9 Most In-Demand Cybersecurity Skills To Learn In 2024

With the advancement of technology, the risk and threats of cyber-attacks have also increased. Due to the increasing severity and frequency of cyber attacks, there is a need to bridge the cybersecurity skill gap and fill the cyber talent shortage. If you want to learn cybersecurity and build a career in this domain, this post will certainly help you. In this post, we have listed the most in-demand cybersecurity skills that you can learn to begin your career. 

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the process of protecting computers, servers, networks, mobile devices, and data from any cyber-attack. 

Popular Cybersecurity Courses

Here is a list of some of the best online cybersecurity courses to help you gain knowledge in this area:

• The Complete Cybersecurity Course: End Point Protection on Udemy 
• Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks on Coursera
• The Beginners Guide to Cyber Security 2020 on Udemy
• Cybersecurity for Everyone on Coursera

Need for Cyber Security

In April 2020, the WHO reported a five times increase in cyber attacks. It issued a statement revealing that around 450 active email addresses and passwords of its staff and thousands belonging to others working on the novel coronavirus response were leaked online.

The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has not only affected the global economy but has also resulted in the growth of cyber-attacks. As more and more companies opted for the Work From Home model to limit the spread of the virus, the workforce moved from corporate IPs to home or shared Wi-Fi networks, getting exposed to new cyber vulnerabilities.

While the world fears the pandemic and adjusting to remote offices, hackers are leaving no stone unturned to seize the opportunity to advance their cyber crimes and exploit individuals, government institutions, and even large organizations.

With cyber threats becoming more prevalent and rising exponentially, there is a need for individual IT professionals as well as organizations to make fundamental changes in their approach to cybersecurity to maintain the desired security posture. The risk of cyber-attacks is growing enormously and so is the need for cybersecurity professionals. 

Also Read: Top Cyber Security Interview Questions and Answers

Top Cybersecurity Threats in 2022

As per Cybersecurity Ventures, the damage related to cybercrime is projected to hit $6 trillion annually by 2021 from $3 trillion in 2015. 

As cybercrime remains the greatest threat to every organization in the world, let’s take a look at the top cybersecurity threats for 2022.

1. Phishing 

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which carefully targeted digital messages are transmitted to people, to steal their sensitive data, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other financial information. 

2. Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking refers to hackers' malicious use of your computer to mine cryptocurrency without consent. Since mining for a cryptocurrency requires enormous computer processing power, hackers mine cryptocurrency on someone else’s systems. It can slow down your computer and put your security at risk.

3. Deepfakes

Deepfakes are photos, videos, or audio recordings created by cybercriminals using Artificial Intelligence for illicit use. Such videos are made by swapping faces in videos or altering the audio of videos. 

4. Internet of Things (IoT) Attacks 

The Internet of Things (IoT) enables us to stay connected at work and home. The devices connected to the IoT include laptops and tablets, webcams, routers, smartwatches, household appliances, automobiles, home security systems, and more. If the hackers get control of these, it can result in the loss of sensitive data. 

5. Ransomware Attacks

In a ransomware attack, hackers access the victim's computer and freeze it. The hackers then unlock the infected system if the victim pays a ransom. Ransomware attacks may cost the victims billions of dollars every year, as attackers deploy technologies that enable them to fetch the organization’s databases and get access to the information for ransom. 

Most In-Demand Cybersecurity Skills to Learn in 2022

Below are the top in-demand Cyber Security skills that you can learn:

1. Understanding of Hacking

To protect your organization from cyber-attacks, you must know how to “ethically hack.” To understand how a system could be attacked and to develop an effective solution, you will need to learn the same skills as a hacker. 

Popular Ethical Hacking Courses

• The Complete Ethical Hacking Course: Beginner to Advanced on Udemy
• Certified Ethical Hacker Certification by EC Council 
• Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp 2021: Zero to Mastery on Udemy
• Ethical Hacking: An Introduction on FutureLearn

2. Cloud Security

With more and more organizations moving their data to the cloud, cloud-based security providers need to protect and keep their data secure. As organizations migrate to the cloud, they need cloud-savvy security professionals. Thus, the cloud security skill will provide you with the foundations you need to secure data in the cloud.

