When you think of all the online scams and criminals who take advantage of your personal information, you may wonder why anybody would want to be in the cybersecurity business. But one thing these criminals never counted on was the creativity and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs to fight back. If African entrepreneurs can harness the power of cybersecurity, they could keep themselves safe while earning lots of money at the same time. In order to do this, here are 8 ways Africans can earn from cybersecurity in 2022.

Cybersecurity has become increasingly important in the last decade or so and those with the expertise to combat cybercrime will find themselves in high demand. If you want to work with cybersecurity but aren’t sure where to start, here are eight ways Africans can earn from cybersecurity in 2022, from entry-level positions to experienced professionals.

The global cybersecurity market is expected to reach $203 billion by 2022 and while Africa seems like an untapped, opportunities still abound and Africans can still earn from this rapidly growing market in the next five years. Here are eight ways Africans can earn from cybersecurity in 2022.

What is Cybersecurity?

Security is a broad term that refers to systems and processes designed to prevent or detect unauthorized access, maintain data confidentiality, and ensure the availability of data and IT services. Cyber security is about protecting computer networks from cybercrime such as malware, phishing attacks, fraud, and others. It also involves protecting information technology (IT) infrastructure such as computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices from damage or destruction. It’s important for everyone to understand how cybercrime works so they can protect themselves against it.

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1. Work as a Consultant

You’re probably familiar with consultants (or at least you know what they do): someone who is brought in to fix problems or to help a company solve problems they can’t solve on their own. Consultants are always in demand, and getting hired as one can be very lucrative—so much so that more than ten million people work as consultants around the world. The consulting industry itself generates roughly $300 billion each year. So if you’re interested, consider working as a consultant after graduation. There are many opportunities for networking and launching your own business, too!

2. Auditing for Security

As one of its primary services, Ethical Pentester performs IT audits for a fixed price. These engagements can be broadly split into two categories – IT compliance and penetration testing. The difference between these two types of audits is subtle, but it’s vital to know what they are and how they differ before contracting a company to perform one on your behalf. Basically, an IT compliance audit makes sure that all security systems at your company meet specific industry standards (IT Security Assessment Framework or ISO 27001 for example). If you’re looking for ways to earn from cybersecurity in Africa during 2020-2022, don’t forget about cybersecurity auditing.

3. Write Cybersecurity Content

Cybersecurity is an explosive industry, and it’s a lucrative field that is going to generate billions of dollars in revenue. Many of Africa’s biggest companies are now embracing cybersecurity because they know that they need to secure their businesses against cybercrime. There are lots of different ways you can earn money from cybersecurity—especially if you live in Africa. Here are some ideas to get you started.

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4. Invest in Cybersecurity Stocks

South Africa is one of those countries that has a booming cybersecurity industry, despite its small size. The industry’s top South African company, Stellenbosch-based PhishMe, raised $100 million during its most recent round of funding; they’re now value at $1 billion and continues to expand its business around the world. The continent as a whole also has huge potential for growth: In 2015, worldwide revenue for cyber security was an estimated $75 billion. By 2022, that number is expected to grow by 43 percent—and African revenue will make up more than 6 percent of that total.

5. Create Instructional Courses

Although it might not be as obvious at first, creating instructional courses for your skills is another way to generate income. For example, if you have a background in photography and have something informative to teach people online through a course or tutorial site, you could create photographic lessons that people would pay money for. While an attractive option, keep in mind that creating a product like that can take considerable time and effort and doesn’t guarantee financial security. You might want to consider other options like one of those discussed below until you gain more experience.

6. Construct an Application

According to Security Made Simple, creating cybersecurity applications is a way to earn a decent income in this industry. This strategy is ideal for Africans with computer programming and app development experience. You can create Cybersecurity apps for businesses and private organizations to solve security issues.

7. Write Cybersecurity books

According to Thesslstore, cybersecurity books are interesting to read for entertainment or academics as it entails threats and dangers. While many businesses and individuals fall prey to cybercriminals, you can earn a fortune teaching people how to protect themselves.

If you can share insights gained from real-world situations in e-books, consider writing a cybersecurity book. Most people want relatable experiences, and you can share your knowledge and expertise by creating a book with valuable content. You can teach readers how to protect themselves from cyber-attacks and stop falling prey to cybercriminals.

8. Become a public speaker

According to nstec, becoming a public speaker in the cybersecurity industry is rewarding to new and seasoned professionals. While most people are not very specific with engagement types, audiences or venues, consider starting with a detailed approach. Consider speaking at cybersecurity events if you have a compelling story to tell or have excellent industry experience.

So, create a to-do list, contact coordinators, and integrate hashtags into your posts. This strategy will give you exposure and earn you a decent income. Skilled Africans can prepare research papers and appear at cybersecurity events as guest speakers.

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Conclusion

Last year, there were an estimated 3.1 billion Internet users worldwide. It is a project that by 2022, more than half of Africa will be online; if you add up all six of our countries mentioned above. That number climbs to 746 million Internet users—almost one out of every three people on Earth. That means there will be a whole lot more cybersecurity threats for Africans to detect and combat—and a whole lot more cybersecurity jobs waiting for us to fill them.

So what are we waiting for? By getting ahead now, we can position ourselves as leaders and job creators in Africa’s burgeoning tech industry. We can provide cyber solutions for African businesses and bolster our region’s reputation abroad as digital innovators—all while helping African countries stay safe online.