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Top 10 in-demand Cybersecurity Jobs: Career and Salary Information

One of the IT industries with the quickest growth and highest demand is cybersecurity. Jobs in cybersecurity provide the possibility for high incomes as well as intriguing and varied experiences, regardless of whether you are exploring furthering your education, have just graduated, or are considering a change in profession.

You'll be in great demand from companies if you possess abilities in cybersecurity, which is one of the main advantages. Since there is a severe lack of talent in this industry, businesses must constantly fight for the best people.

According to a study by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) conducted in 2022, half of the firms (680,000 businesses) lack basic technology capabilities, while one-third lack advanced skills. However, starting in January 2019, 37% of all cyber job openings have proven challenging to fill. Therefore, if you do have the skills and experience employers value, you'll be in a good position to grow your career in whatever path you choose.

In this article we will discuss the following topics related to the cybersecurity job market:

  • What Are the Benefits of a Career in Cybersecurity?

  • What are the difficulties in Career in Cybersecurity?

  • What Are the Skills Needed to Become a Cybersecurity Professional?

  • What are the top 10 in-demand Cybersecurity jobs

  • What is the highest-paying cybersecurity job?

  • Is there a high demand for cybersecurity?

  • Where should I start my career in cybersecurity?

What Are the Benefits of a Career in Cybersecurity?​

One estimate claims that every day, 30,000 websites are compromised, with a new assault taking place online every 39 seconds. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) alone received 791,790 reports about cybercrime in the United States in 2022, up 69 percent from 2019. Losses resulting from these claims total more than $4.1 billion.

Today's businesses must invest a growing amount of time, money, and skill into identifying and thwarting cyberattacks. The need for qualified cybersecurity workers has increased as a result.

Here are five main reasons why you should think about today's and tomorrow's trendiest field in IT, regardless of whether you are just starting your career or want to shift directions.

  • The Abundance of Cybersecurity Positions: On any significant job-search website, a short search for "cybersecurity" is likely to turn up hundreds, if not thousands, of available positions. More cybersecurity positions are being created by businesses than can be filled. There were approximately 500,000 job advertisements for cybersecurity-related positions between April 2020 and May 2021 all around the country. By the end of 2021, there may be up to 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. This figure reflects an astounding 350% increase in cybersecurity job openings since 2013. It is reasonable to assume that workers with cybersecurity abilities have a significant edge in this extremely competitive employment market, even though finding the perfect job is never simple.

  • The Skills Gap in Cybersecurity: The need for knowledgeable cybersecurity specialists is increasing more quickly than individuals are developing the required abilities. And it is only anticipated that the cybersecurity skills gap would widen. By 2022, there may be an additional 1.8 million jobs needed for qualified IT experts, predicts research company Frost & Sullivan. Therefore, individuals who are now qualified to fill these tasks and have the necessary expertise should anticipate greater work prospects. Even a greater wage can be attainable via negotiation.

  • Professionals in Cybersecurity have Required in Almost Every Industry: Jobs in cybersecurity are not just available in the tech industry. Today, every sector needs qualified cybersecurity specialists to safeguard its networks, data, and online transactions. It goes without saying that certain industries, including banking and healthcare, require cybersecurity. However, industries that have hitherto not been concerned about cyberattacks suddenly find themselves in danger. Ransomware assaults, for example, have dramatically increased against state and municipal governments. The Internet of Things (IoT) now confronts a tremendous increase in cybersecurity needs as automobiles and even home appliances come online. Even the hotel and fitness industries are suffering from the financial and legal repercussions of data breaches. Therefore, a career in cybersecurity will enable you to use your technological abilities in practically any area that interests you if you are interested in a computer job but would like to stay away from the conventional technology start-up.

