Cyber Security Technologist
Careers Explorer:
Manage and deal with cyber threats, hazards and risks to protect an organisation’s IT systems and staff from harm.
Overview
Cyber security is one of the fastest growing careers in the tech sector, as organisations strive to protect themselves from the rising threat of cyber-attacks.
As a Cyber Security Technologist, you’ll apply an understanding of cyber threats, hazards, risks, controls, measures and mitigations to protect organisations systems and people.
Those focused on the technical side work on areas such as security design & architecture, security testing, investigations and response.
You’ll need to be technically-minded, as you’ll be helping to protect an organisation by employing a range of technologies and processes to prevent, detect and manage cyber threats. This can include protection of computers, data, networks and programmes.
You’ll have to keep up-to-date with the latest security and technological developments, as you’ll be constantly monitoring for potential and emerging threats. You’ll also need to keep a cool head in a crisis as it’s your job to plan for disaster recovery in the event of a security breach.
Top 5 Tasks
- Research and evaluate emerging cyber security threats and ways to manage them
- Monitor for attacks, intrusions and unusual, unauthorised or illegal activity
- Keep up to date with technological advances
- Design or upgrade security systems
- Engage in ‘ethical hacking’.
Salary
Starting salaries for cyber security roles are between £25,000 and £35,000, while someone with several years of experience, can expect to earn up to £50,000.
In higher level leadership or managerial roles, you can earn in excess of £70,000.
Am I Suited?
- Technical expert
- Analytical thinker
- Team player
- Excellent communicator
- Maths and IT geek
There is a digital skills gap in the UK, with more digital jobs than there are professionals to fill them.
Qualifications
There has never been a better time to get into cyber security, with growing demand for experts promising increased salaries and job opportunities.
Technically, you don’t need any cyber security experience to get started, though many people entering the field will come from jobs that have similar skillsets, such as systems administration or information analysis.
If you can demonstrate the relevance of your existing experience – what recruiters call ‘transferable skills’ –there’s no reason why you can’t get a foothold on the cyber security career ladder.
Progression
