Cyber Security Jobs - Guide to Cybersecurity Jobs

The most recent work-study on cybersecurity

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about the rapidly expanding cybersecurity job market. The aim of the guide is to provide enough “at-a-glance” details while still providing enough detail to aid in the search for the most recent cybersecurity job openings.

IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL FIND

1. Cybersecurity jobs that are in high demand.
2. Cybersecurity education is essential.
3. Cybersecurity jobs in the government
4. Salary data in the field of cybersecurity

Jobs in cybersecurity are on the rise.

Job opportunities in cybersecurity are exciting. This fast-paced field is ideal for someone who enjoys a challenge and the excitement of solving problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for cybersecurity positions such as information security analysts will increase by up to 31% over the next ten years.

The above-average rise in cybersecurity employment makes sense when you think about it. The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing as technology becomes more and more integrated into everyone’s daily lives.

Although future cybersecurity work forecasts show more opportunities, the reality is that there aren’t enough skilled experts to go around right now.

Since the cybersecurity job market has expanded so quickly in recent years, candidates typically have a lot of choices.

Because of the scarcity of qualified personnel, those who seek a career in cybersecurity should expect a plethora of prospects, high pay, and excellent benefits.

From entry-level positions to senior management and all in between, the cybersecurity sector offers a diverse range of opportunities.

A security analyst in a SOC may be an entry-level role for a security professional (security operations center). They might work as a senior security analyst or on an incident response (IR) team as their career progresses.

A career as a security software developer can be pursued by those who enjoy programming and software design.

A career in computer forensics could be a good choice for those who want to combine their passions for law enforcement and technology. In order to prosecute crimes, computer forensics experts collaborate with both law enforcement and private companies.

Chief privacy officer (CPO) and chief information security officer (CISO) are executive management positions for cybersecurity professionals (CISO).

Cybersecurity jobs have a bright future, making them a great choice for those wanting to break into the industry. According to ISC2.org, there are about 2.93 million cybersecurity job openings worldwide.

Threat awareness, risk assessment, security administration, network surveillance, incident investigation and response, intrusion detection, cloud computing security, and security engineering were among the top listed areas of need for people with cybersecurity skills in the same document released by ISC2.

Certifications of Cybersecurity

Guides related to

1. Tools for work preparation on the internet
2. Jobs in cybersecurity at the entry stage

Education is important for joining the workforce, as it is for every other profession. Individuals can learn the tools of the trade through a variety of educational pathways.

A cybersecurity associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree is a great place to start. Many colleges will offer cybersecurity programs, but a computer science degree will also be advantageous.

There are newer options for people who want to work in management to get a graduate-level credential in cybersecurity or computer science.

Certifications of Cybersecurity

Although a traditional degree will still be the best way to get a job in cybersecurity, certifications and experience will also be essential.

A bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience were expected in 88 percent of cybersecurity job postings.

There are additional certifications that can help a job seeker secure employment in the cybersecurity sector in addition to a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited university.

According to a study by Burning Glass on cybersecurity recruiting, nearly 60% of cybersecurity jobs involve at least one qualification. A cybersecurity technician may earn a variety of certifications, including the ones mentioned below.

Certified Ethical Hacker: The Certified Ethical Hacker credential is only available to cybersecurity technicians with at least two years of experience. It is intended to teach a cybersecurity technician how to think like a hacker. Anyone interested in becoming a penetration tester should pursue this credential.

Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) — Someone with five years or more of experience in the field of cybersecurity will earn a CISSP certification. Students can learn how to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities in web-based applications during the course.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) — The CISA is intended to demonstrate competence for those who audit, oversee, track, and evaluate their organization’s information technology and business systems on a regular basis.

Network+ is a credential that teaches students networking fundamentals as well as industry-standard cybersecurity best practices. There will be classes on network security, network infrastructure, and network troubleshooting.

Security+ – Generally regarded as one of the most relevant cybersecurity certifications, the Security+ program teaches students how to handle threats, identify computer system vulnerabilities, and comprehend cryptography in relation to security. Threat identification and hacking prevention strategies are among the other subjects included in the certification program.

Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) – The LPT is one of the most advanced cybersecurity certifications available. It’s only provided to technicians who have a lot of experience in the field and have shown that they can work under pressure. The LPT certification is designed to ensure that any technician who holds it can react rapidly and effectively to a real-time cybersecurity breach.

While these are some of the most popular certifications for cybersecurity professionals, there are a plethora of other choices.

Some companies can provide on-the-job training and certification. This is one way for a cybersecurity professional to progress within a company while learning new skills.

