Working in Cyber Security

Is working in cyber security your dream job? If yes, this is the right place for you to learn how to become a cyber security expert and your role in the tech industry.

Cyber Security Work Introduction 

Cybersecurity aims at preventing cyber threats and protecting information and information systems. It includes protecting the company’s valuable information, hardware, software, and network. Working in Cyber security is interesting yet challenging, and one can choose the desired profile according to his interest, qualifications, and experience. Let’s dive in and know more about this lucrative profession.  

What do Cybersecurity experts do?

A cybersecurity expert will examine a company’s vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and threats. They prepare policies, plans, and procedures according to the cyber security framework. Their main goal is to reduce the organization’s cyber risk exposure to an acceptable level.     

It involves lots of different tasks. They provide consultancy, design plans, procedures, and software that need the implementation to safeguard valuable information. They train employees and communicate with the management regarding recent changes in the firm’s risk exposure level. Then they plan out a recovery program for situations if a threat materializes. A cybersecurity expert should be well equipped with diverse sets of skills. Depending on their skill sets, they can pick up roles like security engineer, security analyst, security auditor, etc. 

Skills that play a dominant role in cybersecurity

Working in cyber security might seem like a guy sitting with a computer jabbing away at a keyboard. But for success in this profession, one should possess multiple skills, from technical to soft interpersonal skills. Let’s look into these two categories of skills. 

• 1 – Technical Skills

• Knowledge of acceptable cybersecurity frameworks

Cyber security frameworks are the documents and guidelines about best practices in cyber security that will help in planning and designing the IT system of the client. 

• Networking is a crucial element in the cyber world

Its in-depth knowledge will help understand the data transmission and find possible threats. Having networking course certificates will be super beneficial. 

• Expertise in dealing with any operating system 

To secure anything first, you need to be comfortable with it. As a cybersecurity expert, you must be comfortable around any operating system. 

• Learning about System Administration

It will help understand the different configurations of systems and help maintain computers.

• Cloud Security Certification

Nowadays, companies are moving their work and data to clouds. So certificates and experience in cloud security will enhance the chances and growth in this sector. 

• Graduation or post-graduation in computer science

It will lay a strong foundation for a career in cybersecurity and give an easy start as companies prefer Computer Science or Cyber Security, graduates.

• Working knowledge of blockchain and Artificial Intelligence

It will give you an edge in the industry. Both of these technologies are new and are in demand. Understanding their structure and work will help in incorporating them in securing information.

• Cyber laws and regulations

Being updated with the current laws and regulations will help in understanding the legality of various actions. It will help you be prepared with measures that need to be taken to secure the client’s information system. 

• Risk analysis

The ability to analyze risk is a crucial skill. Risk assessment is one of the core roles of the security manager. Continuously, they have to keep a check on the risk exposure by evaluating the threats, their impacts, and the company’s ability to fight back. 

• Soft skills

The ability to work as a team is important. A cybersecurity department of the organization will have different people playing different roles like consultant, engineer, and analyst. Proper coordination will make things smooth. 

• Management skills

Cybersecurity experts regularly coordinate with management. And they need the ability to break down complex and complicated problems into understandable small size information, making it easy for the non-IT background person. 

• Interpersonal skills

A security manager or consultant consults employees of the various departments for a better understanding of the organization’s security requirements. Well-developed interpersonal skills will help connect with employees and lead to better training. 

• Observation skills

The observation skills will help notice minute details early, and a threat can be eradicated well in advance.

• Positive mind

With the evolving cyber world and the emergence of new threats daily, sometimes cybersecurity becomes stressful. A calm and positive mind will be desired for stress management. 

• Creative vision

A person with a creative and innovative approach will be able to look at the problems from a different perspective and would be able to suggest new and creative solutions.

Different types of Cybersecurity Careers

Cybersecurity holds a pool of job options. They are varied and range from core technical jobs to legal compliance officer positions. They are interesting, challenging, and demanding at times. But they are one of the high-paying profiles in the industry. Let’s look at different cyber security jobs and their work objectives.

• Security Consultant

Along with their expertise in IT, they need to be good at communication and interpersonal skills. Security consultants provide advice and suggestions to the management for properly implementing security measures. They train employees and regularly communicate with the management. A person with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or IT with 1-3 years of experience in IT will be eligible for this position. 

• Security Architect 

As the name suggests, they design the system and continue to upgrade it to protect it from threats. They plan, design, prepare budgets, and decide about resources to be allocated and used. Their work involves mainly the construction and maintenance of the information system. They use more technical skills than soft skills. 

• Security Engineer

They are on constant alert for any cyber attack. They keep the firewall and other IT security systems in check to protect the company from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access to information. They generally hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT. A person with certificates and relevant work experience can also be a fit for this position. 

• Security Analyst

They generally are software programmers. Their typical day is wrapped around testing different software and checking whether it provides proper safeguards against threats.

• Vulnerability Assessor: 

Their main work is to find loopholes and weaknesses in the system. They provide reports to management or the cybersecurity department. Their report becomes the basis for taking any corrective action in risk management. 

