Cyberattacks continue to grow in number and sophistication. According to Hiscox’s 2023 Cyber Readiness Report, over half of businesses surveyed suffered at least one cyberattack in the last year. Also in 2023, the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the first time ranked cybercrime and cybersecurity as one of the top 10 global risks over both a two-year and 10-year period.
As cybercrime increases, the demand for business cybersecurity professionals rises. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybersecurity job vacancies grew by 350% from 2013 to 2021, reaching 3.5 million in 2023; more than 750,000 of these positions were in the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of information security analysts to grow by 32% over the next decade, ranking it among the fastest-growing fields in the labor market.
If you’re interested in entering this growing field as a cybersecurity consultant, a Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity (MSBC) program like the one offered by the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville can help you acquire the skills and expertise needed to reach your goals. Read on to learn more.
Defining the Role of a Cybersecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity consultants work to maintain the security of an organization’s systems and software. General responsibilities include:
- Devising business strategies to protect their clients’ systems against cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Manage the development and implementation of multi-tier security architecture.
- Evaluate corporate risk management and develop business continuity plans.
Cyberattacks are continuously evolving; staying up-to-date is one of the major challenges business cybersecurity consultants face. According to the WEF, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has highlighted a growing risk of hackers manipulating chatbots through “prompt injection” attacks. According to the agency, the current generation of large language models (LLMs) is vulnerable to these inputs, which could have worrying consequences: some hackers have successfully used prompt interjections to penetrate secure systems. Meanwhile, experts predict there will also be a surge in the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to make phishing lures harder to detect, leading to more compromised systems.
Business cybersecurity consultants must stay abreast of current trends. They also need both business strategy and technical knowledge to navigate the changing landscape. In an interview with the BLS, cybersecurity consultant Candy Alexander said the most critical skills for cybersecurity analysts include an aptitude and passion for technology and problem-solving. However, she notes, “You also need to understand business—the concepts of program management and teams—and not just technology. And as you progress in your career, you’ll need to build on your communication and presentation skills.”
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What Skills Do Cybersecurity Consultants Need?
The top skills requested by businesses looking to hire cybersecurity consultants include cybersecurity, computer science, vulnerability detection, project management, and identity and access management. Over the next five years, Cyberseek predicts employers will start prioritizing emerging skills like security foundation, threat intelligence, and cloud security.
As with most consulting occupations, cybersecurity consultants also need solid business knowledge and soft skills to translate cyber findings into actionable business intelligence and organizational policies.
Educational Paths to Become a Business Cybersecurity Consultant
There are various paths to becoming a cybersecurity consultant, although most successful consultants start by earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science or information technology. You will also need a strong cybersecurity foundation, which you can build in various ways, including self-learning, certifications, and degree programs. Each of these options is outlined in more detail below.
Self-Learning
It is possible to become a business cybersecurity professional through self-learning. The main benefit of this approach is the low cost, as many free online courses and YouTube videos are available. However, the plethora of online content is also a drawback; it can be challenging to determine which courses and videos offer the most relevant and up-to-date information. Not following a formal training program also means that you won’t be able to ask questions and get advice from industry professionals to help you learn. Finally, you will lack the formal documentation of expertise preferred by many employers.
Certifications
Various entry-level certifications are available to help you launch your business cybersecurity career. Gaining an industry-recognized certification can help you demonstrate to prospective employers that you are ready to enter the industry, and it will carry more weight than individual online short courses and videos (self-learning). However, it is still a challenging path to a cybersecurity career, as you will need base knowledge to succeed in the exam. Furthermore, each certification exam will have a limited area of focus, and you will likely need to pass various tests to gain the broad knowledge required for a successful career.
Degree Programs
Earning a degree in cybersecurity is one of the easiest ways to enter the industry. According to Forbes Advisor, many employers favor applicants with college degrees. Other benefits of obtaining a cybersecurity degree include developing industry-relevant hard and soft skills and building your professional network. The main drawbacks to a college education are high costs and the significant time commitment required, although online programs can help mitigate these challenges.
Bachelor’s degree programs in mathematics, engineering, and computer science could allow you to focus on cybersecurity in a business environment. However, to land more specialized, senior roles, you’ll typically need a master’s degree, like the online Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity from UT Knoxville. It’s also worth noting that master’s degree holders typically earn about 20% more on average than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees.
What an MS in Business Cybersecurity Can Do for Your Career
As online business activities accelerate, cybercrime is increasingly a concern for C-suite executives. As such, there is a growing need for cybersecurity specialists with business strategy knowledge to help company leaders navigate ongoing threats.
UT Knoxville’s online MSBC program is designed to meet this need in the evolving field, helping students become experts in technology and business through an innovative curriculum. In addition to technical skills, the program aims to provide graduates with the ability to understand, communicate, and use business strategies to protect their company’s data and bottom line.
The curriculum covers business cybersecurity, risk management, organizational security management, and business software development security. It is designed to teach students how to leverage cybersecurity foundations to better inform business strategy. Upon graduation, UT Knoxville MSBC students have the skills to pursue various careers, including cybersecurity consulting.
Furthermore, the flexible nature of the online degree combines synchronous and asynchronous coursework, allowing you to take courses at your own pace and earn the degree over up to six years.
Start Your Cybersecurity Consultant Journey With a UT MSBC
With the cybersecurity workforce gap intensifying, now is a great time to enter the field. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a business cybersecurity consultant, UT Knoxville’s online MSBC program can provide you with the skills and expertise needed to achieve your goals. The program integrates cybersecurity skills with business strategy to provide the insights and aptitudes needed to deliver effective business cybersecurity solutions. The 100% online, 10-course program covers technology, management, and operational competencies to strengthen your skillset and bolster your resume. The flexible online format enables you to earn your degree part-time while maintaining a manageable work-life balance.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the program and possible career outcomes or start your application now.