Check out our related guides as well.

1. Cybersecurity 101: This guide will teach you everything you need to know to get started in a cybersecurity career. Find out more.
2. Small business guide: Cybersecurity should be taken seriously by all small business owners. This guide will assist you in getting started. Find out more.
3. Obtaining industry: specific certifications are essential for advancement in the cybersecurity sector. This guide gives you a good overview of what certifications are and what they entail. Find out more.
4. Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity: The Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity is a program run by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to establish requirements for higher education programs. Find out more.
5. This guide includes career networking: tips and tricks for cybersecurity professionals.

Online learning opportunities that are completely free

Online learning opportunities that are free (or inexpensive) are an excellent place to start your cybersecurity journey.

Before deciding whether or not to pursue formal education, students will take these online courses to learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity. They can even help you after you get your first job in cybersecurity.

Since technology is constantly evolving, so will the methods used in the field. Online learning websites will assist in bridging the difference between what was learned in the classroom and newly discovered techniques. Some online learning websites can also include a certificate of course completion, which can be used to demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re interested in continuing your education.

Tools for free cybersecurity Jobs

Cybrary.it is a website dedicated to the study of books. Cybrary was developed as a forum for cybersecurity workforce training. It now has hundreds of training modules available on a variety of topics. Some of the courses are free to take, while others need a paid subscription. The courses cover a wide variety of topics, from malware awareness to certification preparation.

Coursera.org is a free online learning platform. Coursera is a digital platform that makes courses from over 200 of the world’s top universities accessible to the general public. The scale, dedication, and rigor of the programs available vary. There are options ranging from a single topic course to qualification, degree, and micro-tracks. master’s The University of Georgia also offers a course on how to find a cybersecurity career and how to conduct a cybersecurity job interview.

KhanAcademy.org is a website where you can learn about Khan Academy. Khan Academy is a worldwide interactive learning network that provides courses on a variety of topics. The best thing is that the information is both high-quality and freely available. Khan Academy offers a variety of cybersecurity courses, ranging from beginner to advanced topics. The cybersecurity listings on Khan Academy can be found here.

OpenSecurityTraining.info: Like the others, OpenSecurityTraining.info is a free website that offers in-depth video and text-based content in the form of practical skills training. The project’s goal is to make cybersecurity and information technology training accessible to the general public.

Tools for finding a career in cybersecurity that isn’t too expensive

Udemy.com: Udemy is a digital education network that connects students with teachers and subject matter experts. The content on Udemy is provided via videos, and the courses vary in their level of detail and rigor. Hundreds of hours of cybersecurity-related videos are available to watch. The courses cover everything from the fundamentals of cybersecurity to more advanced topics like how to train for certification exams. Although students must pay to access the courses, there appears to be no shortage of low-cost alternatives.

StackSkills.com is a learning platform that organizes courses into subject areas that correspond to digital media expertise in specific fields like marketing, finance, and IT security.

Lynda.com is a website where you can learn new skills. Lynda, a LinkedIn company, is a subscription-based service that offers thousands of hours of training in a variety of skills that are currently in demand in the workforce. Lynda.com provides more than 1,000 cybersecurity course training choices, ranging from beginner to professional.

edX.org is an online learning platform. edX, like Coursera, is an online learning site that provides courses from prestigious universities all over the world. The courses are organized into a variety of programs, ranging from single-course offerings in specific topics to bachelor’s and master’s degree tracks, as well as industry certifications. The cybersecurity courses available on edX can be found here.

Entry-level cybersecurity jobs are difficult to find.

Although some work in the field of cybersecurity would require a graduate degree in computer science or information protection, entry-level positions are possible. Entry-level security professionals may expect to deal with lower-level security issues like log tracking, backups, and upgrade management.

Since there is such a high demand for cybersecurity professionals, many professors who teach cybersecurity associate’s degree programs say that many of their students already have employment lined up when they graduate.

Participating in a cybersecurity boot camp or graduate certificate program is an increasingly common way to enter the cybersecurity workforce, particularly for people with a background in a related field like computer science or information technology.

Cybersecurity boot camps are structured to provide rigorous training over a period of weeks or months. A private boot camp company or training provider may provide boot camp training and coursework. Boot camp certificates are increasingly being provided by several of the country’s largest colleges in an attempt to further close the cybersecurity skills gap.

Graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity are being offered by top universities with well-established cybersecurity programs. These programs are designed for advanced students who want to learn more about a particular cybersecurity subject. The cybersecurity graduate credential programs, which are usually many courses long, can help job applicants look more competitive or train certification participants for more advanced positions within the field.

