The IT industry is in the middle of a massive period of growth, which is good news for anyone in tech who is looking to advance their career. The cybersecurity sector is expected to continue to undergo rapid expansion. According to research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth for cybersecurity jobs through 2021 is 37 percent, which is almost unprecedented for any industry. 

In other words, it’s a good time to be pursuing a career in cybersecurity. However, the mere fact that there are opportunities available is not enough to secure a future in the industry. In order to excel, there are certain traits and skills cybersecurity professionals need to exemplify. 

Here is our list of the top seven skills every cybersecurity professional needs in order to be successful: 

Creativity. Cybersecurity requires tackling problems from nuanced angles and from multiple directions, which requires an ability to think outside the box. 

Up-to-date knowledge. Industry best practices can change virtually overnight, which means it’s crucial for cybersecurity professionals to stay updated on the most recent trends and technologies. 

Communication skills. Whether you’re speaking with clients, customers or teammates, it’s hard to overstate the importance of being able to articulate complex information to a general audience.

Presentation skills. One of the most important skills for team leaders in any industry – and cybersecurity is no exception – is the ability to confidently address a crowd and communicate an idea. 

Team Management. The ability to orchestrate the actions of multiple teammates, delegate responsibilities, and simultaneously manage the completion of a project are vital skills for securing any cybersecurity leadership position.

Programming fluency. Deciphering programming code is one of the most important skills for a cybersecurity expert to be able to detect potential threats and devise countermeasures effectively. 

Risk analysis. Career success in cybersecurity does not come without the skills of anticipating potential risks and creating methods of mitigating those risks. This means that foresight and unwavering attention to small details are indispensable skills. 

If you’re ready to find your next exciting new IT job opportunity, check out our careers page.