In the US today, there are roughly 40,000 job openings in cybersecurity without suitably trained personnel to fill them. The same technologies that are transforming modern society in so many positive ways are exposing it to assaults on data privacy, payment systems integrity and vital computer infrastructure accessibility. Hardware and software alone are not sufficient to deter, discover, react to and recover from cybersecurity attacks; what is required are skilled people. The current unemployment rate for cybersecurity professionals is near or below zero. Demand is high and far exceeds supply.
High demand does not always equal high pay. Teachers, for example, are always in demand and rarely paid well. Moreover, high pay does not usually correlate with abundant opportunities. (i.e. Major League shortstop is a highly lucrative career with virtually zero job openings.) However, in cybersecurity, both demand and compensation are up with average income three times the national average for full-time employees. Money is not always the primary motivation for why people are excited to go to work, but it’s usually an important factor.
When something is fairly easy, one generally can’t expect high demand and high pay though this is not true for cybersecurity professionals. The reason for this is that while technical skills can be taught a highly developed capacity for conceptualizing, integrating various components and problem-solving is unique and special — and something for which Yeshiva students with their background in Talmudic analytic discourse are uniquely equipped. Cybersecurity is engaging, stimulating, and exciting technology-focused work.
Technology is in a perpetual state of change and so is cybersecurity. The struggle between technology makers and technology breakers is not new, but quick-changing technology is engendering even quicker-witted thieves. Today, denial-of-service attacks, point-of-sale intrusions, attacks on Web apps, abuse by insiders, ransomware, cyber-extortion, malevolent QR codes and malicious fonts are only some of the ways we are under attack. Cybersecurity work is unquestionably not repetitive and boring.
Cybersecurity professionals quietly do their jobs providing committed, faithful and honorable service to their businesses, countries, and civilization as a whole. It is more than just our networks, devices, servers, applications and data that is under attack; it’s also our entire way of life. Just like law enforcement professionals or firefighters, the cybersecurity profession will increasingly be recognized and acknowledged as an essential and significant vocation.
I came from Israel and the Rebbeim here inspired me and gave me the opportunity I needed to succeed in my studies and my personal life. Today I have a good job, a good chavrusa, and now b"h a beautiful family of my own.
- Shneur Cohen
I'm from Queens and went to Yeshivas in Los Angeles, Miami and Israel before learning about The Yeshiva through an ad. It was better than I expected and there are no words to describe my hakaras hatov. I’ve grown so much. And you can quote me on that.
- Ben Tzion Zelmanowitz
I'm originally from Brooklyn and went to Chaim Berlin, and Torah Temima before my father’s friend told him about the Yeshiva at IDT. Baruch haShem, this was the best Yeshiva situation I could have ever hoped for.
- Elimelech Schonfeld
Our son, Nochum loved the professionalism of the yeshiva, its well-structured day, the Rebbeim and the way they teach, the guest speakers, the people in the IDT building – everything. The yeshiva opened him up socially and gave his life a direction. He’s happy. We’re happy.
- Berish Freund (parent)
After many years in the Bobov Yeshiva, in Boro Park, I came here and was immediately immersed in the superb learning offered to me by the Rabbeim who I found were not only great teachers but open-minded enough to be able to talk to about anything. I was also able to advance my computer skills, as well, and as a result of the work I did in my courses, landed a good position as a systems administrator.
- Tovia Hollander
A terrific place for me to start learning Torah by choice and not just for tests like in high school. The guys were a lot more mature and enthusiastic about studying. I took my computer networking and Microsoft courses seriously – so seriously, in fact, that I got an interview with the Network Operations Center and landed my first job as the lead engineer.
- Akiva Posner
I grew up in Crown Heights and studied in Oholei Torah from preschool through Mesivta and Yeshiva Gedolah. From there I went to The Yeshiva at IDT to study computer networking. The Rabbeim’s classes were interesting - they didn’t put me to sleep. They helped give me perspective on life with classes on marriage and other relevant subjects. They were always willing to help, be it preparing for a test or just straight up advice. Another thing that was cool is that there was an interesting mix of people, yet everybody was close. And I’m still in contact with many of the friends I made there.
- Yosef Baumgarten