“We decided to create a graduate certificate in cybersecurity, which is a bridging program, so you don’t have to have any preparation in computing, or in cybersecurity to go into that program. We give you some foundational courses, then we teach you computer networking followed by ethical hacking and pentesting. When you finish the courses you receive a certificate and you’re ready to get into our master’s program.”

— Hossein Sarrafzadeh, professor and chair of St. Bonaventure University’s cybersecurity department.

An information security analyst is one entry-level job choice. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree are more likely to get an entry-level position as an information security analyst, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information security analysts earned a median salary of $98,350 in 2018, with the lowest ten percent receiving less than $56,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following responsibilities for an information security analyst:

1. Examine the most recent security developments in information technology (IT).
2. Prepare reports that detail security breaches as well as the extent of the harm they cause.
3. They keep an eye on their company’s networks for security threats and investigate those that occur.
4. Install and use applications to secure confidential data, such as firewalls and data encryption programs.

A junior penetration tester position may be more appropriate for professionals who are more interested in offensive security rather than defensive security. A company hires penetration testers to monitor its security measures.

A penetration tester can try to break into an organization’s network in an aggressive manner. The average salary for a junior penetration tester is $70,000, according to Payscale.com.

Federal government jobs in cybersecurity Industries

The US federal government is one of the biggest employers of cybersecurity experts for purposes of national defense. That’s why the following segment goes into great detail on how to find government cybersecurity employment.

THIS SECTION CONTAINS INFORMATION ON

1. Benefits of Government Employment in Cybersecurity
2. Pathways to government jobs
3. Reimbursement
4. How to look for government positions and apply for them
5. Clearance for security purposes

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the federal government’s primary human resources department and personnel policy administrator.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, the federal workforce consists of about 2.1 million civilian employees. For comparison, Walmart is the biggest employer in the United States. Amazon, the second-largest retailer in the world, employs about 1.3 million people worldwide.

Each person’s motivation for working for the federal government rather than for a private company is different. To decide if government service is right for them, every job seeker must evaluate their desires, beliefs, and personal circumstances.

Some of the most common reasons for pursuing government work are mentioned below.

Make a significant difference

Working for the federal government gives you access to resources that you won’t find anywhere else. Protecting the environment, bolstering national security, maintaining the protection of our skies, assisting children in receiving a decent education, and investigating federal crime are all responsibilities of the federal government. Federal positions in agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Education (ED), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) attract people who want to make a substantial impact in these fields (FBI).

Benefits and protection

Although the federal government pays well (see the General Schedule section below), many people want to work for it because of the job security and benefits it provides. Government employees are laid off from time to time, but the government is not as vulnerable to market pressures as private firms are.

Working for the federal government is a compromise in several ways. Government workers give up the chance to strike it rich, such as getting in on the ground floor of the new tech craze, in exchange for meaningful, dependable service to their country and a decent life for their families.

Working for the government offers the following incentives in addition to a decent living wage.

1. Health insurance – This program’s multiple health benefits include the employee, spouse, and children under the age of 26.
2. Dental and vision insurance — Federal employees have a variety of options for covering themselves, their partner, and their unmarried, minor children up to the age of 22.
3. Life insurance – Employees can select life insurance benefits ranging from one year’s salary to more than six times their annual salary, as well as coverage for their spouse and qualified children.
4. Long-term care insurance — This policy offers long-term care insurance to help pay for care expenses when an employee can no longer handle daily activities such as feeding, dressing, or bathing due to a chronic disease, accident, disability, or age.
5. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) — FSAs for benefits and dependent care may be set up by new or existing federal employees.

Various job locations are available

Unlike private businesses, which often need workers only in particular areas, the federal government has job openings in every state and in many foreign countries. There are 180 embassies or consulates in the United States alone, according to the State Department. The majority of government employees are located outside of Washington, DC, the nation’s capital. One of the most appealing aspects of working for the federal government is the ability to choose a profession that allows you to live where you want.

Training

The federal government understands the importance of having a well-trained workforce. For several workers, their desire and ability to deliver excellent training is a significant advantage. Also, employees who want to work in the private sector frequently work for the government for many years in order to benefit from the training.

For government employees and veterans, the Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) is a free online, on-demand cybersecurity training framework. FedVTE offers over 800 hours of training on topics including ethical hacking and surveillance, risk management, and malware analysis, with beginner to advanced courses available.

Pathways to government jobs

In the federal hiring process, eligibility is determined by whether or not you belong to a certain category of people that the government wants to recruit. These categories, known as recruiting pathways, including existing federal employees, veterans, new graduates, and members of the general public.

