Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Career Intelligence
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Interactive Spotlight
    • Photo Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecurityCybersecurity News

80 Percent of U.S. Adults Have Never Considered a Career in Cybersecurity

SEC0918-News4-feature-slide_900px
September 1, 2018

Don’t know what a penetration tester is? You’re not alone; more than 50 percent of U.S. adults surveyed by the University of Phoenix have never heard of pen testers or “White Hat” ethical hackers, among other cybersecurity job titles, and only about one in 10 survey respondents is “very familiar” with the 11 jobs in the industry queried in the survey.

When asked why they never considered a career in cybersecurity, 43 percent of respondents said they had no interest in the field, and 24 percent said they did not possess the proper skills required.

In order to consider a cybersecurity profession, respondents said they would need information on the education required for a cybersecurity career, how to get started, the variety of careers available and what, exactly, a cybersecurity professional does.

Women continue to be underrepresented in cybersecurity roles, comprising just 14 percent of the U.S. cybersecurity workforce. Nine out of 10 women said they have never considered a career in cybersecurity.

Only a third of U.S. adults surveyed said they are confident their company is prepared to combat hackers. Of the respondents who do not believe their company is prepared for a cyberattack, 26 percent said it was because they do not have an expert on staff.

KEYWORDS: cyber security careers penetration testing security education

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Cyber tech background

    Security’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026

    Security magazine’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026 award...
    Cybersecurity
  • Iintegration and use of emerging tools

    Future Proof Your Security Career with AI Skills

    AI’s evolution demands security leaders master...
    Career Intelligence
    By: Jerry J. Brennan and Joanne R. Pollock
  • The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report surveys enterprise...
    The Security Benchmark Report
    By: Rachelle Blair-Frasier
Manage My Account
  • Security Newsletter
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Man on laptop

Healthcare Executives Face a New Era of Personal Risk

Man walking with briefcase

The Rising Tide of Executive Protection: Corporations Ramp Up Security in an Era of Heightened Threats

Stadium

Physical Security in Global Arenas: How AI Improves Security at Scale

Chatbot prompt screen

8 in 10 AI Chatbots Likely to Help Plan Attacks, Hate Crimes

Head in front of monitors

Ransomware Response: How Businesses Regain Control Under Pressure

SEC 2026 Benchmark Banner
SEC 2026 Benchmark Banner

Events

April 30, 2026

Building a Campus-Wide Culture of Security and Shared Responsibility

In today’s higher education environment, where institutions face evolving and multifaceted incidents, safety must be embedded into the fabric of campus culture. Learn strategies for generating collective buy-in from faculty, staff, students and senior leadership. 

May 7, 2026

Beyond Cameras: Revolutionizing Perimeter Security with LiDAR, AI and Digital Twins

In this webinar, we will explore how LiDAR‑based detection, AI‑powered analytics and digital twins are transforming the future of perimeter protection with 3D detection, real-time situational awareness and unified operational views.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products
SEC 2026 Top Cybersecurity Leaders

Related Articles

  • Security Education

    80 Percent of U.S. Adults Have Never Considered a Cybersecurity Career

    See More
  • 80 Percent of U.S. Businesses Expect a Critical Breach in 2019

    See More
  • 80 Percent of Businesses Experienced a Cybersecurity Incident in the Past Year

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • Career Network (60 days)

  • Career Network (30 days)

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing