Job Growth in Cybersecurity:
Before we get into the various cybersecurity careers, let’s take a look at why the number of cybersecurity jobs is growing by the day. Did you know that hackers attack every 39 seconds, or 2,244 times every day, according to the University of Maryland?
When you think about it, you’ll realize how vulnerable any digital network is to unwanted entry from a third party. A cyberattack is what this is. When a company suffers a cyberattack, it loses data, money, and the faith of its consumers. Cybersecurity is being implemented to prevent these hazardous cyberattacks. Cybersecurity is the practice of preventing unauthorized digital access to networks and computer systems.
With the increased output of digital data, cyberattacks are expected to triple in the near future. This demonstrates that the number of cyber security jobs will continue to expand as firms require individuals who can ensure data protection. According to research, there is a limited workforce for cyber security positions, but the career potential is endless. If you want to work in cyber security, this article will teach you about the top employment roles in the area and how to get your ideal job.
Statistical data of breaches and losses incurred:
The Price of a Data Breach
It goes without saying that data breaches are expensive for businesses. Security institutes collect both direct and indirect charges incurred by the compromised firm to compute the average cost of a data breach.
Forensic specialists, helpline support, credit-monitoring subscriptions, and potential compensation are all direct expenses. Indirect expenses include internal investigations and communication, as well as client attrition or reduced rates as a result of a company’s damaged reputation following a breach. See below to see how much it costs to have a breach and what factors lead the cost to skyrocket.
The average total cost of a ransomware breach is $4.62 million, which is somewhat higher than the $4.24 million average cost of a data breach (IBM).
From 2020 to 2021, the average cost of a data breach per record (per capita) grew by 10.3 percent (IBM).
The average total cost of healthcare grew by 29.5 percent from $7.13 million in 2020 to $9.23 million in 2021. (IBM).
In 2021, missed business prospects accounted for the lion’s share of breach losses, costing an average of $1.59 million (IBM).
A breach with a lifespan of more than 200 days costs an average of $4.87 million (IBM).
More than a year after a data breach, 39% of expenditures are incurred (IBM).
The United States had the highest average overall cost of a data breach in 2021, at $9.05 million (IBM).
For the greatest breaches (50 – 65 million data), the average cost of a mega-breach in 2021 was $401 million, up from $392 million in 2020. (IBM).
Hospitals spend 64% more on advertising in the two years following a breach (American Journal of Managed Care).
The cost difference between breaches where mature Zero Trust was applied and breaches where it was not was $1.76 million (IBM).
The most significant difference between breaches with a high amount of compliance failures and those with a low level was $2.30 million (IBM).
Different Job Profiles in Cyber Security:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level officer who ensures an organization’s information is completely secure. CISOs are in charge of designing and maintaining information security and risk management programs, as well as interacting with stakeholders and informing them about information security risks. Typically, one becomes a CISO after gaining valuable expertise in a variety of different cybersecurity areas.
CISO Qualifications
Because of the seniority of this job function, it is preferred that you have a computer science degree and an MBA. To be considered for the post of CISO, the possible candidate must possess a diverse set of competencies. Some of the most important are listed below:
IT knowledge
- Supervisory and incident management abilities
- Business knowledge
- Excellent communication and presenting abilities
- Risk administration
Certifications for CISOs
The majority of cybersecurity jobs need you to have relevant cybersecurity certifications. Your cybersecurity profession advances as you obtain more certifications. The suggested certifications for becoming a CISO are Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Salary of a CISO
The average annual cybersecurity compensation of a CISO in the United States is $166,329, whereas it is ₹2,300,785 in India, according to PayScale.
- Security Architect
A Security Architect is in charge of building strong security mechanisms to prevent malware attacks. They run vulnerability tests and offer technical assistance to the rest of the security team.
Security Architect Qualifications
A degree in computer science or information technology is preferred for becoming a security architect. A few essential talents are:
Significant IT experience
- Knowledge of risk management Network hardware setup
- Understanding of security protocols and cryptography
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities are required.
- Excellent communication and presenting abilities
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Certifications for Security Architects
CompTIA Security+ and CISSP certifications will help you advance in your profession as a security architect (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).
Salary of a Security Architect
According to PayScale, the average yearly cybersecurity income in the United States is $125,630, whereas it is ₹2,151,258 in India.
That concludes our discussion of the security architect position; let us now move on to the next job role on our list.
- Cybersecurity Engineers
Cybersecurity engineers plan security techniques to protect organisations from cyberattacks. They are in charge of safeguarding the organization’s networks and data. They create cybersecurity systems and work with other teams to ensure comprehensive security.
Skills in Cybersecurity
The first step toward becoming a cybersecurity engineer is to get a degree in information technology or computer science. Before beginning your career as a cybersecurity engineer, you need have at least two years of relevant job experience. In addition to this, consider the following talents for a cybersecurity engineer:
- Excellent networking abilities
- An understanding of operating system architecture and management
- C and C++ knowledge is necessary. Python and Java skills are also required.
- Excellent communication and presenting abilities
- Certifications for Cybersecurity Engineers
A cybersecurity engineer can be certified as a Certified Ethical Hacker or as a CompTIA Security+. Advanced certificates are also available, depending on experience level.
Salary of a Cybersecurity Engineer
According to PayScale, the average yearly cybersecurity compensation for a cybersecurity engineer in the United States is $97,607, whereas it is ₹683,339 in India.