Job experience, expertise, or other credentials have no bearing on eligibility. An applicant may be qualified for certain open positions for which they are eligible to apply since they belong to a particular recruiting path — veterans, for example — but they may not be qualified for others.

Each work posting specifies “who can apply” – the recruiting process – as well as “qualifications” to help applicants determine whether they meet the job’s criteria. An applicant must be both eligible (belonging to one of the groups listed in the job posting) and skilled (having the necessary experience and skills).

Many people will qualify for several recruiting paths, but applying for positions in a more general category will not help them. Current federal workers, for example, are often given priority for certain positions. If a current government employee applies for a position that is “open to the public,” they would be competing with the general public. Their status as a federal employee does not give them an advantage, and the applicant pool would most likely be larger. Finding the right work along the most stringent recruiting course, the path that grants an applicant favored status is usually beneficial.

Many positions allow for multiple recruiting options. Even though the general public is welcome to apply, the preferred status of all qualified hiring path applicants will be honored, so a current federal employee may apply and still benefit from their preferred status.

Pathways to government jobs

Open to the public

Jobs that are accessible to the public can be applied for by any US citizen or national. If the annual Appropriations Act, the Immigration Law, and the agency’s internal policies allow it, federal agencies may employ non-U.S. citizens.

Veterans

Veterans who served in the military on active duty and earned an honorable discharge may be eligible for veterans’ preference and other veteran-specific positions. Disabled veterans receive a 10-point advantage over non-disabled veterans for positions with a veterans preference option.

Reserves and National Guard

Members of the National Guard, as well as applicants willing and able to join the Guard, may be qualified to apply for federal employment within a National Guard unit. The National Guard and Reserves have their own training standards and are not bound by Title 5, United States Code’s rules on the appointment, pay, and classification. They are, however, subject to the above-mentioned veterans’ choice.

Senior executives

If you meet all five of the Executive Core Qualifications, you may be qualified for a Federal Senior Executive Service role (ECQs). These ECQs are used by several departments and agencies in executive role selection, performance management, and leadership development. The five ECQs are as follows:

- Change Management
- People Management
- Result-oriented
- Business savvy
- Creating Alliances

Employees’ families from other countries

This recruiting program is for family members of federal employees or uniformed service members who are currently employed or have previously served in another country. Eligibility does not guarantee employment with the federal government; however, agencies can recruit qualified applicants without having to compete with the general public. They must also apply and meet all qualification criteria as well as any additional requirements, such as a background check.

AmeriCorps VISTA or Peace Corps

Applicants who have volunteered for at least one year with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA may be eligible for non-competitive eligibility. Because of this program, a federal agency may recruit them without going through the normal competitive hiring process.

Employees of the federal government

The Merit Promotion program allows current or retired federal employees to apply for jobs without having to compete with the general public or veterans. Instead, these new staff is pitted against other service workers.

Spouses of military personnel

When recruiting a spouse of a member of the armed forces, federal agencies are allowed to use the military spouse noncompetitive hiring procedure. A spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member who is disabled due to a service-connected injury, or a spouse of a service member killed while on active duty, is eligible to participate in this scheme.

New graduates and students

Via the Pathways program, current students and recent graduates may be eligible for federal internships and career opportunities. There are three options for you to choose from:

1. The internship program is a two-year program.
2. The recently completed graduate program
3. The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program is an initiative of the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Persons with disabilities

Federal initiatives give government agencies special hiring authority, allowing them to employ people with disabilities in a more flexible and potentially faster manner. These services provide an alternative to the conventional competitive recruiting process. If you have an intellectual impairment, a serious physical disability, or a mental disability, you will apply for employment using this exception.

Native Americans are a group of people who live in

Indian preference may be available to American Indians or Alaskan Natives who belong to one of the federally recognized tribes. When applying for jobs with the Indian Health Service and Indian Affairs, applicants with Indian preference can be given preference over non-Indian applicants. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and some positions within the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs are all covered by this provision.

Employees of the federal government are paid on a sliding scale.

The General Schedule (GS) is the federal government’s main pay scale. Although there are alternate pay schedules for government employees, the GS scheme covers about 70% of civil service jobs. This is particularly true for workers who work in professional, technological, administrative, or clerical positions. The method has 15 classes, ranging from GS-1 to GS-15. Inside each of the 15 grades, there are ten steps. The pay for a job is determined by the grade level and phase assigned to it.