  • There are Numerous Career Paths Available in Cybersecurity: Teams of specialists with a variety of abilities and knowledge bases are needed if cybercriminals are to be kept one step ahead of the game. Your path in cybersecurity will be shaped by your particular set of talents as well as your own interests and assets. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies' (NICCS) Cyber Career Pathways Tool presents one vision of the cybersecurity workforce. 52 different cybersecurity occupations are described, spread across five different skill-based groups. Another illustration of prospective job paths in cybersecurity is provided by cyberseek.org. You can observe the skill overlap and possible advancement from entry-level to advanced professions by starting with six "feeder roles". These tools demonstrate that many, but not all, career trajectories in cybersecurity start in the technology sector. A good place to start is with a coding certification or an IT undergraduate degree. You could find yourself creating secure networks, safeguards for cloud-based databases, or security tools to include in the newest web application. As you acquire experience, you could discover that risk analysis fascinates you, decide to continue your study in security governance, or opt to pursue a graduate degree or a technical certification. You have the chance to tailor your career to fit your changing interests in this dynamic, quickly expanding industry.

  • Cybersecurity May Be Future-Proof: The field of cybersecurity is expected to have rapid job growth in the near future. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2020 to 2030, employment in information security will increase by 33% in the US. For comparison, it is predicted that in the future ten years, the average growth rate for all vocations would be 7.7 percent. Unfortunately, the skills gap is expected to persist for a very long time, which is bad news for companies that are scrambling to find cybersecurity personnel. While other businesses may be impacted by the economic ups and downs, the necessity to combat cybercrime remains constant regardless of the state of the economy. In other words, if you start a cybersecurity certification or degree program today, the career you've been dreaming of will be waiting for you when you're done. For individuals with the abilities, information, and attitude to take up the battle against cybercrime, the future is promising.

What are the Difficulties in a Career in Cybersecurity?​

The above are the main advantages of a career in cybersecurity. Let's now talk about a few of the difficulties that people who work in cybersecurity encounter on a regular basis.

  • Demanding and stressful hours: Given their extensive responsibilities, cybersecurity specialists frequently work long hours and are under intense workplace pressure. After all, cybercrime is always evolving, with possible assaults posing a serious risk to a company's money, productivity, and reputation. Numerous employees must be available on call in order to handle or reduce problems as they arise because they can emerge at any moment. As a result, people could be called on the weekends, at night, or even while away. "Hacking activities against our business are so relentless that I am required to brief our CEO on the state of our systems every day." said one individual. However, these demands frequently increase the great pleasure and thrill of working in a highly dynamic, fast-paced field where no two days are alike and people are continually challenged to improve their knowledge and abilities.

  • Businesses lack expertise or resources: While possessing cybersecurity abilities makes you desirable to employers, many organizations do not have the necessary expertise or resources to support your work. Businesses need security skills, but some lack the understanding of the significance of this duty, let alone its specifics. As a result, management is frequently informed of problems on a regular basis and attempts to enhance security culture are frequently proposed. Another common obstacle to high-quality cybersecurity activities is a limited budget. Fortunately, businesses are being urged to educate managers and staff on cybercrime and best practices for security, rather than depending solely on their IT or security team to reduce, manage, and handle all risks and events.

  • A few tedious, repetitive jobs: Unfortunately, a job in cybersecurity is not without its share of tedium. The Hollywood portrayal of cloaked white-hat hackers taking on espionage cases is exaggerated, according to experts, and the actual demands of the job involve more technique, analytics, and a heaping helping of patience and discipline. Most of the time, cybersecurity specialists will execute repetitive tests, use repetitive procedures, and analyze data to find and neutralize possible threats. At the end of the day, it's a business rather than a Bond movie. Fortunately, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly being used in the industry to reduce some of its repetition and aid staff in concentrating on more significant security measures.

  • There is less space for error: The industry offers minimal tolerance for errors or accidents, with data breaches costing organizations an average of around $3 million for each event (or about $160 per data unit). Being self-employed as a cybersecurity specialist makes accuracy even more important because mistakes cost both you and your client business. Being attentive and verbal is essential for success in the field. The capacity to perceive issues from all angles, from the perspectives of your employer, coworkers, and hackers, helps you keep alert to current and potential weaknesses, as well as refine your ability to explain such issues (in non-technical language) when appropriate.

