Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Essential Skills and Certifications in St Louis

Alright, check this out - the cybersecurity scene in St. Louis is absolutely popping right now! There's a massive shortage of nearly 500,000 open cybersecurity roles across the entire U.S., with over 7,500 of those jobs right here in our city.

That's wild! The number of open positions has skyrocketed by 350% since 2013, so the demand just keeps growing. It's clear that companies are seriously struggling to find enough skilled professionals to protect their online systems from all the hacking threats out there.

But here's the good news - if you're looking to break into this field, St.

Louis is the place to be. Huge cybersecurity summits and conferences like the St. Louis Cyber Security Summit are happening right in our backyard, connecting industry leaders and giving us a chance to learn from the best.

Plus, awesome organizations like CyberUp are dedicated to training the next generation of cybersecurity experts, with free programs and apprenticeships to help us get our foot in the door.

They're all about creating inclusive pathways into these high-paying, future-proof careers. And let's not forget the solid cybersecurity programs at UMSL, keeping us on the cutting edge (check out Nucamp's tips on landing a cybersecurity analyst role here).

In 2024, the cybersecurity job market in St. Louis is [REMOVED]. Companies are searching hard for people with skills like incident response, vulnerability testing, and cloud security.

With major players in finance and healthcare based here, the need for cyber experts who can handle threats and risks is huge. St. Louis University even offers a cert program focused on risk management for cyber pros.

The new Cyber Fusion Center has companies going crazy over incident response talents.

They need people who can analyze threats in real-time and take action fast. Intelligence gathering and forensic analysis are also highly sought-after skills to have on your resume.

An insider at a top healthcare org said cybersecurity in St. Louis requires a mix of technical know-how plus understanding of industry regulations.

So if you're trying to get hired in cyber, make sure to level up your game in areas like:

• Threat intelligence: Gather and interpret information about potential threats.
• Risk assessment: Evaluate and address security risks for organizations.
• Cloud security: Protect data and applications in cloud environments.
• Incident response: Quickly respond to security breaches and threats.

With companies struggling to fill roles, now is the perfect time to work on these in-demand skills and certifications.

The cybersecurity job opportunities in St. Louis are endless for those who can bring the right skills to the table.

In the Lou, cybersecurity certs are essential if you want to score some great jobs in this booming field. Topping the list are the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications.

The CISSP, certified by (ISC)², is an international standard that proves you're an expert in cybersecurity domains like risk management, asset security, and security operations.

According to the St Louis Regional Chamber, CISSP-certified professionals in the Lou are raking in an average of $113K annually - that's a 12% jump from last year! Clearly, the city's going all-in on beefing up its cybersecurity game and attracting top talents.

The CEH cert from EC-Council is a total game-changer, equipping you with the skills to ethically hack systems, sniff out vulnerabilities, and implement bulletproof countermeasures.

As quoted by the St Louis Cybersecurity Meetup group,

"The CEH cert is a game-changer for St Louis pros looking to secure critical infrastructure and protect against advanced persistent threats."

Not to mention, a study by the University of Missouri-St Louis revealed that:

• Ethical hacking expertise is prioritized, with 76% of local employers emphasizing this skill.
• CEH-certified pros in St Louis earn an average of $92K annually, showcasing its value.
• The demand for CEH-certified professionals has surged, growing by 18% year-over-year.

And these certs can unlock career opportunities within St Louis's thriving cybersecurity ecosystem.

From securing networks for major corporations to safeguarding critical infrastructure for government agencies, CISSP and CEH holders are poised to make a lasting impact on the city's digital landscape.

So, if you're looking to level up your career and secure some serious cash, these certs are definitely worth considering.

For all you cyber warriors in St. Louis, the city's got your back with a ton of killer cybersecurity programs to level up your skills.

Start at St. Louis Community College, where they'll hook you up with an Associates degree that covers everything from system security to ethical hacking. Or check out Per Scholas' free training - you can score certs like CompTIA CySA+ without breaking the bank.

Feeling ambitious? Washington University's Cybersecurity Boot Camp will turn you into a full-on cyber ninja in just 24 weeks.

But that's not all, St.

Louis has a tight cybersecurity community where you can network and learn from the pros. UMSL hosts STLCyberCon every year, bringing together experts for workshops and career expo.

Or hit up meetup groups like St. Louis Cyber Security to stay ahead of the latest threats and defenses. With opportunities like these, scoring your dream job in cybersecurity will be a piece of cake.

Just ask Michael Smith, a local pro who says the city's resources were key to his success. Level up your cyber game in St. Louis!

The cybersecurity scene in St. Louis is really heating up, and if you want to make it big in this game, you gotta get yourself connected with the right peeps.

This year, the city's got a ton of dope events lined up where you can network, learn from the pros, and even score some sweet job opportunities. One of the biggest ones is the St. Louis Cybersecurity Summit happening in July.

It's gonna be lit, with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a chance to check out the latest security tools and solutions.

St. Louis has a whole bunch of meetup groups dedicated to cybersecurity, and these are the places where you can really connect with the local community.

The St. Louis InfraGard crew is always hosting events where you can rub shoulders with industry veterans and maybe even land yourself a sweet gig.

And if you're all about that diversity and inclusion vibe, check out the Women in Cybersecurity St. Louis Chapter – they're doing amazing work in supporting women in the field.

According to the St.

Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce, the cybersecurity job market in Missouri is expected to explode by 28% by 2026, with an average salary of $92,600 for cybersecurity analysts.

That's some serious cash. And by getting involved with these local communities, you'll have a much better chance of scoring one of those coveted positions. You'll meet mentors who can guide you through the job-hunting process, collaborate on projects that'll boost your skills, and maybe even participate in some epic capture-the-flag challenges.

It's a win-win situation, really.

The cyber scene in STL has been absolutely wild lately! We've got people from all walks of life scoring some sick gigs in the field. Their stories are inspiring and show just how many opportunities are out there for anyone looking to get into cybersecurity. Check out Hope's story, for example.

This lady was working dead-end jobs but managed to completely flip the script at 38 by going through Per Scholas' IT Support training. She's now slaying it in a cybersecurity role! Or take Elena, who switched careers from fashion to tech after graduating from Per Scholas' Cybersecurity program in NYC. She's all about spreading the word on how game-changing these kinds of programs can be. The key? Never stop leveling up.

As Maryville University points out, this field is only going to keep growing.

Staying ahead of the curve with certs like CISSP, CEH, and Security+ is a must if you want to keep raking in those fat paychecks. Bottom line: St.

Louis is where it's at for breaking into cybersecurity right now. With all the training resources, networking opportunities, and openings at major companies, there's no excuse not to get your hustle on! Just check out Nucamp's Cybersecurity Fundamentals bootcamp to get started.