Satendra K Feb 06, 2025

Top Careers after Completing Diploma in Cyber Security

A diploma in cybersecurity opens up various career opportunities, ranging from System and Network Technician to Security Systems Administrator. Job roles are available at entry-level and advanced levels after obtaining a Diploma in Cybersecurity.

The cybersecurity job roles and responsibilities will differ based on the Level of Diploma that you have completed. If you are planning to pursue a cybersecurity career after getting a diploma in cybersecurity, it is important to stay updated on in-demand cybersecurity careers in the job market. 

The table below highlights career opportunities after each Level of Diploma in Cybersecurity.      

 Career Opportunities
                                                          LEVEL of DIPLOMA
Level 3 Diploma in Cybersecurity Level 4 Diploma in Cybersecurity Level 5 Diploma in Cybersecurity
Level 6 Diploma in Cybersecurity
System and Network Technician Application Security Engineer Cloud Security Expert
Chief Information Security Officer
Tier-I SOC Analyst Tier-II SOC Analyst Tier-III SOC Analyst
Security Architect
Cybersecurity Specialist Penetration Tester Digital Forensics Examiner
Cybersecurity Consultant
 

Job Roles After Getting a Diploma in Cybersecurity 

Getting a Diploma in Cybersecurity simplifies the path towards becoming a cybersecurity professional. Here’s a detailed explanation of in-demand careers based on various levels of Diploma in Cybersecurity. Let's have a look into the roles & responsibilities, salary, and skills for each job,   

Career after Getting a Level 3 Cybersecurity Diploma 

The Level-3 Diploma in Cybersecurity is a 6-month course that prepares you for entry-level cybersecurity jobs. The following are the job roles you can pursue after you complete the Level 3 Diploma in Cybersecurity.

  • System & Network Technician:

A System & Network Technician ensures the smooth functioning of  IT infrastructure by properly maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing the organization’s computer systems and networks.

System & Network Technicians monitor system performance and ensure optimal uptime. They should maintain detailed records of network configuration and troubleshooting,   This entry-level job role requires basic scripting and automation knowledge.

Job Roles & Responsibilities of System & Network Technician:  

The following are the common roles & responsibilities of a System & Network Technician

  • To maintain logs of system performance
  • To maintain security protocols to protect against cyber threats
  • Perform regular system updates and patches
  • Configure Routers, Switches, Firewalls, and other network devices. 

Skills Required To Become System & Network Technician:

  • Teamwork abilities
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Network monitoring skills
  • Documentation skills

Median Salary of a System & Network Technician:

The median salary of a System & Network Technician is $62,000 Per Year. 

  • Tier-I SOC Analyst

Tier-1 SOC Analysts are the first line of defense in an organization’s security operations. They identify suspicious activities or anomalies in network traffic or system logs. They perform basic containment, eradication, and recovery tasks for low-level incidents.

Tier-I SOC Analysts generate incident reports  Pursuing higher-level diplomas and certifications in cybersecurity will help you get into advanced job roles like Tier-II and Tier-III SOC Analysts. 

As per, Ali Allage, CEO of  BlueSteel Cybersecurity

“AI  will likely impact the role of Tier 1 SOC Analysts. To stay job-relevant, cybersecurity professionals should focus on understanding AI-powered SIEM systems and automated response tools. Developing higher-level analytical skills remains important, as AI will need human coordination during significant security events.”

 Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Tier-I SOC Analyst:  

 As a Tier-I SOC Analyst, you have to 

  • Work closely with Tier-II SOC Analysts and IT Treams to manage security incidents.
  • Follow predefined Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Incident Handling.
  • Document the observations of incidents and identify patterns of anomalies. 
  • Perform initial triage to determine the severity of events.

Skills Required to Become a Tier-1 SOC Analyst:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding Indicators Of Compromise (IOC) 

Median Salary of a Tier-I SOC Analyst:

The median salary of a Tier-1 SOC Analyst is $86,466 Per Year. 

  • Cybersecurity Specialist

A cybersecurity specialist is a professional who specializes in safeguarding the organization's sensitive information. They analyze security logs and provide timely reports. As the job title implies, a Cybersecurity Expert is expected to have foundational knowledge that allows them to advise on the latest digital practices. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Specialist:  

The following are the activities you have to perform as a Cybersecurity Specialist 

  • Conduct phishing simulations.
  • Lead cybersecurity awareness campaigns.
  • Educate employees on the cybersecurity best practices
  • Deploy firewalls and Intrusion Detection System (IDS) 
  • Maintain documentation of security audits

Skills Required to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding Indicators Of Compromise (IOC) 

Median Salary of a Cybersecurity Specialist:

  • The median salary of a Cybersecurity Specialist is $102,600 Per Year. 

Career after Getting a Level 4 Cybersecurity Diploma 

Level 4 Diploma is equivalent to the first year of Bachelor’s Degree. It is a 10-month course that prepares you for intermediate job roles in cybersecurity. 

  • Application Security Engineer: 

An Application Security Engineer performs static (SAST), dynamic (DAST), and interactive (IAST) security testing on applications. They play a critical role in the software development lifecycle to protect sensitive data and prevent security breaches. 

