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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
INE Security Alert: Research Shows Purple Team Skills Drive Job Security as Cybersecurity Pros Seek Career Stability
Cary, NC, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New research reveals that cybersecurity professionals with purple team capabilities – skills that blend offensive and defensive expertise – are in high demand, and have the potential to command salaries significantly higher than traditional specialists. The industry research findings, highlighted as part of INE Security's comprehensive two-month study of career trends in cybersecurity, reinforce how industry professionals are adapting to both economic pressures and evolving threat landscapes by developing cross-functional skills that bridge traditional red team and blue team disciplines. "We're seeing a fundamental shift in what makes cybersecurity professionals valuable," said Tracy Wallace, Director of Content Development at INE Security. "While the broader tech sector has lost over 300,000 jobs in the past two years, cybersecurity professionals with specialized purple team skills are not only keeping their positions – they're actually advancing, thriving, and proving that they possess strong earning power." Research Findings Paint Clear Picture INE Security's analysis of current market conditions reveals several key trends driving the rise of purple team capabilities: Salary Premium: Purple team positions command salaries ranging from $57,000 to $186,000, representing an 18% premium over traditional single-discipline security roles, according to ZipRecruiter. Market Demand: Despite 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally, 64% of organizations cite skills gaps rather than headcount as their primary security challenge (2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study). Career Advancement: Professionals with purple team experience show faster progression to senior and leadership roles, as organizations value comprehensive security understanding. "When organizations face budget pressure, they keep the people who can handle multiple responsibilities,' Wallace explained. 'Purple team professionals represent exactly that kind of versatility." Economic Uncertainty Drives Skill Convergence Cybersecurity professionals are navigating an increasingly complex career landscape. While the broader technology sector faces layoffs and budget constraints, cybersecurity remains a growth area, albeit one with changing requirements. Current economic pressures and evolving threats are creating demand for cybersecurity professionals who understand both sides of the security equation. The 2024 ISC² Cybersecurity Workforce Study supports these findings, showing that nearly two-thirds of cybersecurity leaders (64%) believe that skills gaps can have a more negative impact than staffing shortages, and 90% currently have one or more skills gaps on their cybersecurity teams. "Economic turbulence has a way of separating essential highly specialized skills from nice-to-have specializations," Wallace noted. "Organizations under financial pressure need security staff who can adapt, collaborate, and deliver results regardless of resource constraints." Scarcity Creates Value in a Competitive Market INE Security's analysis of current purple team job postings reveals consistent compensation patterns across major employers: Meta's Offensive Security Engineer, Purple Team: $117,000-$137,000 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package (Washington, DC) KBR's Red Team Operator, Blue/Red Cooperative Operations: $80,700-$121,000 (Washington, DC) Kroll's Purple Team Specialist: $100,000-$140,000 (Remote positions available) JPMorgan Chase Purple Team Operator: $80,000-$120,000 (Dallas, TX) These positions represent a premium over traditional single-discipline security roles, with the limited supply of qualified candidates driving competitive compensation packages. Career Resiliency Through Adaptation INE Security's ongoing focus on cybersecurity career resilience has revealed that sustainable cybersecurity careers require continuous adaptation rather than static specialization. Purple team approaches provide a framework for ongoing learning that remains relevant regardless of how specific technologies or threats evolve. The research shows that professionals who develop purple team capabilities early in their careers demonstrate greater long-term earning potential and job satisfaction. These individuals often become the bridges between different organizational functions, making them indispensable during both growth and contraction phases. "The most bulletproof careers are built on adaptability rather than narrow expertise," Wallace noted. "Purple teams teach you to think systematically about security challenges, communicate across disciplines, and adapt to new situations. Those capabilities transfer regardless of what specific technologies you're working with." About INE Security:INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security's suite of learning paths and preparation for professional certifications offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training for cybersecurity jobs while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career. CONTACT: Kathryn Brown INE kbrown@ Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
INE Security Alert: Using AI-Driven Cybersecurity Training to Counter Emerging Threats
