8 top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries & long-term job security

Cybersecurity jobs are the hot topic these days. Just about every company is hiring security professionals to defend them against hackers and cyber attackers. The demand for cybersecurity skills is so high that of all the cybersecurity job postings, candidates with any IT experience or security background have preference, especially sysadmins.

Security architect/engineer

One of the most exciting and fastest-growing career fields is cybersecurity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in information security are expected to grow by 17 percent through 2024, which is much faster than average. But not all cybersecurity jobs are created equal. Some positions offer more opportunity than others, and some are likely to be more in demand as technology continues to advance and change the way we work and live.

Here are eight top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries and long-term job security: Security architect/engineer: This position requires a unique combination of technical skills, such as knowledge of security protocols, protocols for designing firewalls or other network devices and integration of different systems. Security architects/engineers often have advanced degrees in computer science or engineering from prestigious universities like MIT or Stanford University.

The median annual wage for this position was $120,300 in 2016, according to BLS data. Cybersecurity specialist: These professionals perform a wide range of tasks related to protecting computer networks from criminal activity or unauthorized access by others who may be trying to hack into sensitive files or compromise private data stored on servers or databases within an organization's network infrastructure.

Security analyst

If you’re looking for a career in cybersecurity, you’ve come to the right place. The cybersecurity field is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities for people with different skill sets. From security analysts to chief information security officers (CISOs), cybersecurity professionals can find rewarding careers in almost any industry.

If you’re interested in starting a career as a security analyst, here are eight top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries and long-term job security: Security Analyst: Security analysts work at the front lines of IT security and help protect their company's systems from cyber attacks. Their responsibilities include protecting networks and data from threats such as viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware.

They also monitor web traffic on their networks to identify intrusions or suspicious behavior that could indicate an attack. The average salary for a security analyst is $78,000 per year, according to PayScale data from May 2018 (www.payscale.com). However, some positions can pay more than $100,000 per year with experience - especially if they're working for large companies or government agencies where compensation tends to be higher than private industry positions.

Network security engineer

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, and there are a variety of different jobs available in the cybersecurity industry. Some people work as security analysts, others as network engineers or programmers. Some work for the government, while others work for private companies. The average salary for cybersecurity professionals is $90,000 per year.

However, the range of salaries can vary widely depending on the role and employer. Here are 10 top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries and long-term job security: Network Security Engineer A network security engineer is responsible for monitoring and protecting computer networks from cyber attacks. Network security engineers might be responsible for developing new ways to secure networks or implementing existing systems.

They also regularly test networks in order to detect vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or other intruders.

Security administrator

When it comes to cybersecurity, there are a variety of jobs that fall under the umbrella of this rapidly growing field. There are plenty of opportunities for people with different skill sets and interests, but what is it that makes a job in cybersecurity so appealing? We've broken down some of the most popular cybersecurity job titles below: Security Administrator: A security administrator is responsible for ensuring that an organization's network and data are safe from malicious attacks and breaches.

They'll need to implement tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as well as configure security policies and procedures. Cybersecurity Analyst: A cybersecurity analyst uses their knowledge of networks and computer systems to identify potential risks for organizations or individuals. They may also perform penetration testing or vulnerability assessments on networks or devices.

Information Security Analyst: An information security analyst works closely with IT professionals to ensure that sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access or misuse. This role often involves analyzing data breaches to determine how they occurred and if any action needs to be taken by management or affected individuals. Network Security Administrator: Network security administrators are responsible for maintaining the integrity of computer networks through testing, monitoring and implementing appropriate defenses against potential attacks.

Security software developer

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing careers in IT, and there are plenty of opportunities for those with the right skills. Here are eight top cybersecurity jobs — with some of their salaries, average salaries and job listings — along with a look at what they entail: Security software developer.

Security software developers build tools that help protect users from malicious attacks and viruses. They also create systems to make sure users' data stays safe. The average salary is $91,000, with top earners making over $114,000 per year. It's a growing field; there were about 18,000 job postings for security software developers in the past year.

Cybersecurity engineer/specialist. Cybersecurity engineers focus on protecting networks from outside attacks by finding vulnerabilities and implementing solutions to prevent them from being exploited. They might also be responsible for auditing security protocols or managing threat detection software. The average salary is $78,000, with top earners making over $99,000 per year.

There were about 21,000 job postings for cybersecurity engineers in the past year.

Chief information security officer (ciso)

Cybersecurity is a growing field, and it's one that will continue to grow as technology advances. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2022, there will be 1 million more cybersecurity jobs than qualified candidates to fill them. But what kind of cybersecurity jobs are there? And how much do they pay? Here are eight top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries and long-term job security: Chief information security officer (CISO).

CISOs oversee all aspects of information security for an organization or business unit. They're responsible for developing an effective strategy to protect company data from external threats and internal risks, such as loss or theft. The average annual salary for a CISO ranges from $120,000 to $200,000 depending on experience and responsibility level within the organization.

Information security analyst (ISA). ISAs specialize in analyzing computer systems and networks for vulnerabilities. They work with IT professionals to determine how an attack might occur and how best to prevent it through policy changes or technological upgrades. The average annual salary for an ISA is $80,000-$100,000 depending on experience level within the organization.

Network architect/engineer (NAE).

Information security manager

You may not be aware, but cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing careers in the world. And not just because people are worried about hackers stealing their medical records or their Social Security numbers. Cybersecurity jobs are booming because it's a career that demands a variety of skills and knowledge.

You can be a cybersecurity professional and work anywhere from a start-up to a government agency, doing everything from programming to writing policy. So what cybersecurity jobs are there? What skills do you need? How much money can you make? Here are eight top cybersecurity jobs with lucrative salaries and long-term job security: Information security manager This job requires experience in IT and business management.

A big part of the role is understanding how information flows through an organization, so you need to understand both technical and nontechnical issues. You'll also manage budgets, staff, strategy and processes for your company's information security program.

Penetration tester

There are many different cybersecurity jobs, each with its own unique set of responsibilities. Here are eight of the most common cybersecurity jobs and their average salaries. Penetration tester: Penetration testers (also called ethical hackers) conduct simulated cyberattacks on a company to uncover vulnerabilities in its network security system. The job requires a high degree of knowledge about computer systems and software, as well as the ability to find weaknesses in a system and exploit them.

Penetration testers can make anywhere from $70,000 to over $100,000 a year. Information security analyst: Information security analysts are responsible for assessing risks associated with data breaches and other cyberattacks, developing plans to protect against them, and monitoring an organization's network for signs of intrusion or attacks. The average salary is $77,500 per year.

Information security engineer: Information security engineers develop policies for protecting against cyberattacks, monitor networks for signs of intrusion or attack, provide recommendations on how to improve network security infrastructure, and perform assessments on existing systems to identify weaknesses that could leave companies vulnerable if attacked by hackers or other malicious actors online.

They earn an average salary of $92,000 per year.

To Sum Up

With hundreds and even thousands of job openings, the field of cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly popular choice for job seekers. Although many people still hear the word "hacker" and immediately think "voodoo magic," or they see words like "cryptography" and freak out, the reality is that a day in the life of a cybersecurity worker is anything but exciting.

I mean, you probably won't catch them throwing ninja stars at each other during their lunch break or installing Trojan viruses onto the USB drives of random strangers. In fact, a day in the life of a cybersecurity professional might include... checking email all day. Yeah, yawn. But, boring as it may sound, jobs in this exciting field are out there—many different jobs beyond being a ninja hacker on steroids.

And if you're up for learning a new skill and getting your foot in the door with this growing industry, it's time to start digging into just how to get those jobs!