As the world becomes increasingly digital, the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow. With a wide range of career paths available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. This article highlights nine of the most in-demand cybersecurity job roles, outlining their key responsibilities, required skills, and average salaries to help you make an informed decision.
The internet is one of the most significant inventions of the twentieth century, having had a huge impact on our lives. Today, it has enabled us to break down barriers and adopt a new way of communication through which we can interact with each other instantly. We now fully depend on the internet and its services to perform our daily activities. The global community is becoming more and more interconnected.
India's rapid digitisation has transformed the nation's economy and society, offering countless benefits—but it has also made the country more susceptible to cyber threats. As the world increasingly relies on the digital realm, the importance of cybersecurity in India cannot be overstated.
On July 1, 2015, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Digital India flagship programme. The main aim of this programme is to transform India into a digitally enabled society and knowledge economy.
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly crucial in the digital world of India and Kerala. As the majority of work and data are stored on digital platforms, there is a growing risk of information disclosure. Many sectors are attempting to maintain customer confidence by implementing strong cybersecurity systems at the organizational level. As a result, cybersecurity is critical to protecting digital assets, creating a high demand for professionals in this field. This has led to a significant number of openings in cybersecurity roles across various IT-based companies.
According to recent news, as businesses race to protect themselves, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is soaring. Companies worldwide are struggling to fill positions, with a global shortfall of 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals predicted by 2025.
In India alone, many cybersecurity job openings remain unfilled due to a skill gap. This demand is driven by the alarming rise in cyberattacks, with global damages projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.India is unable to fill 30% of cybersecurity jobs due to a lack of skilled professionals:
The demand for cybersecurity professionals has far exceeded the supply, causing many businesses to struggle to recruit qualified personnel with the necessary knowledge and certifications.
Working in the cybersecurity field also provides the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment where you continually learn and grow. If you are already in the world of information technology (IT) or looking to make a career switch, cybersecurity might be worth considering.This article outlines some of the many roles and courses available to cybersecurity professionals.
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1. Cybersecurity AnalystAverage annual salary: ₹5,10,203
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor computer networks for security issues.
- Investigate security breaches and other cybersecurity incidents.
- Document security breaches and assess the damage they cause.
- Work with the security team to perform tests and uncover network vulnerabilities.
- Fix detected vulnerabilities to maintain high security standards.
Skills Required- Networking and security fundamentals (TCP/IP, firewalls, VPNs)
- Hands-on experience with SIEM tools, IDS/IPS, antivirus, and endpoint protection
- Knowledge of OS security (Linux, Windows, macOS)
- Understanding of common threats (ransomware, phishing, DDoS)
- Scripting and automation (Python, Bash, PowerShell is a plus)
- Familiarity with security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001)
Common Certifications:(ISC)² CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+
2. Security TesterAverage annual salary: ₹7,24,297
Key Responsibilities
- Perform penetration testing on networks, applications, and systems
- Identify security vulnerabilities and weaknesses
- Simulate cyberattacks to test defenses
- Develop security testing strategies and methodologies
- Review source code for security flaws (for Application Security Testers)
Skills Required- Understanding of OWASP Top 10 and common vulnerabilities
- Experience with security testing tools (Burp Suite, ZAP, Nikto, etc.)
- Knowledge of web/app security protocols (SSL/TLS, CORS, JWT)
- Scripting and automation (Python, Bash, or JavaScript preferred)
- API security testing (Postman, SoapUI, Burp extensions)
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
3. Network Security EngineerAverage annual salary: ₹6,13,536
Key Responsibilities
- Configure and maintain firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS systems, and routers
- Implement network security policies and best practices
- Perform vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
- Respond to security breaches and incidents
Skills Required- In-depth networking knowledge (TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, switching)
- Cloud network security (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Knowledge of protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SSL/TLS)
- Understanding of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001)
- Scripting and automation (Python, Bash, Ansible is a plus)
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP)
4. IT AuditorAverage annual salary: ₹8,65,043
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct internal and external IT audits to assess security risks
- Review IT policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR, SOX)
- Ensure proper implementation of cybersecurity controls
- Ensure compliance with industry standards (COBIT, NIST, PCI DSS)
- Report audit findings and suggest remediation measures
Skills Required- Strong understanding of IT governance and risk management
- Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, COBIT)
- Experience with audit tools (ACL, SAP GRC, Nessus)
- Understanding of data privacy laws (GDPR, HIPAA, SOX)
- Familiarity with cloud security auditing (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Knowledge of financial and IT regulatory compliance
Common Certifications:(ISC)² CISSP, ISACA CISA, ISACA CISM
5. Cyber Security ConsultantAverage annual salary: ₹8,57,482
Key Responsibilities
- Assess cyber risks, vulnerabilities, and threats
- Develop security strategies, policies, and frameworks
- Implement security solutions such as firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, and encryption
- Perform penetration testing and security assessments
- Provide advisory services for cloud, network, and application security
Skills Required- Expertise in cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS)
- Knowledge of security tools (SIEM, Firewalls, IDS/IPS, IAM)
- Cloud security skills (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Incident response and digital forensics
- Strong communication and consulting skills
Common Certifications:CISSP, CompTIA Security+
6. Information Security SpecialistAverage annual salary: ₹11,00,000
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse network traffic and security alerts
- Implement firewalls, encryption, and security tools
- Conduct risk assessments and vulnerability scans
- Ensure compliance with security frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, PCI DSS)
- Perform penetration testing and threat analysis
Skills Required- Understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS)
- Experience with firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and endpoint security
- Incident response and digital forensics
- Knowledge of programming and scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
- Understanding of compliance and risk management
Common Certifications:(ISC)² CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CEH
7. Cyber security ManagerAverage annual salary: ₹22,00,000
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee cybersecurity policies and strategies
- Manage security teams (SOC, incident response, and risk management)
- Ensure compliance with regulations (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, PCI DSS, SOX)
- Oversee risk assessments, penetration testing, and security audits
- Respond to security incidents and coordinate disaster recovery plans
Skills Required- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS)
- Risk management and compliance expertise (GDPR, PCI DSS, SOX)
- Knowledge of security tools (SIEM, IDS/IPS, IAM, DLP)
- Budgeting and vendor management for security solutions
Common Certifications:CISSP, CompTIA Security+
8. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)Average annual salary: ₹19,00,000
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement organisation cybersecurity strategies
- Oversee risk management, threat analysis, and incident response
- Ensure regulatory compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR, NIST, PCI DSS, SOX)
- Manage security teams (SOC, threat intelligence, risk, and compliance)
- Collaborate with CEOs, CIOs, and board members on security initiatives
Skills Required:- Strategic leadership and cybersecurity governance
- Deep expertise in cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS)
- Risk management and compliance knowledge (GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX)
- Knowledge of security tools (SIEM, IAM, DLP, Firewalls, Cloud Security)
- Cloud security expertise (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Common Certifications:Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)
9. Ethical HackerAverage annual salary: ₹51,251
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and ethically exploit security vulnerabilities
- Use hacking tools (Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark, Kali Linux)
- Collaborate with blue teams to strengthen security defenses
- Ensure compliance with security standards (ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS)
- Participate in bug bounty and responsible disclosure programs
Skills Required- Expertise in penetration testing (web, network, cloud, IoT)
- Knowledge of hacking techniques (SQL injection, XSS, privilege escalation)
- Familiarity with security tools (Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Nessus)
- Programming and scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell, JavaScript)
- Reverse engineering and malware analysis
- Cloud security and hacking (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Common Certifications:CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CISSP, CEH
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