According to a Cisco study, In the last year alone, 86% of firms had at least one user try to connect to a phishing site. Since the pandemic and the more widespread adoption of digital technologies, Cyber security threats have risen. Crypto mining, ransom ware, Trojans, botnets, adware, exploit kits, man-in-the-middle, DNS tunneling, zero-day exploitation, and other cyber-attacks are only a few examples of today's cyber-attacks. Even the largest companies are not safe to cyber security vulnerabilities. The need for experienced cyber security specialists is increasing every day as the diversity and sophistication of cyber threats grows.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the numberof employment for one of the most important occupations in cybersecurity,information security analyst, would increase by 33% between 2020 and 2030,compared to an average of just 8% for all job types. The average salary is likewise significantly greater, at $103,590. This year, the cybersecurity sector is predicted to have 3.5 million high-paying job openings, with insufficient applicants to fill them.
In this blog post, we'll look at how you can get your cyber security career off to a good start. We will discuss the several roles available based on experience and skills, as well as answer some commonly asked questions.
Cyber Security Career Pathway
"To workin cybersecurity, you don't have to be an MIT graduate." It just takessomeone who has the necessary training and certification, as well as a strong commitment to the job." ― EXVP Research's Tim Herbert
Despite its significance in the world of informationtechnology, cybersecurity is still a developing field. Organizations are just now starting to improve their cybersecurity personnel by developing new jobs and employing experts. As a result, it's critical to keep your expertise of cybersecurity job choices wide enough to adapt to the industry's changing demands in a timely manner.
As a result, we've organized the cyber security job path into three sections: entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions.
Entry-level roles in cybersecurity require applicants to have basic educational skills like a bachelor’s degree or certification but might not expect work experience. Here, you would typically monitoring systems, detecting abnormalities, escalating potential threats to seniors, and so on.
With a few years of experience and certain advanced certifications, mid-level analysts, testers, or engineers take on a more strategic role. Here, you will build security systems, examine, analyze, and audit them for vulnerabilities using techniques such as ethical hacking, and offer remedies. You will also address and resolve threats escalated by entry-level cybersecurity analysts.
Senior roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Chief InformationOfficer (CIO) are examples of leadership positions. You will be in charge of the security of the organization's IT landscape.
You will be responsible for developing security roadmaps,reviewing and negotiating contracts, engaging suppliers, and managing security teams.
Let's have a look at the tasks and responsibilities of the different roles at each step of the cybersecurity profession.
Cyber Security Career Paths to Consider
While phishing remains one of the most frequent cybersecurity risks today, cybercriminals are becoming more creative. They are exploiting whatever vulnerability they can find in order to attack and steal information. As a result, firms are looking for cybersecurity personnel that can deal with both present and upcoming threats. Here are some of the cybersecurity career choices you may pursue.
Entry-level Cybersecurity Jobs
These are entry-level positions for professionals with little or no experience. To get started in the sector of cyber security, you need not need a master's or advanced degree. However, a certification to verify your fundamentals may be required. The two most frequent entry-level cybersecurity positions are shown below.
1. Incident Response Analyst - An incident response analyst, as the name suggests, is the initial responder to a cyber attack. They will conduct investigations, evaluate data, and respond to cyber issues. Furthermore, they will proactively detect dangers, control and eliminate them as needed. While these positions do not require specialized cybersecurity credentials, they do require specific expertise in:
- Computer intrusion and incident response procedures
- Security architecture, system management, andnetworking (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, SMTP, and so on) are all important considerations.
- ·Security assessment across NMAP, Net cat,Nessus, Metasploit, etc.
Some of the certifications required for this position include:
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
- GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC)
- EC-Council Certified Incident Handler
- CREST Certified Incident Manager (CCIM)
An incident response analyst's annual compensation is$70,892.
2. RiskAnalyst - A risk analyst is in responsible of performing frequent evaluations of the cybersecurity landscape and giving suggestions for improvements. This could include researching access controls, policies, operational efficiency, and so on. They may also be needed to stay up with the latest threats and assess the resilience of business systems.
Risk analysts are required to have the following skills:
- Identity and access management
- Threat intelligence and vulnerability assessments
- Security architecture and strategy
- Data risk and governance
- Compliance demands around personally identifiable information (PII) and industry-specific laws
Certifications needed are:
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certification in Risk Management and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Risk analysts make an average of $74,840 per year. However, security-minded industriessuch as healthcare or finance may provide far more.