Levels of Education

Candidates do not expect to be expected to start as a GS-1 and work their way up. Many federal workers start their careers as GS-5 or higher employees. The table below shows where different workers are classified within the GS framework.

1. Internships or student jobs are available at the GS-3 and GS-4 levels.
2. Entry-level positions range from GS-5 to GS-7.
3. Mid-level positions (GS-8 to GS-12)
4. Supervisory roles (GS-13 to GS-15)
5. The Senior Executive Service includes positions beyond GS-15.

The pay scale for Federal Government General Schedule jobs in 2021 is shown in the table below. To display the pay range for each grade level, only the first and last steps are shown.

How to look for and apply for government cybersecurity employment?

The USAJOBS website is the best place to look for government employment. This government website serves as a one-stop-shop for all GS jobs. It involves an online application process as well as suggestions, tips, and guidelines for each candidate to find the best job possible.

Each applicant must build an account and fill out an application before applying for a job on USAJOBS. There are also options for posting a resume. Candidates can search thousands of open positions using the search function, which is made easy to use with intuitive filters. Develop and save searches, as well as save jobs of interest, are among the website’s features.

If the employee has found the right position in the right place, they will use the website to apply their application to the hiring manager at the appropriate agency. The hiring manager can contact the applicant for an interview if they make the agency’s shortlist. Getting hired by the government is a time-consuming operation. Thousands of people apply for several open positions, and it takes time for the hiring manager to sort through them all.

What are the best places to look for government cybersecurity jobs?

Candidates may apply for jobs at any agency within the federal government. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Energy are two examples of organizations that often recruit cybersecurity experts. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency, on the other hand, has a plethora of cybersecurity positions accessible (CISA).

CISA’s mission is to strengthen the nation’s ability to defend against cyber-attacks by partnering with the federal government to provide cybersecurity resources and incident management services to protect the vital ‘.gov’ networks that support government departments and agencies.

A job search for CISA open positions is likely to produce more than 100 results. The majority of CISA places are for GS-13 to GS-15 students. They include jobs like:

1. Specialist in Information Technology
2. Trainee in Information Technology Management
3. Program Analyst and Management
4. Specialist in Information Technology

The Chief of Strategy, Policy, and Plans is a person who is in charge of strategy, policy, and

Many of these CISA positions are required in several places, and some are telework positions that allow candidates to work from anywhere in the United States.

CISA attends a number of job fairs, webinars, and recruiting activities each year. Candidates with experience in cybersecurity, human resources, infrastructure protection, and risk management are preferred.

CyberCareers.gov is a government website that helps people find jobs online.

The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy was developed in collaboration with private industry and academia by the OPM and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The aim of this strategy is to assist the federal government in developing a cybersecurity workforce pipeline, which includes recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining top cybersecurity talent.

As part of the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy, CyberCareers.gov was designed to provide a forum for cybersecurity job seekers to provide special online access to tools, services, and a guide to the Federal Government’s cybersecurity workforce. The applicant will be directed back to the USAJOBS website to complete the application process after clicking on unique work opportunities.

Cybercareers.gov does, however, provide valuable resources to help cybersecurity practitioners succeed in the recruiting process.

For cybersecurity jobs, you’ll need a security clearance.

A security clearance is not required for all government jobs, but it is required for many. Everyone who works for the federal government is subjected to a basic background check. All federal employees must be “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of full and unswerving loyalty to the United States,” according to the investigation.

A security clearance is also needed for federal jobs that need access to classified information. Individuals who work with private companies as federal government contractors are subject to this provision. Before granting access to national security details, this clearance must be obtained to assess the applicant’s trustworthiness and reliability.

Cybersecurity job requirements and salary information

In this section

1. Employment descriptions examples
2. Jobs in cybersecurity that can be done from anywhere
3. Nearby Cybersecurity Employment
4. Salaries in the field of cybersecurity

Understanding some basic cybersecurity work qualifications is helpful when looking for the right cybersecurity degree or credential. When it comes to recruiting information security experts, each agency or corporation may have its own set of criteria.

A criminal background check and drug screening would almost certainly be needed, regardless of whether a security specialist wants to work for the federal government or the private sector. If there is something on a professional’s record, it’s always better to tell the prospective employer upfront rather than waiting for the background check to reveal it.

Employment descriptions examples

Certain certifications will be required by some employers, while others will consider them a plus. There is no such thing as having too many certifications, as a general rule.

Some of the criteria of many real jobs currently listed on Indeed.com are listed below.

IT security expert

The chosen candidate must be familiar with virtualization and VMware, as well as network and cloud-based security.

