To be honest, a lot has changed since the invention of the wheel. While the wheel may have happened a while ago, digital data is part of our generation. It’s what holds our world together, and perhaps the wheel that companies and organizations ride on. But with every invention comes challenges. The biggest challenge to digital networks is cyberattacks. To counter cyberattacks, companies need cybersecurity agents to work round the clock. For this reason, jobs in cybersecurity fetch quite a check if you know what you are doing. This article will explore some of these jobs that you need to be aware of.
Why it’s worth exploring a career in cybersecurity
Before we look at some jobs that will get you a pretty penny in cybersecurity, let’s have a look at what makes this sector lucrative. According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland, there is a cyberattack every 39 seconds – that averages more than 2,000 attacks a day.
If you are keen enough you realize just how delicate digital networks are. Cyberattacks are costly to both the organization and everyone else close to it. Many attacks result in data loss, money is lost, and trust is broken between the organization and its customers. No organization is willing to let its company get attacked and face the consequences that come with it. For this reason, cybersecurity teams are created to eliminate the risks that companies face on a daily basis.
Cyberattacks are not going away any time soon – it’s actually expected to quadruple the current figures. That means cybersecurity jobs will also increase exponentially. What’s even more appealing is that there aren’t many cybersecurity professionals. Competition is thin and the demand is high. When demand is high, it also means the salary is good. Now let’s find out where you can explore your cybersecurity career.
- Chief Information Security Officer – CISO
As a CISO, you’ll be in charge of ensuring the safety of information in an organization. As a CISO you’ll be in charge of developing and maintaining InfoSec (information security) and risk management programs. You will also be required to engage with stakeholders and keep them in the loop about InfoSec concerns. But you will not become a CISO overnight, you will need to have experience in other cybersecurity roles to qualify as a CISO. Here are some of the skills you need;
- You must hold a computer science degree and MBA
- Have IT experience
- Have incident management and skills as a supervisor
- Some business expertise
- Have strong communication skills
- Have stroke presentation skills
- Some risk management experience
You will also need to have certifications like CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional. But the certifications and skills can earn you up to $166, 329.
- Security Architect
A job as a Security Architect is the quintessential cybersecurity job. You will be required to be in the thick of things and ensure security platforms are secure from malware. You will need to perform occasional vulnerability tests and provide technical assistance to the organization’s other security teams. You will need to have at least a degree in computer science or IT, be involved strongly in IT before applying for the job, have a lot of experience in Risk Management, have some knowledge in cryptography and security protocols, and be able to solve analytical problems. In terms of certifications, a CISSP and CompTIA Security will do. The salary for a Security Architect can be up to $125,630.
- Cybersecurity Engineer
A cybersecurity engineer works within the heart of an organization’s digital network and executes measures to fend off cyberattacks. As a Cybersecurity Engineer, you will have to protect an organization’s networks and data. You will design cybersecurity programs and work with other security teams to maintain the company’s network security.
A Cybersecurity Engineer needs to have gone through college and obtained a degree in IT or computer science. Ensure you have at least two years of experience in the field before you apply to become one. You will also need good networking skills and impeccable knowledge of the architecture and management of OS. You will need a CEHC (Certified Ethical Hacker Certification) and CompTIA Security certifications as well. Expect to earn about $97,607.
- Malware Analyst
A malware analyst works to identify and study cyber threats in form of viruses, bots, worms, and Trojans to determine their nature. They come up with malware protection techniques and programs and keep a record of methods used to repel malware threats and attacks. You will need a degree in IT and computer science as well as two years of experience in a relevant field. You will need a GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification. You will also need to know how to use Windows, UNIX, and Linux OS, understand C and C++, and have strong communication and presentation skills. You can expect a salary of up to $92,880.
Even though the certifications needed here aren’t as demanding as many of the specialties we’ve touched, the competition here is high. You will need to craft a good CV and cover letter to have a good chance. You can hire CV writers UK experts. These experts know what is needed to get you noticed in the pool of many applicants.
- Computer Forensics Analyst
Once a cyberattack occurs, the organization will need someone to gather digital evidence and retrieve the lost data. The responsible individual will need to recover all deleted, stolen, or manipulated data. This individual is known as a Computer Forensics Analyst. A reputable analyst should have a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience in a related field. You will also need to have a CFCE (Certified Forensic |computer Examiner) certification or at least a CCE (Certified Computer Examiner) certification. You will need to have networking knowledge, strong communication skills, cybersecurity knowledge, and an understanding of the law and criminal investigation. Such an analyst can expect to be paid up to $75,120.
Conclusion
Now you know what jobs are there as a Cybersecurity agent. These are only a few areas in a large career that are bound to get even better with time. The demand for such professionals is high and will increase with time. That means the salary for these experts is also expected to increase significantly.
