Cybersecurity Tops at 41% for Upskilling in Singapore

A recent survey conducted by Vertical Institute among LinkedIn users highlighted the increasing importance of cybersecurity as the preferred career pathway through upskilling. The survey findings emphasise a significant interest in cybersecurity with 41% of respondents expressing a strong preference in this field. 

Additionally, the survey revealed noteworthy interest in other areas, with 24% of respondents showing interest in data analytics, while 18% expressed interest in digital marketing and an equal 18% in UX design. 

Why Skill Enhancement is Important in Cybersecurity 

As technologies evolve rapidly and industry trends shift, the job market becomes increasingly competitive. The automation and artificial intelligence surge fundamentally transforms traditional roles and reshapes employer demands.

Jeremy Broome, senior vice president of global talent at Visa, highlights a significant skills gap in cybersecurity. He observes a decline in formally educated cybersecurity professionals alongside an increase in cyber attacks. 

Moreover, more individuals are entering the field without traditional four-year degrees. To address this challenge, Broome emphasises the need for organisations to invest in training, development, and diversity initiatives within the cybersecurity industry.

Top 5 Emerging Cybersecurity Challenges

Organisations and individuals increasingly depend on digital platforms for various activities such as communication and commerce. The need for robust cybersecurity is crucial to recognise cyber threats’ evolving and complex nature. With the emergence of new technologies, sophisticated cybercriminal tactics, and the ever-expanding attack surface present new challenges that demand forward-thinking solutions. 

Here are the top five cybersecurity challenges currently impacting the world:

• Ransomware Attacks
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
• Zero-Day Exploits 
• Cloud Security
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

In an interview with The Washington Post, David C. Flynn, a cybersecurity architect at Cambridge Cloudworks, underscores the critical importance of highly skilled professionals in combating sophisticated cyber threats. In addition to cybersecurity certifications, Flynn emphasises that gaining security clearances substantially improves career prospects and ensures personal security.

Top 5 Most Challenging Cybersecurity Roles to Fill Globally

Based on gathered reports and industry insights, these roles are widely acknowledged as difficult to fill due to their high demand, the need for specialised skills, and the competitive nature of the cybersecurity talent market. 

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• Role: Oversees the organisation’s information and cybersecurity strategy, policies, and initiatives
  
• Challenge: Requires strong leadership, strategic vision, and alignment of cybersecurity efforts with business objectives
  
• Demand: High due to the critical role in protecting organisational assets

Cybersecurity Engineer

• Role: Designs and implements secure systems and networks, assesses vulnerabilities, and develops solutions to mitigate risks
  
• Challenge: Requires in-depth technical expertise across various security domains, including network security, cryptography, and secure software development
  
• Demand: High due to the critical need for specialised skills in emerging technologies and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats

Security Analyst

• Role: Monitors and analyses security incidents, investigates threats, and implements measures to protect information systems

• Challenge: Requires strong analytical skills, threat detection capabilities, and the ability to respond swiftly to evolving cyber threats
  
• Demand: High due to the continuous need for proactive threat management and the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks

Incident Responder

• Role: Responds to and manages security incidents, conducts forensic analysis, and implements recovery measures to minimise impact
  
• Challenge: Requires rapid response capabilities, technical proficiency in incident handling tools, and a deep understanding of threat landscapes
  
• Demand: High due to the critical need to reduce downtime and mitigate damage from increasingly frequent and sophisticated cyber attacks

Penetration Tester

• Role: Conducts simulated cyber attacks to identify system, application, and network vulnerabilities
  
• Challenge: Requires advanced knowledge of hacking techniques, security assessment tools, and ethical hacking practices
  
• Demand: High due to the critical need to proactively identify and remediate security weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them

Cybersecurity’s Impact on Business Strategy and Digital Transformation

The Singapore government strongly commits to its involvement in ensuring cybersecurity resilience towards digital transformation. With the implementation and new updates in the Singapore Cybersecurity Strategy, the adoption of advanced technologies like cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), AI and big data analytics is enhancing operational efficiency and powerful tools for threat detection and response. 

This initiative is profoundly transforming the business landscape and job market in Singapore. Here are the key effects:

Business

• By adhering to global security standards, businesses in Singapore boost their reputation and competitiveness on the international stage.
  
• Strengthened cybersecurity measures lower the risk of cyber incidents, enhance operational stability and build customer trust.
  
• Businesses can access expertise, resources and support from partnerships with cybersecurity firms and government initiatives.

Jobs

• Digital transformation is creating a growing demand for professionals in artificial intelligence, IoT, data analytics, cloud computing and other technology-related fields.
  
• It supports continuous skills development and education ensuring the workforce becomes adaptable and competitive in the rapidly changing digital landscape.
  
• Certification, upskilling and educational investment support individuals with career transitions allowing access to higher-paying future-oriented jobs. This shift provides financial security and promising career opportunities. 

Here Are the Other High-Demand Tech Fields Based on Our Survey

Upskilling in advanced technological fields beyond cybersecurity such as data analytics, digital marketing and UX design offers a wide range of advantages to professionals in Singapore.

Data Analytics

Developing skills in data analytics firmly enhances cybersecurity efforts by optimising data management and bolstering threat detection capabilities. 

Digital Marketing

A solid foundation in digital marketing plays a crucial role in promoting cybersecurity awareness campaigns. 

UX Design

Specialised knowledge in UX design can greatly contribute to the creation of intuitive and user-friendly security interfaces. 

Alumni Feedback About the Course

One of our alumni, Sopfian,  in Vertical Institute’s cybersecurity course, shared, “I wholeheartedly recommend the cybersecurity course at Vertical Institute to anyone curious about this field. The user-friendly eLearn portal made it a breeze to access resources, while live classes offered a safe space for open discussions and questions, thanks to an amazing lecturer, Peter. His real-world insights kept me engaged and hungry for more knowledge. The practical lessons, like understanding cyber threats from a hacker’s perspective, were eye-opening. This course not only boosted my confidence but also led me to improve my resume, LinkedIn profile, and pursue an MBA in Cybersecurity. It’s a must-join experience!”

Apply now and take the next step towards becoming a leader in high-demand tech fields.

Conclusion

Through the Singapore government’s active efforts in championing cybersecurity resilience, investing in upskilling initiatives and prioritising training in high-tech fields ensure professionals are well-equipped to navigate and innovate within the digital era. 

About Vertical Institute

Vertical Institute leads in revolutionising the future of work by empowering individuals with essential skills to excel in today’s evolving job market. Our comprehensive courses and certifications are designed to cultivate vital skills to nurture the next generation of visionaries and trailblazers. 

As an Approved Training provider (ATO) accredited by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and the Institute of Banking & Finance Singapore (IBF), our courses adhere to the highest standards. They are government-subsidised and eligible for SkillsFuture Credits or NTUC UTAP Funding.