  • Having trouble keeping up with rapidly changing trends and fresh knowledge: Of course, trying to keep up with an environment that is changing so quickly may become daunting. One needs to keep up with both technological advances and the new attack techniques and harmful threats that appear alongside them. Another thing to keep up with is the ongoing creation of new terminologies, acronyms, and technical jargon. For many, it's an intellectual arms race and an endless cycle of learning, but for the appropriate candidate, these difficulties just heighten the daily thrill and excitement of a dynamic, lucrative security job.

What are the Skills Needed to Become a Cybersecurity Professional?​

Working in cybersecurity often entails using a variety of technical and interpersonal abilities to safeguard the data of your company. Having the appropriate set of abilities is essential for landing a job. But what abilities do you need to prioritize?

We looked at job advertisements for cybersecurity analysts on LinkedIn and Indeed to determine the most often mentioned skills in job descriptions (as of December 2021). A few businesses that are looking for these abilities are Target, Visa, Delaware North, and Mosaic.

Cybersecurity analysts evaluate vulnerabilities and respond to security issues using a combination of technical and professional skills. Some of the technical skills may already be present if you have an IT background, and many workplace abilities are transferable across a wide range of jobs.

10 technical abilities in cybersecurity are outlined below:

  • Scripting: Making a program do something by using scripting is a sort of coding. Coding is static, whereas scripts have the ability to move text and graphics around. You may become a more effective analyst by learning how to create tools and automate repetitive work using languages like Python or PowerShell. Particularly, Python is one of the languages used in cybersecurity the most. Plus, it's one of the simplest to learn.

  • Frameworks and controls: An organization's data and business activities may be secured with the use of a cybersecurity framework, which offers a set of best practices, rules, tools, and security procedures. Control is a strategy your business employs to guard against threats and weaknesses. The structure you employ will change based on your company and sector. It could be beneficial to become familiar with some of the most popular cybersecurity frameworks, such as:

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
    • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
    • Center for Information Security (CIS)
    • System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2)

  • Intrusion Detection: A significant portion of your duties as a cybersecurity analyst will entail keeping an eye on network activity for potential attacks. You can rapidly spot suspicious behavior or security violations by understanding how to utilize intrusion detection software, including intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions.

  • Network Security Control: Several hacks target a network of linked devices. The same technology that makes it possible for companies to collaborate may also lead to security problems. You must understand both wired and wireless networks and how to protect them if you want to keep a business safe.

  • System Software: Security risks occur on PCs, mobile devices, and across all operating systems. Gain a thorough understanding of macOS, Windows, Linux, and their command-line interfaces to position yourself for success as a security analyst. Studying the dangers and weaknesses related to mobile operating systems like iOS and Android could also be valuable to you.

  • Incident Response: While cybersecurity aims to prevent security events from happening, minimizing harm and loss requires prompt action when they do. Knowledge of your organization's incident response plan, together with proficiency in malware analysis and digital forensics, is necessary for effective incident handling.

  • Cloud: As more and more companies transition to cloud settings, experts in the field are in high demand. Data from GIAC Certifications indicates that having expertise in cloud security can result in a pay increase of more than $15,000. Over the next four years, there will be a 115 percent increase in demand for cloud security talents, making it the most profitable expertise in the sector.

  • DevOps: Applications frequently have security vulnerabilities. To assist guarantee that applications are safe from the outset, more and more businesses are incorporating a security focus into their software development and operations (DevOps) phase.

  • Awareness of Threats: Know your opponent. Cybersecurity may have been on General Sun Tzu's mind. Maintaining an updated understanding of the threat landscape can help you be a more productive cybersecurity analyst. Start with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10, a paper that lists the top 10 web application security concerns, if you're new to the topic.

  • Regulatory Standards: A company's cybersecurity must shield it from intrusion, theft, and loss while still abiding by industry rules. Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may be useful if you work for a firm that conducts business globally. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), a US federal statute that helps preserve the privacy of medical data, is a requirement for cybersecurity analysts working in the healthcare sector. Additionally, certain US states have their own privacy regulations.

5 workplace skills for cybersecurity are explained below:

  • Communication: Communication on both the written and verbal sides is crucial for cybersecurity. As an analyst, you might have to explain technical ideas to others who don't have technical backgrounds, including CEOs or legal teams. Additionally, you could be required to create incident reports in which you must succinctly and plainly describe what you accomplished.