In addition, the applicant must be able to assess properties as well as recognize and remediate vulnerabilities.

By using self-motivation and sound planning, organization, and scheduling skills, this individual must be able to perform a variety of tasks at the same time.

They must also be able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, as well as function well both independently and as part of a team.

Malware analyst II

Internals of operating systems, assembly language, and reverse engineering techniques are all skills you’ll need.

Working awareness of the security industry as well as the ability to recognize reliable malware detection methods in relation to existing and emerging threats.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to brief/communicate information to a wide variety of audiences in a succinct, effective manner with minimal oversight.

Ability to use a debugger, disassembler, and other software in a Virtual Machine to explore a file using static and dynamic methods (VM).

Forensic Examiner of Digital Evidence

1. Work well as part of a team and individually with little supervision or direction.
2. Strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
3. Expertise in forensic techniques and equipment is needed (e.g., X-Ways, EnCase, FTK Suite, Cellebrite).
4. Experience with scripting languages for automating routine and investigative tasks.
5. Working knowledge of Microsoft, Apple, and Linux operating systems.
6. Hardware and software experience with servers, workstations, and mobile devices.
7. Knowledge of network infrastructure components, as well as virtual and cloud environments is needed.
8. I am available for travel on a limited basis.
9. Certification of forensic science that is currently valid (e.g., CCE, GCFE, GCFA, EnCE, CFE).

Jobs in cybersecurity that can be done from anywhere (Remote)

Many people fantasize about being able to work from the comfort of their own homes. Or maybe some people just want to be able to fly without having to worry about their jobs getting in the way. Fortunately, those working in cybersecurity will find jobs that are either absolutely or partially remote.

The best thing about the internet is that it has enabled many people to break free from their office desks.

Some work would also necessitate the presence of individuals on-site. If you’re a penetration tester, for example, and part of your work entails checking physical controls, your presence on the customer’s premises would be critical.

A person tasked with reverse engineering malware, on the other hand, could be able to do so from anywhere in the world.

There are a variety of tools available, ranging from remote access software to virtual private networks, that enable employees to connect to their company’s network without physically being present.

Some job sites, such as Indeed, enable job seekers to search by location using the word “remote.” This usually results in work listings that aren’t tied to a particular venue. Furthermore, several job-searching websites offer the option of searching through a database of solely remote vacancies.

Flex Jobs and Skip The Drive are two websites that assist job seekers in their quest for remote positions.

Freelancing is another method for remote work. Working with an agency on a long-term basis is not for everybody. It’s definitely appealing to have the right to select which tasks you work on and to set your own timetable.

For cybersecurity professionals who want these advantages, freelancing is a common choice. Upwork and Freelancer are two common websites that can assist professionals in starting their freelancing careers.

Cybersecurity jobs near me

It’s safe to say that wherever technology exists, cybersecurity is needed. However, just like every other big industry, there will be some areas, or “hubs,” where jobs in that sector are more plentiful and pay better.

According to Indeed and CyberSeek’s analytics, Washington, D.C. has one of the largest concentrations of cybersecurity work vacancies. Because of the large number of government agencies in the region, this is most likely the case. Although these government departments have their own job opportunities, contractors for the government, such as Booz Allen Hamilton, are also located nearby.

New York City is another important center. Given that New York City is also the financial hub of the United States, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity is a major business there. The information must be safeguarded by someone!

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Baltimore, MD, and Chicago, IL are all among the top five cybersecurity cities, according to Indeed.com.

Now, just because a city has a lot of cybersecurity employment doesn’t necessarily mean it pays well. At about $148,621, San Francisco has the highest cybersecurity salary. However, that figure does not account for the high cost of living in San Francisco, so that’s something else to consider.

Symantec, headquartered in Mountain View, California, was named the leading provider of cybersecurity software and services by TheSoftwareReport.com. Another California-based business, FireEye, was ranked second.

You can use the location-based search function on sites like Monster, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, and CareerBuilder to find local cybersecurity jobs in your region.

Salaries in the field of cybersecurity

In 2019, the median pay for a cybersecurity technician was $99,730 per year, or $47.95 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). To put this in perspective, the average annual income in the United States is just $39,810.

The lowest-paid 10% of cybersecurity employees receive less than $57,810 per year. The top ten percent of cybersecurity employees earn at least $158,860 per year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers quantitative details on the wages of cybersecurity workers, depending on the sector in which they operate. As of May 2019, these are the median annual earnings for different industries.

