If you’re looking for a role in cyber security, be sure to apply for Upward Spiral or checkout what we’re about.
Looking for a job in cyber security? There are plenty available. Cybersecurity ventures estimates there will be approximately 3.5 million vacancies in the industry by the end of 2021. It makes sense, the global spend on the information security sector is expected to exceed US$150 billion in 2021. It seems logical that organisations will be recruiting help to manage these new solutions and finding that many people isn’t easy...
The problem many job seekers face is that information security is a growing and evolving industry. It isn’t easy for aspiring - and often experienced - information security professionals to know how to navigate a career path. It becomes even more complicated when we start talking about which certifications are most relevant.
To help everyone out, here are the top 10 highest paying information security jobs based on overall median pay grade.
A digital forensics analyst gathers evidence off computers, networks, and other data storage devices for investigating instances of digital crime.
As a digital forensics analyst, you'll use a range of specialised software and other techniques to secure, retrieve and analyse data linked to a range of criminal activities. These illegal activities can include:
You could be working for the police or other law enforcement agencies, for a specialist computer forensic company or investigative team, or large companies such as banks.
Digital forensics analysts make a median salary of $102,200. They can expect to earn at least - a very nice - $69.5K, according to PayScale.
An information security specialist is an entry- to mid-level employee whose job functions help to strengthen the security of an organisation.
Information security specialists often wear a lot of hats in an organisation or company. They are likely involved in security, system design, system policy, trainer, and educator.
An information security specialist protects an organisation’s hardware, software, and networks from cyber criminals and other threats. The analyst's primary role is to understand the organisation's IT infrastructure in detail, monitor it at all times, and evaluate threats that could potentially breach the network. The information security specialist continuously looks for ways to enhance company network security and protect its sensitive information.
Information Security Specialists earn a median salary of $106,000. According to PayScale, they can expect to earn at least - a very nice - $69.5K but can take home as much as $164,900.
An IT Security Consultant is an outside expert who helps an organization implement the best solutions according to their security needs. To be completely realistic, the duties performed are in-line with an information security specialist but include an added element of consultancy.
In broad strokes, consultancy is about understanding a problem statement quickly, having necessary background experience to propose a solution and the capability to support delivery against the proposed. All the while accepting that the proposed is unlikely to be the final product and you will be required to adapt and bring stakeholders on a journey of change to solve the original problem statement.
IT Security Consultants can then use this knowledge to implement a set of security tools they see fit depending on an organization’s requirements.
IT Security Consultants make a median salary of $115,000, according to PayScale. They can expect to bring home at least $86, and they can earn as much as $191K a year.
A Penetration Tester is responsible for probing applications, systems, and networks for vulnerabilities as a test of an organization’s digital security defenses. This role is highly sought after as it is a lot of fun.
A penetration tester, colloquially known as a pen tester or ethical hacking, is an authorized simulated cyberattack on a computer system, performed to evaluate the security of the system; this is not to be confused with a vulnerability assessment. Penetration testers must be prepared to conduct physical security assessments of critical IT assets, design and create new penetration tools, employ social engineering to uncover security gaps, as well as provide feedback on their assessments.
Penetration Testers make a median salary of $119,500. Overall, they can expect to earn between $80K and $190K, reveals PayScale.
A malware analyst is responsible for helping an organisation understand the ransomware, worms, bots, Trojans, and other malicious software that threaten its network on a daily basis.
This role is part security engineer, part programmer, and part digital forensics and is a crucial function in providing necessary intelligence after a cyber security incident. Once the initial incident has been addressed it is critical that a thorough analysis and examination of the incident takes place. This will typically involve a close look at the methods, techniques, tactics and tools used by the adversary.
The cross between a highly-skilled programmer and a cyber detective makes this an attractive option for many highly skilled and curious tech types. This is a competitive and highly sought after role.
Malware Analysts make a median salary of $127,000, says PayScale. They can expect to earn at least $90K, but some can take home as much as $161K a year.
