<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="15" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Master’s in Cybersecurity Online From UC Berkeley </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn a Master’s in Cybersecurity Online in Just 20 Months </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Cybersecurity prepares students to become leaders in cybersecurity. No GRE/GMAT required.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-15" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-15" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/cyber/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UCB-CYB_School-Secondary_Stacked_RGB_COLOR.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/cyber/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> <table class="edu-card-table"> <tbody> <tr> <td>GRE Required</td> <td>No</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Part Time</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="55" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Hawai‘i Pacific University MS in Cybersecurity </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Certification prep available </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>The online MS in Cybersecurity program from Hawai‘i Pacific University prepares students to defend their organization from data breaches, strengthen their résumé by taking key certification exams, and advance their career as responsible leaders in cybersecurity.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-55" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-55" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="http://onlinedegrees.hpu.edu/requestinfo/mscyb/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HPU-UMT_logo-university_primary_cmyk_rev.jpg?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="http://onlinedegrees.hpu.edu/requestinfo/mscyb/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="16" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Online Syracuse University M.S. in Cybersecurity </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn a Syracuse Univ. M.S. in Cybersecurity in 15 Months </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Syracuse University’s online M.S. in Cybersecurity prepares students to effectively combat cybercrime. No GRE currently required, but a master’s degree is preferred. </p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-16" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-16" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/mscy/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SYR-UMT_Lockup_Eng-Comp-Sci_Full-Configuration_RGB_COLOR_900px.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/mscy/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Cyber

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Sydney Lake

<p><a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-masters-in-cybersecurity/">Cybersecurity</a> is an industry that the average consumer may not think of as thriving during a recession. Whenever we inevitably do enter another recession, certain industries and types of businesses typically still grow, including health care, food, and transportation. Recession-proof companies or industries are those that are more resistant to the economic effects of a downturn than others. </p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>In 2022, we’ve experienced what’s being coined a “technical recession,” or two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth (gross domestic product). With the pace of economic growth slowing and inflation at a multi-decade high, many people living in the U.S. have started entertaining the “R” word: recession. President Joe Biden, however, has—so far—had a more optimistic outlook, saying the U.S. isn’t yet in a recession.</p>



<p>“I believe cybersecurity is practically a recession-proof industry,” <a href="https://cybersecurityventures.com/">Cybersecurity Ventures</a> founder Steve Morgan tells <em>Fortune.</em> “For organizations of any type or size globally, cybersecurity is mandatory. Without digital protection, a business will go out of business. Given the market demand, anyone with cybersecurity <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-you-need-to-land-a-six-figure-cybersecurity-job/">experience</a> they are assured of good employment.”</p>



<p>Between 2013 and 2021, the number of open cybersecurity jobs worldwide grew 350% from 1 million to <a href="https://boardroomcybersecurity.com/">3.5 million</a>, according to Cybersecurity Ventures’<em> Boardroom Cybersecurity 2022 Report</em>. </p>



<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">According to a report by <a href="http://lightcast.io/">Lightcast</a>, a market research company, as of November 2021, around 715,000 jobs had yet to be filled in the U.S. alone</span>. Additionally, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global spending on cybersecurity products and services between 2021 and 2025 will accumulate to $1.75 trillion.</p>



<p>“I don’t believe there’s any industry which is recession-proof, but I think that if there’s one industry which might be recession-proof, it’s probably cybersecurity,” Adi Dar, CEO and founder of cybersecurity firm <a href="https://www.cyberbit.com/">Cyberbit</a>, tells <em>Fortune. </em>“Everyone is trying to recruit. Everyone is trying to hire. I think that it’s going to take years and years until maybe part of the gap is closed. I’m not sure it’s ever going to be completely closed.”</p>



<p><strong>Learn more</strong>: 4 tips on <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/4-tips-for-landing-your-first-job-in-cybersecurity/">landing your first job</a> in cybersecurity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-companies-need-cyber-protection">Companies need cyber protection</h2>



