According to Gartner, the global cybersecurity market is expected to grow at 8.5% CAGR to reach US$170.4 billion at the end of 2022. That said, more and more businesses are moving online, especially after the covid-19 breakout. It has created a broader attack surface, and the organizations that do not implement cr33rsafe protection mechanisms are being targeted the most. All the sectors are in danger, and the demand for cybersecurity professionals has increased to secure organizations’ data, finances, and reputations from online attacks. This is why many cybersecurity jobs are available now in companies of all scales, ranging from start-ups and SMBs to big enterprises. The cybersecurity field is flourishing, and you have so many opportunities to grab if you have skills. This article will discuss some high-paying cybersecurity jobs, where to find them, and how to prepare for them.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Companies need cybersecurity analysts to prevent cyberattacks and help protect their data, brand image, assets, and finances. Analysts work with other IT professionals like security managers and penetration testers to mitigate attacks and secure your organization.What they do: Cybersecurity Analysts are responsible for monitoring an organization’s cybersecurity measures and strengthening them. They plan, create, and upgrade security solutions to ensure that data, networks, and assets are safe. For this, they identify vulnerabilities in security infrastructure and fix them before attackers can find and compromise them. They also conduct external and internal audits, tests, security assessments, and risk analyses to monitor the systems and understand the weaknesses to work on. Salary: According to a USNews report, cybersecurity analysts make approximately $75k to $128k annually.
Cybersecurity Administrator
Cybersecurity managers or administrators are senior-level executives who manage organizational data effectively while ensuring security measures are implemented well to mitigate unauthorized access. What they do: Cybersecurity managers help create network environments in the cloud and on-premises to protect employees’ and customers’ data. They can also work closely with developers to build systems to verify user identity accurately while accessing the organization’s platforms or applications. In addition, they keep track of vulnerabilities, how to fix them, and find ways to secure company data that hackers are always looking out for. So, if you aspire to become a cybersecurity manager, leadership and strong interpersonal skills are essential apart from expertise in cybersecurity. Salary: According to a 2019 salary guide by Mondo.com, cybersecurity managers make around $125k to $215k.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) lead a company’s computer security systems and technologies. What they do: CISOs evaluate processes, implement upgrades, and research how to enable better security with strategies and apply safer and latest technologies. They also manage other team members such as developers, programmers, testers, etc. In addition, they keep an eye on security and employees and direct the team to follow best security and compliance practices. To become a CISO, you need a strong IT background, security management and architecture, and leadership and communication skills. Salary: CISOs are senior-level employees and highest paid professionals as well. According to PayScale, their salary ranges from $108k to $276k per annum.
Security Engineer
Security engineers are executives responsible for building and maintaining a company’s IT security systems. What they do: They plan, execute, and upgrade security systems and networks while ensuring safe data transmission via protected firewalls and applying pre-built security controls. They also monitor threats such as viruses, malicious threats, intrusions, etc., and respond to them in real-time. In case a breach occurs, security engineers also perform a forensic inspection to find how and when the incident happened and provide solutions to mitigate similar attacks. So, if you want to become a security engineer, you must possess strong technical knowledge in penetration and vulnerability testing, network protocols, encryption technologies, application of security systems, and related subjects. Salary: According to PayScale, security engineers can make around $68k to $155k a year.
Ethical Hacker
Ethical hackers are white-hatted hackers with exceptional skills and knowledge to protect organizational security. They are also called Vulnerability Analysts or Penetration Testers. What they do: They perform critical cybersecurity tasks such as checking and testing for vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications periodically. Ethical hackers’ jobs are just opposite to harmful or malicious hacking. They perform assessments, reveal hackers’ logic, and resolve issues before any harm occurs. Organizations authorize them to access malicious applications or systems to duplicate actions and strategies that attackers use. Ethical hackers follow some security protocols like staying legal by obtaining prior approval for security assessment and within boundaries, reporting all vulnerabilities, and respecting data privacy and sensitivity. Ethical hackers can also be bug bounty hunters who work on a freelance basis for organizations. Salary: Ethical hackers’ pay in the US ranges from approximately $90k to $115k. It can vary based on education, additional skills, certifications, and experience. At the same time, bug bounty hunters can make up to $500,000 a year.
Network/Security Architect
Security architects are innovators associated with research and planning the security infrastructure of a company. They are instrumental in designing systems based on a company’s unique needs and collaborate with programmers to build the final security structure. What they do: Security or network architect’s responsibilities involve preparing security policies, practices, methods, user guides, etc., based on which everyone in the team works. They can maintain server, WAN, and LAN architecture while monitoring firewalls, virtual networks, web protocols, email security, and more. If you are looking to hire a network or security engineer, this role helps you protect your network from inside and outside threats and clean the network from vulnerabilities or policy violations. They have expertise in software design and coding to streamline systems. Moreover, if you want to become a security architect, knowledge in security frameworks, standards like ISO 27001/27002, risk assessment methods, and perimeter security are desirable with good industry experience. You can also obtain Network architect certifications from various resources like Udemy. Salary: Given the strong skills, expertise, and responsibilities of Security architects, they also get paid nicely. They can make around $87k to $189k.
