As the World is increasingly Interconnected, Everyone Shares the Responsibility of Securing the Cyberspace – Newton Lee (Author of Counterterrorism and Cyber Security)
Cyber Crime, Cyber Terrorism, and Cyber Attack have evolved as common mishaps that result in unimaginable losses for the person or organization targeted. Given the macro nature of this issue; Cyber Security, including awareness of security risks, has evolved as a crucial point of concern for individuals and organizations alike.
The domain of Cyber Security is a specialized one, requiring the contribution of Cyber Security experts and professionals. Thus, Cybersecurity Jobs and a Cyber Security Career have evolved as outstanding professional choices, with numerous opportunities for growth.
In this blog, we shall be exclusively looking at the top 8 Cyber Security Job Titles which are also some of the Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs. However, before we begin with a description of these Cybersecurity Jobs, we shall quickly consider the question of how to start a career in Cyber Security.
How to Start a Career in Cyber Security?
Cyber Security professionals do not necessarily have specific degrees to their name. This implies that a degree in domains like Data Science, IT, Machine Learning or software, might be a good starting point. However, the field of Cyber Security is a vast one and every individual is capable of contributing in one way or the other.
Consequently, the educational requirements for different Cyber Security Career may be different. In case of certain entry level jobs, there might be no requirement for a bachelor’s degree; while a Cyber Security Job at an advanced level might require you to possess a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree. The scope of Cyber Security is so comprehensive that even a diploma in IT can help you get started.
A Cyber Security Career Path might have multiple sources; however, it is important that aspiring Cybersecurity professionals have an inherent interest in understanding the working of technology.
Those who are looking for a Career in Cyber Security are generally advised to begin with some sort of an internship, apprenticeship or job in IT. This results in developing hands-on experience and a basic understanding of concepts such as coding and network, administering and configuring systems, and database management. Some individuals might even start by working in a Security Operations Center to gain practical experience.
If you are a fresher in the field and is in the lookout of appropriate job openings within the Cyber Security domain; check out our blog on Entry Level Cyber Security Jobs.
Top 8 Cyber Security Jobs
In this section, we will try to look at some of the most in-demand Jobs in Cyber Security in terms of what the position entails as well as the skills required.
1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
The position of a CISO is one of the senior level Cyber Security Jobs, which is attained after a certain period of experience of working at different junior levels. As the name suggests, he is the Chief who is responsible for supervising and overseeing the security mechanism (data, network and internet security) of the organization, including design, strategy, budget, development and so on.
- Skills
i. Preferably a holder of a Computer Science degree and an MBA
ii. IT Experience and Business Expertise
iii. Supervisory and Management Skills
iv. Strong Communication Skills
v. Risk Management
vi. Excellent Leadership Qualities
- CISO Certifications
Preferably,
i. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
ii. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (CISO)
The average salary for the role of a CISO in the United States is $165,985 and they can make up to $229,000.
2. Security Architect
They are responsible for designing and creating sustainable security infrastructures for the organizations, in order to protect the company from Cyber threats. As a holder of this Cyber Security Job position, you will be required to conduct vulnerability tests and even provide technical assistance to others. An analytical bent of mind, coupled with knowledge of designing and a passion for working with data; are suitable attributes for an individual aspiring for this position.
- Skills
i. Preferably a holder of a bachelor’s or even a relevant master’s degree in some cases
ii. IT Experience and Knowledge of Network Hardware Configuration
iii. Understanding of Cryptography and Security Protocols
iv. Strong Communication and Analytical Skills
- Security Architect Certifications
Preferably,
i. CompTIA Security+
ii. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Security Architect)
The average salary for the role of a CISO in the United States is $123,642 and they can make up to $166,000.
3. Information Security Manager
This is one of the Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs as Information Security Managers are responsible for providing protection to proprietary and exclusive information of an organization, which is most susceptible to attack by hackers. They are responsible for identifying any kind of loophole or vulnerability in the system which might become a reason for a Cyber Attack.
- Skills
i. Bachelor’s degree is common in a computer-related field like information science or computer science. A graduate degree like a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is sometimes preferred
ii. Understanding of security protocols and programs
iii. Technical knowledge of data protection and computer systems
iv. Decision making and analytical skills
v. Excellent Communication and Leadership Competencies
- Information Security Manager Certifications
Preferably,
i. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
ii. More specific penetration testing or systems auditing certificates
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Information Security Manager)
The average salary range for the role of an Information Security Manager in the United States is $125,000 to $215,000.
4. Cyber Security Engineer
As an Engineer with a Cyber Security Job, they are responsible for different Security Engineer responsibilities, like designing, building and executing secure network solutions in order to provide protection against hacking attempts and advanced Cyber Attacks. A Cybersecurity Engineer safeguards the data and network of an organization.
- Skills
i. Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. Additionally, two years of working experience in the relevant field
ii. Knowledge of management and architecture of operating systems
iii. Excellent communication and networking skills
iv. Knowledge of programming languages like C, C++, Java and Python
- Cyber Security Engineer Certifications
Preferably,
i. Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
ii. CompTIA Security+ Certification
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Cyber Security Engineer)
The average salary range for the role of an Information Security Manager in the United States is $120,000 to $200,000.
Know more about how to grab this coveted position of a Cyber Security Engineer; read our blog on How to become a Cyber Security Engineer?
5. Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester
When it comes to a Cyber Security Career, the position of an Ethical Hacker or a Penetration Tester is quite an attractive one. They are network security consultants who adopt the role of a hacker in exploiting the vulnerabilities and security weaknesses of a system, except that they do so for detecting breaches and weaknesses and are bound by the terms of agreement of the parent company.
They try to enter into the mind of a hacker, try to understand the logic of a cyber criminal and consequently, resolve any issue which might help real hackers to infiltrate into the system.
- Skills
i. Preferably, 1-4 years of experience in Information Security
ii. Understanding of Operating Systems like Linux, Windows, UNIX
iii. Knowledge of Black Box Testing
iv. Knowledge of Programming Languages like Python, C, Java, C++ and Perl
v. Excellent Communication, Presentation and Networking Skills
- Ethical Hacker Certifications
Preferably,
i. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
ii. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
iii. Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT)
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester)
The average salary range for the role of an Ethical Hacker in the United States is $80,000 to $130,000.
Learn the fundamentals of Ethical Hacking; know more about it here: Learn Ethical Hacking from Scratch.
6. Network Security Engineer
This is one of the top-notched Cyber Security Jobs with the job description of a Network Security Engineer being quite similar to that of a Cyber Security Engineer, except that the former is responsible for the overall security of computer networks.
In the capacity of a Network Security Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring the security of the server architecture, LAN and WAN; for instituting firewalls, providing for email security, virtual networks and so on. They are also required to detect vulnerabilities in a system and automate scenarios.
- Skills:
i. A bachelor’s degree preferably in a computer related field like computer programming or science; some employers might prefer candidates with a master’s degree
ii. Programming and IT networking skills
iii. Security Protocol Building Skills, along with the Ability to Test for Threats
iv. Knowledge of administering routers, firewalls, VPNs and other such tools
v. Reporting Capabilities and Infrastructure Documentation
vi. Problem-solving and Communication Skills
- Network Security Engineer Certifications
Preferably,
i. CompTIA Security+
ii. Certified Information Systems Security Professional
iii. Cisco CCIE Security
iv. Certified Information Security Manager
v. CCNA
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Network Security Engineer)
The average salary range for the role of a Network Security Engineer in the United States is $125,000 to $185,000.
7. Cyber Security Analyst
Cyber Security Analysts generally work in collaboration with other professionals, mainly with Information Security Managers and Penetration Testers, for supervising and overseeing the overall security mechanism of the organization.
They are responsible for detecting breaches and loopholes in the security infrastructure; for system monitoring through external and internal audit and for conducting penetration tests, security analysis and risk evaluations.
- Skills
i. Preferably, a degree in Information Security or related field
ii. Analytical bent of mind and problem solving approach
iii. Sound understanding of Security Fundamentals
iv. Risk Assessment, Incident Response and Handling
v. Excellent Communication and Networking Skills
- Cyber Security Analyst Certifications
Preferably,
i. CompTIA Security+
ii. Certified Information Security Manager
iii. Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Cyber Security Analyst)
The average salary range for the role of a Cyber Security Analyst in the United States is $90,000 to $160,000.
8. Application Security Engineer
This is also one of the Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs. The use of software solutions by organizations has emerged as a norm in modern business. Your organization might be using software solutions hosted or provided by third parties like Azure or AWS, or you might have custom built your own software solution. In such a case, the assistance of an Application Security Engineer becomes indispensable.
These individuals ensure that compliance and privacy policies are regularly updated as well as the security of business and software applications.
- Skills:
i. Complete Understanding of Threats and Attacks
ii. Knowledge of Cloud Encryption and Database Encryption
iii. Ethical Hacking Skills
iv. Threat Analysis and Experience with Malware
v. Communication Skills
- Network Security Engineer Certifications
Preferably,
i. Certified Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
ii. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
iii. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
iv. Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI)
- Cyber Security Jobs Salary (Application Security Engineer)
The average salary range for the role of an Application Security Engineer in the United States is $120,000 to $180,000.
Career in Cyber Security: Worth It?
The relevance of Cyber Security Jobs in terms of whether they are worth pursuing can be an important consideration as you think of a Cybersecurity Career. When you do so, you should remember that the prospects of a Career in Cyber Security can be understood from the scope of the field itself.
In the first place, the domain encompasses some of the Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs guaranteeing lucrative earnings to those who pursue a career in the field. Moreover, a Cyber Security Career is highly dynamic and it provides you with unlimited opportunities for personal growth as you are always engaged in coming up with the best possible solutions for dealing with these threats.
Furthermore, when you are thinking of how to start a Career in Cyber Security, you have an added advantage of finding Cyber Security Jobs within a variety of industries. Data forms the backbone of every organization from the smallest to the biggest ones and protecting it is one of the foremost concerns of all enterprises. Thus, dependence on Cyber Security experts and professionals has automatically increased over the years, paving the chance for a bright Cyber Security Career.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have looked at some of the most sought after Cyber Security Job Titles. The list is by no means exhaustive and there are definitely other Cyber Security Jobs, beyond those mentioned here. The point to note is that a Cyber Security Career can be an extremely rewarding one in terms of growth, dynamism as well as compensation. With the right skills and aptitude, one can definitely aspire to be an expert in the field.
We, at Syntax Technologies, seek to help you in establishing a strong foothold within the domain of Cyber Security through our Cyber Security training course. Enroll today.