Before embarking your cybersecurity career, whether as an incident response analyst or a riskanalyst, it is essential to have a strong foundation. Begin with a boot camp or an online course on cybersecurity fundamentals. Then, obtain a broad certification, such as the CompTIA Security+. From there, you may specialize in a particular sector of interest and become certified in it. For example, if you want to work in digital forensics, you should consider being certified in reverse engineering malware or as a computer hacker forensic investigator.
Mid-level Cybersecurity Jobs
After 2-5 yearsas a cybersecurity analyst, most experts move up to mid-level positions like penetration testers (also known as pen-testers), security engineers, or forensics analysts. These positions will be more strategic than incident response analysts or risk analysts, but they do not have to be leadership positions. Mid-level cybersecurity specialists can work as both individuals and supervisors.
Here are a few examples of mid-level cybersecurity jobs.
1. Penetration Tester - Penetration testers, often known as ethical hackers, plan, simulate, and carry out attacks against business networks and systems in order to detect and address vulnerabilities. A penetration tester must have the following skills:
- Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VASP)
- Code review for common vulnerabilities like the OWASP top 10
- Python,Java, JavaScript, and more programming skills
- Network-related protocols such as HTTPS, TCP/IP, etc.
- Compliance protocols such as PCI, ISO 17799, HIPAA, etc.
Certifications useful for a penetration tester include:
- CompTIAPenTest+
- OffensiveSecurity Certified Professional (OSCP)
- GIACWeb Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)
- GIACPenetration Tester
- CertifiedEthical Hacker (CEH)
A penetration tester's annual compensation is $102,405 on average. In contrast tothe analyst professions discussed above, penetration testing is a programming-intensive role. So, first and foremost, learn one of the main application programming languages. After that, you can pursue certification in penetration testing or ethical hacking.
2. Security Engineer - A senior incident response analystis similar to a security engineer. While they do not respond immediately to every cybersecurity issue, they do build and deploy security-related technologies and services. They also create organizational policies and procedures. As a mid-level role, experience is just as crucial as skills/certifications.
- Asecurity engineer is required to have the following abilities and experience:
- Abachelor's degree in computer science or cybersecurity is required.
- Understanding of application development, service-oriented architecture, threat modeling,risk detection, and other related topics.
- Programming languages such as Python, Java, C, C++, and others are required.
- Understanding of online and network protocols, cloud technologies, VASP, and remediation approaches, among other things.
CompTIASecurity+, CISSP, CISA, CISM, and other commonly expected certifications
A security engineer's annual pay is $102,511. The most frequent route to become asecurity engineer is to start as a software engineer. You can earn cybersecurity certifications and transfer with some programming and quality assurance expertise. If you currently have cybersecurity abilities/experience,you may also learn core application development skills to advance your career.
3. Forensics Analyst - A forensics analyst is a digitaldetective who follows digital evidence to solve a crime. They retrieve data andfigure out how the security incident occurred. They investigate how the attackers obtained access, travelled the network, and what they did, among other things. A forensics analyst is expected to have the following skills:
- Collaborate with the incident response and risk management teams to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
- Perform forensic functions to detect signs ofcompromise.
- Examine all data sources, including firewall,web, database, logs, and so on, to identify malicious and compromised activities.
- Examine new tools and apps for security flaws.
- Create best practices for digital forensics.
A forensic analyst is expected to have the following certifications:
- Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
- Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
- GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
- Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
A forensics analyst earns an average of $80,990 per year. While defense, lawenforcement, and counter intelligence were among the first to engage forensic analysts, many businesses are also hiring them to safeguard themselves from cyber attacks. Gain essential skills in computer programming, data analytics,criminal justice, and systems engineering to get started in forensic analysis. Then, narrow your attention to 1-2 specialty certifications.
Senior-levelCybersecurity Jobs
Positions of leadership such as chief information securityofficer (CISO) and chief information officer (CIO) affect the cybersecurityposture not just of the business they lead, but also of the industry. Theyestablish the criteria and determine the proper replies. As a result, these professions need technical expertise, business acumen, strategic thinking, and a forward-thinking mindset. The following are the two important cybersecurity leadership positions.
1. CISO - A chief information security officer is in responsible of the organization's data security. As firms acquire more consumer data, this function becomes increasingly important in terms of privacy, security, customer experience, and compliance issues. As a result, the expectations on a CISO's expertise are fairly high.
- A bachelor's degree in information security, information systems, or computer science is required.