Security Specialist
If you are a beginner, it can be a good opportunity for you. Security specialists are entry-level or mid-level employees in a company that help strengthen the cybersecurity of the company. What they do: They can analyze your network’s security requirements, data, and systems, configure and install security solutions, and perform vulnerability tests. And if you have some experience in cybersecurity, you can also train new employees. But for beginners, knowledge in computer networking, coding, ethical hacking, Security Information & Event Management (SIEM), etc., can help you get started. Salary: Cybersecurity specialists can make around $51k to $121k a year.
Cybersecurity Director
Also known as the Director of Information Security, cybersecurity directors strategize effective technologies and solutions and direct other security employees for smooth implementations. Similar to CISO, security directors are high-level employees. What they do: Their roles are similar to CIOS, where they manage and oversee how cybersecurity aspects are working within the organizations and, if it is not sufficient, improve the strategies. They also establish security policies, implement vulnerability discovery programs in systems and products, and set short-term and long-term goals for the organization. Furthermore, security directors allocate IT resources to security departments, develop end-user and employee security awareness campaigns, and enable quick law enforcement during an external incident inspection. Security directors can also hire security professionals, train new employees, and review employees’ performances. Doing all these ensures the organization is secure and strategies are functioning well for all-around protection and employee productivity. If you want to become a security director, you must have all-around expertise in cybersecurity along with solid leadership and organizational skills. Salary: Based on the nature of this job, the security director’s salary can range from $89k to $182k a year.
Cybersecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity consultants help businesses secure their network, systems, and data by advising them with their expertise in cybersecurity.What they do: They perform research and analyze a network to find weaknesses and current security status. Using this analysis, they consult companies on effective strategies and techniques to strengthen their cybersecurity and recommend tools and solutions. In addition, security consultants also keep track of current or recent data breaches and attacks and determine solutions to prevent such mishaps from happening again. If you want to become a cyber consultant, you can choose to work independently. But the companies hiring you must trust you, and for that, you must have proven industry expertise, skills, and certifications to increase your credibility. You must also keep up with the latest improvements, updates, and latest technologies to help your clients. Salary: Cyber consultants can make approximately $62k to $140k annually.
Cybersecurity Sales Engineer
Security sales engineers work closely with your sales team to advise selling services and products based on cybersecurity. What they do: This role is different from other cybersecurity roles that involve defending an organization from attacks. Security sales engineers participate in the sales process of cybersecurity products by conducting technical evaluations of the customer’s IT infrastructure, determining cybersecurity requirements, and recommending the right solutions. They combine sales skills and technical knowledge and explain a service or product’s functional and technical aspects in detail. As a result, they can prepare for technical issues that may arise at any moment or any question popping up on products or services. This role can be of various types – sales engineers for network security, enterprise security, post-sales, pre-sales, sales enablement, cloud security, etc. Salary: As selling is one of the most demanding skills in the present-day world, being a sales engineer, you can make quite a handsome salary. It can range from $103k to $141k per year. Other than these ten cybersecurity job roles, different roles are also available such as incident manager, security device developer, risk auditor, risk manager, malware analyst, intrusion detection specialist, incident responder, cryptologist, cloud security engineer, forensic engineer, and more.
How to learn cybersecurity?
If you want to build a career in cybersecurity, you need to learn some skills and gain knowledge in this field. For this, here are some of the online venues to learn cybersecurity concepts.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the best places offering excellent courses and tutorials on different subjects, including cybersecurity. It offers specializations and courses to teach information security, network security, cybersecurity, and more. You can find many courses to acquire demanding skills like cryptography, access control risk management, etc., to stand out in the crowd and land a high-paying cybersecurity job. The best thing is that they have collaborated with top colleges and universities in the world to bring this course to you.All their instructors and method of teaching are excellent, and you can avail that 100% online no matter where you are. Some popular certification courses in cybersecurity are:
Cyber Threat Intelligence by IBM (for beginners)IBM Cybersecurity Analyst by IBMIT Security: Defence against the Digital Dark Arts by GoogleSecurity Analyst Fundamentals by IBMIT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity by IBMComputer Security and Systems Management by the University of Colorado SystemCybersecurity for Business by the University of Colorado SystemISC Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Udemy
Udemy is also a trendy online learning website to find wonderful courses on cybersecurity. They have courses for everyone from beginners to experts, and you can avail them at pocket-friendly prices. In addition, you can see how many students have been enrolled in a course, what the rating is, the tutor’s name, supported languages, and more. They have included the descriptions for each course, what you can learn, what operating systems are supported for practice, and who are eligible to learn. You can also check the reviews of many learners who have already taken this course to decide whether it can be helpful or not.Some of the popular courses on Udemy for cybersecurity are:
The Absolute Beginners Guide to Cyber Security 2021 – Part 1 is for beginners with 4.6/5 ratings from 19.7k+ learners. You will learn security concepts like hacking, firewalls, malware, worms, encryption, phishing, BYOD, biometrics, etc.The Absolute Beginners Guide to Cyber Security 2021 – Part 2 is also for beginners with 4.7/5 ratings from 4.3k+ learnersThe Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!: It’s a bestseller with 4.5/ ratings from 37.7k+ learners. You will learn how to prevent hacking and understand IT security and INFOSEC.The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!: It’s also a bestseller with 4.5/ ratings from 11.7k+ learners. You will learn network security, Wi-Fi hackers, Wi-Fi security, Wireshark, firewalls, password managers, and secure networking.Risk Management for Cybersecurity and IT Managers: This bestseller has 4.5/5 ratings from 7k+ learners. You will learn how to make risk management decisions in cybersecurity and IT.
