In today’s fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, few things are more critical than building a resilient, future-ready workforce. As Program Director of the University of Dallas Cybersecurity Program, I closely follow research from highly respected organizations like ISC2, whose data and insights help shape curriculum, hiring practices, and professional development.
One recent report that stood out is ISC2’s June 11, 2025 publication:
2025 Cybersecurity Hiring Trends: Why Investing in Entry- and Junior-Level Talent Is Key to Building a More Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce
While the study reveals many noteworthy trends, three findings especially resonate with me—and with what we emphasize in our graduate cybersecurity program at UD.
1. Job Descriptions Are Still Missing the Mark
The disconnect between job postings and the actual skills needed for entry-level roles remains a significant barrier. Too often, employers list advanced certifications like the CISSP—which requires 4–5 years of experience—as a prerequisite for positions meant for junior professionals.
🔑 Why it matters:
This creates a needless bottleneck. Adjusting job descriptions to better reflect realistic qualifications would instantly expand the candidate pool and open doors to new graduates and career changers who are ready to contribute.
2. Cybersecurity Talent Is Coming from Unexpected Places
According to ISC2, many hiring managers are now sourcing candidates from non-technical fields. Some of those fields I am seeing include:
- Business and finance
- Legal and compliance
- Marketing and communications
- Human resources and leadership
💡 This is great news for anyone making a mid-career transition or coming from an interdisciplinary background. Cybersecurity is no longer just about coding—it’s about strategy, communication, and organizational awareness.
3. Soft Skills Are Really Power Skills
One of the most exciting insights from the report is that “soft skills” like teamwork, problem solving, and analytical thinking are ranked as the top desired traits in junior cybersecurity hires.
📊 Technical skills still matter—particularly in areas like cloud and data security—but they follow these interpersonal strengths in priority.
👥 In other words, being a good communicator and team player is as important as technical proficiency when starting out in cyber.
What We’re Doing at the University of Dallas
At UD, we’ve built our Cybersecurity master’s program to reflect this real-world alignment between education and industry need. For more than 21 years, our program has:
- Been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-CD) by the NSA
- Attracted students from across the U.S. military, federal agencies, corporate enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures
- Ranked the #1 online cybersecurity program in Texas and #13 nationally by Fortune in 2024
- Cyber courses align with certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) and others. Additionally, UD is an academic partner aligned with ISC2 who offers the CISSP exam and many others.
Program Highlights:
- 30-credit-hour MS in Cybersecurity
- 6 credits focused on leadership and communication
- 24 credits across key cybersecurity domains
- 100% online format, tailored for full-time and part-time students
- Designed for early-career professionals, career changers, and seasoned practitioners
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're considering a career in cybersecurity—or looking to deepen your expertise—we’d love to talk. Our team can help you match your career goals with the right graduate path.
📩 Contact:
- Michael Sarles, Director Graduate Admissions & International Student Services — msarles@udallas.edu
- Dr. Sandra Blanke, Cybersecurity Program Director and Associate Professor — sblanke@udallas.edu
🌐 Learn more at: udallas.edu/cybersecurity or view our Cybersecurity Program Guide for details on program format, concentrations, and how to apply.
Cybersecurity is an exciting, fast-paced, and ever-changing field—and there’s a place in it for you.