Top Cloud Security Courses

• Cloud Security Basics on Coursera
• Manage Cloud Security and Risk on PluralSight
• Check Point Jump Start: Cloud Security on Coursera

3. Computer Forensics Skills

Computer forensics and cybersecurity often work hand-in-hand to promote information security. A foundation in computer forensics can help you advance in your cybersecurity career. Both focus on the protection of digital assets and intelligence. While cybersecurity is focused on the prevention of attacks, computer forensics focuses on what happens after a cyber-attack occurs.

Best Computer Forensics Courses

• Computer Forensics on edX
• Certificate Course in Cyber Forensic by NIELIT

4. Blockchain Security

Blockchain is an evolving technology that will likely become the foundation of various security systems, such as mobile and IoT devices, supply chain integration, network control, and identity solutions. It offers unprecedented data security because to destroy or corrupt a blockchain, the attacker must destroy the data stored on every user’s computer in the global network. Blockchain security results in a lower risk of getting attacked by hackers due to the complexity required to enter and penetrate such a network.

Popular Free Blockchain Courses

• Blockchain Architecture Design and Use Cases by NPTEL
• Transacting on the Blockchain on Coursera
• Diploma in Blockchain Technology and Applications on Alison
• Blockchain Basics on Coursera

5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence can help security experts to understand the cyber environment and identify abnormal activity. It also helps cybersecurity professionals by providing automated techniques and support whenever cyber threats are detected. AI can also provide security professionals with additional resources to defend vulnerable networks and data from cyber attackers.

Top Artificial Intelligence Courses

Welcome to Artificial Intelligence on Udemy

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Beginners Course on Simplilearn

Artificial Intelligence by MIT

6. Programming Skills

A basic understanding of programming languages, such as Java, PHP, C, or C++, is critical for any cybersecurity professional. Knowledge of programming languages will help them to detect the chances of attacks on the system and to develop concrete counter-plans accordingly. 

Best Programming Courses

• Java Basics – A Complete Course for Beginners on Udemy
• C for Everyone – Programming Fundamentals on Coursera
• C Programming Language Fundamentals on Pluralsight
• The Complete JavaScript Course 2021: From Zero to Expert! on Udemy

7. IoT Security

IoT security focuses on safeguarding connected devices and networks on the internet. A huge number of IoT devices make their security a high priority and is important for the future well-being of the internet ecosystem. By learning this skill, you will be able to explore current security and privacy-related concerns in the IoT domain.

Popular Internet of Things (IoT) Courses

• Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things on Coursera
• Introduction to the Internet of Things on edX
• Internet of Things: Communication Technologies on Coursera

8. Communication Skills

As a cybersecurity expert, you will work closely with different teams and departments. It is important to communicate effectively to explain your issues, concerns, and solutions to others. You should be able to comprehensibly convey even the most technical information to individuals of different levels.

Popular Communication Courses

• Communication Skills: Become More Clear, Concise, & Confident on Skillshare
• Business Fundamentals: Effective Communication on FutureLearn 

9. Problem-Solving Skills

As a cybersecurity professional, you may, at times, find yourself surrounded by problems.  A problem-solving approach can help you find innovative ways to solve even the most complex security challenges in the ever-evolving field of technology.

Top Problem-Solving Courses

• Problem Solving with Advanced Analytics on Udacity
• Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making on Coursera

How To Build Cybersecurity Skills?

An online course in cybersecurity is a good way to begin your journey. It will teach you all the basic and advanced concepts of cybersecurity, thus enhancing your cybersecurity skills and other related technical skills. However, cybersecurity is a phenomenally complex and fast-growing field. So, you need to study from your own sources, read blogs, follow experts, and learn on the job to stay on top of your game. 

Conclusion 

The cybersecurity industry has great growth potential and offers promising career opportunities. Since it continues to suffer from a shortage of cybersecurity professionals and experts, it is the best time for you to learn cybersecurity skills and enter the market. 

Moreover, it is an evergreen industry. As more and more people use the internet for their personal or professional needs, hackers will also continue to use it unethically. With the increase in internet use and a rise in cyber-attacks, there will be a continuous need for cybersecurity experts, making your career as a cybersecurity expert more stable than before.