<p>Cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent. The average number of attempted cyberattacks per company <a href="https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-165/Accenture-State-Of-Cybersecurity-2021.pdf">rose 31%</a> between 2020 and 2021, to 270 attacks, according to Accenture’s State of Cybersecurity Report 2021. The average number of successful attacks per company was 29 in 2021, up from 22 the prior year. </p>



<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Danny Allan, chief technology officer of data protection firm <a href="https://www.veeam.com/">Veeam</a>, says that because data and digital services are critical to business operations, it’s “imperative” to protect company</span> assets. </p>



<p>“I believe that the cybersecurity industry is largely insulated from market downturns,” he tells <em>Fortune. </em>“Additionally, we are seeing increased focus on compliance and regulatory oversight from the public and the board during times of economic challenges.”</p>



<p>In fact, Cybersecurity Ventures’ Boardroom Security report also shows a growing need to focus on cybersecurity in the board of directors. By 2025, 35% of Fortune 500 companies will have board members with cybersecurity experience, and by 2031 that will climb to more than 50%, according to the report. In 2021, just 17% of these companies had board members with cyber experience.</p>



<p>“Cybersecurity is the only line item that theoretically has no spending limit,” Morgan explains. “There is a budget before a company suffers a cyberattack or a series of them, and then there’s the actual spend that takes place afterward. What business isn’t going to do and spend whatever it takes to recover from being hacked?”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cybersecurity-industry-needs-to-catch-up">The cybersecurity industry needs to “catch up”</h2>



<p>While we’ve seen vast growth in the cybersecurity industry that has seemingly no slowdown in sight, it’s still an industry that’s in its “infancy,” explains Mark Sasson, managing partner of <a href="https://pinpointsearchgroup.com/">Pinpoint Search Group</a>, a cybersecurity recruitment firm.</p>



<p>“If we’re defining recession-proof as ‘no impact to the industry,’ I would say no, cybersecurity is not recession-proof,” he tells <em>Fortune. </em>“While the industry will surely continue to grow over time, the massive growth we’ve seen in the past couple of years is a symptom of an industry in its infancy needing to catch up to motivated threat actors.”</p>



<p>The huge cybersecurity <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/06/30/companies-are-desperate-for-cybersecurity-workers-more-than-700k-positions-need-to-be-filled/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20unfilled%20cybersecurity,million%2C%20according%20to%20Cybersecurity%20Ventures.">talent gap</a> worldwide is more a consequence of not having enough people with the skills necessary to fill these jobs as opposed to the result of a thriving industry, Sasson says. </p>



<p>“This catch-up game will likely last in perpetuity as threats will continue to evolve based on technological advancement,” he adds. “What this translates to is the need for constant innovation—and constant innovation requires investment.”</p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>Looking into learning more about cybersecurity? Check out our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-masters-in-cybersecurity/">best masters in cybersecurity programs</a>.</li>
<li>Our list of <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/most-affordable-online-masters-in-cybersecurity/">affordable online masters in cybersecurity programs</a> can help you find the school that best fits your budget.</li>
<li>Achieve your goal of becoming an expert in data science by choosing from our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-masters-in-data-science/">best masters in data science</a> programs.</li>
<li>Interested in computer science? Here’s our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/">best online computer science masters programs</a>.</li>
<li>Cybersecurity is essential in the modern workforce, and one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/bootcamps/best-cybersecurity-bootcamps/">best cybersecurity bootcamps</a> can help you hone that skill.</li>
</div></div>
</div>

Cybersecurity could be a recession-proof industry due to the number of unfilled positions and increase in spending.

Why cybersecurity is the ultimate recession-proof industry

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Tech

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Business

Career Hub

Health and Wellness

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

WHY CYBERSECURITY IS THE ULTIMATE RECESSION-PROOF INDUSTRY

Why cybersecurity is the ultimate recession-proof industry | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Preston Fore

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Sam Becker

Is coding difficult to learn? It isn’t a cakewalk, but it can open up a near-six-figure career

https://fortune.com/education/articles/is-coding-hard-to-learn/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

Why cybersecurity is the ultimate recession-proof industry

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

Is coding difficult to learn? It isn’t a cakewalk, but it can open up a near-six-figure career

Online Syracuse University M.S. in Cybersecurity