  • Collaboration: You'll probably collaborate with a broader security team comprising other cybersecurity experts as a cybersecurity analyst. Additionally, you might need to work with the legal, IT, and public relations departments inside your business, as well as share your findings with other businesses or the larger cybersecurity community.

  • Managing risks: You may focus your attention on the tasks where you'll have the most influence by considering all the potential problems that could arise, evaluating the seriousness of risks, and estimating the potential impact.

  • Adaptability: Cybercriminals continually tweak and improve their assaults. As technology develops, new vulnerabilities are created. You can keep up with these developments (or remain one step ahead of them) by developing the attitude of a perpetual learner.

  • Using critical judgment: Making critical judgments concerning the security of your company while working in cybersecurity may occasionally be risky. You can: by honing your critical thinking abilities:

    • Make the proper inquiries
    • Analyze and evaluate the data
    • Determine your presumptions.
    • Think about alternatives
    • Recognize the context
    • Draw inferences based on the data

What are the Top 10 in-demand Cybersecurity Jobs?​

Organizations have significant challenges when it comes to cybersecurity, which is why they want qualified cybersecurity experts that can provide the ideal combination of expertise, knowledge, best practices, and experience to safeguard the business. Additionally, 60% of businesses have trouble finding cybersecurity talent, and 52% have trouble keeping it, according to Fortinet's "2022 Cybersecurity Skills Gap" study, placing many enterprises in danger.

Experts in cybersecurity have a ton of opportunities to take advantage of this issue. The need for qualified, certified, and talented cybersecurity workers is at an all-time high, especially for the eight specialists listed below, with 76% of corporate boards suggesting a bigger security headcount, according to a Fortinet survey.

Who are these professionals? What skill sets do they possess? What does each of their cybersecurity careers entail? What kind of role is it? And what is the typical pay for each job? Discover the most sought-after cybersecurity positions by reading on.

Top 10 Cybersecurity positions are outlined below:

  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Penetration & VulnerabilityTester
  • Cybersecurity Consultant
  • Cybersecurity Manager
  • Incident & Intrusion Analyst
  • Cybersecurity Specialist
  • IT Auditor
  • Cybersecurity Architect
  • Cyber Crime Analyst

Cybersecurity Engineer​

Role level: Experienced/Advanced

Type of role: Technical

Annual average salary: $98,497

Information security (infosec) engineer creates IT structures and systems and safeguards them against unwanted access and cyberattacks. Engineers in the field of cybersecurity create and implement security policies, guidelines, procedures, and best practices. They also create emergency plans to get things back up and running swiftly in the event of a crisis.

For this position, proactive planning, thought, and action are essential. Penetration testing is a common method used by cybersecurity engineers to identify system flaws and determine how to fix them before they cause major security problems. Additionally, they could examine the organization's IT security-related legal, technological, and regulatory frameworks and suggest changes.

Other obligations include running encryption programs, upgrading security software, hardware, and facilities, or assessing new ones for installation. Building and installing firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

A cybersecurity engineer's duties can include resolving security issues that are discovered by transferring data or information or by collaborating with outside teams to assist a company in recovering from a data breach.

In order to explain difficult concerns to management and set out the best ways to apply the most recent security plans and procedures, people in this capacity need to have great communication skills. Following an assault, they could also need to cooperate with police enforcement.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity engineer are listed below:

  • Computer engineering, cybersecurity, infosec, or a related field

  • Secure coding techniques and vulnerability detection

  • Risk assessment

  • Secure network design and architecture;

  • Firewall architecture;

  • Computer forensics;

  • Identity and access management;

  • Virtualization technologies;

  • Protecting against advanced persistent threats, malware, phishing, and social engineering;

  • and encryption technologies.

Certifications for a cybersecurity engineer are listed below:

  • CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+),

  • CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+),

  • Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP) and

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Cybersecurity Analyst​

Role level: Entry-level, mid-level, and experienced roles

Type of role: Technical

Average annual salary: $77,474

The function of a security analyst is quite wide and may include a variety of duties, such as ensuring that protocols and processes are correctly implemented and followed and monitoring security best practices, protocols, and technologies. Those in this position examine the reports generated by these technologies to proactively spot odd or aberrant network activity. They could also manage network upgrades, firewall upkeep, and file access and authorization.