1. Finance and insurance are two related fields. 103,510 dollars
2. Design of computer systems and related services a total of $101,980
3. $100,560 in information technology
4. Management of businesses and corporations 97,440 dollars
5. Services for administration and support 96,190 dollars

Cybersecurity administrators usually earn more than cybersecurity technicians, as is the case in many sectors. A computer and information technology manager’s median annual income, according to the BLS, is $146,360. This works out to $70.37 per hour.

According to the BLS, the average salary for a cybersecurity technician is more than $100,000 per year.

The following five states employ the most cybersecurity professionals. For each state, the total number of jobs and the average salary are given.

1. 15,010 — $114,760 Virginia
2. Texas — $108,810 — 10,430
3. California has a population of 9,200 people and a median household income of $114,620.
4. 7,120 — $121,750 — New York
5. Florida — 6,630 dollars — $91,580 dollars

The following five cities employ the most cybersecurity professionals. The total number of cybersecurity technicians working in that city is also included.

1. 15,470 people live in Washington.
2. 8,850 people live in the Greater New York Area.
3. Dallas has a population of 4,690 people.
4. Boston has a population of 4,010 people.
5. 3,540 people live in Atlanta.
6. A cybersecurity job’s annual advertised salary is $93,540.

Hiring information

Some companies can provide on-the-job training and certification. This is one way for a cybersecurity professional to progress within a company while learning new skills. CyberSeek.org is a valuable resource once again because it demonstrates which cybersecurity jobs are entry-level and which require more experience.

It’s also worth noting that, in many situations, cybersecurity is just a part of the work, not the whole thing. Some companies expect a cybersecurity specialist to also serve as an IT professional. Troubleshooting and repairing computer systems, as well as setting up new systems and maintaining network security, are all possible tasks.

Added benefits

Aside from a good wage, there are many other advantages of working in cybersecurity.

Work from home — The year 2020 has ushered in a nationwide work-from-home movement, with many workers now being performed outside of the workplace. For years, however, cybersecurity technicians have reaped the rewards of working from home. One anecdote tells of a cybersecurity technician who has worked from home for the past eight years without ever going to the workplace!

High work satisfaction — According to an ICS2 report, 71% of all cybersecurity technicians are happy with their employment, with 36% being extremely satisfied. Cybersecurity technicians play an important role in maintaining an organization’s digital infrastructure secure, and their work directly contributes to this.

Work variety — Repetitive tasks may become boring and unsatisfying quickly. Fortunately, a cybersecurity technician’s days are never the same. There are often new threats to protect against, as well as new abilities to pick up. Cybersecurity is a constantly changing field, and cybersecurity technicians are constantly on the job.

Salary examples for cybersecurity employment

This section contains comprehensive wage information, including differences in pay based on education and industry.

Some of the most common job types in the field of cybersecurity, as well as their salaries, are listed below. CyberSeek.org provides all salary statistics.

Computer security incident responder — The incident responder is the first person to receive a call in the event of a data breach or a hack. An incident responder’s job is to determine the scope of the attack and to respond as quickly as possible.

- $85,000 is the average annual salary.
- 7,783 positions are available.

Penetration tester — Also known as an “ethical hacker,” a penetration tester examines a company’s digital infrastructure for vulnerabilities. It is their responsibility to discover an exploit before a hacker does.

- $104,000 is the average annual salary.
- 13,959 positions are available.

Security administrator — A security administrator is in charge of ensuring that a company’s operating systems and networks are safe and usable. It’s usually a high-level role, and the administrator must be well-versed in a variety of systems.

- $103,000 is the average annual salary.
- There are 19,471 vacancies available.

Security analyst — A security analyst is in charge of ensuring that a company’s or organization’s security best practices are observed. It could be up to the analyst to upgrade their organization’s infrastructure when new security systems are announced. $96,000 is the average annual salary.

- There are 29,494 positions available.

A security architect is in charge of developing a computer network as well as all of the other digital infrastructure that a high-tech organization needs to run smoothly. Because of the sophistication and value of their work, security architects are well compensated.

- $131,000 is the average annual salary.
- 6,205 positions are available.

Security code auditor — A security code auditor examines code for possible security flaws. An auditor usually has a lot of programming and network infrastructure expertise, and this isn’t a job for beginners.

- $95,000 is the average annual salary.
- 7,424 positions are available.

Security consultant — When a company’s in-house cybersecurity team is unable to solve a problem, they can hire a security consultant. Many aspects of cybersecurity are common to security experts, including penetration testing, network infrastructure, and programming.

- $91,000 is the average annual salary.
- There are 20,922 vacancies available.

