The number of cybersecurity attacks on companies appears to be growing since 2020 with a 30 percent increase. With the scope and scale of these attacks increasing, organizations want to hire cybersecurity professionals across a range of roles. And with a recent McKinsey article relaying survey data, there is a growing $2 trillion market opportunity for cybersecurity technology and service providers (source). Major IT integrators such as Infosys, CGI, Capgemini, and Tata Consultancy, to name a few, are taking look to ramp up their talent pipelines to support this.
This skilled talent pool, are professional that must identify system vulnerabilities, regularly update software and hardware, run encryption programs, install firewalls, and conduct risk assessments among other things. Popular job roles for cybersecurity professionals include security architect, malware analyst, cybersecurity engineer, chief information security officer, and application security engineer among others.
In the past year, the employer demand we have seen for cybersecurity professionals grew by 2.4 times. According to statistics, there are only 65 cybersecurity professionals for every 100 job postings. With the demand rising, many people are entering the field of cybersecurity. (Source) Therefore, IT integrators, and any company really, need to ensure that they attract, source, and screen — at speed — these skilled professionals. By doing this properly, organizations can save time and money while getting a head start on protecting digital infrastructure.
Here are 8 top cybersecurity jobs trending to protect digital infrastructure:
1. Security Architect
A security architect must design, build and manage security systems within an organization’s network. Security architects regularly check for system vulnerabilities and perform penetration tests, risk analyses, and ethical hacks on WANs, LANs, and VPNs. Also, security architects determine the efficiency of firewalls, routers, and other system protections.
Essential skills of security architect:
- Experience in risk management
- Strong IT experience
Knowledge of security protocol
Problem-solving ability - Excellent communication skills
2. Malware analyst
Malware analysts study the origins of malware, how it corrupts a system and its method of delivery. By understanding the nature of different cyber threats like viruses, bots, rootkits, worms, and trojan horses, malware analysts can update old defenses and create new ones.
Essential skills of malware analysts:
- Knowledge of C and C++
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Familiarity with operating systems like Linux, Windows, and UNIX
3. Cybersecurity engineer
Cybersecurity engineers use electrical engineering and computer engineering to create hardware, software, and security policies to protect computer systems, networks, and information. To successfully defend your computer system and protect organization data you must hire a cybersecurity engineer.
Essential skills of cybersecurity engineer:
- Knowledge of C and C++
- Understanding of operating system architecture and application
- Strong communication skills
- Advanced knowledge of hacking techniques
- Networking skills
4. Chief information security officer (CISO)
The chief information security officer is a senior executive who ensures that the security team has all the necessary tools, people, and programs in place to protect the organization from security threats. Apart from a bachelor’s degree in engineering, the chief information security officer needs to complete MBA to take up the job role.
Essential skills of chief information security officer :
- Good supervision skills
- Time management
- Risk assessment and management
- IT experience
- Incident management
5. Application security engineer
An application security engineer develops, inserts, and tests security components to check the functionality of software at different stages in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Also, the application security engineer is responsible for guiding the application security team and installing patches or shielding tools on applications when required.
Essential skills of an application security engineer:
- Threat analysis and modeling
- Database encryption
- Ethical hacking
- Defending systems from malware
- Knowledge of SDLC
6. Computer forensic analyst
A computer forensic analyst conducts an extensive analysis of a data breach or a cyberattack. Computer forensic analysts try to retrieve deleted or lost files and images that contain evidence against a specific attack to present them in a court of law.
Essential skills of computer forensic analyst:
- Attention to detail
- Ease of collaboration
- Technical knowledge
- Ethical conduct
- Knowledge of the latest threat
- Complete understanding of the law
7. Penetration tester
A penetration tester is responsible for checking system vulnerabilities similar to a hacker. A penetration tester can use a variety of tools to get into the system and obtain important data from an organization.Penetration testers must then document the results of the attack launched on a computer system and prepare a strategy for vulnerabilities. By doing this, the penetration tester can deploy defensive systems and tools that can safeguard the digital infrastructure of an organization.
Essential skills of a penetration tester:
- White box testing
- Black box testing
- Report management
- Knowledge of Java, Python, and Perl
- Familiarity with C and C ++
- Knowledge of operating systems like Windows, Linux, and UNIX
8. Database administrator
A database administrator is responsible for designing, creating, managing, and maintaining a database. The database should run efficiently and must be able to protect the data against any threats. Database administrators must be well-versed in data archiving, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Essential skills of a database administrator:
- Strong knowledge of HTML, SQL, Oracle, and MS Access
- Knowledge of operating systems like Windows, Linux, and UNIX
- Organizational and management skills
- Communication skill
- Attention to detail
Conclusion
Cybersecurity professionals remain in high demand and can get lucrative job offers anywhere in the U.S., with good reason. Their skills are advanced, targeted, and increasingly more helpful in our rapidly digitizing age.
Are you looking to hire cybersecurity professionals, or are you a cybersecurity professional interested in what’s out there? Try SkillGigs.com.
SkillGigs is a fast-growing IT and healthcare talent marketplace that allows you to browse profiles of registered cybersecurity professionals based on seniority, experience, salary, and other such parameters. Simply bid for the ones as per your requirements and safeguard your organization against cyberattacks.