- 10-15 years of expertise in information security or risk management
- Knowledge of policy and procedure development
- ISO 27001, SOC, PCI DSS, HITECH, HIPAA, PSQIA, GDPR, and other security frameworks, standards, and requirements
Some of the certifications that are expected include:
- Certified Information Systems SecurityProfessional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership atGIAC (GSPPL)
- GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)
Inaddition to these technical talents, CISOs are expected to have leadership experience, excellent analytical abilities, project management skills, and a high level of personal integrity.
ACISO's annual pay is $1, 73,705. Gaining multi-functional skills and experience is the most frequent approach to become a CISO. Experience in application development, data analytics, information security, information systems, project management, and team leadership are typical. Furthermore, industry expertise is a significant asset in these positions. For example, for a CISO position in a hospital chain, someone having expertise in the healthcare industry will be regarded well ahead of everyone else due to their superior grasp of the business and regulatory landscape.
2. CIO - Chief Information Officers(CIOs) are roles that have existed since the 1990s in the information age. As more data was gathered and used, businesses employed executives to lead their information/data practice. As a result, while CIOs are not strictly part of the cybersecurity career path in the sense that one may become a CIO without going through the cybersecurity career roadmap, this post is unquestionably one of the most recognized and well-paying options.
The following are the skills and experiences that are required of them:
- A bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, technology, oranother related field is required.
- 15+years of experience, including at least 2-3 years as a senior leader
- A sharp eye for developing data technologies, as well as business, financial, andoperational expertise
- Designingand implementing security and privacy measures is a plus.
- Knowledge of cloud technologies
- Abilityto work well with CDOs, CISOs, and other application development executives,and so on.
Unlikespecialist cybersecurity positions, CIOs are not required to have certifications, but Six Sigma and Lean qualifications will certainly help. A certified CIO earns an average of $1, 58,305 per year. A CIO generally reports to the chief technology officer (CTO) or, in rare circumstances, the chief executive officer (CIO).
Cybersecurity Career Path FAQs
How Long Will It Taketo Learn the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity?
If you can spend 15-20 hours per week to studying, we predict it will take you six months to grasp cybersecurity fundamentals. As a result, the Careerera Cyber Security Course is structured to teach you the foundations over the course of six months. However, if you need to learn programming languages as well, it may take longer.
Is a Degree Requiredto Work in Cybersecurity?
You don't have it. While most positions need a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a similar subject, certificate programmes and boot camps can provide you with the same skills. Here's how to get begin in cybersecurity, no matter what your background is.
Does Cybersecurity Pay Well?
It certainly does. A cybersecurity engineer's average compensation is $100,000. Depending on their experience, abilities,qualifications, company, and location, a CISO's remuneration might range from $200,000 to $400,000. These rates are only projected to rise as the need for cybersecurity specialists grows, as does the skill gap and the threat landscape.
Read this salary guide for additional information on the various cybersecurity positions.
How To Start a Cyber Security Career?
All cybersecurity career paths have almost the same set of criteria: IT knowledge, analytical skills, experience, and certifications. Take each of them one at a time.
- Learn the fundamentals - Take a specialist course in cybersecurity if you already have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Otherwise, obtain a baseline qualification in the subject via online courses, boot camps, and other methods.
- Obtain certification - CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker are two certifications that might assist you demonstrate your interest and expertise in the sector.
- Gain experience - You may lack real-world job experience as a recent graduate or a newcomer. In such instances, work on your own projects or participate inhackathons to expand your portfolio.
- Improve your interpersonal abilities - Collaboration is a common theme in cybersecurity employment. To communicate successfully, cooperate with variou steams, and implement processes, you must have exceptional interpersonal skills.
How To Get a Job in Cyber Security?
Having the necessary abilities and expertise to perform ajob is not the same as being hired for the job. To be employed, you must showthe recruiting staff your abilities and potential. To do so, follow thesesteps:
- Create a résumé that is both strong and convincing in terms of cyber security.
- Create a career plan, identify the positions you're interested in, and strategically apply to each one.
- Prepare for interviews, practice answers for the most frequent cybersecurity interview questions
- Prepare to negotiate over your salary.
- Make the most of the first week of your new job!
What are the advantages of Cyber Security?
There are many advantages of Cyber security after pandemic due to that most of the organizations started hiring the Cyber Security experts to protect the data.
To know more about the advantages of Cyber Security read this
Kick start Your Career with Careerera Cyber Security Career Track
You may start planning your cybersecurity career path right immediately, whether you're a recent graduate or a professional. Careerera Cyber Security Profession Track provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity that will enable you to advance your career while also assisting you in overcoming barriers and being accountable. Personalized career counseling will provide you with everything you need to effectively acquire a cybersecurity job of your choosing.
