Digital security is becoming more critical than ever with organizations moving towards rapid digital transformation and automation. Securing valuable data, programs, intellectual property, and other digital assets has become paramount as everything is stored online. Organizations globally are focusing more on recruiting cybersecurity professionals to secure their digital infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. The demand for security specialists in the industry is high as cybersecurity jobs have gained mainstream momentum.
By Rudra Srinivas, Senior Feature Writer, CISO MAG
Cybersecurity Job Landscape
Amid growing cybersecurity risks, most organizations are stepping up their cybersecurity and digital transformation budgets, which in turn increases opportunities for skilled security professionals. A recent analysis from Gartner revealed that investment in information security and risk management technology and services is expected to grow 12.4% to reach $150.4 billion in 2021. Organizations are looking ahead to growing automation and further adoption of machine learning technologies in support of AI security to combat evolving cyberattacks. According to Cyber Seek, there are nearly 465,000 open job positions in cybersecurity in the U.S. as of May 2021, with a very low cybersecurity workforce supply ratio.
Here are some of the most demanding cybersecurity jobs:
1. Chief Information Security Officer
Role: Senior level
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level executive responsible for meeting the company’s cybersecurity plans with the business goals. Most organizations have a CISO on their management team to oversee the company’s security and IT operations, implementing security strategies and budgets to protect the organization’s critical infrastructure. CISOs keep abreast with the latest industry happenings and offer real-time analysis of threats that might arise during big business moves such as mergers and acquisitions.
To become a CISO, one should have sound experience in different cybersecurity job profiles.
Required Skill Set
- Good experience IT sector
- Incident management and supervisory skills
- Business expertise
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Risk management
EC-Council’s C|CISO Certification provides a real-world experience to succeed at the highest executive levels of information security.
2. Ethical Hacker
Role: Mid-level
An Ethical Hacker, also called a Penetration Tester or Pen Tester, is responsible to perform in-depth tests across a company’s network systems and web applications to find vulnerabilities or any security loopholes before they are exploited by cybercriminals.
Ethical hackers need to possess strong understanding about the psyche and motives of cybercriminals in order to conduct pen testing to discover security vulnerabilities and gaps in the network.
Required Skill Set
- Good networking skills
- Knowledge of Java, Python, and Perl platforms
- Black box testing
- Strong reporting and presentation skills
EC-Council’s certificates like Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) will certainly help in the pursuit of this role and opportunity.
3. Security Architect
Role: Senior level
A Security Architect is responsible for designing IT security structures, develop architecture patterns, and new security approaches for an organization. Besides, the security architect is responsible to educate staff on security policies and provide security assistance to prevent cyber risks.
Required Skill Set
- Strong IT background
- Knowledge in cyber risk management
- Network hardware configuration
- Knowledge of security protocols and cryptography
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
EC-Council’s Certified Security Specialist (CSS) will benefit the security architect aspirants in anticipating possible breaches.
4. Network Security Engineer
Role: Senior level
A Network Security Engineer fronts an organization’s digital and physical assets and prevents them from cyberthreats. They oversee IT infrastructure, operational data center systems, and networks. A network security engineer is also responsible for the maintenance of firewalls, routers, switches, VPNs, and other network monitoring tools.
Required Skill Set
- Sound networking skills
- Knowledge security architecture and management of operating systems
- Knowledge of C, C++, Python, and Java is required
- Strong communication and presentation skills
EC-Council’s Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA) and Advanced Network Defense will boost opportunities in the field.
5. Digital Forensic Analyst
Role: Mid-level/Senior
A Digital Forensic Analyst is a cybersecurity detective required at the crime scene to investigate the severity of the incident. A DF Analyst studies cyberattacks, collects digital evidence and supervises and trains the team to follow suit. They are responsible for retrieving deleted, lost, manipulated, or stolen data. the digital forensic analysts are required to work closely with the police and law enforcement authorities to investigate cybercriminal activities.
Required Skill Set
- Networking skills
- Knowledge in cyber law and criminal investigation
- A sound analytical mind with attention to detail
EC-Council’s Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Certification will help aspirants in achieving the desired job.
Cybersecurity is an interesting field, to say the least. And there are multiple reasons to pursue a security career.
About the Author:
Rudra Srinivas is a Senior Feature Writer and part of the editorial team at CISO MAG. He writes news and feature stories on cybersecurity trends.
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