Cybersecurity Magazines: Vital for Growth as a New Professional in the Industry

Working as a cybersecurity professional who’s new to the industry can be overwhelming. People in this situation are highly in demand, meaning most enjoy excellent job security. Even so, many individuals can feel overwhelmed due to the industry’s fast-paced and ever-changing nature. Fortunately, the relatively simple but valuable act of becoming a regular reader of cybersecurity magazines can help new practitioners overcome many of these challenges. It can also equip them to thrive in the industry.

The Content in Cybersecurity Magazines Supports Ongoing Learning

Earning a cybersecurity degree, certificate or similar designator of knowledge is a major achievement. However, it’s only the start of a learning journey. Most people who hire cybersecurity professionals want assurance that those individuals are committed to learning throughout their careers. 

A 2022 survey even found that 91% of employers would cover the cost for their employees to receive cybersecurity certifications. One reason for that willingness is that many company representatives recognize certificates as a useful way to verify people have certain knowledge and practical skills. 

Cybersecurity magazines don’t replace what people can learn by getting certified in a new skill. However, their content can complement it. More specifically, they typically cover the companies, products, trends and new security threats that practitioners should know to excel in their work. 

Most publications also have relevant advertisements. They’re often convenient outlets for people to find out relevant details. Those could include which certifications exist, the companies that provide them, how much the certifications cost and other associated details. Then, readers are well-equipped to approach their supervisors or other relevant team members about getting the certifications.

Readers Can Get Information They May Have Missed

Today’s magazines come in both physical and digital formats. However, United States census data published in 2022 showed a continual and apparent shift toward the latter. The data confirmed an estimated 40.5% drop in periodicals revenue between 2002 and 2020. 

One of the convenient things about online publications is that they can give cybersecurity practitioners easily accessible news roundups of the most impactful stories over the past year. Some print publications do something similar by providing a paragraph or two of top news stories in a neatly compiled format. Plus, digital formats allow linking. Then, it’s even easier for people to go directly to the original story with a click or tap. 

Such news roundups let people stay abreast of what’s happening in the industry, even if they don’t subscribe to cybersecurity magazines or read every issue. Also, a magazine won’t always have an official news roundup for the year. Even so, the digital version will probably have a search feature or the ability to look at archived content. 

Having the information at one’s fingertips supports career growth through easy accessibility. Once people find the publications that become their favorites, they can get into the habit of setting aside time every day or week to dive into reading them. 

Cybersecurity Magazines Spotlight Trends and Progress

Today’s cybersecurity professionals will be better equipped to defend networks against potential threats if they understand how things are changing in the industry and what technologies their peers are likely to use in their work. 

For example, artificial intelligence (AI) has already done a lot to strengthen cybersecurity. Typically, the programs that use it can establish a baseline for normal network activity, then flag any deviations. Evidence also shows that organizations are increasingly using it to improve their IT operations. 

A 2022 IBM study revealed that 66% of IT teams already used AI or were planning to do that. People working at Chinese and Indian companies were leading the way in that adoption, with nearly 60% saying they’re currently using AI in their jobs. 

AI is only one of the many technologies shaping the industry, but it’s an important one. People can learn more about how it affects the sector by reading cybersecurity magazines. The content they feature could also cover new attack mechanisms, vulnerabilities or malware types that security researchers find. They’re often the first to flag such issues and uncover how cybercriminals might use them in malicious ways. 

Plus, reading industry magazines is a great way to get reminded that there are a lot of things to feel excited, hopeful and happy about in the cybersecurity industry. Indeed, many types of attack rates are going up and cybercriminals are getting more creative with their methods. However,  IT professionals are making significant progress in determining the best ways to thwart their attacks and make connected devices have better defenses against manipulation. 

People Can Get Inspired By Reading About Peers and Industry Veterans

When someone is early in their cybersecurity career, it’s often hard for them to have a long-term perspective of what the future holds. However, magazines often have feature articles and interviews spotlighting what IT security professionals do in their work and how their influence is changing the industry.

Such content is great for helping people who have recently graduated or are still not quite sure what they want to focus on later in their careers. The details provided by individuals who are already well-established in the industry can give new professionals valuable insight and inspiration about what’s possible for them to achieve in the mid and long term.

Hearing about others’ experiences in the industry can also be comforting, especially if someone new to cybersecurity is encountering numerous challenges. A new cybersecurity employee might be struggling with imposter syndrome in their role. If they read an interview from someone else in a similar position, they’ll realize they aren’t alone. 

Such effects can be powerful, even if they occur through reading others’ experiences rather than meeting them face to face. Consider how one survey found that 63% of cybersecurity workers said their stress levels had risen over the last year. Additionally, more than a quarter (27%) said their mental health had gotten worse over the same period. 

Getting support by learning about shared experiences is not a magic fix to these issues. And for some people, the most appropriate action is to seek professional help from a doctor or speak to their bosses. However, when people see accounts in cybersecurity magazines that reassure them that other people are going through similar things, they’ll feel less isolated. 

Cybersecurity Magazines Are Excellent Career Supplements

People who are new to their cybersecurity careers won’t get everything they need to know by reading magazines. But, doing that can still provide them with the compelling benefits mentioned here.