Letter To Editor: Why Cybersecurity Is The Career Kashmir Must Embrace

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Representational photo

Every year, thousands of Kashmiri students throw themselves into the high-pressure worlds of NEET and JEE, hoping to crack India's toughest entrance exams. Many invest years of their lives and lakhs of rupees chasing a seat in medical or engineering colleges.

But here's a thought: what if there's a smarter, faster, and more future-proof path?

Cybersecurity isn't just a buzzword. It's one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. In 2023 alone, India saw over 2,000 cyberattacks every week.

According to NASSCOM, India will need over 1 million cybersecurity professionals by 2025. That's not a distant possibility. It's a current crisis waiting to be solved.

The National Academy of Cyber Security has opened a golden door for Kashmiri students. It's offering Government of India Certified Cyber Security & Ethical Hacking courses online, with options ranging from a six-month diploma to a full master's program.

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The eligibility? Just a 10+2 pass. No need to crack entrance exams or leave the Valley.

This is a radical opportunity for students who feel boxed in by traditional career routes. Instead of spending years in uncertain exam cycles, students can train in cybersecurity within a year and receive a government-backed certificate.

The jobs? Think Cyber Security Officer, Security Analyst, Information Security Consultant-roles that are in high demand both in India and abroad. The starting salaries? Often upwards of Rs 6 lakh per annum, with international roles offering even more.

Cybersecurity is also recession-proof. As more companies go digital, data protection is no longer optional.

From banks to hospitals, every institution needs experts who can guard their systems. And with the rise of AI, data theft, and digital warfare, ethical hackers and cybersecurity analysts are today's digital soldiers.

Kashmir's youth, sharp and tech-savvy, are perfectly positioned to ride this wave. Rather than chasing saturated paths that often end in disappointment or unemployment, they can enter a domain that values skills over scores, passion over pressure.

It's time we break the JEE-NEET tunnel vision. The future belongs to those who can protect the digital world, and that could very well be a young mind from Kashmir, working remotely, securing systems, and redefining success.

Sincerely,

Asif Zahoor,

Srinagar

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