With more and more parts of our lives going online and then being stored, it’s no surprise that keeping our computers, networks and data secure is more important than ever. And if you’re fired up to protect and serve in the digital world, there’s never been a better time to consider a career in cyber security. Due to the enormity of the interrelated issues at play, the task of cyber security has expanded to cover a whole range of jobs with differing responsibilities. To help you make sense of the cyber security landscape, here are six examples of roles you might consider, starting with entry-level and moving up to advanced.
1. Security Consultant
This is the broadest job title, as it usually serves as an umbrella term for anyone with expertise in cyber security. As a security consultant, you could be doing anything from evaluating threats and risks to providing solutions to guiding the development of an organization’s physical and data security procedures. You might be employed with one company or outsource your expertise to a variety of clients. As a result, it helps if you are flexible and highly IT-literate so that you can apply yourself to a wide range of situations.
2. Security Architect
A more specific role, the security architect is ideal for anyone interested in large-scale problem solving and big-picture strategy. “Normally a security architect is employed by a company to develop a plan for network and security that is then applied across the organization,” says Richard Harper, a recruiter at Eliteassignmenthelp and Studydemic. “This means building and implementing complex frameworks and making sure they function effectively for the business at hand.”
3. Computer Forensics Analyst
On the topic of cybercrime, a forensic analyst is responsible for the legal side of cyber security. Forensic analysts are often employed by law enforcement to deal with public and private organizations that have been victims of illegal cyber activities, and they are often called to testify in court. The work of forensic analysts may include recovering stolen or deleted files, analyzing records for suspicious or illegal activity, and pursuing data trails.
4. Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
A penetration tester, also called an ethical hacker, is authorized to continuously test a company’s IT system for flaws. Penetration testers usually have specialized tools, often unique to each job, designed to root out potential chinks in a company’s cyber armor. “They are then under the obligation to communicate these flaws to the company and must keep detailed records of their actions and findings to avoid legal suspicion,” explains Dorothy Kime, a tech blogger at Essayroo and Boomessays.
A more friendly version of the hackers who try to take down governments, these people are usually given consent by a business to test their security capabilities. They hold a CEH certificate and also know all the tricks of the trade employed by more nefarious hackers, so they are best placed to stress-test a security system to make sure it’s not vulnerable to external, unauthorized threats.
5. Security Systems Administrator
Almost the exact opposite of the security consultant role, a security systems administrator will work daily with one company to run and maintain their digital security. Much of the role is shared with other cyber security positions – installing software, maintaining systems, troubleshooting computer and network security – but the difference is that the Systems Administrator is in consistent and regular command of one company’s security.
6. CISO
In charge of the entire information security program, a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) aligns governance requirements with information security strategies. They design, communicate, implement and monitor strategies that bring business value to the organization. The CISO must be well aware of business obligations and opportunities related to information security. Those obligations and opportunities must be communicated to appropriate business decision makers to help drive the business away from unacceptable risks and towards favorable outcomes. They constantly monitor the program’s performance and the progress of security initiatives to achieve their intended objectives. They usually report to the senior management and the board of directors.
Of course, these are only a handful of the many possibilities in the world of cyber security. If you like the sound of these, there will certainly be a role out there that fits your passion.