- Let’s move on to the next position on the list of cybersecurity careers.
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- Malware Analyst
A malware analyst detects and investigates cyber dangers such as viruses, worms, bots, and trojans in order to better understand their nature. They create malware prevention solutions and then explain the ways for avoiding malware dangers.
Expertise in Malware Analysis
To become a malware analyst, along with other cybersecurity careers, a bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science is required. Before becoming a malware analyst, you should have at least two years of relevant professional experience. A malware analyst should also have the following skills:
- Candidates must be familiar with the Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems.
- A solid understanding of C and C++ is required.
- It is necessary to use programmes such as IDA Pro, OllyDbg, RegShot, and TCP View.
- Excellent communication and presenting abilities
- Certifications for Malware Analysts
- A GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification is an asset for this position.
Salary of a Malware Analyst
The average yearly cybersecurity compensation for malware analysts in the United States is $92,880, according to PayScale. It is 5L in India, according to Glassdoor.
- Penetration Tester
A penetration tester, sometimes known as an ethical hacker, is a network security consultant who exploits the weaknesses of a system in the same way that a hacker would. They create new penetration tools and document the test results.
Skills of a Penetration Tester
To become a penetration tester, you must have at least one to four years of expertise in information security. Other necessary abilities are listed below:
- Excellent networking abilities
- Understanding of the Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems. Additionally, knowledge of C and C++ is essential.
- It is also necessary to be familiar with Java, Python, and Perl.
- Testing with a black box
- Excellent reporting, communication, and presenting abilities
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Certification for Pen Tester
Certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT), and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) will be necessary for this position.
Salary of a Penetration Tester
According to PayScale, the average yearly cybersecurity compensation for a penetration tester in the United States is $125,630, whereas it is ₹ 2,151,258 in India.
Now that you know what a penetration tester performs, let’s move on to the next job on our list of cybersecurity occupations.
- Computer Forensics Analysts
Computer Forensics Analysts investigate cyberattack situations in order to collect digital evidence and retrieve data. They work on recovering data that has been erased, modified, or stolen.
Expertise in Computer Forensics Analyst
A computer forensics analyst must have a bachelor’s degree and some relevant professional experience. They must also possess the following abilities:
- Networking expertise
- Cybersecurity knowledge
- Knowledge of the law and criminal investigation
- A sharp analytical mind with an eye for detail Excellent communication abilities
Certifications for Computer Forensics Analysts
Certifications for computer forensics analysts include Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) and Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) (CCE)
Salary of a Computer Forensics Analyst
According to PayScale, the average yearly cybersecurity compensation of a computer forensics analyst in the United States is $75,120, whereas in India it is $700,000.
- Application Security Engineer
The application security engineer is the person in charge of developing, implementing, and maintaining the security of a company’s applications. They are in charge of developing and implementing policies to defend against both internal and external dangers.
An application security engineer’s normal day begins with evaluating the previous day’s findings and addressing any flaws or vulnerabilities discovered. Following that, they will work with other engineers to arrange the next day’s work.
An application security engineer’s compensation can vary depending on the organisation they work for and their level of expertise. The typical income ranges from $78,000 to $116,000, with the possibility of exceeding $150,000 if you are a senior-level engineer with more than ten years of experience.
Certifications for Application Security Engineers
Certifications for application security engineers include qualifications from organizations like ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association), SANS (Systems Administration Network Security) Institute, CompTIA (Computer Technology Industry Association), among others.
- Cloud Security Consultant
Cloud security specialists are in great demand and will stay so in the future due to the rising reliance on the cloud. A cloud security specialist’s job is to keep data, systems, and networks safe from cyber-attacks. They accomplish this through identifying threats and vulnerabilities, establishing protections, monitoring networks for breaches, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Cloud security experts are in charge of guaranteeing the security of data kept on a cloud server. They create and implement policies and procedures to safeguard data against illegal access, modification, or disclosure. The salary of a cloud security professional varies according to their level of experience. An entry-level compensation varies from $50,000 to $60,000 per year, while an experienced worker may expect to make $90,000 to $110,000 per year.
Certifications for Cloud Security Consultant
Certifications for Cloud Security Consultant include AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, CompTIA A+ Certification, CompTIA Security+ Certification, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
- Database Administrator
A database administrator is the person in charge of managing and monitoring the database. They are in charge of designing, developing, and managing the database. Database managers must also assure the data protection and security of the database. Database administrators are critical to the operation of any organisation. They are in charge of ensuring that the databases work efficiently and safely. Database administrators must be well-versed in databases, IT infrastructure, and programming languages. This position is in high demand and pays well.
A database administrator’s average compensation ranges from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on their level of skill.
Certifications for Database Administrator
To become a successful Database Administrator, one needs to have essential certifications that are necessary for this role. Certifications such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database Administrator provide the skills and knowledge required to maintain databases in an efficient way.
- Incident Commander
An incident manager is someone who is in charge of managing and resolving issues. They are the ones who are called in when an issue occurs, and they are the ones who will solve it. The most crucial feature of this profession is that they must be able to handle a variety of scenarios, which requires them to think on their feet. An incident manager’s income is determined by the company they work for, their location, and their experience. A typical incident manager compensation is roughly $65,000 per year.
Certifications for Incident Commander
Certifications for Incident Commander include Emergency Medical Service (EMS) certification, Firefighter certification, Hazardous Materials Response certification, and others.