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Welcome to the 21st Edition of The Career Compass!

Thank you for joining me for another deep dive into cybersecurity careers, industry trends, and valuable insights to help you excel. This year is shaping up to be full of new opportunities, and I’m here to help guide you through them. Let’s jump in!

🎥 This Week's Video: 5 Cybersecurity Jobs That Will Skyrocket in 2025

Are you considering a career in cybersecurity? Or maybe you’re already in the field and want to stay ahead of the competition? In this video, I break down five cybersecurity roles that are set to explode in demand in 2025! From cloud security to ethical hacking, these careers offer high salaries, job security, and exciting opportunities in the tech industry.

🔥 In This Video, You’ll Learn: ✔️ What each cybersecurity role involves
✔️ Why these jobs are in such high demand
✔️ The average salary for each position 💰
✔️ How to get started and what certifications you need
✔️ My prediction for a game-changing cybersecurity job in 2025!

Watch now to stay ahead and future-proof your cybersecurity career

Spotlight on the Blockchain Security Analyst Role

With blockchain technology expanding beyond cryptocurrency into finance, healthcare, and supply chain management, the need for Blockchain Security Analysts is on the rise. This year, I expect to see increasing demand for professionals who can secure blockchain networks and smart contracts from cyber threats.

🚀 Why is this role in demand?

• Smart Contracts Vulnerabilities: As businesses adopt blockchain technology, securing automated transactions and preventing exploits will be crucial.

• Decentralised Finance (DeFi) Risks: With billions locked into DeFi platforms, security experts are needed to prevent hacks and fraud.

• Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: Companies are integrating blockchain for supply chains, identity management, and secure transactions, requiring security specialists.

How to Prepare for this Career

• Gain experience with Ethereum, Hyperledger, and other blockchain platforms.

• Learn about smart contract security and how to audit them for vulnerabilities.

• Earn relevant certifications like Certified Blockchain Security Professional (CBSP) or Certified Smart Contract Auditor (CSCA).

• Build hands-on experience by participating in bug bounty programs and blockchain security projects.

If you’re looking for a future-proof cybersecurity role, Blockchain Security Analyst is definitely one to watch in 2025!

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The Importance of Researching the Business Before an Interview

One of the most underrated yet powerful strategies for standing out in a job interview is thoroughly researching the company beforehand. Employers want engaged, informed, and excited candidates who demonstrate a deep understanding of their mission, values, and objectives.

Why is research important?

• Shows Genuine Interest: Demonstrates enthusiasm and a proactive mindset, proving that you're invested in the company's success.

• Helps Tailor Your Answers: Aligns your responses with the company’s values, mission, and current challenges, making you a stronger cultural fit.

• Gives You an Edge: Positions you as a well-prepared and insightful candidate who understands the industry landscape.

• Strengthens Your Questions: Enables you to ask thoughtful, strategic questions about the company’s future, workplace culture, and goals, showcasing your critical thinking skills.

• Boosts Confidence: Knowing the company inside and out helps you feel more prepared and articulate during the interview, reducing nervousness and increasing credibility.

How to Research Effectively

• Visit the company’s website: Read their mission statement, leadership bios, and recent announcements.

• Follow industry news: Stay updated on press releases, funding rounds, and strategic partnerships.

• Check employee insights: Use Glassdoor or LinkedIn to gain insider perspectives on company culture, salary benchmarks, and employee satisfaction.

• Analyse competitors: Understanding the company’s market position and key competitors gives you a broader perspective on industry challenges and trends.

• Look at recent financial reports (if applicable): For publicly traded companies, reviewing earnings reports or investor presentations can reveal growth areas and challenges.

💡 Being well-informed is the key difference between blending in and standing out as a top candidate! A little extra research can make a lasting impression and set you apart from the competition.

In the News and Trends

AI-Powered Phishing Attacks on the Rise Cybercriminals are using AI to craft more sophisticated and personalised phishing emails, making them harder to detect. Experts recommend multi-factor authentication and continuous user awareness training to combat these threats.

