At present, where data is being generated every minute, there is a crucial need to protect that data from being beached. To protect data, almost all companies hire skilled professionals to safeguard the computer networks and to protect the organisation’s information from being hacked. Cybersecurity professionals are the people for this job. In this article, we will try to give you an insight into different cybersecurity jobs that you may be interested in and pursue as a career.
Here are the Top 6 Job Roles in Cyber Security
1. Chief Information Security Officer — CISO
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) ensures the complete safety of all the information in the organisation. CISOs are senior-level officers. They develop and maintain information security and risk management programs. Their job also entails interacting with the stakeholders and briefing them about the information security concerns. It is usually the case that only after having experience in a few other cybersecurity job roles does one become CISO.
CISO Skills:
Owing to the senior position of this job role, it is preferred that the applicants hold a computer science degree and also an MBA. The candidate must have a strong skill set to reach the position of CISO. Some of the most important skills that you need to have are:
- IT experience
- Incident management and supervisory skills
- Business expertise
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Risk management
CISO Certifications
The career in cybersecurity only grows with certifications, and in almost all cybersecurity jobs, you must hold the relevant credentials in cybersecurity. The certifications that are preferred to become a CISO are — Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
CISO Salary
The average annual salary of a CISO, according to PayScale in India, is Rs.2,307,685 and in the United States of America is $165,467.
2. Security Architect
A Security Architect is supposed to prevent malware attacks by designing and implementing robust security structures. They perform vulnerability tests to check the weak links in the system, and they are also supposed to provide other security team members with technical assistance.
Security Architect Skills
A degree in computer science or Information technology is always preferred for the job of a security architect. A couple of essential skills are:
- Strong IT experience
- Experience in the risk management sector
- Network hardware configuration
- Knowledge of security protocols and cryptography
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Security Architect Certifications
CompTIA Security+ and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are the two certifications that will benefit your career if you want to become a security architect.
Security Architect Salary
The average annual salary of a security architect, according to PayScale in India, is Rs.2,191,228 and in the United States of America is $124,711.
3. Cybersecurity Engineer
A cybersecurity Engineer is supposed to prevent any cyberattacks by planning and implementing adequate security measures. The responsibility of protecting the networks and data of the organisation lies with the cybersecurity engineers. They work towards designing effective cybersecurity platforms and often collaborate with the other team members to maintain the overall security of the system.
Cybersecurity Engineer Skills
A cybersecurity engineer needs to have a degree in computer science or information technology. A minimum of two years of experience in the relevant field is required before starting your role as a cybersecurity engineer. There are also some other skill sets needed to work as a cybersecurity engineer, which is as follows:
- Good networking skills
- An understanding of architecture and management of operating systems
- Knowledge of C, C++ is required. Python and Java knowledge is also essential
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Cybersecurity Engineer Certifications
A certified Ethical Hacker Certification or a CompTIA Security+ Certification is required by a cybersecurity engineer. Advanced certifications can also be taken up depending on the experience level of the engineer.
Cybersecurity Engineer Salary
The average annual salary of a security architect, according to PayScale in India, is Rs.608,218 and in the United States of America is $96,852.
4. Malware Analyst
Cybersecurity threats such as bots, worms, viruses, and trojans are dealt with by a malware analyst. They identify and examine such threats and build malware protection tools to deal with such threats. They also come up with methods to avoid these malware threats in the first place.
Malware Analyst Skills
To become a malware analyst, just like any other cybersecurity job, you need a degree in either computer science or information technology. An experience of at least two years in the relevant field is considered good. Few other skills that a malware analyst should encompass are:
- Candidates must know Windows, Linux, UNIX operating systems
- Sound knowledge of C and C++ is needed
- Usage of tools like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, RegShot, and TCP view is required
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Malware Analyst Certifications
A GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification is a good certification for this position.
Malware Analyst Salary
According to PayScale in the United States of America, the average annual salary of a malware analyst is $92,880. In India, it is Rs. 806,000, according to Glassdoor.
5. Penetration Tester
A penetration tester is also known as an ethical hacker. It is so named because it is a network security consultant that exploits the system’s vulnerabilities just like a hacker would. New penetration tools are designed to do so and the test results are documented to use further.
Penetration Tester Skills
A minimum of one to four years of experience in the information security field is required to become a penetration tester. Given below are some other important skills that are preferred:
- Good networking skills
- Knowledge of Windows, Linux, UNIX operating systems. Also, knowledge of C, C++ is required
- Knowledge of Java, Python, and Perl is also vital
- Black box testing
- Strong reporting, communication, and presentation skills
Penetration Tester Certifications
Certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker(CEH), Certified Expert Penetration Tester(CEPT), and Offensive Security Certified Professional(OSCP) are essential to bag the role of a penetration tester.
Penetration Tester Salary
The average annual salary of a security architect, according to PayScale in India, is Rs.598,021 and in the United States of America is $85,939.
6. Computer Forensics Analyst
Computer forensic analysts work when there has been a cyberattack. They research the cases and gather the digital evidence required to retrieve lost data. Manipulated, deleted, or stolen data is all worked upon by computer forensics analysts.
Computer Forensics Analyst Skills
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology and some relevant work experience in the field is required for this job. Besides, they must also have the following skills:
- Networking knowledge
- Knowledge of cybersecurity
- Understanding of law and criminal investigation
- A sound analytical mind with attention to detail
- Strong communication skills
Computer Forensics Analyst Certifications
Certifications like Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) and Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) are two of the certifications this job requires.
Computer Forensics Analyst Salary
The average annual salary of a security architect, according to PayScale in India, is Rs.600,000 and in the United States of America is $74,216.
With the digitalisation and massive generation of digital data every second, cyberattacks are anticipated to quadruple in a short amount of time. This means that companies will be on the hunt for certified cybersecurity experts, pushing their demand by a significant margin in the upcoming years. There are limitless opportunities in cybersecurity, and the workforce is limited.
To become certified to apply to one of these jobs, you can enrol in an Advance Certification in Cyber Security (from IIITB) or a Executive PG Programme in Cyber Security (from IIITB) and gain the expertise you need to excel at your job.
