The most cyber-secure countries for a career in cyber security

Cybercrime damages are projected to exceed a staggering US$6 trillion by 2021 which is why banks, tech companies, hospitals, government agencies, and every other sector are investing in cyber security experts and infrastructures. All to protect their business practices and the millions of customers that trust them with personal data.

Cyber attacks represent a genuine risk to governments, economics, organisations, and individuals. In 2015, the US Government’s Office of Personnel Management was breached and traded off, with the organization declaring that 21.5 million social security numbers were stolen from one source, and 4.2 million from another.

A strong security infrastructure includes several layers of protection dispersed throughout a company’s programmes and networks. Cyber-attacks occur every 14 seconds and to outwit cyber criminals and defend systems, several components such as firewalls, antivirus software, anti-spyware software and password management tools have to work in harmony to do so. 

CNBC reported in 2019 that there were 2.93 million cyber security positions unfilled around the world. Largely due to the fact that cyber crimes are the fastest growing crime in the US and its only increasing in size, sophistication, and cost.

For a successful career in protecting organisations with cyber security skills, it is crucial to know which countries are excelling and which are not. This knowledge will greatly affect your decision and the skills you are looking to master. Awareness will ensure you are able to cater to the needs of the country and the kinds of cyber crimes they are likely to face. Here are some of the most cyber secure countries in the world, and where you should consider a cyber security career:

France

France comes in as the most cyber-secure country on the planet with an immersive effort in nearly all aspects of cyber security. Here, just 4.72% of mobile devices and 16.2% of computers are infected with malware, just slightly higher than the other countries to be mentioned. 

France makes up for its deficiencies with robust legal frameworks and well-equipped national organisations that bring these numbers down and keep people safe. The country is also an active member of the international cyber security community which contributes to the fact that a tiny percentage of global Telnet attacks originate from France. 

United States

More mobile phones are infected in the US than in France (7.68% vs. 4.72%), however, computer infection rates are much lower at 10.3%. Both France and the US are similar in the sense that they both have robust national strategies in place that keep them one step ahead of the latest cybercrime trends. 

The US is cooperative when it comes to joining forces, it has extensive technical know-how, and it has one of the world’s strongest legal frameworks for preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cyber crime. 

Japan

Japan has the lowest infection rates globally for mobile phones at just 1.34% and the infection rate for computers, 8.3%. However, in Japan, the legal framework around cybersecurity could use some updating. Outdated and unenforced laws make it difficult for the government to deal effectively with the threats it faces for now, but despite shortcomings, Japan is still one of the safest digital countries in the world. 

United Kingdom

While the UK’s computer infection rates are higher at 10.2%, its mobile infection rate is one of the world’s lowest at just 3.68%. The country also boasts a strong legal framework and solid technical infrastructure, both of which assist greatly in combatting, preventing and investigating cyber attacks. 

These systems in place work well and it is evident through the fact that it is home to just 1.07% of Telnet attacks. 

Singapore

Singapore’s strong legal infrastructure and technical capacity both receive near top marks in multiple studies. This factor in more has contributed to the country’s below-average infection rates and low percentage of Telnet attacks at 0.14%.

Singapore is also known to use some of the most effective strategies when communicating with the public and engaging them as key stakeholders in the nation’s cyber-defense.