Seeking a career in cyber security in the Philippines? Here’s why you should.
Here in the Philippines, we’ve become increasingly dependent on our mobile phones, tablets, and computers as we have come to appreciate the conveniences brought by e-commerce thanks to modern advancements in technology, the Internet and this global pandemic.
Philippine e-commerce is a US$7-billion industry and is expected to grow more than triple or approximately US$25-billion according to Janio.
A very important aspect, along with its continuous growth, is how e-commerce companies and e-payment solutions providers protect our data against unscrupulous individuals who hack, scam, and phish their way to your hard-earned money.
Apart from financial motivations, cyber criminals are also on the prowl for one of the most important commodities in this day and age — data.
And that’s where cyber security comes in.
It has become an essential fabric of any modern business. And whether we call it Internet security, IT security, computer security, it’s all under the same umbrella.
Cyber security jobs are in high demand worldwide and it will not seem to dwindle in the foreseeable future. More so in this ongoing pandemic where it abruptly pushed individuals and businesses to evolve in adapting tech-enabled solutions in order to survive, such as the Philippines.
In fact, almost 9 out of 10 business leaders in the Philippines see cybersecurity as a priority amid the COVID-19 pandemic according to CrowdStrike (as published in the Philippine Star).
It is then no wonder that demand in the cyber security sector in the Philippines will be at an all-time high, especially in the coming years.
Cyber attacks at an all-time high
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warned the public of countless cyber crime schemes that escalated amidst the pandemic.
The Philippines (just like the rest of the world) experienced a surge in cyber attacks in the first half of 2020 alone mainly as a side effect of the pandemic.
At the height of the pandemic, the Philippine government disallowed its citizens to leave their respective homes and had to delegate the responsibility of rationing for necessities to one able-bodied member of the household.
As a result, e-commerce dependence grew exponentially and the only way to pay for non-users of e-wallets was through online bank transfer.
It unfortunately became an opportunity for cyber criminals to victimize unsuspecting online shoppers via email by baiting them to phishing websites impersonating major Philippine banks, such as Bank of the Philippine Islands and BDO Unibank.
Hacking, phishing, and identity theft are only few examples of cyber crimes that occur in our daily, tech-driven life.
What’s certain is that cyber crime is a continuously evolving technological threat.
Where do i begin?
For starters, how would one land a cyber security job? Does one really need a Computer Science degree?
Not really.
Remember that the tech world’s two titans — Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs — dropped out of college and went on to form two of the worlds most recognized brands.
But hey, that’s not cyber security-related.
Just to illustrate further, in one of the workshops I’ve attended, I learned of one guy who finished with a degree in Physical Therapy but is currently head of one of the country’s top digital marketing firms.
Point is, one doesn’t really need a straightforward path to cyber security. The same holds true to any job, for that matter.
See it now?
That’s not to discount a computer degree, however. A cyber security is a separate discipline in itself but it links to all of the other IT skill sets. It gives one a head start if you want to later venture into a cyber security career. In fact, a local school is already offering a B.S. degree in Cyber Security.
Nevertheless, there are numerous other paths to take and let me enumerate some for you:
- Security analyst
- Security software engineer
- Security architect
- Security administrator
- Incident responder/forensic analyst
- Malware analyst
- Certified ethical hacker
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
If you have the technical know-how and experience, you can solidify a career in cyber security by obtaining certifications in a particular field of expertise.
In fact, according to Isaac Sabas, Vice President - Asiapac Head at SilverSky, even if one has an non-computer degree, they would still hire the person as long as he has solid certifications in cyber security.
“In the macro sense, a career in cyber security is booming. The main issue is on the supply side of talents — it’s not growing as fast,” he said.
Low unemployment rate, solid compensation
What makes a career in cyber security more attractive is a low to zero unemployment rate paired with a solid compensation package.
PayScale states that the average Philippine salary of an entry-level cyber security specialist is around Php 58,000 per month and can go up to north of Php 100,000 per month depending on your experience and expertise.
According to Forbes, demand outlook for cyber security jobs is pegged at 31% growth through 2029 which is more than seven times than the 4% national average job growth in the U.S.
What’s more compelling is that a cyber security professional has near infinite career growth.
It is because modern security challenges require broad skill sets that is why cyber security professionals often come from a diverse set of backgrounds.
We need to understand that anything that uses ones and zeros has a cyber security component to it. From mobile apps to websites to robots to medical equipment to cars to voting machines — it’s practically endless!
Tangible impact
Cyber security and physical security may be distinct disciplines from one another but they are highly connected.
Failures in cyber security can lead to serious consequences in the physical world. Ever heard of the Equifax hack?
Likewise, what’s the point of a sophisticated cyber security system if criminals can easily steal the equipment on which the data are kept?
In 2019, an undetermined number of Filipinos’ passport data was compromised after a disgruntled private contractor made off with the data along with other documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The main point is that a cyber security matters and its impacts extend beyond the screen. It’s terrifying and exciting at the same time because it is a very crucial profession in this day and age.
Make no mistake, however, that a cyber security career is not one portrayed in Hollywood spy movies. You don’t get to dodge bullets, travel around the world, or build complicated computer setups in abandoned warehouses.
It’s a strong career with infinite potential and your growth depends on you whether you opt for a cyber security degree or get certifications, it all depends on your eagerness — as with any endeavor in life.
Any aspiring cyber security professional must bear in mind that learning never stops.
