Is Cybersecurity a "Recession-Proof" Job?

Let's start by stating the obvious: no job is 100% immune from economic forces. But cybersecurity is about as close as you can get. In 2022, the cybersecurity sector is proving to be resistant to troubling macroeconomic trends. Not only is cybersecurity still a strong job market, but it is growing.

"I believe cybersecurity is practically a recession-proof industry," Cybersecurity Ventures founder Steve Morgan told Fortune Education. "For organizations of any type or size globally, cybersecurity is mandatory. Without digital protection, a business will go out of business. Given the market demand, for anyone with cybersecurity experience, they are assured of good employment."

According to Clar Rosso, the CEO of ISC2, "We anticipate the demand for skilled cyber professionals will increase as bad actors take advantage of the challenging economic conditions to wreak havoc on more victims. All in all, the number of people in cybersecurity is higher than ever, but the talent shortage is far from being solved."

Cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent. According to Accenture's State of Cybersecurity Report 2021, the average number of attempted cyberattacks per company rose 31% between 2020 and 2021. As threats and attacks rise, so too does the requirement that organizations continue to invest in their cybersecurity capabilities.

But all indicators point to a looming recession.

In fact, with two consecutive quarters of negative growth in GDP (gross domestic product), we are technically already in a recession. And it has started to impact big companies: Facebook (Meta), Amazon, and Twitter have all announced lay-offs as they face an uncertain economic future. Other companies include Zillow, Peloton, Netflix, Carvana, and Ford. And technology workers, like designers, software engineers, and product teams have been impacted, too.

The Bottom Line: What You Should Do?

Choosing to invest in yourself and continue to learn new skills will always prove beneficial. And when looking at an uncertain economic future, it is best to start acting as soon as possible. If you are considering a career in cybersecurity, now is the time to start learning new skills and working towards a certification. If you face the harsh situation of being laid-off six months from now, but you have already gone through a program like Day0, you will be ready to jump into one of the job markets that is still growing.