The rise in Cyber Security Jobs Entry, Intermediate, and Advanced Jobs in Cyber Security What are the Benefits of a Career in Cyber Security? What are the skills needed to become a cybersecurity professional? Cybersecurity Career and Average Cybersecurity Salary.
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity has become an essential part of every company’s strategy for sustainability, security, and growth. As the business grows, the demand for cybersecurity talent will only continue to grow in 2023 and beyond.
Cybersecurity is a growing industry that still needs skilled professionals. The global cyber security market is expected to grow from $170 billion in 2017 to $202 billion in 2023.
The demand for cyber security jobs has skyrocketed over the past few years. More than 1 million cybersecurity jobs will be available by 2023, but fewer than 400,000 cybersecurity professionals will be trained by then. Cybersecurity is an ever-growing industry. It is expected to grow by 11% in 2023 and by 20% in 2025. This is a fast-paced career with a median salary of $81,000.
In this article, we will discuss the top cybersecurity jobs for 2023. We will also discuss the job outlook and salaries for each of these positions, as well as the education requirements needed to become qualified in these fields.
The Rise in Cyber Security Jobs
Before we dive into the different cybersecurity jobs, let’s take a look at why the number of cybersecurity jobs is increasing every day. Did you know that according to the University of Maryland, hackers attack every 39 seconds, an average of 2,244 times a day?
When you think about it, you will realize how vulnerable any digital network is to unauthorized access from a third party. This is called a cyber attack. When an organization witnesses a cyberattack, they lose data, money, and the trust of its customers. To prevent these dangerous cyber attacks, cyber security is implemented. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks and computer systems from unauthorized digital access.
With the increase in digital data generation, cyber-attacks are expected to quadruple soon. This proves that the growth in the number of cyber security jobs will only increase because organizations will need professionals who can ensure data security. Research shows that there is a limited workforce for cyber security jobs, and the job opportunities are limitless. If you are aspiring to get a job in cyber security, this article will tell you about the most important job roles in this field and how you can go about achieving your dream job.
Top Cyber Security Jobs
1. Chief Information Security Officer – CISO
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a high-ranking official who ensures the complete safety of information in an organization. CISOs are responsible for developing and maintaining information security and risk management programs and are also required to interact with stakeholders and brief them on information security concerns. Usually, one becomes a CISO after having a good amount of experience in a few other job roles in the cybersecurity field.
CISO skills
To become a CISO, it is preferred that you hold a Computer Science degree and an MBA, due to seniority in this job role. To get into a CISO position, a potential candidate must have strong skills. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- IT experience
- Incident management and supervision skills
- Business experience
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Risk Management
CISO Certifications
Most cyber security jobs require you to have relevant cyber security certifications. Your career in cyber security grows with the number of certifications you have. To become a CISO, the preferred certifications are – Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
CISO Salary
According to PayScale, the average annual cyber security salary for a CISO in the US is $166,329, and in Europe, it is $2,300,785.
Moving forward, we will explore the next major position in the world of cyber security.
2. Security Architect
The security engineer is responsible for designing robust security architectures that are used to prevent malware attacks. They perform vulnerability tests and also provide technical assistance to other members of the security team.
Security Engineer Skills
To become a security engineer, it is preferred that you have a degree in computer science or information technology. Some basic skills are:
- Strong experience in information technology
- Experience in the risk management sector
- Network hardware configuration
- Knowledge of security and encryption protocols
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Security Engineer Certifications
To become a security engineer, certifications that will benefit your career are CompTIA Security+ and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).
Security Engineer Salary
According to PayScale, the average annual salary for cyber security in this job role in the US is $125,630, and in Europe, it is $2,151,258.
This was all about this Security Engineer position, let’s now take a look at the next job role on our list.
3. Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity engineers plan security measures to prevent an organization from a cyberattack. They are responsible for protecting the organization’s networks and data. They design platforms for cyber security and also collaborate with other teams to maintain public security.
Cybersecurity Engineer Skills
To become a cyber security engineer, the first step is to obtain a degree in information technology or computer science. Before starting this Cyber Security Engineer role, you must have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the relevant field. In addition, let’s take a look at other skills a cybersecurity engineer must have:
- Good networking skills
- Understanding of operating systems architecture and management
- Knowledge of C and C++ is required. Knowledge of Python and Java is also essential
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Cyber Security Engineer Certifications
A Cyber Security Engineer may hold either a Certified Ethical Hacker or CompTIA Security+ certification. Depending on the level of experience, one can take advanced certificates as well.
Cyber Security Engineer Salary
According to PayScale, the average annual cyber security salary for a cyber security engineer in the US is $97,607 which is $683,339 in Europe.
4. Malware AnalystÂ
The malware analyzer identifies and scans cyber threats such as viruses, worms, bots and Trojan horses to understand their nature. They develop malware protection tools, and finally, they document ways to avoid malware threats.
Malware Analyst Skills
To become a malware analyst, just like other cyber security jobs, the first step is to get a degree in information technology or computer science. It is a good idea to have at least 2 years of working experience in the relevant field before becoming a Malware Analyst. Some other skills a malware analyst should have are:
- Candidates must know Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems
- Sound knowledge of C and C++ is required
- Tools such as IDA Pro, OllyDbg, RegShot, and TCP view are required
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Malware Analyst Certifications
GIAC’s Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification is a plus for this position.
Malware Analyst Salary
According to PayScale, the average annual cyber security salary for malware analysts in the United States is $92,880. According to Glassdoor, it is 5 liters in Europe.
5. Penetration Tester
A penetration tester, also known as an ethical hacker, is a network security consultant who exploits vulnerabilities in a system just as a hacker would. They design new hacking tools, and also document test results.
Penetration Testing Skills
To become a Penetration Tester, you must have 1 to 4 years of experience in Information Security. Here are some other essential skills:
- Good networking skills
- Knowledge of Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems. Also, knowledge of C and C++ is required
- Knowledge of Java, Python, and Perl is also vital
- Black box test
- Strong reporting, communication, and presentation skills
Penetration Test Certificates
For this role, certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT), and Certified Offensive Security Professional (OSCP) will be required.
Penetration Tester Salary
According to PayScale, the average annual cyber security salary for a penetration tester in the US is $125,630, and in Europe, it is $2,151,258.
Now that you understand what a penetration tester does, let’s take a look at the next job role on our cyber security job list.