Udacity
Advance your career in the exciting cybersecurity space with Udacity that offers impressive courses. You can land a good job, secure your organization from attacks, and protect your family and friends from hackers by taking up the lessons. Unlike other available programs, they have different cybersecurity programs, courses, and certificates focusing on practical skills over theory. You can find programs no matter what skill level you have – beginner or expert. You can gain hands-on experience for real-world applications.Udacity has some nanodegree programs you can consider based on your skills sets, such as:
Introduction to Cybersecurity (for beginners): It will help you learn the growing cybersecurity field with its foundations, such as how to assess, monitor, and maintain computer systems’ security.Security Analyst (intermediate level): You will learn to find, respond to, and correct security vulnerabilities and incidents. You can have real-world experience analyzing alerts, mentoring networks, logging data, and handling incident responses.Security Engineer (intermediate level): Master how to plan, build, and secure networks and systems from threats.Ethical Hacker (expert level): Learn to find vulnerabilities in systems and exploit them, design and implement penetration testing plans, report test findings, and more with this program.
All these programs include hands-on projects, and they are self-paced to help you learn at your speed.
Cybrary
Develop your skills in cybersecurity with Cybrary to fuel your career. They will help you learn the concepts, tools, and techniques needed to protect systems and data using the latest technologies and best practices in the cybersecurity domain. Expert instructors from Cybrary will teach you concepts like digital forensics and ethical hacking thoroughly to prepare you for industry certifications. This way, you can become a certified cybersecurity professional and get the job of your dreams.Cybrary’s courses come with a fast-moving catalog, include hands-on learning, and give you the option to learn at your speed. They have courses for beginners, intermediate levels, and expert levels, such as:
Become a SOC Analyst – Level 1: This beginner-level course takes 94 hours and 42 minutes to complete.Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity: Its duration is 1 hour 41 minutes for beginners and includes a completion certificate.Information Security Fundamentals: This beginner’s course is 7 hours and 9 minutes.Become a SOC Analyst – Level 2: It’s for advanced level and 58 hours and 52 minutes long.Become an Incident Handler: This advanced level course is for 15 hours and 32 minutes.
Apart from these, you can find cybersecurity courses on KhanAcademy, OpenSecurityTraining, StackSkills, LinkedIn Learning, and edX.
Where to find Cybersecurity jobs?
So, if you are searching for a cybersecurity job, here are some of the websites you can visit to find the opportunities: #1. LinkedIn: Don’t believe that LinkedIn is only a professional networking site; it can be a goldmine for finding jobs. You can view jobs listed on LinkedIn and apply there directly by filling up the form or going through the processes the recruiter has mentioned. The best thing is you can connect with potential recruiters and directly reach out to them. #2. Indeed: You can find various job roles from different industries on Indeed, including remote, given that the world is adjusting after the pandemic. You can check the job description, employer information, salary information, etc., quickly.#3. CareerBuilder: It is one of the largest job portals with millions of job listings and candidates. You can also download its app and stay updated with job openings. You can also look for recommended skills to determine whether you are eligible for a job. #4. Google for Jobs: This Google product is also an excellent place, or rather, a search engine to find jobs. It has listings from across the world with data like company name, location, job type, posted date, etc. #5. Glassdoor: Glassdoor shows job listings and related information and company reviews from anonymous people. It will help you understand your employer even before you can join them.Other job portals you can try are Monster, LinkUp, Dice, FlexJobs, SimplyHired, ZipRecruiter, Job2Careers, and Nexxt.
Conclusion 👩💻
Cybersecurity is a lucrative field, and there are so many hats you can wear as a cybersecurity professional. Use the above information to learn what cybersecurity jobs are available and where to find them, and take up courses to learn cybersecurity concepts or enhance your skills.