The demand for Application Security Engineers is showing an upward trend. According to Statista, Application Security is expected to grow by 12.31%, resulting in a market volume of $13.57 Billion in 2029. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of an Application Security Engineer:  

The duties of an Application Security Engineer are, 

  • Identifying vulnerabilities in application designs
  • Collaborating with development teams to integrate secure coding practices
  • Mitigating security incidents related to applications 
  • Implementing tools to automate security testing in CI/CD pipelines 

Skills Required to Become an Application Security Engineer:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication skills 
  • Observation skills 
  • Familiarity with Cryptographic protocols 
  • Cloud Security 

Median Salary of an Application Security Engineer:

The median salary of an Application Security Engineer is $93,750 Per Year.

  • Tier-II SOC Analyst

Tier-II SOC Analysts focus on deeper investigation and resolution of security incidents. They investigate escalated security incidents and perform root-cause analysis. They proactively search for threats in the organization’s threat environment. 

Pursuing certifications like  CISSP will enhance your credibility as a Tier-II SOC Analyst. The USA has the highest demand for Tier-II SOC analysts followed by Canada, Australia, and Germany. This makes the USA an ideal country to start a career as a Tier-II SOC Analyst.

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Tier-II SOC Analyst:  

As a Tier-II SOC Analyst you have to, 

  • Collect and analyze evidence for internal use or legal proceedings
  • Document incidents, findings, actions, and recommendations
  • Develop and implement detection rules and alerts
  • Collaborate with Tier-I SOC Analysts for investigation. 

Skills Required to Become a Tier-II SOC Analyst:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Threat hunting
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions
  • Malware Analysis

Median Salary of a Tier-II SOC Analyst:

  • The median salary of a Tier-II SOC Analyst is $128,387 Per Year.
  • Penetration Tester/ Ethical Hacker

Penetration Tester sometimes called an Ethical Hacker aims to improve the security posture of the organization by uncovering weaknesses before attackers can exploit them. The terms Penetration Tester and Ethical Hacker are often used interchangeably. Pursuing Certification like CEH v13 will give you a competitive in the job market. 

Security Tests Conducted by Penetration Tester

The following are the types of tests performed by a Penetration Tester/ Ethical Hacker 

  • Black-box Test: A Black-box test is conducted to evaluate the functionality of the application when the tester does not have access to internal code, structure, or implementation details. 
  • White-box Test: This approach is used when the tester has full knowledge of the system, including its code, architecture, and design. This test emphasizes testing code paths, data flows, loops, and decision-making.   
  • Gray-box Test: Gray-box testing is used when the tester has partial knowledge of the internal code, architecture, and design of the system. This approach uses both structural (white-box) and functional (black-box) approaches. 

  Skills Required to Become a Penetration Tester:

  • Logical Thinking
  • Hacking Skills 
  • Reporting Skills
  • Troubleshooting skills
  • Decision-making skills  

Median Salary of a Penetration Tester:

  • The median salary of a Penetration Tester is $130,000 Per Year.

Get Recognised As A Certified Ethical Hacker 

Join Edoxi’s CEH V13 Certification Course Today!

Career after Getting a Level 5 Cybersecurity Diploma

Level 5 Diploma also called Higher National Diploma is equivalent to 2nd year of Bachelor’s Degree. The duration of this course is 10 months and provides you with higher-level knowledge of Cybersecurity. This diploma equips you with skills for top-position jobs in cybersecurity. 

Cloud Security Expert

Cloud Security Expert protects the cloud environment, data, and IT infrastructure from cyber threats. They define security policies and ensure best practices for cloud migration and adoption. As per EC-Council, the demand for Cloud Security professionals is expected to grow by 115%. Cloud Security Experts must be proficient in tools like CloudTrail, SecurityHub, Defender, etc. 

After the Level 5 cybersecurity diploma, you can pursue cloud security certifications like Certified Cloud Security Expert (CSE)  and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)  for higher career prospects in cybersecurity. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Cloud Security Expert:  

As a Cloud Security Expert, you have to

  • Remediate vulnerabilities in the cloud environment. 
  • Implement patch management strategies.
  • Design security frameworks for cloud environments.
  • Conduct cloud security audits and risk analysis. 
  • They ensure configuration management for cloud resources. 

Skills Required to Become a Cloud Security Expert:

  • Cloud Computing
  • Vulnerability Management 
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC)  
  • Data Security & Compliance

Median Salary of a Cloud Security Expert:

  • The median salary of a Cloud Security Expert is $141,000 Per Year.

Tier-III SOC Analyst

Tier-III SOC Analyst also known as a Threat Hunter is a senior-level analyst who handles complex security incidents. They investigate critical security breaches and guide Tier-I and Tier-II SOC Analysts during the investigation. Tier-III SOC Analysts develop custom detection rules based on the latest trends.  

