Top 16 Cybersecurity Skills in High Demand

Do you think a career in cybersecurity might be for you? Cybersecurity is an in-demand, fast-growing field with a need for qualified employees, offering high median salaries, job opportunities in a variety of sectors, and a challenging, fast-paced work environment.

If you're excited by the prospect of protecting organizations' digital assets and intelligence from security breaches, but aren't sure if you're right for the job, it's important to do your research on the field, find out what typical cybersecurity jobs look like, and learn more about the skills needed for cybersecurity careers.

Those pursuing a career in this field will need to have a broad set of technical, professional, and functional skills, as well as the specific cybersecurity skills and key soft skills in demand by employers that will set you apart from the competition. We've created a list of top cybersecurity skills to help you see what it takes to be a professional in the cybersecurity field.

Technical Skills Required for Cybersecurity

To thrive in the cybersecurity field, professionals must master a diverse range of core skills. These competencies enable them to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and develop robust defenses against evolving threats. Below are key technical skills in high demand within the cybersecurity landscape:

Network Security

Network security is a cornerstone of cybersecurity, focusing on safeguarding internal and external communication systems. Professionals must understand firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), virtual private networks (VPNs), and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. A strong grasp of TCP/IP protocols, security protocols, and wireless security measures is also critical for risk management.

Programming

Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript is essential for cybersecurity experts to develop secure applications, automate tasks, and analyze vulnerabilities. Understanding scripting languages like PowerShell and Bash is also valuable for penetration testing and security incident handling. Programming skills also contribute to malware analysis and creating custom intrusion detection tools.

Incident Response 

Security incident handling skills empower professionals to act swiftly and effectively when a breach occurs. This includes detecting, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats while minimizing damage and downtime. Familiarity with frameworks like NIST and SANS ensures systematic handling of incidents. Mastery of tools for intrusion detection and risk management is essential to protect sensitive data during a crisis.

Cloud Security

With the growing reliance on cloud-based solutions, expertise in security protocols and cloud security is indispensable. Cybersecurity professionals must understand how to secure sensitive data, applications, and services hosted on platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. This includes implementing encryption, access controls, and compliance measures to reduce vulnerabilities.

Cryptography 

Cryptography skills are vital for encrypting data and securing communications. Professionals need to understand key concepts like public key infrastructure (PKI), symmetric and asymmetric encryption, digital signatures, and hashing algorithms. These skills are critical for protecting sensitive data, ensuring security protocols are adhered to, and mitigating risks in malware analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML are becoming critical tools in combating advanced cyber threats. Professionals must know how to deploy AI-driven threat detection systems, develop predictive models, and analyze massive datasets to identify anomalies and vulnerabilities before they are exploited. These technologies can enhance intrusion detection, streamline risk management, and improve the analysis of malware behavior.

Malware Prevention and Detection 

Cybersecurity professionals must stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated malware threats. This requires expertise in malware analysis, reverse engineering malicious code, and using tools like antivirus software, sandboxes, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems. Understanding security protocols and implementing intrusion detection systems is vital for maintaining the integrity of sensitive data.

Encryption

Encryption ensures that sensitive data remains protected, even if it falls into the wrong hands. Professionals must master security protocols, encryption techniques, and tools like TLS/SSL and PGP for securing email communications and file storage. Expertise in this area also supports effective risk management and strengthens overall security incident handling.

Ethical Hacking

To effectively protect an organization's network and infrastructure, you'll need to know how they can be exploited in the first place - that's why most cybersecurity professionals must learn how to "ethically hack." Essentially, you need to have the same skills as a hacker, to fully understand how a system could be breached, and in turn, create effective solutions for thwarting these attacks.

Fundamental Computer Forensics Skills

While computer forensics and cybersecurity are two separate fields, they're closely related - and having a foundation in computer forensics can help you excel in your cybersecurity career. To be able to effectively protect organizations' digital assets and prevent security breaches, you'll need to have a solid understanding of what happens if your efforts fail, and how compromised data is recovered. Most cybersecurity degree programs will have a computer forensics component for this reason.
 

Soft Skills Required for Cybersecurity

While technical expertise is critical, soft skills play an equally vital role in succeeding in cybersecurity roles. These skills ensure professionals can collaborate effectively, adapt to changing environments, and make informed decisions under pressure. Below are the top soft skills required for cybersecurity jobs:

Problem-Solving Skills

As a cybersecurity professional, problem-solving will play a major role in your day-to-day work. Those in the field need to find creative ways to take on and address complex information security challenges across a variety of existing and emerging technologies and digital environments.

Attention to Detail

Being able to defend an organization against cyber breaches requires you to be highly vigilant and detail-oriented, in order to effectively detect vulnerabilities and risks. You'll like be responsible for continuous network monitoring and will need to be able to quickly identify concerns and come up with real-time security solutions to address them.

Communication Skills

As a cybersecurity specialist, you'll be working closely with individuals in other roles and departments, and it's important to be able to effectively communicate and explain your findings, concerns, and solutions to others. It's important to be able to speak clearly and concisely on cybersecurity strategy and policy, as well as to be able to convey technical information to individuals of different levels of technical comprehension.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a foundational skill in cybersecurity, enabling professionals to analyze complex problems, evaluate potential solutions, and anticipate how attackers might exploit vulnerabilities. This skill requires a strategic mindset to dissect incidents, identify root causes, and implement effective countermeasures. By thinking like a hacker and leveraging malware analysis and risk management, cybersecurity experts can stay one step ahead of threats and craft innovative defense strategies.

Adaptability

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats and technologies emerging every day. Adaptability is crucial for staying effective in this dynamic field. Professionals must quickly learn and implement cutting-edge tools, respond to ever-changing attack vectors, and pivot strategies as needed. Staying adaptable enhances proficiency in intrusion detection, security protocols, and malware analysis while ensuring resilience in security incident handling.

A Desire to Learn

As with any technical field, cybersecurity is fast-changing. Anyone who works in the field will need to be committed to keeping current with best practices and emerging industry trends, and will always need to be learning and self-educating - both on and off the clock.

How Do You Build Cybersecurity Skills?

While some of the skills listed above are ones you should naturally have - for example, an inclination for analytical thinking and technology - others are ones you will need to develop through formal training or education. Depending on your background, a certificate or degree in cybersecurity is a good place to start: they'll give you a solid foundation in the principles of cybersecurity, in addition to an overview of security across a variety of platforms, programming and development, digital forensic investigation, specific technical skills (such as those relating to computer and operating systems and networking) and more.

Given the growing popularity of this field, there are an increasing number of cybersecurity degree programs available to prospective students, both online and campus-based. Regardless of the mode of learning you prefer, you should look for a school that is regionally accredited, non-profit, and has a well-recognized cybersecurity program. Third-party validation from both the higher education industry (for example, U.S. News & World Report rankings) and the cybersecurity industry (such as SC Magazine's rankings) are important. And if possible, look for a program that has been recognized by the U.S. government - for example, Champlain College has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.