Education & Career Trends: October 30
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
- Excerpts are taken from an article published on coursera.org
Pursuing a career in cybersecurity means joining a booming industry where available jobs outnumber qualified candidates. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 32 per cent between 2022 and 2032. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this demand.
As cybersecurity continues to grow in importance, more specialised roles are emerging. Starting as a cybersecurity analyst creates opportunities to follow your interests within the world of information security and create a career path that’s right for you.
Getting Started: Entry-level cybersecurity jobs:
If you’re new to cybersecurity, you may start out in an entry-level IT role, such as a help desk technician, network administrator, or software developer. Many cybersecurity professionals enter the field as junior information security analyst after gaining some experience in IT.
Before you apply for your first cybersecurity role, take some time to develop core IT skills, including programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing. While you don’t necessarily need a degree to get a job in cybersecurity, having some form of structured training might accelerate your path toward a job.
Cybersecurity Career Pathways
Many cybersecurity professionals enter this niche area after having work experience in the IT environment. Once you have a relevant IT background, you could begin your cybersecurity job with one of these roles.
1. Cybersecurity Analyst
Related job titles: Cyber analyst, IT security analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect their organisations from cyberattacks and unauthorised access. In this role, you will likely be expected to:
- Monitor networks for security breaches.
- Investigate, document, and report security breaches.
- Research IT security trends.
- Help computer users with security products and procedures.
- Develop strategies to help secure the organisation.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+
2. Security Tester
Related job titles: Application security tester, Information security tester
As a security tester, you work to keep an organisation a step ahead of threats. Your responsibilities might include:
- Designing and implementing IT security systems to protect the organisation’s computer networks from cyber attacks.
- Monitoring computer networks for security issues.
- Installing security software.
- Documenting all security issues or breaches you find.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
3. Network Security Engineer
Related job titles: Systems engineer, network administrator
Network security engineers design, install, and monitor the layers of cybersecurity at an organisation. You’ll likely need to know about:
- Configuring and administering network and security-related hardware and software.
- Preventing unauthorised access from outside sources.
- Preparing for security threats and taking action to cut risk.
- Stress testing networks.
- Troubleshooting technology.
- Documenting IT infrastructure.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP)
4. IT Auditor
Related job titles: Internal IT auditor, security auditor
IT auditors evaluate and assess the IT infrastructure for potential security, efficiency, and compliance issues. Some of your regular tasks might include:
- Creating plans to audit infrastructure.
- Performing and documenting audits.
- Reporting and presenting audit findings with recommendations for ways to cut risk.
- Developing and installing security fixes.
- Seeking out opportunities for better efficiency.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5. Cybersecurity Consultant
Related job titles: Information security consultant, network security consultant, computer security consultant, and database security consultant
Instead of working for just one company, as a consultant, you can work with several different clients. Your work may be more short-term and project-oriented. You may be hired to:
- Measure, design, and implement security systems.
- Develop security procedures for the organisation.
- Collaborate with in-house security teams to respond to unwanted intrusions.
- Carry out information security compliance assessments and audits.
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+
6. Information Security Specialist
Related job titles: cybersecurity specialist, information security specialist
As an information security specialist, you’ll serve as your company’s go-to person for security. You’ll also:
- Ensure data remains secure against unauthorised access and cyber attacks.
- Test and maintain firewalls and antivirus software.
- Develop and lead security training.
- Research new security risks.
- Suggest improvements for security weaknesses.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
7. Cybersecurity Manager
Related job titles: Cybersecurity officer
Security managers oversee the prevention of cyber theft for a business. You might:
- Implement security standards
- Manage a budget for cybersecurity operations
- Hire cybersecurity staff
- Communicate with clients about security operations
- Prepare the organisation for audits and compliance reporting
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+
8. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Related job titles: chief security officer, chief security architect
In this job, you’re in charge of information security for the organisation. You’re typically responsible for protecting the IT infrastructure but also making sure that employees understand their role in keeping your business compliant and secure. You can expect to play a role in:
- Evaluating protocols and developing security and privacy protections.
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with external IT providers and services.
- Budgeting for IT needs and tracking return on investment.
- Auditing organisational technology for vulnerabilities and ensuring ongoing compliance.
- Devising and documenting business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
- Liaising with leadership on business resilience and the organisation’s cyber and technology posture.
Common certifications: Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)
9. Ethical Hacker
Related job titles: white hat hacker, ethical hacker, vulnerability assessor
Ethical hackers have permission to find weaknesses before the malicious actor can do so. Responsibilities can include:
- Planning, designing, and carrying out penetration tests.
- Creating reports on test results and offering recommendations to security decision-makers.
- Developing scripts to automate parts of the testing process.
- Conducting social engineering exercises (attempting to get company employees to disclose confidential information).
- Providing technical support during incident handling.
Common certifications: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
In-Demand Cybersecurity Skills
Having the right skills can go a long way toward securing a job. To start, you may want to develop skills in:
- Cloud security
- Programming (especially scripting) languages
- Encryption
- Risk assessment
- Intrusion detection
- Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
…
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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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