information security profession
Cybersecurity professionals work in every size company and industry to protect organizations from data breaches and attacks. And the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing at a breakneck speed. Job postings for cybersecurity positions have grown three times faster than openings for IT jobs overall.
Before you jump headfirst into this specialized field, you should know what a typical cybersecurity career path entails. In this blog, we’ll cover four popular security careers and the recommended training you need to be successful:
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
- Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
There is no one linear path to a successful career in cybersecurity. Some people enter the security field straight out of college, while others transition from another IT role.
No matter where you start, all cybersecurity careers begin with general IT experience. You need to understand how technology works before you can learn how to secure and protect it.
Entry-level IT jobs that pave the way for a cybersecurity career include:
You’ll also need to supplement what you learn on the job with outside training and education. In fact, 35 percent of cybersecurity jobs require an industry certification, compared to 23 percent of IT jobs overall.
Most management-level cybersecurity jobs are highly specialized. The more you can focus your expertise by seeking out specific industries and certifications, the more attractive you’ll appear to companies looking for those particular skill sets.
If you’re passionate about problem-solving and creating big-picture strategies, the security architect career path is for you.
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 and DDoS attacks.
In the United States, the average salary for this position is $118,681. Security architects are expected to have 5-10 years of relevant experience, with 3-5 of those years dedicated to security.
To become a security architect, you might follow a career path similar to this:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity or a related field. Or, gain equivalent experience with relevant industry certifications.
- Enter the IT field as a security administrator, systems administrator or network administrator.
- Get promoted to a mid-level role as a security engineer or analyst.
- Enter a security architect role.
As a security architect, you’ll be required to:
- Plan, research and design durable security architectures for various IT projects.
- Develop requirements for networks, firewalls, routers and related network devices.
- Perform vulnerability testing, security assessments and risk analysis.
- Research and implement the latest security standards, systems and best practices.
Recommended Training for Security Architects
Because the security architect role is a senior-level position, employers will look for accredited security certifications on your résumé.
Professional cybersecurity training and certifications will help you accelerate your career path and stand out to potential employers. These certifications reinforce the essential skills required for the security architect role, such as network security and architecture, vulnerability testing and risk management.
Beginner:
Intermediate:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Advanced:
- EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
Expert:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Security Consultant
A security consultant is a catch-all cybersecurity expert. They assess cybersecurity 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.
Security consultants need to be flexible and savvy – they deal with a wide range of variables when assessing security systems across diverse companies and industries.
The salary range for IT security consultants is broad depending on experience, but a senior security consultant earns an average of $106,190 in the U.S. Security consultants are expected to have 3-5 years of professional experience.
To become a security consultant, you might follow a career path similar to this:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity or a related field. Or, gain equivalent experience with relevant industry certifications.
- Pursue an entry-level position in general IT or security.
- Earn a mid-level role as a security administrator, analyst, engineer or auditor.
- Sharpen your cybersecurity skills with advanced training and certifications.
- Enter a security consultant role.
As a security consultant, your daily tasks may include:
- Determining the best way 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
