Eyes On The Prize: Top InfoSec Careers For Certified Pros

Featured article by Ariana Ciancio, Marketing Coordinator at TrainACE, TrainACE Computer Training for the Job Market

According to Bank Info Security, infosec jobs in the United States are on track for moderate growth — in the last year, popular roles such as “security analyst” enjoyed a 5 percent bump in total number of available positions. As noted by the Office of Personnel Management, however, there’s a “critical cybersecurity skills gap” emerging, one that requires an influx of new IT talent to fill. For tech experts who’ve just finished their first round of certifications or made the investment in more training, here’s a look at four top infosec jobs that should be on your radar.

Security Specialist

According to Tripwire, security specialists are entry or mid-level employees “responsible for completing a variety of duties designed to strengthen the security of an organization.” Think of this position like a jack of all trades — a professional who might be called on to analyze existing security performance, install new security hardware or applications, or conduct vulnerability testing.

Key qualifications for this position include certified ethical hacker (CEH) training in addition to certified information systems security professional certification training (CISSP). Salary bumps up with experience and network complexity, meaning you could start in the $50,000 range but quickly reach six figures as your knowledge and skills increase. Expect security specialist positions to appear rapidly in the next few years as companies look to expand infosec teams ready to tackle evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Malware Analyst

Looking for a career path with strong growth potential? Consider the role of malware analyst. Here, your job is to dissect and understand the inner working of viruses, Trojans, bots and other malicious programs trying to infiltrate the company network. Expect demand for this position to grow exponentially as companies contend with ever more sophisticated malware attacks; as noted by a recent Beta News article, for example, a newly discovered malware campaign is now targeting businesses using the WhatsApp mobile messaging service. Once installed, the code infects multiple system folders and designates itself as “auto run” in a computer’s registry.

Interested in tracking malware? Honeynet training along with computer hacking forensic investigator (CHFI) certification is a good place to start. When it comes to salary, expect a median of around $75,000.

Incident Responder

Want to be on the front lines, handling security concerns as they arise and developing real-time action plans to protect company assets? Then the job of incident responder may be the ideal fit. It’s your job to monitor corporate networks for intrusion, create effective strategies to combat next-gen malware, and compile critical data that your CISO can use to make the C-suite fully aware of the company’s current security status. Typically, you’re part of a computer security incident response team (CSIRT) so you’ll want forensic qualifications, Web-based appliances security training and the CompTIA Security+ training course at minimum. Big qualifications come with big potential, however — you could top out around $150,000 as an incident responder.

Application Security Manager

While network security remains a critical part of corporate defense, many companies are now making the shift to a more application-focused defense plan. It’s no wonder, then, that the role of application security manager makes the list of CIO’s “10 highest-paying IT security jobs” with an average salary of $165,000. In addition to basic security qualifications, you’ll need certified encryption specialist training; advanced courses like ISACA CSX Expert also boost your chances.

The security market is set to skyrocket — make sure you’ve got right the skills and certifications to grab a top infosec job.

Ariana Ciancio is the Marketing Coordinator at TrainACE, TrainACE Computer Training for the Job Market. Ariana is responsible for the strategic growth of TrainACE’s brand identity, online presence, and industry influence through digital marketing.