A skilled security analyst will be knowledgeable about the many cybersecurity risks, such as ransomware attacks, social engineering, and data theft, as well as how data is maintained and kept. They could carry out vulnerability assessments and penetration tests as well as suggest appropriate security-related modifications.

To precisely monitor, detect, contain, and mitigate risks, security analysts may operate in a security operations center for major corporations. Security analysts may have a wide range of responsibilities in the midrange and smaller companies, including security analysis, intrusion detection, firewall upkeep, antivirus updates, and patch updates. They could be required to provide cybersecurity hygiene training for staff members given their knowledge of security threats and recommended practices.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity analyst are given below:

  • Bachelor's degree in information security, cybersecurity, or a related subject

  • Custom network management

  • Penetration testing

  • Incident response prioritization

  • Risk evaluations

  • Data encryption

  • and firewall placement, design, and maintenance

Cybersecurity analyst certifications are as follows:

  • CompTIA Network+,

  • CompTIA Security+,

  • CompTIA PenTest+,

  • CySA+ and

  • CISSP.

Penetration & VulnerabilityTester​

Role Level: Junior, Associate, Mid-Level, Senior, and Lead

Type of role: Technical and reporting

Average annual salary: $87,925

The shadowy figures in the field of cybersecurity are ethical hackers. Also referred to be "white hat hackers," they take on the roles of attackers to comprehend their goals, strategies, and potential threats. To uncover weaknesses and holes in security protocols for networks, operating systems, devices, and web-based applications, they do penetration testing. Before malicious actors may take use of these vulnerabilities, they recommend pertinent solutions. They take proactive measures to protect the organization's data and IT infrastructure.

Ethical hackers should be trustworthy and able to handle a lot of stress and uncertainty because they frequently work on highly secret and time-sensitive projects. To properly document and track their work, they need to be very organized and imaginative. Most importantly, they must regularly refresh their knowledge, abilities, and methodologies to anticipate the actions of cybercriminals and support incident response and forensic investigation to strengthen the organization's security posture.

Some companies make a distinction between ethical hackers and pen testers. Pen testing is one of an ethical hacker's responsibilities in these companies, along with having strong tactical cyber skills and an in-depth understanding of the organization's vulnerabilities and vulnerability management strategy. Other cultures view the two jobs as being interchangeable.

The education and skills of a penetration and vulnerability tester are given below:

  • Bachelor's degree in infosec or a similar subject

  • Proficiency in Python, Golang, Bash, and PowerShell; understanding of the OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities;

  • Penetration testing techniques and tools, such as Network Mapper, Wireshark, and Kali;

  • and social engineering.

Penetration and vulnerability tester certifications are as follows:

  • PEN-200 Offensive Security Certified Professional,

  • GIAC Penetration Tester,

  • GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender,

  • GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester,

  • CompTIA Security+,

  • CySA+ and

  • CompTIA PenTest+.

Cybersecurity Consultant​

Role Level: Entry-level, mid-level, and experienced

Type of role: Technical and reporting

Average annual salary: $89,781

In order to fight against attacks on businesses' networks and computer systems, cybersecurity consultants analyze vulnerabilities, assess security concerns, evaluate risk, and execute solutions. When assessing security systems and creating layers of protection in an IT environment that is rapidly evolving, they must consider a wide range of factors.

Risk mitigation, detection, and reaction are the main concerns of cybersecurity consultants. Security consultant, computer security consultant, network security consultant, IT consultant, and database security consultant are other professional titles. Whatever the term, the work involves evaluating security systems while dealing with a variety of factors.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity consultant are listed below:

  • A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as engineering, information security, computer science, or another one.

  • Thorough knowledge of the ethics involved in coding and hacking

  • Working understanding of possible dangers such as phishing, social engineering, and network access, as well as how they might hurt.

