Cybersecurity Career Paths: The 2022 Guide

The practice of cybersecurity involves safeguarding digital technologies against loss, theft, and unauthorized access to networks, devices, and data.

When it comes to career pathways in IT and beyond, the cybersecurity business continues to be a potential area of growth.

The need for cyber professionals has grown over the past few years as a result of increasing ransomware attacks and security hazards associated with remote operations.

In this article, we will explore how to start a career in Cybersecurity and the different career options one can choose from. Let’s get started right off the bat.

Importance of Cybersecurity

Due to the value and vulnerability of digital assets, cybersecurity is essential. Fundamentally, our society is more dependent on technology now than it has ever been, and there are no signs that this tendency will reverse.

Add to the daily use of computers the proliferation of cloud services, lax security for cloud services, and the Internet of Things, and we have a plethora of possible security flaws that weren’t present a few decades ago.

With a wealth of valuable data available, the targets are not limited to just large organizations. Small enterprises and even uninvited guests have experienced security breaches. Everyone could become a victim, which makes cybersecurity crucial.

Cybersecurity is also crucial, due to the prevalence of cybercrime. In 2019, 32% of firms reported cyberattacks or other security lapses, and that doesn’t include businesses that were compromised covertly.

Without the diligent efforts of cyber security experts, it would be almost impossible to use many websites due to ongoing attempts at denial-of-service attacks.

Conclusively, cyber security is crucial because it supports the preservation of the lifestyles to which we have grown accustomed.

How to Get Started in Cybersecurity?

When one first enters the field of cybersecurity, they can work as a help desk technician, network administrator, or software developer.

After obtaining some IT experience, scores of cybersecurity experts also start out as junior information security analysts.

Before applying for a cybersecurity role, one must devote some time to developing core IT skills, including programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing.

Even though a degree is not necessarily needed to work in cybersecurity, having some kind of formal and structured training could accelerate the process.

We are on the job approximately 71% of every year. Therefore, choosing the right career option is important. Let’s explore the various career paths in Cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Career Options

You can decide to take your career in various different directions, depending on your passions and goals. An index of thorough career profiles can be found below:

1. Chief Information Security Officer

The development, management, and implementation of a company’s cybersecurity architecture, policy, and planning fall within the purview of this executive-level role.

Technical proficiency (a strong understanding of Linux, virtualization, and networking concepts) and managerial aptitude are two major requirements to fit into this position.

Chief Information Security Officer salary in India ranges from ₹ 16.8 Lakhs to ₹ 98.7 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 35.0 Lakhs.

2. Chief Privacy Officer

At large organizations, including municipalities and governmental bodies, a new executive-level of Chief Privacy Officer is becoming increasingly prevalent to ensure the protection of important data.

Their primary responsibilities include overseeing the organization’s policies, practices, and data governance as well as promoting employee privacy awareness and training.

The national average salary for a Chief Privacy Officer is ₹12 Lakhs per year in India.

3. Computer Forensics

These experts are detectives that work with company officials or law enforcement after a data, network, or security breach to paint a picture of how a computer or computer system was compromised.

Often, they recover hidden, encrypted, and deleted information for law enforcement agencies. They also follow chains of custody to safeguard the integrity of data and ensure its admissibility in court.

Employees can make an average salary of ₹24.8 Lakhs, ranging from ₹17 Lakhs per year to ₹35 Lakhs per year.

4. Computer Security Incident Responder

When a data breach or hack is discovered, incident responders are typically the first to be contacted within a company or organization. The job includes recording the assault and creating a defense.

Their salary in India ranges from ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 32.2 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 8.6 Lakhs.

5. Cryptanalysts and Cryptographers

Today’s cryptanalysts and codebreakers examine various data-concealing strategies using mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Even without having the encryption key, they are in charge of decoding or decrypting data in order to analyze concealed communications. Algorithms and computer code are used by cryptographers to build, and break, encrypted software and related services.

Cryptanalysts can earn an average salary of ₹8 Lakhs, while cryptographers can earn up to ₹23 Lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹19 Lakhs to ₹45 Lakhs.

6. Cybercrime Investigator

Digital crimes are distinct from other types of crimes in ways that they can be carried out remotely, can take place in virtual worlds, or may require intricate coordination between numerous nodes or hubs.

After a breach or cyberattack, cybercrime investigators work as digital detectives to help prosecute cybercriminals. Their salary ranges from ₹ 5.4 Lakhs to ₹ 6.9 Lakhs.

7. Data Protection Officer

These professionals are responsible for educating the company and its employees about compliance, training staff involved in data processing, and conducting regular security audits.

They also serve as the point of contact between the company and any Supervisory Authorities (SAs) that oversee activities related to data. Their salary in India ranges from ₹ 11.3 Lakhs to ₹ 33.9 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 26 Lakhs.