Governments Increasing Cyber Regulations

Governments worldwide are enacting stricter cybersecurity compliance laws to address the growing threats against digital infrastructure. These regulations require businesses to enhance their security posture or face hefty fines. Companies must now take proactive measures to comply with frameworks such as GDPR, NIS2, and CMMC, ensuring customer data protection and reducing cyber risks.

Key Trends in Cyber Regulations:

• Tougher Compliance Standards: Organisations must implement stricter data security measures, including mandatory breach reporting and multi-factor authentication enforcement.

• Increased Accountability: CEOs and executives are now held more accountable for cybersecurity failures, with some regulations imposing personal liability on leadership.

• Cross-Border Data Protection: Governments are implementing laws to control international data flows, ensuring sensitive customer information is adequately safeguarded against foreign cyber threats.

• Stronger Penalties for Non-Compliance: Businesses that fail to meet these new standards risk substantial financial penalties, reputation damage, and potential lawsuits.

  Countries worldwide are enacting stricter cybersecurity compliance laws, requiring businesses to enhance their security posture or face hefty fines. Expect more accountability on companies to protect consumer data.

  ☁️ Cloud Security Becoming a Top Priority

With cloud adoption reaching unprecedented levels, securing cloud-based infrastructure is now a top priority for businesses. As organisations move more critical operations to the cloud, cybercriminals have increased their focus on exploiting cloud vulnerabilities.

🔒 Key Cloud Security Trends:

• Zero Trust Adoption: More businesses are implementing Zero Trust architectures, ensuring that every user and device must be verified before accessing company resources.

• Cloud Misconfiguration Risks: One of the leading causes of cloud breaches is misconfiguration. Companies are ramping up security audits and automation to detect vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

• Rise of Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): These tools help organisations continuously monitor their cloud environments for compliance and security misconfigurations.

• Multi-Cloud Security Challenges: With many organisations adopting multi-cloud strategies, ensuring consistent security policies across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is becoming increasingly complex. With cloud adoption at an all-time high, securing cloud-based assets is becoming critical. More organisations are shifting to Zero Trust architectures to mitigate breaches.

  💀 Ransomware Gangs Targeting Critical Infrastructure

Ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure have escalated significantly, targeting industries such as healthcare, energy, and supply chain logistics. These attacks disrupt essential services, leading to financial losses, public safety concerns, and even geopolitical tensions.

How Organisations are Responding:

• Government-Led Cyber Task Forces: Many governments are forming dedicated cybersecurity task forces to counter ransomware gangs and issue stronger defensive strategies.

• Stronger Backup and Recovery Measures: Companies are enhancing disaster recovery protocols, ensuring critical systems can be restored without paying ransom.

• Cyber Insurance Expansion: More organisations are investing in cyber insurance policies to mitigate financial damage caused by ransomware attacks.

• AI-Powered Threat Detection: AI and machine learning tools are now being leveraged to detect ransomware behaviour early and prevent encryption-based attacks before they spread.

The continued evolution of ransomware tactics means that businesses must stay vigilant and prioritise cyber resilience to protect their critical assets.

Attacks on hospitals, energy grids, and supply chains have escalated, prompting increased investment in cyber resilience strategies and government-led task forces to combat these cyber threats.

Challenge of the week:

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and build career momentum? This week's challenge will help sharpen your skills and expand your professional network.

• Engage with Three Industry Professionals – Reach out to cybersecurity professionals on LinkedIn or X, comment on an industry post, or participate in a relevant discussion. Building relationships now can lead to opportunities later!

• 🎯 Bonus Challenge: If you're applying for jobs, research a company you're interested in and prepare three insightful questions to ask in an interview.

📌 Let me know how it goes! Small steps can lead to major breakthroughs in your career.

Final Thoughts

As we move further into 2025, opportunities in cybersecurity are expanding, and staying ahead of trends is crucial. Whether you're interested in blockchain security, preparing for job interviews, or tackling this week’s challenge, taking action today can set you up for success.

If you have any questions or want personalised coaching, feel free to reach out. Remember—your career growth is in your hands, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!

Thank you for being part of The Career Compass community; keep levelling up your career, and I’ll see you in the next edition!

Best Wishes
Luke

P.S. Don’t forget to share The Career Compass with anyone who might benefit from it. Let’s grow our community and empower each other on this journey!