  • Ability to do penetration testing, which involves the consultant acting as a hacker to assess the system's security and any weaknesses that clients may find concerning.

  • Familiarity with several operating systems, such as Windows, UNIX, and Linux, as well as with continuing system updates and newly released systems

  • Working knowledge of programming languages like Python and Javascript

  • Using encryption to lessen the threats presented by hackers

Cybersecurity consultant certifications are given below:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

  • Security+

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

Cybersecurity Manager​

Role Level: Mid-level and experienced

Type of role: Technical and managerial

Average annual salary: $87,735

An IT specialist known as a cybersecurity manager works with the team they supervise to maintain security systems, spot system flaws, and develop countermeasures to deter cybercriminals. They assist firms in preventing security lapses and the loss of sensitive or vital data. They may work in nearly any industry because there is such a demand for cybersecurity managers across a wide range of sectors, including nonprofits, companies, and government agencies. As technology advances and businesses increasingly rely on the internet and cloud storage for their data, there is a rising demand for cybersecurity managers.

A cybersecurity manager develops and implements security protocols, policies, and procedures using their in-depth understanding of information security, information assurance, and security operations. They oversee a group of other IT security experts that collaborate with them to find security holes, construct firewalls, develop preventative measures, and provide security reports. The cybersecurity manager keeps an eye on the situation in the event of a data breach, assists with the forensic investigation, and communicates with law enforcement and legal counsel.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity manager are as follows:

  • A bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering, information assurance, or a similar discipline is frequently required for a position as a cybersecurity manager.

  • Communication

  • Information systems and security

  • Security measures

  • Network protection

  • Project management

  • Vulnerability Assessment

  • Information Assurance

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework

  • Ability to integrate organizational goals with security demands while possessing strong interpersonal skills

  • Capacity to think analytically and solve problems

  • Teamwork

Cybersecurity manager certifications are as follows:

  • Information Systems Security Management Professionals (CISSP-ISSMP)

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISM)

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

  • Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

  • GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)

Incident & Intrusion Analyst​

Role Level: Entry, mid-level and experienced

Type of role: Technical

Average annual salary: $97,500

The main duty of an incident response analyst, also known as an intrusion analyst, is to reduce the overall impacts of a breach on the networks, systems, and digital assets of an organization. The position entails extensive network upkeep as well as probable contact with law enforcement. Long-term cybersecurity system monitoring, testing, evaluation, and improvement tasks are assigned to incident response analysts. They could contribute to the creation of procedures, guidelines, and educational initiatives that help businesses respond to security-related situations more effectively. ?

The education and skills of an incident & intrusion analyst are as follows:

  • Getting a college degree is the most guaranteed approach to getting ready for a job in cybersecurity. The education required for an incident response analyst position is a bachelor's degree in computer science or a more specialized discipline like cybersecurity and computer forensics.

  • You must be skilled in the following competencies to work as an incident response analyst because this is a skill-based position:

  • the Linux, Windows, and Unix operating systems

  • Python, C++, PowerShell, Java, ASM, PHP, and PERL are examples of programming languages. TCP/IP, DNS, and Dynamic Host Configuration are examples of network protocols.

  • Architecture for network security: elements, protocols, and topology

  • SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) products for businesses

  • Active, passive, close-in, distribution, and insider assaults are among the several types of attacks.

  • Reconnaissance, scanning, acquiring access, escalation of privileges, network exploitation, and concealing tracks are steps of a cyberattack.

  • Ideas like a buffer overflow, return-oriented attacks, race situations, and mobile code are a security threat and vulnerability concepts.

  • Disaster recovery and business continuity techniques

  • Tools for electronic discovery like NUIX, Clearwell, and Relativity

  • Applications for forensics like EnCase, XRY, Cellebrite, FTK, and Helix

Incident & intrusion analyst certifications are as follows:

  • GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

  • GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

  • CERT-Certified Computer Security Incident Handler (CERT-CCSIH)

  • Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA)

  • GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)

  • Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE)

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)

Cybersecurity Specialist​

Role Level: Entry level, mid-level and experienced

Type of role: Technical

Average annual salary: $81,655

A cybersecurity expert is someone who works in information technology, planning and developing procedures and systems that aid businesses in protecting their information technology assets. They could create email systems, databases, and software. This work frequently includes developing, testing, putting into use, and evaluating security policies and technologies.

