Cyber security is critical. If individuals, organisations and governments don’t protect their data, they become vulnerable to attacks. These attacks can be devastating. With cyber crime incidents are estimated to cost the UK economy more than 27 billion a year (Detica). 

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That’s why the cyber security industry exists, to combat these threats. From strategic planning to cutting-edge software and hardware engineering, the cybersecurity sector presents a landscape ripe with opportunities for military candidates transitioning into civilian life. Here’s everything you need to know. 

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Why Cybersecurity?

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As adversaries change and adapt their capabilities, in line with changing powers and availability of technology, cyber security professionals must adapt to stay one step ahead. This makes it a purposeful career path with a lot of opportunities for growth and progression. 

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In an era marked by increasing digitalisation and cyber threats, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has skyrocketed. 

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Plus, the sector is multi-disciplinary, from engineering to operations, to threat intelligence.  The opportunity to gain experience in a number of different roles is endless. 

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An Industry that doesn’t sit still 

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Governments and organisations worldwide recognise the importance of cybersecurity. It’s a non-negotiable. There are regulations in many countries that force the industry to constantly grow. That means there are substantial investments in the sector.

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Globally, cybersecurity expenditure is reaching unprecedented levels, with governments allocating significant resources to strengthen their digital defences and infrastructure. Government bodies, such as the National Security Centre, have been investing significantly to provide advice and guidance to all organisations both public and private sector.

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Roles and Expectations

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There are a lot of roles within cyber security, all of which a military skillset is highly valuable. Here are some of the most common roles:

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🔒 Cybersecurity Analysts: Tasked with monitoring, detecting and investigating threats and vulnerabilities, cybersecurity analysts play a key role in detecting adversary behaviour and their tactics, techniques and procedures. 

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🔒 Incident Responders: Rapid response to cyber incidents is crucial for minimising damage and restoring operations. Incident responders utilise their expertise to investigate, contain, and remediate cybersecurity breaches.

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🔒 Penetration Testers: Otherwise known as ethical hackers, they assess organisations' security posture by identifying vulnerabilities and devising strategies to mitigate them. 

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🔒 Security Architects: Develop comprehensive strategies to protect organisations' digital infrastructure from cyber attacks.

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Benefits of a career in cybersecurity

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A career in cybersecurity offers a lot of benefits, including:

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⭐ Working on the forefront of technology: A role in this industry means you’ll be working in fields that use emerging technologies, such as AI, quantum computing, and inscription. 

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⭐ Continuous learning: The cybersecurity landscape is ever-evolving, providing professionals with many opportunities for continuous learning and skill development.

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⭐ Mission critical: Working in cybersecurity allows individuals to contribute to protecting critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and national security interests.

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⭐ Global impact: Cybersecurity professionals play a vital role in addressing cyber threats on a global scale, safeguarding organisations and individuals from cyber attacks across borders.

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⭐ Lucrative opportunities: With the increasing demand for cybersecurity expertise, professionals in the field enjoy competitive salaries and lucrative career prospects.

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⭐ Job security: The pervasive nature of cyber threats ensures a constant demand for cybersecurity professionals, providing job stability and security in an uncertain job market.

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Translating Military Skills to Cybersecurity

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Military personnel possess a diverse skill set that is highly transferable to the cybersecurity sector:

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➡️ Strategic Planning: Military professionals excel in strategic thinking, a valuable asset for devising comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and tactics.

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➡️ Perspective: In the military, you often have to think like the enemy. Being able to do this in a cyber security role will make you an excellent candidate. 

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➡️ Adaptability: Military training equips individuals to adapt to changing environments and scenarios, a trait indispensable in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

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➡️ Analysis and data literacy: Being comfortable handling data and analysing to draw conclusions and solve problems based on fact. 

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➡️ Creative problem solving: If you’re used to thinking outside the box and moving quickly, this is a great industry for you as it rewards creative thinking and problem-solving. 

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➡️ Communication: Being a strong communicator is key to being able to communicate complex problems to non-technical audiences. 

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How to Get Into the Industry

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👉 Reading And Research: Make sure you read up on the different functions and roles so that you understand the field and threat landscape in the UK. Make sure you know the organisation you’re applying to, and familiarise yourself with their assets and potential vulnerabilities. 

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👉 Enhance Your Skill Set: Think about the skills you already have that will translate to this career,, and consider pursuing relevant certifications or further education if you need. 

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👉 Gain Experience: Seek opportunities for hands-on experience through internships, volunteering, or participation in cybersecurity competitions and exercises.

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👉 Network: Connect with cybersecurity professionals through industry events, online forums, and networking platforms to expand your professional network and explore career opportunities.

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👉 Explore Opportunities: Platforms like Redeployable offer a wealth of cybersecurity opportunities tailored to military professionals, providing a gateway to a fulfilling and impactful career in cybersecurity.

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Sound like it could be for you? Check out live roles on Redeployable now. 

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