• Forensic Professional: 

They have in-depth knowledge about systems and technology. They have professional degrees and work as investigators for the company. They investigate cyber crimes in detail and try to get to the bottom of the crime. Lawyers, governments, and companies use their investigative reports. They directly don’t contribute to developing systems for cybersecurity. This profile is for people who like to go to the bottom of any issue and investigation interests.

• Cryptographer: 

Companies encrypt their data to protect information and data to ensure safe transmission. Encryption protects data from unauthorized access, hackers, and breaches. Cryptographers are the people who make this possible. They encrypt data by using code and security protocol. They decode messages and break code for their company. This position requires a high level of knowledge and expertise. The companies will prefer a person with a master’s or Ph.D.

• Tester: 

As the name suggests, they test the existing security system and give feedback to the developing team. They work side by side with security architects, security system developers, and security engineers. They test systems and software from all security aspects and share the downside and issues in the existing system.

• Security Lawyer: 

A law degree will really help in starting a career as a security lawyer. They look after the legal compliance on behalf of their clients. There are laws and regulations that are needed to comply with on a timely basis. They are the people who hold knowledge of both the world of Legal & Cyber.

• Security Auditor: 

They generally are not part of the organization. They are experts in cybersecurity and risk management. Their main aim is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of implemented policy, procedures, framework and software. And check the level of security and the risk exposure of the company. They provide an independent overview of the overall security system. 

Pro & Cons

Working in cyber security has its pros and cons. On the one hand, there are a large number of job opportunities for cybersecurity professionals, and there are many top-level highest paying cybersecurity jobs. On the other hand, these are demanding jobs that require long working hours.

Let’s first look into the Pros. 

• Huge Demand: 

Cybersecurity experts are in demand. Sometimes the requirement is more than the number of available professionals. This gives the opportunity to the cybersecurity expert to select jobs as per his interest. With the speed at which companies are going digital, the future will need more cybersecurity experts.

• No industry bar: 

The best part of working as a security expert is that you are not bound by any particular industry. Every company needs a cyber expert, whether it is a hospital or an airline company.

• Good Salary: 

As compared to other career opportunities, salaries in cybersecurity are much higher. Even if someone starts their career at a lower salary, they get an increment and promotion pretty soon. 

• Work Independently: 

Many Cybersecurity experts work as freelancers or as independent consultants. That gives them much freedom and work exposure to different industries. 

• Learning new things: 

Cyber technology is an ever-evolving industry, and that provides the opportunity to learn new things. A person with a flare to enhance knowledge and learn new things would really enjoy this career.

Like any other profession, here are a few cons too:

• Management support: 

Management being non-technical, people sometimes fail to understand the seriousness of some of the aspects of cybersecurity. It hinders the overall process of security and risk management. 

• Monotonous: 

At some point, the work of a cybersecurity expert becomes routine and monotonous. This may demotivate a challenging, loving person and fall in efficiency. 

• Stressful: 

There is always a possibility of some new threats or attacks. For the security of systems and information, the cybersecurity teams are under constant pressure to mitigate the risk and combat any new attack. 

• New Updates and changes: 

Cybersecurity experts need to stay updated with recent changes and keep learning about new software and cyber crimes, to provide better services in the market and be upbeat.

• Long demanding hours: 

An unexpected cyber attack is possible at any time. Due to this, there are no fixed working hours. Sometimes they work continuously for long hours. And have to be available on-call to meet any emergency situation. In the long run, this might be frustrating and not good for a proper work-life balance. 

Industries requiring Cybersecurity experts

Cybersecurity is a booming career. Every industry is on the lookout for graduates of cybersecurity. The best companies for cyber security jobs are tech-intensive and thus recruit high numbers of graduates or professionals. These Industries are majorly dependent upon IT and clouds. Cybersecurity is the backbone of such companies. For example, a banking company needs a robust security system that protects account holders’ data and transaction information and protection from hackers that try to attack bank accounts and passwords. At a Tech company like Apple, which gives data security prime importance, professionals can find various opportunities like security managers and security analysts.

Similarly, A Defense industry will not like that their confidential contracts and strategies get leaked or exposed. Cyber attacks on them will compromise national security. Working in the defence industry will be very demanding.

There are industries where automatization and IT are not core; still, they will need a cybersecurity expert. For example, a hospital or medical center will need to protect their patient’s health and personal information. They can’t jeopardize confidentiality. 

The unemployment rate is meager in cybersecurity. 

Conclusion

Working in cyber security is interesting and challenging at the same time. For a career in cybersecurity, one can start from the entry-level and work the way up. A basic degree in computer science and your flair for learning new things and keeping yourself updated will help you excel in your career. It may have a few downsides, but it depends on the work environment and the person doing it. There is a wide variety of certificates and courses available to give you a start in this career. The Postgraduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity by Jigsaw is a comprehensive program spread over a period of 8 Months with online live sessions on weekends. This guaranteed placement program is equipped with Cyber Labs with up-to-date tools & technologies and industry projects for a complete hands-on learning experience. Enroll today to become an expert cyber security professional.