Top 5 Cybersecurity Jobs and IT Security Jobs

Cybersecurity jobs and IT Security jobs continue to be in high demand with a workforce expected to increase to six million globally by 2019, with a projected shortfall of approximately 1.5 million jobs to be filled. 1 Whether you’re looking to transition to a cybersecurity role, or are already working in the field and seeking career advancement, there are plenty of opportunities.

Though metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC, offer higher salaries overall, two certain roles tend to pay at significantly higher rates than others.

Top 5 Cybersecurity Jobs

Identifying the top Cyber Security and IT security Jobs can be tough. These roles are somewhat ambiguous because different companies may have varying definitions for each job description—but all are lucrative senior-level positions. Despite crossover among the roles and the qualifications they require, here’s an idea of what each job might entail. According to a 2015 study by tech job company Dice 3, the top-paying cyber security salaries are: Find Out the Top 5 IT Security Jobs and Cyber Security Jobs

Lead Software Security Engineer: $233,333
Chief Security Officer: $225,000
Global Information Security Director: $200,000
IT Security Consultant: $198,909
Chief Information Security Officer: $192,500

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Employers Have Higher (Degree) Demands for Cybersecurity Jobs. Find out if you have the right qualifications. What is the market size is for Cybersecurity? Also, check out the top 5 cyber security jobs trending right now.

Interested in growing your career in cyber security, check out bachelor, master and certificate cyber security degree options.

Lead Software Security Engineer

This solutions-oriented leadership role involves overseeing a team of security engineers and architecting secure solutions of application programs. Lead Software Security Engineers may maintain and deploy an employee-training program, build and lead the security team, aid developers in creating effective security tests or review code for potential vulnerabilities. The dynamic role often requires a bachelor’s degree along with relevant certifications, security leadership experience, and communication and teamwork skills. 4 Lead Software Security Engineers understand hacking methodologies and culture, and are able to translate and apply their knowledge to hack-prevention efforts.

Chief Security Officer

Often the head honcho overseeing all of the securityparameters at an organization, a Chief Security Officer (CSO) is tasked with creating and implementing best practices to maintain data security and resilient infrastructure, across both digital and physical assets. CSOs might implement secure access control at a company office and monitor the effectiveness of such security operations. The management-level position involves not only protecting a company from current threats but also anticipating emerging ones—how a hacker might attack and how to defend against such an attack.

The role usually requires a bachelor’s degree and relevant certifications in addition to deep and varied experience.⁵Ithelps to be technically curious and always thinking about potential threats that could arise and new means of defense. Aside from tech know-how, CSOs must be business-savvy and able to influence other executives when it comes to security budgets and developing security programs.

According to IDC, by 2018, CSOs might see a salary bump and it’s predicted that 75% of CSOs, and Chief Information Security Officers, will report directly to a CEO instead of a CIO as they do now.⁶

Global Information Security Director

A Global Information Security Director (GIS Director) works with different departments to provide, implement and maintain a company-wide information security strategy that aligns with business objectives. This extends to educating fellow executives on potential technology risk and compliance issues.In the case of a data breach, the GIS Director would also be tasked with orchestrating a response.

This position may require working knowledge of industry regulations⁷such as HIPPA in the case of the health industry, as well asa bachelor’s degree, security experience in a global environment, relevant certifications, and the ability to work with all levels of management or outside vendors.

IT Security Consultant

An IT Security Consultant can be brought in when a company needs help identifying potential weak spots in their systems.If this expert identifies security issues, they come up with a proactive defense strategyto help eliminate future data breaches.

IT Security Consultants must be knowledgeable about databases, networks and the latest means to combat malware.⁸They always need to be one step ahead. Effective communication skills are necessary, as is an understanding of industry rules and regulations.

Chief Information Security Officer

Similar to a Chief Security Officer, a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) istasked with aligning security initiatives with business objects, but they are primarily in charge of IT security rather than all-encompassing security parameters at an organization.

A CISO must identify, develop, implement and maintain all IT-related security processes in an effort to minimize and reduce operational risks. This might include ensuring data privacy, managing a computer security incident response team or establishing disaster recovery plans.⁹

Like the positions above, this role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in addition to security and managerial experience.