It might not say it in the job description but being a cybercrime fighter is the real-life equivalent of being a superhero.
A cape and mask may not be standard office attire but the aim is the same: fighting baddies.
Scammers, hackers or nasty malware . . . they all need to be taken down.
It’s a scenario dozens of Scottish teenagers will be introduced to this summer at a cyber camp at Glasgow Caledonian University run by the government’s secretive spy agency GCHQ.
In an effort to inspire the next generation of online crime fighters, they’ll be taught techniques in cyber security, including how to protect their home computer from attack.
It’s no surprise Scottish teens are being urged to consider a career in cybercrime prevention as the industry is crying out for more professionals.
With cybercrime costing UK firms billions of pounds every year and a predicted shortage of 1.5 million cyber security experts by 2020, the need for digital detectives to start their training is crucial.
To meet demand there are more and more specific IT security courses being offered at universities throughout Scotland.
A screen grab of what’s on offer includes a BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security and Networks at Glasgow Caledonian, a Masters in Ethical Hacking at Abertay University and Edinburgh Napier’s MSc in Advanced Security and Digital Forensics.
Another route is to start out as a support technician, network engineer or developer and take professional development courses in order to move into a more specialised security or analyst role.
This demand for highly-trained professionals is reflected on s1jobs where IT opportunities range from security engineer, IT security specialist and security analyst to systems security architect and digital risk officer.
The work is as varied as the job titles. You could be managing networks to keep hackers out, testing networks to assess vulnerabilities, analysing new malware or investigating fraud.
Employers include major organisations such as banks, police, security services or specialist IT firms.
Alongside the in-depth technical knowledge, security experts need to have good analytical and problem solving skills, as well as a natural inquisitiveness.
Another important trait is the ability to communicate well and not just in highly technical language – being able to explain the benefits of security systems to non-techie bosses is vitally important.
Such highly-skilled professionals are well rewarded with average salaries of around £60,000 is not unusual. More than enough to buy a superhero cape and a mask.
Bring out your inner superhero as a cybercrime fighter with s1jobs.
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