Cybersecurity experts frequently possess in-depth knowledge of the many vulnerability systems as well as an understanding of the technology and procedures that might reduce risks. Maintaining knowledge of current and new hazards as well as educating people inside the company are examples of cybersecurity specialist skills. Entry-level positions for cybersecurity specialists frequently include regular communication with managers and other team members. As they get more expertise, cybersecurity professionals can eventually move up to analyst or director positions.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity specialist are as follows:

  • By obtaining a degree or certificate in cybersecurity or a related profession, you may begin your path to becoming a cybersecurity specialist. You can study cybersecurity at any level; in addition to associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, some schools can grant certificates for passing a particular course or sequence.

  • Intrusion Detection

  • Analysis and prevention of malware

  • C, C++, C#, PHP, Perl, Java, and Shell programming expertise

  • The capacity to reason like a hacker

  • A broad range of abilities (ex. network security in general, identity and access management, and IoT security)

  • Analysis and reduction of risks

  • Cloud safety

  • Security evaluation

Cybersecurity specialist certifications are as follows:

  • EC-Council Network Security Administrator

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate - Routing and Switching

  • Certified Information Security Manager

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional

  • CompTIA base-level security certification

IT Auditor​

Role Level: Entry level, mid-level and experienced

Type of role: Technical

Average annual salary: $94,389

An organization's computer systems and IT infrastructure must perform accurately, effectively, and in accordance with established security measures. This is the job of an IT auditor. They pinpoint areas that need improvement and create plans to enhance the current systems or add new technology. They could go through the organization's policies and processes and internal controls. An IT auditor may deal with internal or external clients, respond to grievances, compile feedback, and offer technical help, depending on the firm.

The education and skills of an IT auditor are as follows:

  • Earning a bachelor's degree is the bare minimum requirement for becoming an IT auditor. Choose a relevant subject of study or a field like a computer science, information technology, management information systems, etc.

  • For IT auditors, technical skills comprise the specialized abilities required to carry out their duties. It's essential they're able to navigate an organization's IT system. They require a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of IT, including databases, infrastructures, networks, and systems.

  • Communication skills

  • Analytical thinking

  • Attention to detail

  • Teamwork

  • Organization skills

  • Problem-solving

IT auditor Certifications are given below:

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

  • Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)

  • Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Cybersecurity Architect​

Role level: Experienced/Advanced

Type of role: Technical and management roles

Average annual salary: $126,166

A network security architect is essential for enhancing corporate architecture's security while preserving network performance, productivity, efficiency, and availability. Network security architects assist in defining the right rules and procedures for such systems, translating business requirements into working solutions, and even assisting in user and administrator training. They also keep an eye on operational and financial restrictions. For this reason, having strong interpersonal and management abilities is crucial in this position.

Network security architects implement defensive measures like firewall and antivirus setup and offensive ones like penetration testing to maintain security throughout the network lifespan. To guarantee that the organization is only minimally in danger, they manage network modifications. They should be well knowledgeable about various security technologies and methods, such as firewall penetration testing and incident response. Additionally, they must be familiar with the networking needs for computer systems, such as routing, switching, and trust domains, as well as security best practices, technologies, and frameworks that adhere to industry standards.

To find and choose the optimal control mechanisms for the desired security level, they analyze networks and systems. They must be familiar with the many access control techniques, such as role-based access control, obligatory access control, and optional access control.

The education and skills of a cybersecurity architect are as follows:

  • Computer science or a closely related field with a bachelor's degree is necessary.

  • A cybersecurity master's degree is preferred

  • Strategic planning

  • Knowledge of the ITIL and COBIT IT process models

  • Expertise in TCP/IP networking and networking security

  • Familiarity with the Open Systems Interconnection 7-layer model

  • Knowledge of intrusion detection systems

  • Risk management

  • Single sign-on identity management systems

  • VPN layers and connections

  • and protocol encryption

Cybersecurity architect certifications are as listed below:

  • CompTIA Network+,

  • (ISC) Information Systems Security Architecture Professional,

  • GIAC Defensible Security Architecture and

  • NSE 7 Network Security Architect.

