If you’re an IT professional looking to take the next step in your career, it might be time to consider venturing into security—specifically, cloud security. According to a recent report by Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company, cloud security is expected to be a $3.1 billion market by 2015. That’s an increase of almost 50% over this year’s $2.1 billion market and, as a result, will be creating an abundance of new opportunities. As more and more companies have begun to rely on big data and cloud technology to store and analyze sensitive information, the demand for security professionals who can protect this information has subsequently risen, opening many opportunities for professionals with the right credentials.

But what are these credentials? If you’re looking to break into the thriving security market, you should make sure you have the following skills in your proverbial toolbox, as they’re likely to show up on many of the job listings you come across:

• Familiarity with data encryption techniques and best practices
• Experience and/or proficiency with such Cloud Computing platforms as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google App Engine, and Hadoop
• Understanding of the Software as a Service (SaaS) model
• Project management skills
• Network administration and engineering skills

To take your qualifications a step further, consider obtaining any of the following helpful certifications, all geared toward systems and cloud security expertise:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

“Here at The Execu|Search Group, we’re observing a strong uptick in client demand for candidates who can help solidify their security systems,” says Bradley Sona, Managing Director of our Information Technology staffing division. “Many companies, across all verticals, are starting to assess their security and put initiatives in place that didn’t exist a few years ago, as there is a greater need to keep their data secure and protected at all costs. In many instances, we have had firms ask us to find them an IT security professional such as a Certified Ethical Hacker, who can test the weak spots of the company’s information system and help patch up any loopholes.”

While many Software as a Service (SaaS) applications and cloud software offer security features in a variety of formats, it’s important for businesses with highly sensitive and/or confidential information to strengthen that pre-existing shield to mitigate risks to infrastructure and data. The best way to do so is with the addition of one or multiple security professionals—and many employers are beginning to realize that. So take advantage of the growing market; you could find yourself in a new, rewarding branch of your career you never expected!