Wanted Analytics (02/07/12) Abby Lombardi

Demand for workers with cyber security skills rose 12% in 2011 from the previous year, as the number of Web site hackings and other cyber threats increased. Although hiring was slow in the fourth quarter, experts say demand has grown slowly and steadily in recent years. Most job ads in the cyber security field are tech related, with cyber security analysts, cyber security engineers, software engineers, systems engineers, and network engineers among the most commonly advertised job titles.

In the fourth quarter, the industries with the most job ads included computer systems design services; research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, except biotechnology; and engineering services. Despite security breaches, the retail and banking industries were not in the top 30 industries in terms of job ads. Wanted Analytics’ Hiring Scale says cyber security jobs are moderately difficult to recruit, and it could become more difficult if demand for cyber security skills rises this year. In Charleston, SC, for instance, Wanted Analytics says there are just 400 potential candidates, and online job postings are displayed for an average of seven weeks in this area, compared with six weeks nationally.