A security engineer is a mid-level employee who builds and maintains an organisation’s IT security solutions. In this capacity, security engineers configure firewalls, test new security solutions, and investigate intrusion incidents.
If you aspire to become a security engineer you must possess a strong technical background in vulnerability and penetration testing, virtualisation security, application and encryption technologies, and network and web-related protocols. Security engineering is the process of incorporating security controls into an information system so that the controls become an integral part of the system’s operational capabilities.
The more tools and concepts with which a security engineer is familiar, the more they can help troubleshoot problems concerning an organization’s security systems.
Security Engineers make a median salary of $129,500, according to PayScale. They can expect to make at least $87K, though some Security Engineers can earn as much as $189K a year.
An IT security manager is a mid-level employee who manages an organisation’s IT security policy. IT security managers are leaders, so to be successful, they must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Security managers’ daily duties depend on where they work, their industry, and the size of their company. Those at large investment banks, for example, may oversee teams of information security specialists and other technology personnel. Security managers working for small businesses may manage just a few people. In big companies, these professionals often focus on managerial responsibilities, while managers in smaller companies may take on more hands-on roles.
When it comes to education, employers generally require information security workers to hold a bachelor’s degree. They usually prefer applicants with degrees in information security-related disciplines, such as information technology, information assurance, or cybersecurity. Many universities offer information security as a concentration within a computer science bachelor’s program.
Individuals who are interested in becoming an IT security manager must be prepared to create and execute security strategies based on the input from the Security Director and/or the CISO. They must also test and implement new security tools, lead security awareness campaigns, and administer both department budgets and staff schedules.
IT security managers make on average a salary of $156,000. They can expect to earn at least $101K, according to PayScale, but those in larger organisations can make as much as $203K.
An IT security architect is a senior-level employee who is responsible for building and maintaining the computer and network security infrastructure for an organization. Security architects provide guidance to information technology (IT) security team members. They also lead IT analysts, security administrators, and security engineers to coordinate effective security protocols. Security architects also respond to security breaches.
This position requires that individuals develop a comprehensive picture of an organisation’s technology and information needs, which they can then use to develop and test security structures.
IT security architects are expected to be knowledgeable in ISO 27001/27002, ITIL, and COBIT frameworks; risk assessment procedures; operating systems; and perimeter security controls, among other best practices.
IT security architects make a median salary of $171,400. According to PayScale, those on the lower end of the spectrum make around $116K, whereas the highest-paid IT security architects earn approximately $231K.
An information security director is someone who is responsible for implementing, designing, managing and allocating all the technology security measures within an organisation. A security director is a senior-level employee whose task is to oversee the implementation of all IT security measures throughout an organisation.
Security directors must possess backgrounds like those of CISOs with respect to their knowledge of IT strategy, enterprise architecture, and other security-related concepts. They report directly to a CISO or CTO and assume the position of this executive role in smaller organisations.
Security directors’ median salary is $207,500. PayScale reports the salary range for Security directors between $116K and $249K.
The CISO is a C-level management executive (sometimes slightly beneath the typical C-suite and resides under the CTO) whose primary task is to oversee the general operations of an organisation’s IT security department and other related staff. They are responsible for developing and implementing an information security program, which includes procedures and policies designed to protect enterprise communications, systems and assets from both internal and external threats.
The organisation’s overall security is the foremost concern of the CISO. As such, persons who aspire to become a CISO must demonstrate a strong background in IT strategy and security architecture.
They must also possess people and communication skills, which they are expected to use when assembling and managing a team of IT security experts as well as when consulting with other organisational executives and/or federal agencies depending on the nature of their workplace.
CISOs make a median salary of $225,700, according to PayScale. On the lower end, CISOs should expect at least $143K, but those in larger organisations can earn as much as $311K.
If you’re looking for a role in cyber security, be sure to apply for Upward Spiral or checkout what we’re about. It is likely the roles above are available to you.