Cyber Crime Analyst​

Role level: Entry, mid-level, experienced

Type of role: Technical

Average annual salary: 90,725

A highly experienced and specialized investigator or detective in the field of cybercrime. These investigators, in demand in both the public and private sectors, have the expertise required to solve today's sophisticated digital crimes. Every year, fixing systems affected by hackers cost billions of dollars. Some shut down crucial services, interfering with and occasionally stopping hospitals, banks, and emergency call centers from operating across the nation. The information needed to stop cyber criminals from carrying out their evil deeds is gathered by the cybercrime investigator.

Cybercrime investigators examine corrupt file systems on computers, break into a company's computer networks to verify the effectiveness of its security measures, and optimize computer system performance. Additionally, electronic evidence and data from computers can be recovered and gathered by computer crime investigators in order to be utilized in the prosecution of crimes like crimes against minors.

The education and skills of a cybercrime analyst are listed below:

  • A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, cybersecurity, or computer science is often the initial need for becoming a cybercrime investigator.

  • Having knowledge of evidence documentation (for use in court)

  • Knowledge of threats, threat and/or cybercrime research, intelligence analysis, and open-source intelligence collecting

  • SQL expertise and cloud computing expertise

  • Working knowledge of national security or law enforcement organizations at the federal, state, or abroad

  • Exposure to the lifetime of software development

  • Experience in digital forensics and IT investigations

  • Fundamental information security knowledge

Cybercrime analyst certifications are given below:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • IACRB Certified Computer Forensics Examine (CCFE)

What is the Highest-Paying Cybersecurity Job?​

CISO is the highest-paying cybersecurity position today. The average CISO pay in the US is $161,945 per year. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is crucial in lowering company information technology (IT) risks. The main duties of this position are cybersecurity and computer security. Disaster recovery and business continuity management are handled by this team. Professionals working as CISOs need to be well-rounded in both business and technological skills. They should be able to perform the following tasks:

  • Identification and access control

  • Information security

  • Managing information risk

  • Information assurance and data security

  • Information technology control for banking and other systems Information security operations center (ISOC)

Is There a High Demand for Cybersecurity?​

Yes. According to new statistics from CyberSeek, the cybersecurity workforce analytics platform created in collaboration with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at NIST, Lightcast, and CompTIA, employer demand for cybersecurity experts continues to put a strain on the talent pool.

Employers reported 769,736 opportunities for cybersecurity roles or occupations needing cybersecurity skills for the 12-month period ending in September 2022. Demand from employers for cybersecurity specialists increased 2.4 times more quickly than the nation's economy as a whole. In the last ten months, 2022 has had nine of the top ten months for cybersecurity job listings.

The overall number of cybersecurity job ads for Q3 2022 tracked 30% higher than at the same time in 2021 and 68% higher than in 2020, despite a minor slowdown in recruiting activity from the record levels of earlier this year. The supply-demand ratio1 remained constant at 65, meaning that for every 100 cybersecurity job listings, there are around 65 cybersecurity employees on the job market, the great majority of whom are already employed.

According to the most recent CyberSeek statistics, in the previous year, there has been significant growth in the demand for cybersecurity skills for particular jobs. The cybersecurity industry is constantly diversifying into specialized sectors like threat analysis and penetration testing. Similar increases in the need for cybersecurity expertise can be seen in related occupations like auditor (+336%), software developer (+87%), cloud architect (+83%), and technical support engineer (+48%).

Where should I Start My Career in Cybersecurity?​

When you first enter the field of cybersecurity, you can work as a help desk technician, network administrator, or software developer. After obtaining some IT experience, many cybersecurity experts start out as junior information security analysts.

Spend some time honing your basic IT abilities, such as programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing, before applying for your first cybersecurity position. Even while you don't necessarily need a degree to work in cybersecurity, having some kind of formal training might hasten the process.

Last updated on by Zenarmor