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February 25, 2025
If you’re looking for a change of career and aren’t sure where your IT skills could be put to good use, it might be worth looking at emerging sectors rather than staying put.
Automation and AI is on track to streamline IT roles in 2025 and beyond, and this could mean fewer opportunities available. This is why it might just be the perfect time to start looking for a role in an area that is in-demand now and likely to be even more prevalent in the future.
We are referring to the rise of FinTech and cybersecurity roles around the UK. These two sectors are thriving and showing signs of significant growth. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and be part of a pioneering sector, now is the time to start retraining, upskilling and addressing these skills gaps.
You might see news of mass layoffs affecting IT professionals, but this seemingly hasn’t impacted FinTech and cybersecurity hiring. Specifically, cybersecurity for the FinTech sector is a booming industry.
FinTech, or financial technology, is changing the face of modern banking. It isn’t just cryptocurrency that is driving this shift. Consumers are moving away from traditional high street banks and choosing digital-first options. These often offer improved rates and greater flexibility in how they bank, often allowing customers to do everything they need to do from within an app.
This naturally raises concerns about security. One thing that financial technology companies offer as a benefit over traditional banking is an increase in security provisions. Hackers and scammers are only getting more sophisticated, and so protective measures must be stepped up in response.
This is driving the increase in demand for FinTech and cybersecurity professionals. Thankfully, you don’t have to have extensive experience in this sector to succeed. Many of the skills employers are looking for are easily transferred from other IT sectors, provided the candidate is willing to learn and adapt.
If you’re interested in moving into a cybersecurity role within the FinTech sector, the first thing to do would be to explore if this is a role within your current organisation.
A horizontal move into another part of the company would be an astute step for anyone with the skills and experience. Employers often prefer this method of recruitment, as it means that they can hire people with knowledge of their systems.
Another approach would be to explore on-the-job training opportunities. It might not be something that your employer offers now, but they might be expanding into this sector in the future. Being proactive will put you in the best possible position to make the most of future opportunities. You might even help to shape their approach.
And finally, you could explore new roles with other organisations that are already actively hiring. This is a popular choice for those that might feel they have reached the end of the road with their current workplace. If you are concerned your role could be soon made redundant, you can get ahead of the curve and start your search for a cybersecurity role or FinTech role.
If you currently work in IT, it’s likely that you already have the skills you need to work in cybersecurity or FinTech. All you will lack is the knowledge of how your skills apply to these roles.
If you are planning a move from another sector entirely, you might want to think about a short training course to see if you have the aptitude for this type of environment. In general, employers are looking for:
Knowledge of concepts such as blockchain, AI and machine learning will help you to demonstrate that you have a passion for working in this particular sector.
There will be considerable investment in AI technology over the coming years, with one estimate stating that job postings requiring digital skills have doubled from 2.4 million in 2012 to 4.9 million in 2022.
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