There's never been a better time to achieve, or improve, a career in cybersecurity. Digitalization has driven many companies to seek cybersecurity services — particularly in the face of new and evolving cybersecurity concerns. New cybersecurity research also indicates widening skills gaps in the cybersecurity market, further heightening the need for high-quality cyber talent.
If you're considering a role in cybersecurity — or you want to further improve your IT skills — there's never been a better time to consider one of the following high-paying cybersecurity careers.
What are the top-paying cybersecurity jobs?
No matter your skillset, there's a cybersecurity position waiting for you. Let's examine ten of the year's most sought-after cyber positions below.
1. Bug Bounty Specialist
One unique cybersecurity career is that of a bug bounty specialist — a skilled hacker who helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in their networks. Bug bounty specialists are often contracted by organizations to help them identify and patch computer systems weaknesses, before legitimate hackers get the chance to compromise networks. Bug bounty specialists usually have access to programs or tools that aid them in "hacking" their employers networks; these specialists will test specific network features, and identify any places where hackers might be able to obtain sensitive information.
2. Chief Information-Security Officer (CISO)
As a CISO, you'll be primarily accountable for the data security and information that an organization upholds. You'll develop and maintain high security standards, and create systems that allow technical and non-technical employees alike to protect sensitive digital information. You'll also oversee your company's technical security team, helping them implement policies and procedures that keep all employees and their devices safe.
3. Lead Software Security Engineer
The role of a lead software security engineer is a job that's often best for systems analysts and coders, who possess a unique blend of strategy and leadership expertise. This position requires a professional who operates with innovative software and managerial skills, and is looking for a rewarding, high-ranking executive opportunity in cybersecurity. You'll developed understanding of application security, as you guide your entire team in the formation and deployment of cyber best practices.
4. Cybersecurity Sales Engineer
There are many stages of the technology sales process. As a cybersecurity sales engineer, you'll be responsible for managing the technology evaluation stage of the technology sales process — helping organizations devise strategies that promote more effective tech sales to various markets. In a cybersecurity sales engineer position, you'll need a variety of technical and sales skills that allow you to assess one tech option over another in light of changing markets.
5. Cybersecurity Architect
A cybersecurity architect fulfills a critical responsibility in the workplace, helping organizations fortify the structural design and integrity of their computer systems. In some roles, cybersecurity architects might also manage an information security-related awareness program — or offer other forms of cybersecurity training for technical and non-technical employees.
Cybersecurity architects also examine security events, and perform risk assessments, to further protect their companies from network invasion.
6 & 7. Cybersecurity Manager & Administrator
Both cybersecurity managers and administrators are familiar with company IT protocols, and the information they manage. In this IT manager or administrator position, you'll help teams organize their IT efforts around keeping internal and external data safe. You'll also help to monitor the ways that data flows into and out of the organization. This also includes educating employees about any best practices they can adopt in keeping their own data safe.
8 & 9. Penetration Tester & Ethical Hacker
Penetration testers help organizations by identifying network and system vulnerabilities, and helping IT teams patch them. As a penetration tester, you'll help your company perform a critical role in keeping all digital information safe. This IT professional will actually "hack" a company's systems from the inside, identifying weaknesses before hackers get the chance.
10. Information Security Analyst
As an information security analyst, you'll maintain several responsibilities that are directly related to building and maintaining core IT protocols. These IT protocols help companies keep their employees, and their data, safe. These same protocols also help keep employee, and company, data safe from hackers. Many information security analysts also help to evaluate a company's current security protocols, identify opportunities for improvement before implementing those improvements.
How do I get hired in cybersecurity?
There are several different ways to pursue the cybersecurity role you prefer. Below, reference some of the steps you'll need to follow to obtain a preferrable cyber role.
Certifications
The right certification can improve your chances for hire and help enhance your skills in certain information technology fields. Consider one or more of the following certifications to develop or deepen your IT abilities.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) — This certification equips cybersecurity professionals to develop and design cyber protocols, for deployment across an organization. CISSP certifications are best for experienced IT or cybersecurity professionals, who might manage a team or directly oversee IT systems implementation.
