Four of the coolest jobs in cybersecurity

This blog post was written by Nick Viney.

With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and data breaches, careers in cybersecurity are becoming much more desirable. Many who choose the path come from backgrounds in maths, computer science, history or philosophy, and as technology becomes more prominent, so does cyber crime. A career in cybersecurity goes beyond the stereotypical image of spending all day crunching  numbers and there are many more roles that require expertise. We’ve rounded up some of the more interesting jobs in the wonderful world of cybersecurity;

Job 1 – Forensics Expert

Forensics experts (FEs) are increasingly in demand by corporate and governmental bodies. Similar to crime scene investigators, FEs are usually called in to analyse and determine who the mastermind behind a security breach might be. Although deciphering computer data may not sound fascinating, it can be almost as complex and precise as understanding human DNA.  

By being exposed to large volumes of sensitive information, not only do they need top-notch computer skills, but they must also be able to perform as a law enforcement officer. Together, with a team of lawyers, they’re then asked to render evidence to testify in court against potential hackers. This could include cracking code on electronics, current – as well as deleted – emails, internet activity, social media, stolen data and encrypted passwords.

Job 2  – Cryptographer/ Cryptanalysts

Cryptographers are known as code makers and breakers. Their role is to develop algorithms, ciphers and security systems to encrypt and hide sensitive information from cyber hackers. They protect critical data from being copied, edited or deleted by unauthorised account holders and test security systems for weaknesses to guard businesses or even the government. Good technical skills, creativity and intelligence are the backbone of a successful cryptographer and above all, they must be trusted enough to handle sensitive data.

Job 3 – Threat Hunter

Threat hunters use manual or machine-assisted skills to detect and prepare for security incidents. Their aim is to uncover cyberattacks that businesses or organisations may not otherwise find out about. With so many data threats in today’s ‘always on’ world, typically they lead groups of engineers supporting with monitoring tools, access data and threat research. They need a good understanding of businesses and their operations to be able to detect abnormal behaviours.  

Job 4 – Security Architect

A security architect designs systems to help develop and test the security vulnerabilities of a business or organisation. Almost like designing a home, they spend most of their time creating complex structures for security – and ensuring they work. At times they hire whitehat hackers, also known as ‘penetration or vulnerability testers’ who they can trust to exploit the system and ensure it’s secure from extreme attacks from the outside.  

With the the market for cybersecurity professionals poised for another strong year, there are plenty more increasingly attractive roles out there with equally rewarding responsibilities.    

To keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity news, take a look at the McAfee Security blog here.

 

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