Career in Cyber Security


Cyber Security professionals work in every size company and industry to protect organizations from data breaches and attacks. The demand for cyber security professionals is growing at a breakneck speed. Job postings for cyber security positions have grown three times faster than openings for IT (Information Technology) jobs overall. Before you jump headfirst into this specialized field, you should know what a typical cyber security career path entails. There is no one linear path to a successful career in cyber security. Some people enter the security field straight out of college, while others transition from another IT role. No matter where you start, all cyber security careers begin with general IT experience. You need to understand how technology works before you can learn how to secure and protect it.

Various positions are available in Cyber Security industry. A few are listed below:

  1. Security Architect : A security architect is tasked with designing, building and implementing network and computer security for an organization. Security architects are responsible for creating complex security structures and ensuring that they function properly. They design security systems to combat malware, hacker intrusions. In the begining, enter the IT field as a security administrator, systems administrator or network administrator and then move on to a mid-level role as a security engineer or analyst and subsequently to  a security architect role. Having a IT/Computers degree along with professional certifications will help you grow exponentially in your career. Certifications recommended for this job role are CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH),EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA),Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

  2. Security Consultant:  He assesses cyber security risks, problems and solutions for different organizations and guide them in protecting and securing their physical capital and data. The position might also be referred to as an information security consultant, computer security consultant, database security consultant or network security consultant.  As a security consultant, your daily tasks may include determining ways to protect computers, networks, data and information systems from potential attacks, performing vulnerability tests and security assessments, interviewing staff and department heads to uncover security issues, testing security solutions using industry standard analysis methods, providing technical supervision and guidance to a security team. Having a IT/Computers degree along with professional certifications will help you grow exponentially in your career. Certifications recommended for this job role are CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

  3. Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker: He looks for weaknesses in IT systems, networks and applications using the same knowledge and tactics as criminal hackers. Penetration testers use a series of tools to simulate real-life cyberattacks, identify weak spots and help organizations improve their security posture. As a penetration tester, you’ll be expected to perform penetration tests on web applications, networks and computer systems, uncover security holes and pinpoint the methods attackers could use to exploit system weaknesses, research, document and discuss findings with management and IT teams, design and implement new penetration tools and tests. Having a IT/Computers degree along with professional certifications will help you grow exponentially in your career. Certifications recommended for this job role are CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

  4. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): The role of chief information security officer comes with a lot of power and creative freedom. CISOs build security teams and oversee all initiatives that concern an organization’s security. The CISO reports to the CIO or CEO.  As head of IT security, your daily activities will include hiring and guiding a team of IT security experts, creating strategic plans for deploying information security technologies and improving existing programs, supervising the development of corporate security policies and procedures. collaborating with key stakeholders to establish a security risk management program, spearheading IT security investigations and providing recommended courses of action in the event of a breach. Having a IT/Computers degree along with professional certifications will help you grow exponentially in your career. Certifications recommended for this job role are  Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP).

While all the above job roles are for experienced people, the beginers or freshers can start their job with entry level roles.

Entry-level IT jobs that pave the way for a cyber security career include:
  1. Systems administrator: He is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems; especially multi-user computers, such as servers.

  2. Database administrator: Database administrators use specialized software to store and organize data. The role may include capacity planning, installation, configuration, database design, migration, performance monitoring, security, troubleshooting, as well as backup and data recovery.

  3. Web administrator: He does technical design and development of websites.

  4. Web developer: He is a programmer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications using a client–server model.

  5. Network administrator: He is the person designated in an organization whose responsibility includes maintaining computer infrastructures with emphasis on networking.

  6. IT technician: He is a technician of an industrial occupation whose responsibility is maintaining communications and computer systems.

  7. Security administrator : He is responsible for managing all IT-related security and safety issues within a company. This can include developing systems and policies, as well as overseeing the implementation of procedures to secure both company and customer data.

  8. Network engineer: He is a technology professional who has the necessary skills to plan, implement and oversee the computer networks that support in-house voice, data, video and wireless network services.

  9. Computer software engineer: He applies engineering principles and systematic methods to develop programs and operating data for computers. 

Some of the professional certifications along with expertise level are given below. They are prized certifications in the industry and will help you get a jobs globally in any big company.

  1. Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) ( For Expert Level of expertise )

  2. Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) (For Expert Level of expertise)

  3. Certified Information Security Managers (CISM) (For Expert Level of expertise)

  4. BS 25999 Lead Auditor (Business Continuity Management) (For Advanced Level of expertise)

  5. ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and Implementer (For Intermediate Level of expertise)

  6. Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH)  (For Intermediate Level of expertise)

  7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)  (For Beginer Level of expertise)

  8. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)  (For Beginer Level of expertise)

  9. CompTIA Security+ (For Beginer Level of expertise)

  10. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) (For Advanced Level of expertise)

  11. Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) (For Intermediate Level of expertise)

  12. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) (For Advanced Level of expertise)

No comments:

Post a Comment