- One of several ISACA certifications, the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) accreditation is ideal for individuals who already possess at least basic expertise in a cybersecurity or IT role. This certification helps you make the move from employee to manager, or into a role with authority or leadership responsibilities. As a CISM, you'll be able to implement IT strategies that help you align data protection protocols with your company's overall goals.
- As a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), you'll have the full authority to control and assess your organization's entire IT and business infrastructure. You'll learn how to adopt a risk-based approach to tasks like planning and reporting on audit engagements. Certified auditors also see a 70% improvement in expertise and efficiency after completing this certification, according to the ISACA.
- With a Global Information Assurance Certification, you'll improve your understanding of some of the world's most fundamental cybersecurity fields. GIAC accreditations are aligned with core cybersecurity employee responsibilities. For example, you might improve your knowledge of cloud security, offensive operations, industrial control systems or cyber defense as part of your GIAC.
- A CEH, or Certified Ethical Hacker, builds skills that are immediately relevant in protecting an organization's network. Ethical hackers help to "hack" a company's systems, identifying vulnerabilities before hackers get the chance.
These and other certifications help current or aspiring cybersecurity professionals develop and practice new skills that can make them valuable in a variety of IT settings.
Experience
Experience is also important in landing a coveted cybersecurity professional. Without the right experience, it's difficult to achieve even an entry-level job in the field. Experience, even if it's in an entry-level position, can be valuable in helping you achieve the cyber position you deserve. You might look for experience at your current position, exploring new skills or IT applications that can make you even more useful to your current employer. In other cases, you might need to find another position, or an internship, that help you add the skills you need to your portfolio.
Education
You'll also need the right education to achieve one of the top-paying cybersecurity jobs on the market. In the same way that certifications and experience help to improve your candidacy for hire, education demonstrates to potential employers that you have the skills to get the job done.
To earn a preferable position in the cybersecurity profession, you'll often need more than a bachelor's degree in information technology, or in a related field. Individuals who aim for the highest levels of cybersecurity often need a master's degree, or a similar postsecondary education.
Consider one or more of the following degrees to further improve your education in cybersecurity:
- Master's degree in information technology (IT)
- Master's degree in information assurance
- Master's degree in computer engineering
- Master's degree in computer science
- Master's degree in cybersecurity engineering
- Master's degree in cybersecurity operations and leadership
- Master's degree in cyber risk management
Choose the educational program that best aligns with your current skills. It's also important to choose an education program that aligns with your career goals.
What are the responsibilities of a cybersecurity professional?
You might be interested in a cybersecurity position because of the high-paying salaries, outstanding benefits, opportunities for career advancement or the opportunities to pursue and achieve a meaningful career. However, before you can fulfill your cybersecurity role, you'll need to properly understand your daily responsibilities.
As a cybersecurity professional, you'll regularly work to secure your organization's databases, websites, internal and external networks, devices, digital data, and a potential variety of other IT assets.
You might cover the following responsibilities in your next cyber role:
- Digital forensics
- System or network engineering
- Cyber risk and planned analysis
- Investigation methods
- Susceptibility and exposure assessment
- Cyber event response
These responsibilities and others might define your daily duties in a cybersecurity role. Your exact responsibilities will depend on your industry, employer, years of experience, certifications, and other factors.
How do I learn cybersecurity?
If you're interested in learning cybersecurity from industry experts — without spending years, of thousands of dollars, in a university environment — you're in the right place. As a viable, accelerated alternative to the traditional cybersecurity education model, QuickStart offers a proven Cybersecurity Bootcamp that combines hands-on projects and mentor-led sessions to create tomorrow's best cybersecurity professionals. With limited space available in this year's remaining bootcamps, make sure to claim your seat in our next session before spots fill! You'll learn skills in hardware and operating systems, programming, security fundamentals, ethical hacking, and other cyber fields.
Schedule a call with our Admissions team to learn more and reserve your spot in our next Cybersecurity Bootcamp.