Survey: Demand for Cybersecurity Education Is High

cybersecurity imagery with person using laptop in the background

In a recent survey from Champlain College Online, 41 percent of respondents said they would consider returning to college for a cybersecurity degree or certificate in order to prepare for a cybersecurity job. And 72 percent would be willing to do the same if their current employer would pay for their training.

The survey, conducted by Engine Insight, polled 1,004 adults across the United States about their perceptions of the cybersecurity field and cybersecurity education. Among those who said they would consider pursuing a cybersecurity education, the top reasons behind their interest included:

  • Job security and demand in the field;
  • The opportunity to help protect people from cybersecurity threats, and to "make a difference";
  • General interest in cybersecurity;
  • Better pay; and
  • A desire to continue their education.

On the flip side, among those who would not consider pursuing a cybersecurity education, the top reasons included:

  • Feeling it's too late to consider a career change;
  • Satisfaction with their current field or career path;
  • Lack of interest in cybersecurity;
  • Lack of time or financial resources;
  • Lack of confidence in their technical ability; and
  • Not enough knowledge about cybersecurity to consider a change.

Other survey findings:

  • 88 percent of respondents said they are concerned about cybersecurity threats impacting them personally;
  • When asked to assess the ability of various institutions to address cybersecurity issues, respondents were most confident in the private sector (71 percent), followed by colleges and universities (68 percent) and government (52 percent);
  • 91 percent of respondents agreed that in order to help reduce cyber threats and improve information security, colleges and universities should create more cybersecurity education programs for college-age students; and
  • 85 percent of respondents believed more should be done to encourage women to enter the cybersecurity field.

The full survey report, The State of the Cybersecurity Workforce and Higher Education, is available here (registration required).

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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