Cyberwarfare. Dark web. Digital forensics. Terrorism. Virtual threats might seem a world away, but we’re all affected by cyber security threats. Fraud, hacking, theft and increasingly sophisticated exploits by cybercriminals mean the cost and incidence of cybercrime is rising globally. So what is the future of cyber security?

Our lives are progressively being managed in the online space. Technology affects all aspects of modern life. Computers drive critical systems. In the future, more decisions will become automated. Connection to computer systems will be even tighter.

This calls for more professionals with the specialist skills and knowledge to meet industry demand.

What will the future of cyber security look like in 10 years?

The future of cyber security is tightly connected to the future of information technology (IT). Forbes reports that the following trends will increase over the next decade.

• Organisations sponsored by nations will continue developing cyberattack technologies for defence and offence purposes.
• Criminal groups will continue to seek ways to use cyberattacks for financial gain.
• Hacktivists will continue using cyberspace to send their messages.
• Terrorist groups will move their activities to cyberspace.
• People with the necessary technical skills but no obvious motive will continue contributing to the attacker ecosystem as a way of showcasing their abilities.

Join a booming industry

Cyber security skills are highly sought after. But people with these skills are in short supply. A recent report from Cisco states that there are currently more than a million cybersecurity job openings globally. Demand is expected to rise to six million by 2019, with an estimated shortfall of 1.5 million.

Criminals are increasingly sophisticated, outstripping existing IT and security professionals’ capabilities.

The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network projects that over the next decade, the cyber security industry in Australia may triple. And revenues will rise from just over $2 billion today to possibly $6 billion by 2026.

Do you have an IT or law enforcement background?

Industry needs you! Join this rapidly booming industry with our Master of Cyber Security. Completing our master’s degree will give you up to half of your second master’s degree in credit. You’ll learn specialist skills and knowledge that will prepare you to move into specialised cybersecurity roles. The course has a strong technical focus, and you’ll cover contemporary topics such as:

• digital forensics
• the dark web
• cyberwarfare
• terrorism.

Taught by leading industry experts, this course will equip you with the capabilities to address the issues and needs of the rapidly growing cybersecurity sector.

Futureproof your career with Charles Sturt

Charles Sturt is one of the leading providers of postgraduate IT and computer science education in the country. What’s more, our Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security is a leading provider of postgraduate research and education for professionals in law enforcement, emergency management and security.

Our staff are leaders in their fields and have, firstly, significant experience and secondly, academic expertise. They include renowned terrorism expert Levi West, major investigations leader Graham Sunderland and cyberwarfare authority Richard Steinnon.

Join the fight against cyberwarfare

Help combat the threat of cyberwarfare and respond to cyber security risks and attacks. Take your career into the future with Charles Sturt’s cyber security degrees.