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Tier-III SOC Analyst:  

Major job roles and responsibilities of Tier-III SOC Analysts are

  • Leading investigations on security incidents 
  • Executing incidence response plans
  • Analysing the techniques used by the attacker
  • Providing mentorship to Tier-I and Tier-II SOC Analysts 
  • Creating executive summary on security incidents

Skills Required to Become a Tier-III SOC Analyst:

  • Leadership Skills
  • Risk Management
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Hacking skills 
  • Behavioural Analytics 

Median Salary of a Tier-III SOC Analyst:

  • The median salary of a Tier-III SOC Analyst is $152,000 Per Year.

Digital Forensics Examiner

A Digital Forensics Examiner also known as a Cyber Forensics Investigator is responsible for analyzing digital evidence to uncover security incidents, frauds, and cybercrimes. They retrieve deleted, hidden, or encrypted files using digital forensic tools like EnCase, Autopsy, Magnet Axiom, FTK, etc. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Digital Forensics Examiner:  

 A Digital Forensics Examiner has the following roles & responsibilities

  • Ensure the forensic investigation follows legal procedures
  • Document findings in forensic reports. 
  • Analyze malware and determine attack vectors
  • Examining digital artifacts for traces of intrusion or fraud. 

Skills Required to Become a Digital Forensics Examiner:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Legal knowledge 
  • Active Listening 
  • Reverse Engineering 
  • Analytical skills  

Median Salary of a Digital Forensics Examiner:

The median salary of a Digital Forensics Examiner is $130,000 Per Year.

Career after Getting a Level 6 Cybersecurity Diploma

Level 6 Diploma in Cybersecurity gives a comprehensive understanding of advanced cybersecurity concepts and is suitable for those seeking mid-level to senior-level cybersecurity roles. 

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) 

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level executive responsible for implementing security strategies in the organization. They manage the cyber Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) process. Pursue certifications like EDRP and ECIH to strengthen your resume. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): 

A CISO performs the following functions,  

  • Establishing governance frameworks, policies, and procedures in the organization. 
  • Evaluating cybersecurity investment in the organization. 
  • Fostering a culture of security awareness in the organization. 
  • Implementing cybersecurity training programs in the organization. 
  • Aligning security initiatives with business objectives. 

Skills Required to Become a Chief Information Security Officer:

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Decision Making 
  • Leadership skills 
  • Problem-Solving 
  • Risk Analysis  

Median Salary of a Chief Information Security Officer:

  • The median salary of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is $234,790 Per Year.

Security Architect 

A Security Architect or Cybersecurity Architect designs an organization’s IT Security infrastructure. They ensure the systems, networks, data, and cloud environment are resilient against cyber threats. Certifications like OSCP  and CHFI will enhance your credibility as a Security Architect. 

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Security Architect:  

Job activities of Security Architect include,  

  • Developing security architectures for on-premise and cloud environments. 
  • Communicating the risks in the security project to the stakeholders
  • Ensure regulatory adherence by working closely with auditors and the legal team. 
  • Implement cybersecurity training programs in the organization. 
  • Align security initiatives with business objectives. 

Skills Required to Become a Security Architect:

  • Coding & Programming 
  • Network Security 
  • Penetration Testing
  • Project Management 
  • Cloud Security 

Median Salary of a Security Architect :

  • The median salary of a Security Architect is $162,000 Per Year.

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity consultants advise organizations on establishing and improving security infrastructure. Along with a diploma, having a highly-valued and globally recognized certification like Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) will give you credibility and enable you to get a high-paying job.  This job role also enables you to work as a freelancer.

Job Roles & Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Consultant:  

As a Cybersecurity Consultant, you have to 

  • Assist the cybersecurity advisory board.
  • Oversee budgetary requirements for implementing security changes.  
  • Provide knowledge of the latest cybersecurity tools to the team. 
  • Communicate existing loopholes in the security infrastructure of the client. 
  • Provide security solutions in implementing an Intrusion Detection System

Skills Required to Become a Cybersecurity Consultant:

  • Legal knowledge 
  • Crisis Management 
  • Analytical skills 
  • Business Acumen 
  • Problem Solving skills 

Median Salary of a Cybersecurity Consultant:

  • The median salary of a Cybersecurity Consultant is $133,705 Per Year

To Sum Up:

Getting a Diploma in Cybersecurity helps you kick-start your career in the area of cybersecurity. In this ever-evolving threat landscape getting a Diploma in Cybersecurity will provide the foundational knowledge to pursue your profession. 

Getting a Diploma is not sufficient to survive the tough competition in the job market. It is also important to pursue globally recognized cybersecurity certifications to upskill and stay job-relevant. You also have to make the professional connections that contribute to your career growth. 

Do you want to start your professional journey in Cybersecurity? 

Join Edoxi’s Diploma Courses in Cybersecurity!

 

Chief Technology Officer & Cyber Security Expert Trainer

Satendra K is the Chief Technology Officer at Edoxi Training Institute. A cyber security program leader with more than ten years of experience, he possesses a deep level understanding of state-of-the-art security technologies. His polished communication skills play an influential role in his career as a trainer. As a core member of our cyber security courses team, he oversees the development of cutting-edge curriculum and novel modes of course delivery.

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