Technology has transformed how businesses function. It has become essential for business growth as it streamlines operations and supports data-driven decision-making. Since data is the backbone of any business infrastructure, technology has become the main driving force for success.
However, the growing reliance on technology also means facing security risks; this is where cybersecurity comes into play.
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What Is Cyber Security?
Cyber security encompasses all practices, resources, and individuals who work together to keep businesses safe from online threats. Cybersecurity specialists are responsible for various tasks, including installing and managing complex security systems, identifying shortcomings in an organization’s digital infrastructure, and developing security procedures. These professionals protect sensitive business information, data networks, and core tech infrastructure from unauthorized malicious access, also known as cyber-attacks.
Top Six Jobs in Cybersecurity
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is on the rise, and there’s never been a better time to kickstart a career in cybersecurity. Keep scrolling to learn about some of the best jobs in the industry and how you can land your dream role!
- Cyber security consultant
A security consultant is an information technology professional with extensive training in protecting sensitive information and critical infrastructure. They identify vulnerabilities in business tech infrastructure, evaluate security concerns, assess risk, and implements remedies. In a world where technology is always evolving, they assess existing security measures and design new ones.
The role entails conducting frequent vulnerability assessments and ensuring close collaboration with various stakeholders to reduce risk exposure and improve security. Furthermore, you will also be responsible for planning and designing the underlying security architecture for company projects, overseeing teams across departments, and implementing security upgrades as per needs.
As a cyber security consultant, you may work in-house for a business or independently as a contractor for different businesses. Security experts advise on and monitor the installation of recommended infrastructure upgrades. The average salary of a cyber security consultant is $92,504, and the bureau of labor statistics (BLS) projects a 33% rise in job growth over ten years.
- Cyber Security Analyst
Protecting corporate intelligence from prying eyes and hands is a major responsibility for security analysts. Security analysts collaborate with various teams to improve security measures and fix any issues they may come across.
These professionals use the information they gather to investigate any breaches in security in computer systems, networks, and databases. Once a security violation has occurred, analysts take the reins to contain the damage and secure the system from further intrusion.
While a master’s degree in cybersecurity is becoming more common, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar discipline is often required for entry-level positions. Most businesses prefer to hire analysts with 1-5 years of practical expertise in systems management.
Analysts can get hired in almost every sector, from government and non-profit to finance and healthcare. Security analysts make an average salary of $103,509.
- Security Architect
Security architects ensure that large-scale business networks and data stores are safe and secure. Principal duties include planning, designing, developing, and testing new security measures.
Architects need extensive expertise in the tools and infrastructures used to protect a company’s most sensitive information. These experts must be well-versed in network security, equipment configuration, networking protocols, and the specific business processes in the organization.
A security architect can work in various industries, including the military, government, finance, and aviation. To get hired as a security architect, you would need 5-10 years of expertise, with a minimum of 3 years focused on security. Because of their comprehensive understanding of the security infrastructure, security architects often rise to administrative positions in information security. The average salary of security architects is $125,477.
- Cryptographer
Specialists in cryptography encrypt private information using complex algorithms and ciphers to protect sensitive business information. They ensure that sensitive information is not misused by preventing duplication, alteration, destruction, or interception.
Since cryptographers need statistical models to assess new security risks, they need expertise in statistics. A comprehensive theoretical foundation in cryptography and the ability to apply these theories to practical problems in IT systems are additional requirements for many crypto roles.
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of expertise in networking, auditing, or encryption techniques.
There is a wide variety of sectors in need of cryptographers, from the public sector and the IT industry to the private sector and the healthcare sector. Cryptographers might be useful in any industry that places a premium on securing sensitive customer and corporate information. They make an average salary of $185,000.
- Security Engineer
The job of a security engineer is to ensure the safety of enterprise-level systems, software, and networks via the development, deployment, and maintenance of preventative security measures. Engineers need problem-solving skills, including the ability to diagnose and repair infrastructure systems, think creatively about ways to reduce risk, and articulate these ideas to upper management.
It is common for engineers to have between one and five years of expertise in a similar field, such as network administration or systems analysis. Security engineers can work in various industries, including tech, banking, healthcare, the armed forces, public administration, and education.
Because of the importance of a company’s unique security systems, security engineers typically rise to management positions as their expertise grows in this area. Security engineers make an average salary of $95,820.
- Forensic expert
Forensic experts are responsible for recovering information from various computer systems, examining digital footprints left by users, and compiling other pieces of evidence. Forensic specialists lead investigations to determine who is at fault when a system device is broken, whether digitally or physically. Forensic experts also help restore data, repair broken devices, and guarantee compliance with regulatory standards.
Many professionals work in the private sector, particularly in healthcare, military contracting, and technology, even though most of their careers are spent in the public sector investigating tech crimes. In the field of forensics, work experience of one to three years is often required for entry-level jobs, whereas five or more years is typically required for senior roles.
Forensic experts have the potential to advance to managerial positions, such as supervising regional laboratories or controlling quality assurance standards. They make an average salary of $74,800.
Final Thoughts
Businesses of all sizes are at risk of a cyber security attack, from social media giants to small up-and-coming companies. The demand for cyber security professionals is skyrocketing as the increased reliance on technology has left every business vulnerable to attacks. If you are interested in a cyber security career, consider the above-discussed roles and their responsibilities to determine which career track better suits your talent and temperament.
