Marriott, Yahoo, and many other Fortune 500 companies have found themselves making splashy headlines in the last five years or so. The subject? Data breaches. Cybercrime is more rampant than ever and when big businesses can’t keep it away, no one is safe.
For this reason, cybersecurity jobs are in high demand. For the right person, they can provide secure employment in a job that pays significantly more than average. Below we take a look at several of the many jobs available to people with a background in cyber security.
Cyber Crime Investigation
As the name suggests, cybercrime investigation is a profession in which you investigate cybercrime. In the digital age that we now live in cybercrime can be a little bit difficult to define because many or most crimes likely involve a cyber component. A stalker might make threats on Twitter. A bank robber might use Google Maps to get to their heist.
Cybercrime investigators are usually only involved in situations where computers or other digital means were the primary factors in the case. They may also get brought in if a cyber component of an otherwise mostly physical case needs to be investigated.
They deal with a wide range of crimes including hacking, cyberstalking, Copywrite infringement, and more. Like many law enforcement jobs, the day-to-day responsibilities of a cybercrime investigator will vary. Responsibilities range from determining if a crime has been committed, to collecting evidence and presenting it to the judicial system.
Cyber Analyst
Cyber analysts go in and look at a business’s security system. They run tests, which include but are not limited to identifying penetration potential, and then they make improvements to the system based on the unique needs of the company.
The ultimate goal is always to identify data protection needs and connect the company with suitable solutions.
Ethical Hacker
The ethical hacker operates as something of a dark horse in the world of cyber security, teetering ever so precariously on the edge between good and evil. No, not really. Ethical hackers do perform many of the same actions as their criminal counterparts, but they apply their talents for good.
Usually, they are hired by a company that wants to test the strength of their systems. The ethical hacker goes much the same way a regular hacker would, and tries to determine how easy their system is to get into.
From there, they may make recommendations and improvements to the system to make it more secure.
Cyber Defense Architect
The cyber defense architect takes a hands-on role in sculpting solutions that strengthen cyber security systems and cater directly to the needs of the business running them. Like most of the jobs on this list, that will often involve identifying points of weakness.
From there, however, the cyber defense architect may take an active role in designing and implementing responses to fortify the business’s protection needs.
Cyber Security Consultant
Cyber security consultants will usually operate on a freelance basis. Companies that are looking to overhaul their data protection practices may hire one to test their existing systems, update and improve systems, and make general recommendations on what the next steps they need to take are.
Usually, the cyber security consultant will do this by performing many of the same actions described above. They may test systems, attempt to penetrate them, and, in doing so, come up with a list of recommendations to make them stronger. If you’re interest in becoming a cyber security consultant, think about getting a online masters in cybersecurity.
Forensic Examiner
A cybersecurity examiner differs from most of the jobs on this list for the fact that they are not operating in a preventative capacity. Usually, they are brought in once a breach has already occurred. They may look for clues in much the same way that an investigator would.
From there, they will try to determine how and win the breach took place, and who is responsible for it. For the cyber security-minded person who isn’t so interested in installing firewalls and protecting business data, this can be an interesting, hands-on way to apply the same skills described in most of these jobs on behalf of justice.
One Education Can Provide Many Options
Because all of these jobs require more or less the same set of skills applied in sometimes only very slightly different ways, you can get a done of mileage out of an education in cyber security.
Not only are the career options diverse, but they are also lucrative with, many jobs featuring median salaries in the upper five figures, extending into the six figures depending on the job.
Getting a master’s degree with an emphasis on cyber security can help both extend your options and enhance your salary potential when the time comes. For people with a knack for tech and the right inclinations, cyber security is a great career path to consider.