CARY, N.C., March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered cyber threats surge, INE Security, a global leader in cybersecurity training and certification, is launching a new initiative to help organizations rethink cybersecurity training and workforce development. The company warns that AI is reshaping both the threat landscape and the skills required for cybersecurity professionals. While AI offers significant advantages in cyber defense, organizations must ensure their teams are properly trained to leverage it effectively without becoming overly reliant on automation. 'The rise of AI in cybersecurity isn't just a challenge—it's an opportunity,' said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. 'By training cybersecurity professionals properly, AI can be leveraged to filter noise, reduce burnout, and increase efficiency. However, if we don't train people to understand the 'why' behind AI-driven decisions, we risk a future where cybersecurity professionals are blindly following AI without the expertise to think critically beyond it.' AI as a Force Multiplier: Improving SOC Efficiency and Threat Detection AI-driven security tools are improving the signal-to-noise ratio, making Security Operations Centers (SOCs) more efficient by reducing false positive alerts—an area cybersecurity tools have been refining for over a decade. AI can prioritize critical threats, allowing analysts to focus on real dangers rather than wasting time investigating false alarms. 'AI is making threat detection smarter, but it's not foolproof,' said Tracy Wallace, Director of Content at INE Security. 'Security professionals need to be trained to work alongside AI, not just follow its outputs. AI is great at reducing alert fatigue, but analysts still need the expertise to investigate, interpret, and respond to threats accurately.' Generative AI: A Double-Edged Sword for Cybersecurity Talent One of the most promising yet complex aspects of AI's rise is its impact on the cybersecurity workforce. On one hand, generative AI will lower the barrier to entry, allowing more professionals to enter the cybersecurity field and reducing the global labor shortage. However, this shift also presents risks. 'The concern isn't that AI is making cybersecurity easier,' said Wallace. 'The concern is that if professionals become too dependent on AI outputs, they won't develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to work beyond what the AI gives them. Organizations must ensure that cybersecurity training teaches professionals not just how to use AI but how to work independently of it when needed.' The Data Privacy Dilemma: AI and LLM Security Risks Another concern in AI-driven cybersecurity is data privacy and security risks with large language models (LLMs). While concerns over data leakage with cloud-based AI models are growing, this isn't a new challenge—it's an evolution of longstanding security principles. Organizations must ensure AI-powered security solutions do not require external data sharing. 'As AI becomes more deeply integrated into cybersecurity operations, privacy-first security architectures are crucial,' said Wallace. 'Organizations need AI models that can operate securely without exposing sensitive data to external systems.' The Future of AI Security Training: Agentic Architectures and AI-Driven Automation Looking ahead, Agentic AI architectures are becoming a hot topic in cybersecurity. While some view it as buzzword hype, there is real potential for AI-driven security agents that autonomously investigate threats, adjust defenses in real-time, and improve security workflows with minimal human intervention. However, automation must be carefully balanced. 'Agentic AI might be the future, but we can't let it replace hands-on expertise and human decision-making,' said Warn. 'Security professionals must be trained to interpret AI-driven insights, make judgment calls, and recognize when AI is wrong.' Training as the Solution: INE Security's AI-Powered Cybersecurity Curriculum To close the cybersecurity skills gap and help professionals work effectively with AI, INE Security is working to expand its AI-driven training programs. These programs will focus on: AI-Driven Threat Analysis – Training security teams to interpret AI-generated threat intelligence and reduce false positives. Machine Learning for Cyber Defense – Teaching professionals how AI-powered security models work and how attackers exploit AI vulnerabilities. Generative AI in Cybersecurity – Helping cybersecurity teams understand the risks and benefits of AI-generated attacks and defenses. Hands-On AI Security Labs – Simulating real-world AI-powered attacks and training professionals on how to counter them manually and with AI assistance. 'Our end goal is not just to train security professionals how to use AI but to train them how to think critically in an AI-driven world,' said Wallace. The Call to Action: Prepare for AI-Driven Threats Now With AI transforming cybersecurity threats at an unprecedented pace, INE Security urges companies to: Train their cybersecurity teams on AI-driven tools, while ensuring they develop critical problem-solving skills. Prioritize AI-powered security solutions that enhance, not replace, human expertise. Implement privacy-first AI models that reduce data exposure risks. 'The AI revolution in cybersecurity is here,' concluded Warn. 'Organizations that act now—by investing in security training, developing cybersecurity talent, and understanding how AI truly impacts the field—will be the ones leading the industry forward. The future of cybersecurity belongs to those who train for it.' About INE Security INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers, offering both Red Team training and Blue Team training. INE Security's suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career. Contact Kathryn Brown
