National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is in its fourth week and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is encouraging students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and state and local officials to learn more about information security jobs.
This week’s theme is “The Internet Wants YOU: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity.” Nationwide, approximately 1.8 million information security jobs need to be filled by 2022. In Indiana, there will be an estimated 1,030 job openings this year. Indiana will also have a 24 percent increase in jobs by 2027, which is above the national average growth rate of 17 percent. It’s critical that Hoosiers meet the demands of the evolving economy and graduate individuals who are ready to take on this challenge.
Information security analysts plan, implement, upgrade and or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. They may also protect digital and physical infrastructures while responding to cyber attacks and viruses. The median pay nationwide for this occupation is $70,000 per year.
“The focus on cybersecurity has been important from the time businesses moved into the digital age. This focus continues to become even more critical each and every day,” said Steve Elliott, Chief Information Officer for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “It is a fast-growing field, and one that is critical to the future success of many Indiana businesses.”
IDHS, the Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) and the Indiana State Police are among multiple state agencies partnering to operate the Indiana Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IN-ISAC), which helps reduce the overall cost of cybersecurity by centralizing resources, leveraging large-scale purchasing, improving prevention efforts and containing threats. The IN-ISAC is holding free cyber educational events throughout the month of October, including the state’s first Cybersecurity Career Fair on Oct. 26.
There will be nearly 30 companies in attendance at the fair. Attendance is free for individuals and the event takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Atrium/Conference Room C of the Indiana Government Center South, 302 West Washington Street in Indianapolis.
For more information on cybersecurity or information security careers, visit IndianaCareerReady.com. For more information IDHS’s cybersecurity efforts, visit www.GetPrepared.in.gov.
SOURCE: News release from Indiana Department of Homeland Security