8. Digital Forensics

These experts resemble the digital equivalent of sleuths. They are frequently entrusted with investigating security incidents and being able to reconstructing hacks and attacks.

The demand for experts with digital forensic skills is increasing along with the number of digital attack surfaces. Digital Forensics earn an average salary of ₹25 Lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹17 Lakhs per year to ₹35 Lakhs per year.

9. Ethical Hacker

The responsibility of attempting to identify weaknesses in a computer system or network falls to an ethical hacker, sometimes referred to as a penetration tester.

The prime aim is to spot these vulnerabilities and suggest fixes or defenses before cybercriminals or black-hat hackers are able to exploit the systems. The salary ranges from ₹10 Lakhs per year to ₹50 Lakhs, with an average of  ₹22 Lakhs.

10. Malware Analyst

Malware analyst is a crucial and rapidly expanding position within the cybersecurity hierarchy. A malware analyst’s main job is to spot, investigate, and comprehend different types of malware and how they spread.

This vital role offers in-depth intelligence following a cybersecurity occurrence. This role’s salary ranges from ₹ 1.5 Lakhs to ₹ 21.4 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.3 Lakhs.

11. Penetration Tester

In the field of cybersecurity, being an ethical hacker or pen tester is in high demand. Companies or organizations engage penetration testers to search for security flaws and vulnerabilities before other hackers do.

Penetration Tester salary in India ranges from ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 22.6 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 7.1 Lakhs.

12. Risk Management

Risk management is vital for managing a firm. Understanding and reducing cybersecurity risk are increasingly crucial for companies with a digital footprint.

They recognize and evaluate potential dangers to an organization, develop contingency plans, and choose ways to avoid, mitigate, or transfer risk. A Risk Manager’s salary in India ranges from ₹ 3.0 Lakhs to ₹ 23.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 9.0 Lakhs.

13. Security Administrator and Security Architect

An IT-centric position that can specialize in or shift into security-related duties is that of a Security Administrator. Security architects are responsible for designing computing networks and other infrastructure with an eye toward security and preserving overall integrity.

When building secure and resilient networks, this position frequently utilizes the knowledge and expertise of a variety of backgrounds. Security Architect salary in India ranges from ₹14.0 Lakhs to ₹44.2 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹23.6 Lakhs.

14. Security Analyst

A security analyst is in charge of keeping an eye on security protocols and ensuring that best practices are applied and followed. Depending on the size and sector of the employer, a security analyst’s work may vary significantly.

Security Analysts’ salary in India ranges from ₹ 3.5 Lakhs to ₹ 9.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.0 Lakhs.

15. Security Code Auditor

A Secure Code Auditor is in charge of reviewing source code to detect if there are any potential security weaknesses, bugs, exploits, or violations of programming standards.

This position necessitates a broad skill set, including programming, network and systems infrastructure knowledge, penetration testing expertise, and familiarity with underlying security protocols.

Information Security Auditor salary in India ranges from ₹ 4.0 Lakhs to ₹ 22.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 10.7 Lakhs.

16. Security Consultant and Security Engineer

Security consultants are frequently employed because of their wide industry-level experience and understanding. The average salary for a Cyber Security Consultant in India is ₹ 8.8 Lakhs per year.

To protect infrastructure and data, security engineers are in charge of creating and maintaining security codes and systems. Security Engineer salary in India ranges from ₹ 3.0 Lakhs to ₹ 19.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 6.0 Lakhs.

17. Security Software Developer

A security software developer’s job is to take software that an organization may have written for its operations or business processes and add layers of protection on top of it to make it more resistant to attacks.

This position somewhat bridges the gap between the established commercial software development industry and the nascent information security industry. The annual average salary one can earn is up to ₹ 13 Lakhs.

18. Security Specialist

Depending on the size and breadth of the firm or organization, a security expert is someone with a thorough awareness of strategies and best practices who can be assigned to a variety of specific security-oriented jobs.

Security Specialist salary in India ranges from ₹ 3.1 Lakhs to ₹ 18.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 8.5 Lakhs.

The online education websites contain additional helpful information regarding cybersecurity degrees in addition to the aforementioned list of cybersecurity occupations. There are many more books available in the InfoSec sector; these are just a handful. If you are passionate about it and receive the right instruction and practice, you too can have a successful career in cybersecurity.

Are You Ready to Pursue a Career in Cybersecurity?

The need for cyber security professionals will only increase as more companies from a wide range of various industries, including banks, the government, retail, and BFSI sectors, actively seek them.

Making sure that potential employees have the necessary training in cybersecurity is a prime factor to perform these crucial security tasks. Completing training in CCSK can reward you with unexpected career opportunities.