Know Your Career Scope in Cybersecurity [Infographics]

Cybersecurity, as a profession is the evolving and pressing field inferable from the regularly increasing cyber attacks.

Any industry that transacts online and carries sensitive data is in need of a cybersecurity professional today.

On the job, the cybersecurity professional is expected to protect the organization’s online assets. It includes a file, network, firewalls, detection of vulnerabilities, monitoring of the activities, identifying the problem and its solution, recover from an attack, disaster recovery and backup plans, and so forth.

It’s a role that calls for an incredible amount of responsibility and brings value to the organization.

Let’s explore this fast-growing cyber career[s] here.

Cybersecurity, more than being a technology, is getting straightforwardly engaged with the business system and development, so as to earn trust and win the business.

If You think of any industry, there is a need for cybersecurity professional there today.

For instance, financial services, aerospace firms, defense, government agencies, e-commerce, m-commerce, digital service agency, and, etc.

The cybersecurity professionals look for security solutions from data in transit to data at rest. It includes Identity Management, Endpoint Security, Data Security, Application Security, Secures Your Email, Secures Your Web, Compliance & Control Management, Manage Unified Threat, Incident Management, Secures Configuration, System Security, and Infrastructure.

Let’s understand the roles played by the cybersecurity professionals, their educational journey and related information from a System Administrator to C-suite level.

A few of the key roles played by the cybersecurity professionals C-suite Level down to Systems Administrator include:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Information Security Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• Security Architect
• IT Security Engineer
• Security Systems Administrator
• IT Security Consultant

Chief Information Security Officer [CISO]:

Being at the c-suite level management position, the CISO directs the strategy, operations, and the budget to protect the information assets and its management in an enterprise. The scope of responsibility encompasses the communication, infrastructure, applications, policies, and the procedures.

The equivalent position to the CISO includes Chief Information Technology Officer [CIO], Information Systems [IS] Security Manager, Corporate Security Executive, and/or the Information Security Director.

Educational Qualification and Skills for a CISO:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR A CISO

Degree

• Graduation in Computer Science/IT Security or related field.
• Having a Master’s program is an added advantage.

Certifications

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
• Certified Information Systems Auditor.
• Certified Information Security Manager.
• Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT.
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control.
• Information Systems Security Management.

Skillset

• Leadership and People Management
• Ethical hacking basics, Incident Response, Computer Forensics, Business continuity, Application data security, security-mobile, cloud, IT, network, and, etc.

Work
Experience

• Network security
• Technical skills: Hardware, Storage, File system analysis, Imaging.
• Knowledge about HIPAA, SOX, PCI, NIST GLBA, and, Federal, State, and local laws.
• Knowledge in COBIT, ITIL, ISO, and IT management methods and toolsets as applicable.
• Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, Mac OS and UNIX.
• Mobile Operating Systems, Softwares, Applications and Security protocols.
• Protection systems against threats.
• Risk assessment.

Salary

Rs. 12 lakhs to 80 lakhs per annum [Source:PayScale]

Forensic Computer Analyst:

Forensic Computer Analyst retrieves erased or the encrypted data from the computing devices like the smartphones, computers, and, etc. The data thus received are analyzed and restored to its original and undamaged state.

The Job titles go as Computer Forensics Analyst, Computer Forensics Investigator, Computer Forensics Specialist, Computer Forensics Technician, Digital Forensics Specialist, or the Forensic Computer Examiner.

They work in varied domains namely, private sector, corporate, investigative organizations, defense, federal, government, and law enforcement domains.

Educational Qualification and Skills for a Forensic Computer Analyst:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR A FORENSIC COMPUTER ANALYST

Degree

• Graduate in Digital/Computer Forensics, Security, or related field.
• Having a Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Certifications

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator [CHFI]
• Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
• Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
• Certified Forensic Analyst Certification (GCFA)

Skillset

• Analytical ability
• Report writing
• Communication skills
• Digital storage devices Knowledge
• Operating systems knowledge

Work
Experience

• Operating systems knowledge
• Programming languages and operating systems
• Data processing

Salary

Rs. 5 lakhs to 18 lakhs per annum [Source: PayScale]

Information Security Analyst:
 

Information Security Analyst monitors the networks for security breaches and it"s investigation,

identifies the potential vulnerabilities, installs, maintains, and protects the sensitive data in a software, follow the best practices, initiate, and develop the security standards.
 

Moreover, he stays up-to-date on the latest trends, technology, and take initiative to advance security system in an organization.
 

Educational Qualification and Skills for an Information Security Analyst

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR AN INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

Degree

• Master’s in Cybersecurity program

Certifications

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• SANS/GIAC Certification

Skillset

• SANS/GIAC Certification
• Network security
• Linux
• Cryptography
• UNIX
• Cisco
• Python
• Information assurance
• Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
• System and network configuration

Work
Experience

• Working knowledge of Enterprise LAN/WAN network architecture, & TCP/IP protocols.
• Experience as a Security Analyst or Network Engineer.

Salary

Rs 244,079 - Rs 1,006,408 per annum [Source: PayScale]

Penetration Tester:
 

Penetration/Pen testers in an organization are the designated professionals who hack the information security environment to evaluate and tighten the security potential. It is a simulated attack as that of a hacker, but there it is made to determine the vulnerabilities and thus safeguard the information.
 

The pen testers identify the network security issues, policy compliance, follow the best-recommended security practices, assess the responsiveness, and enhance the awareness of the employees.
 

They work with the IT department and form an integral part of the risk management team.

Educational Qualification and Skills for a Penetration Tester

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR A PENETRATION TESTER

Degree

• Graduate in Information Technology, cyber security or related courses.