Security engineer — Security engineers are normally the highest paying of all cybersecurity professionals. Their role entails constructing a secure computer system and ensuring that a hacker cannot gain access to the system and steal data. There is more information available.

- $99,000 is the average annual salary.
- There are 54,838 vacancies available.

Security specialist — A security specialist keeps a network up to date and maintains it. They can also conduct security audits to ensure that a network is safe.

- $89,000 is the average annual salary.
- There are 9,049 vacancies available.

How does the level of cybersecurity education impact pay?

The knowledge in the following three parts explains how a work applicant’s level of education affects the salary they receive.

Bachelor’s degree

In the cybersecurity sector, bachelor’s degree holders usually receive the lowest pay. Cybersecurity practitioners with a bachelor’s degree receive an average annual salary of $70,232, according to Payscale. This is a starting wage, not an average salary.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the starting wage for a cybersecurity specialist with a bachelor’s degree is $62,200 per year at the entry-level.

A cybersecurity technician with a bachelor’s degree can begin to earn a higher salary as they gain experience, particularly after they have 10 years or more. A bachelor’s degree, on the other hand, may prevent a technician from progressing within an organization. A master’s degree is required for many upper management positions.

Master’s degree

A master’s degree program is the best way to raise a cybersecurity wage, apart from business expertise and specialized certifications.

According to Payscale, a cybersecurity specialist with a master’s degree earns an average annual salary of $86,858. That’s a $16,000 per year boost on what a bachelor’s degree holder would receive.

A similar conclusion was reached by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. According to them, a master’s degree holder’s average salary is $80,400, which is $18,000 higher than a bachelor’s degree holder’s average salary.

Cybersecurity in Ph.D.

The data below comes from Payscale and is focused on an employee with a doctorate in computer science. This is a degree that allows you to work in the area of cybersecurity.

It’s easy to see how a Ph.D. holder could gain $10,000 to $20,000 more than a non-Ph.D. holder based on the data below.

1. $130,000 for a senior security consultant
2. $120,000 for a cybersecurity engineer
3. $157,000 for a senior technical consultant
4. $91,000 for a senior data analyst
5. $119,000 for a cybersecurity researcher
6. $134,000 for a data security researcher

Projection of future cybersecurity work openings

There is a shortage of skilled workers in the cybersecurity industry as a whole. As the world becomes more digital and more computing technology is built out, this supply and demand imbalance is only going to get worse.

Furthermore, for every open spot, there are only 2.3 working cybersecurity technicians. That’s just half the usual number of applicants. On average, there are 5.8 working employees for every job opening in the United States. These results reveal a significant supply and demand imbalance.

According to the Burning Glass survey, the fastest growing industries in the field of cybersecurity are public cloud protection and the internet of things (IoT). Cybersecurity professionals with experience in these sectors should expect a plethora of job openings.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has even more job growth forecasts for cybersecurity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

The amount of data that businesses generate today is one of the most important factors in recruiting cybersecurity professionals. Data breaches are all too common, and many major corporations are looking to recruit cybersecurity experts to help them develop more secure systems.

According to data released by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising twelve times faster than the overall demand for jobs in the United States.

Cybersecurity is easily one of the best workers in the United States. Work demand is currently strong and is expected to continue to rise in the future. Salary is well above average, with seasoned technicians earning well over $100,000 a year.

Reference Sources

GENERAL CYBERSECURITY JOB DATA

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal government-run national job data resource. Several pages from the BLS database are cited in the above article.

Burning Glass State of Cybersecurity Hiring Study: Burning Glass, a data analytics software firm, has put together a detailed cybersecurity hiring report.

Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy: The federal government developed this document to help identify the country’s cybersecurity capability and expand the cybersecurity workforce pipeline.

The ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study is published annually by ISC2, a multinational cybersecurity specialist association.

National Cybersecurity Initiative Careers and Education: Veterans: Start a New Career in Cybersecurity was written with veterans in mind, but it provides valuable and actionable knowledge for all.

CERTIFICATIONS Of CYBERSECURITY

The Computer Technology Industry Association’s CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway maps qualification levels to career opportunities. It also lists their cybersecurity certifications, which are fairly common in the industry.

EC Council: The EC Council provides a range of well-respected cybersecurity certifications, including certified ethical hacker, certified penetration tester, and cybersecurity for the company.

The Infosec Institute provides cybersecurity training to individuals and businesses.

CYBERSECURITY SALARY DATA

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education supports Cyberseek, an interactive data repository for cybersecurity job opportunities (NICE).

Payscale is a work compensation data provider that specializes in cybersecurity.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has even more job growth forecasts for cybersecurity.