Twenty percent of respondents to a new survey have considered cybersecurity careers. While roughly half of the 2,000 US adults polled had never heard of the terms penetration tester and white-hat hacker, 10% were "very familiar" with these common cybersecurity jobs and their responsibilities.

The data comes from The Harris Poll, which surveyed 2,000 adults on behalf of the University of Phoenix, measuring their awareness of careers, gender disparity, and workplace readiness in the industry. 

About one-quarter of respondents say they don't have the skills to enter security, a conclusion attributed to lack of education, knowledge of how to get started, and familiarity with what security pros do.

However, many could leverage skills they already have, says Dennis Bonilla, executive dean for the University of Phoenix's College of Information Systems and Technology. The individuals surveyed claim to have skills in programming (33%), data analytics (26%), and coding and Wen development (both 31%). All are taught in the University's security-focused programs.

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