Certifications

• EC-Council Certified Security Analyst v10 [ECSA v10].
• Licensed Penetration Tester [LPT]

Skillset

• Problem-solving and Analytical thinking.
• Experience in operating systems, software, communications and network protocols.

Work
Experience

• 2-4 years of security-related experience with practice in penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.

Salary

Rs 179,700 - Rs 1,133,798 per annum [Source: PayScale]

Security Architect:
 

A Security Architect is responsible for architecting the design systems, manage the employees, and, maintain the security needs as per the evolving trends in an organization.
 

Moreover, a Security Architect sets the policies and protocols to the user, monitors and enforces them. And, protects the system with countermeasures whenever there is an unauthorized attempt by a user.
 

The other titles include Information Security Architect and the Information Systems Security Architect.

Educational Qualification and Skills for a Security Architect:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR A SECURITY ARCHITECT

Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or the related degree. A master’s degree is an added advantage.

Certifications

• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• CISSP-ISSAP: Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
• CISM: Certified Information Security Manager
• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
• CSSA: Certified SCADA Security Architect
• GSEC / GCIH / GCIA: GIAC Security Certifications

Skillset

• ISO 27001/27002, ITIL and COBIT frameworks
• Operating Systems knowledge
• Third Party Auditing
• Cloud risk assessments

Work
Experience

• 5-10 years of relevant experience in the IT Department

Salary

Rs 607,418 - Rs 3,110,170 per annum [Source: PayScale]

IT Security Engineer:
 

The IT Security Engineer is responsible for configuring the firewalls, detecting the systems, testing and evaluating the software/hardware, implementing the new technologies, identifying the security solutions, implementing the multi-layered defense, and, etc.
 

In brief, the IT Security Engineer helps the businesses by guarding the sensitive data safe against the cyber-criminals and the hackers.

Educational Qualification and Skills for an IT Security Engineer:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR AN IT SECURITY ENGINEER

Degree

• A Bachelor·s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field

Certifications

• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
• CCNP Security: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security
• GSEC / GCIH / GCIA: GIAC Security Certifications
• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Skillset

• Problem-solving abilities
• Mathematical abilities
• Operating systems
• Computer languages proficiency
• Able to work under pressure
• IT Support Skills

Work
Experience

• Experience in implementing security control, working with security vendors, analyzing security functionality of the products, experience in securing the cloud environment.

Salary

Rs 200,244 - Rs 1,220,450 per annum [Source: PayScale]

Security Systems Administrator:

A Security System Administrator is mainly involved in installing, administering, maintaining, and troubleshooting the network, computer, and the data security systems. The security system administrator is in charge of the daily operations like monitoring of the systems, run backups, user accounts, and, etc.

A few of the related and similar jobs include Network Security Administrator or the IT Security Administrator.

Educational Qualification and Skills for a Security Systems Administrator:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR A SECURITY SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

Degree

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

Certifications

• Security+ : CompTIA Security+ certification
• CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate – Routing and Switching
• ECSA: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst
• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• CISM: Certified Information Security Manager

Skillset

• Knowledge of SSL, HTTP, DNS, SMTP, and IPSec
• TCP/IP, computer networking, routing and switching
• Network protocols and packet analysis tools
• Operating systems knowledge
• Firewall and intrusion detection/prevention protocols

Work
Experience

• One to ten years of experience in the field.

Salary

Rs 199,996 - Rs 875,707 per annum [Source: PayScale]

IT Security Consultant:

IT Security Consultant is mainly involved in protecting the cybersecurity initiatives and objectives of an organization. Generally, they are hired by the small companies who may not afford to have an in-house team. The job may involve traveling to the location of the clients’ businesses.

This is a broad term used for the job. The specified available jobs carry the designation like the Information Security Consultant, Computer Security Consultant, Database Security Consultant, and the Network Security Consultant.

Educational Qualification and Skills for an IT Security Consultant:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND SKILLS FOR AN IT SECURITY CONSULTANT

Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field

Certifications

• IAPSC (International Association of Professional Security Consultants).

Other considered certifications include:

• GIAC Security Certifications
• OSCP: Offensive Security Certified Professional
• CSC: Certified Security Consultant
• CPP: Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
• PSP: Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Skillset

• Leadership and negotiation skills
• Application security and encryption technologies
• Programming Knowledge
• Firewall and intrusion detection/prevention protocols
• Secure coding practices, ethical hacking, and threat modeling
• ISO 27001/27002, ITIL and COBIT frameworks
• PCI, HIPAA, NIST, GLBA and SOX compliance assessments
• Windows, UNIX, and Linux operating systems

Work
Experience

• 3-5 years of professional experience.

Salary

Rs 491,595 - Rs 1,904,315 per annum [Source:PayScale]

These are the generic job titles along with its needed supporting qualification. Still, as per the industries need and involvement of specific technology, there arises subtle variations in the careers.

Going forward, if you decide to take up a career in cybersecurity and looking for gaining its IT Trainings and Certifications, then, You are at the Right Time to start/enhance your career in the cybersecurity.

Where to Make a Selective Choice to learn these Cybersecurity related certifications?

Mercury Solutions Limited is a leading provider of IT Trainings and Certifications programs with more than 2400+ courses offerings.

We are official partners for EC-Council, CompTIA, [ISC]2, and many more. We provide cutting-edge and innovative methodologies like Classroom Training, Bootcamps, Live Virtual Classrooms and Training on Demand Certifications related to cybersecurity and other domains.

You may get in touch with us for further queries for earning cybersecurity-related certifications.