As technology remains to play a vital role in our daily lives, it is essential to protect the technology we use, including data, applications, networks, and devices. It is also increasingly important to educate technology end-users about what they should do to stay safe and effective plan an answer for when - not if something wrong happens.

Cybersecurity careers enable individuals to help public and private organizations protect their information and assets from a wide variety of cyberattacks. According to the WhatT.com technology dictionary, TechTarget, these types of attacks include (but are not limited to):

Ransomware: Recovering a victim's computer files, usually over an unsafe network or device, and requesting a ransom payment to recover them.

Malware: Install malicious software, such as viruses or worms, on the victim's computer.

Social engineering: Attract victims who violate security policies to provide access to confidential information.

Phishing: Sending fake emails that appear to come from trusted sources to force users to open personal or confidential information.

The impact of cyber security professionals

When cyber attacks occur, organizations are fined, executives lose their jobs, customers can move their business elsewhere, and the credibility and public perception of the organization is undermined. By sustaining an organization's security strategy and operations, cyber security specialists help an organization avoid the headaches that accompany a cyber attack.

Interestingly, organizations are not just take on by exterior hackers. Interior cyber threats, in the form of data leakage or sabotage of employees, also pose a major risk to companies. Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for protecting valuable information, customers and the reputation and brand of an organization by preventing the breach of this data.

In addition to reputational damage, cybercrime has a significant impact on the global economy. According to the Strategic and International Studies, nearly $ 600 billion (almost one percent of global GDP) is lost in cybercrime every year - more and more as cybercriminals embrace new technologies and can use the latest digital coins. Cyber ​​security professionals are always looking for new ways to anticipate and respond to these crimes.

Skills and Education Required for a Successful Cyber ​​Security Career

Cyber ​​security careers have a lot of responsibility because they involve protecting an organization's information and complex information systems. Specialists in these roles need to know the basics of IT and security. Knowledge with data analysis and engineering, especially in various programming languages, is also an advantage.

Also, cyber security professionals need to keep up with industry trends. The cyber security trends for 2018 and beyond include focusing only on specific attacks on Internet-connected devices and outdated operating systems, which are particularly vulnerable, and proactive planning for a disaster recovery response in the event of an incident.

Most cybersecurity jobs usually require a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, information technology or computer science.

Advanced degrees, such as a Master in Cyber ​​Security, offer more specialized training in vulnerability analysis, criminology, social science, security strategy planning, and effective communication with management on key cyber security trends. These licensing programs benefit cyber security professionals seeking leadership or leadership roles, as well as those who want to develop security products.

In addition, cyber security certificate programs can benefit anyone looking for more specialized instructions on network security, digital forensics, risk management, or the ethical and legal challenges of cyber security. This education can help practitioners straighten out their cyber security careers in their current roles or begin the process of obtaining a master of science. highly paid careers in cyber security

If staffs are willing to take responsibility for defending organizations against cyber attacks, employers are willing to compensate them well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of an information security analyst, a typical career in cyber security, is over $ 95,000.

Depending on the type of cyber security function and the level of expertise required, average salaries may vary. The following are some of the highest-paid cyber security careers, as well as a description of the type of work you can expect to accomplish in these roles.

Salary estimates are based on data provided by IT Mondo and the PayScale research firm. Job roles come from Mondo and Tripwire, a provider of security and compliance software.

Malware Specialist

These cyber security professionals help organizations understand the harmful software threats they face, identify software products and services that can prevent intrusions, and work quickly to detect and mitigate intrusions when they occur.

Forensic engineer

This function analyzes information retrieved from an organization's connected computers, networks, and devices to detect potential intrusions. Professionals in this role should work comfortably with law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations; Knowledge of encryption is also beneficial.

Penetration tester

In this role, an employee creates tests to identify security vulnerabilities and evaluate the effectiveness of overall cyber security. According to Mondo, this role has high demand, so average wages should rise over time.

Security architect

This role builds and maintains an organization's computer and network security infrastructure. This requires extensive knowledge of security personnel, which can be obtained through certification programs or other professional development efforts.

Security Director

In this role, staffs implement IT security measures, allocate resources to a security department, create security education campaigns for employees and end users, and assist law enforcement in the event of an external incident investigation.

Information systems security engineer

These cyber security professionals perform security tests, keep networks free of viruses and malware, and establish the security system protocol for an enterprise.

Network Security Analyst

This function manages the security of a company's computer network and computer systems. In industries that rely on the security of Internet-connected devices - including healthcare, transportation and energy - organizations often seek out more experienced professionals.

Cyber ​​Security Analyst

This is a generalist part focused on protecting against numerous cyber attacks, based on data-driven analysis of present and future trends. Senior positions that command a higher salary usually involve strategic planning.

Application security engineer

This cyber security function monitors all software applications an organization uses, ensuring that privacy and compliance policies are up to date. Organizations that use automated software for analysis or operations, as well as organizations that use software hosted on cloud servers, are looking for more experienced engineers.

Security Director (CISO)

CISO oversees the IT security department. This role requires a context of IT strategy, security architecture, management, and communication. The wide range of salaries for this function comes from factors such as the size of the organization and its security staff in executive bonus and profit sharing structures, which can add more than $ 85,000 to a base salary.

Security Manager for Information Systems

Cyber ​​security professionals in this role pay a high salary because they manage systems that contain proprietary or proprietary information within an organization, which is often of particular interest to hackers.

Another possibility for a cybersecurity career is that of a cyber security consultant salary also would be high. Organizations hire these outside experts to help deploy security products and develop security strategies. The cybersecurity consultant's salaries range from $ 50,000 to $ 150,000, according to PayScale; Some may do so on a part-time basis as part of a career or life-changing career.