It is no wonder that the world is going digital at an astonishing pace. New technologies emerge each day and continue to evolve as time passes. The primary objective of each advancement is to make human life easier. Unfortunately, although technology is offering many benefits, there is no denying that the rate of cybercrimes is also increasing at a breakneck speed. Today, no individual or business can escape from the grim reality of digital spaces. With each growing day, online criminals are becoming more and more sophisticated. As a result, they are introducing new and more harmful ways to hurt businesses, enterprises and individuals. That’s where cybersecurity professionals and A Cybersecurity degree come in.
A Cybersecurity degree is a lucrative and dynamic field. The professionals in this field gain in-depth knowledge and skills to prevent systems or networks from digital attacks. In addition, the field offers professionals a wide range of career opportunities and doesn’t restrict itself to government agencies only. Almost every industry, including healthcare, finance, retail, and trading, needs cybersecurity professionals in the present age.
However, passionate individuals must pursue their education in cybersecurity to step their foot in this career. The good news is many educational institutes in the modern technological era offer online degree courses to aspiring individuals struggling to balance their education due to work or family commitments. So, you can enroll yourself in an MS Cybersecurity degree program to learn the latest defense practices against cyberattacks. The online degree program also gives you the advantage of learning at a flexible schedule.
Are you wondering what career options you have after completing a degree in cybersecurity? Well, then you have landed at the right place. Read on below to learn some common career paths you can consider:
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SECURITY ARCHITECT
Are you an enthusiast who likes to solve complex problems? Then, this career might be a perfect option for you. As a security architect, your primary responsibility is to design, build, supervise, and implement security in an organization’s network system. Moreover, you can figure out possible threats by determining the weak points, gaining an in-depth understanding of a network system, and staying abreast of the latest security standards. Below are some typical job responsibilities:
- Learn the ins and outs of the organization’s IT system and technology
- Perform regular testing of the IT system and recommend enhancements
- Schedule timeline for system updates
- Evaluate the final security system and upgrade it as needed
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a Security Architect is $153,439 as of December 2021. You must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills to excel in this career.
INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST
Professionals in this career are responsible for providing digital security to the company’s system and network by monitoring security protocols and policies. As a security analyst, you will be analyzing systems for security issues and installing security software to fight against any threat or breach you find. You must have a thorough understanding of firewalls, antiviruses, data encryption, penetration testing concepts, and techniques. Typical responsibilities of an Information Security Analyst may include:
- Employ security software, firewall, and data encryption programs to protect computer network
- Provide training to management or other staff about information security management
- Keep up-to-date with the latest security and information technology trends
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of an information security analyst is $103,590 per year. The job outlook would grow by 33% from 2020 to 2030.
SECURITY ENGINEER
A cybersecurity engineer keeps the organization’s computer network and system safe from cyber threats or hacking. Their primary responsibility includes ensuring the IT system runs smoothly and foreseeing potential security issues beforehand. The job duties of security engineers are:
- Analyze, plan, design, and implement security measures to safeguard the system and network
- Troubleshoot and respond to any security threat or breach
- Regular report and communicate with relevant departments
The median wage for security engineers in the United States is $112,635. With a worldwide shortage of cybersecurity professionals, the job prospects of security engineers are good. However, you must have good attention to detail and analytical thinking skills to flourish in this career path.
CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is an executive-level position whose responsibility is to manage and control the organization’s IT system. In addition, they collaborate with the upper management to identify the organization’s security need and protect it from all types of cybercrimes. As a CISO, you must have excellent knowledge of information security management frameworks. The following job duties come under the belt of CISO:
- Devise, implement, and evaluate thorough information security and risk management program
- Supervise constant maintenance of security network
- Ensures organization’s security practices comply with industry regulations
- Hire and oversee the performance of other IT staff
According to Payscale, the average salary of CISO is $166,684 per year. As a CISO, you must have comprehensive knowledge of industry security standards and networking concepts. You must also have good communication and leadership skills to become a Chief Information Security Officer.
CONCLUSION
With continuous advancements in technology, it is no secret the field of cybersecurity will also continue to grow. While each career paths in this field are exciting, the job roles and salary may vary. Moreover, keep in mind that some cybersecurity career duties may overlap with one another.
Today, employers in every sector – government and military offices, hospitals, banking institutes, etc. – are looking for cybersecurity professionals to keep their data and system safe from crimes. So if you have a passion for learning technology and have analytical thinking skills, now is the best time to start a career In this ever-growing field.
