques, C|CT prepares learners for entry-level roles such as IT security analyst or network support specialist, while also laying a solid foundation for future career growth in cybersecurity.