6 Cyber Security Careers To Look Into After Graduation

Graduates and freshers, particularly those from computer science backgrounds, are in high demand to fill 4.8 million cybersecurity job positions worldwide. There are numerous job openings in cybersecurity for graduates, including roles such as Security Engineer and Ethical Hacker. 

You can build your cybersecurity career based on your unique interests and career goals. While choosing a cybersecurity career it is also important to know the in-demand cybersecurity careers in the job market.  These are the top 6 cybersecurity careers to look into after graduation. 

Learn about job roles, skills, certifications and average salary (in 5 major countries)  for the 6 cybersecurity careers mentioned above.

Top 6 Job Opportunities in Cyber Security After Graduation

If you want to be a cybersecurity professional after graduation here are some of the key cybersecurity job roles and responsibilities to kick-start your career. 

1. Penetration Tester:

Penetration Testers or Pen Testers detect the malware and other vulnerable points in the system. They scan vulnerabilities using tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Burp Suite. AI-powered tools have garnered importance in simulating attacks, identifying vulnerabilities, and providing recommendations more accurately than human testers. 

According to Michael Sumner, founder and CEO of ScoreDetect.com,  Manual Penetration Tester jobs could become obsolete because of AI. Master AI-powered tools like ImmuniWeb AI, Pentera, Arachni, MetaSpoilt Framework etc. for penetration testing to stay job-relevant and ahead of others in the cybersecurity job market.

Roles and Responsibilities of Pen Testers: 

If you are starting your career as a Penetration Tester, these will be your entry-level roles and responsibilities.

Skills Required for Penetration Testers: 

Certifications to Become Penetration Testers:  

Average Salary of Penetration Testers: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of Penetration Testers in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA; 

2. Security Engineers

A Security Engineer, also known as a cyber security engineer, plays a prominent role in designing, implementing and maintaining an organisation's security posture. They serve as intermediaries between the technical team and senior management to report security incidents and identify vulnerabilities.

Security Engineers identify potential breaches using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Tools.  Having the latest skills in data structure firewall and encryption algorithms will enable you to work as a Security Engineer in any part of the world.  

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the demand for Security Engineers will grow by 33% in the next 8 years. As per Edoxi’s latest findings on 2025 cybersecurity job trends in the Middle East, Security Engineer is the most sought-after cybersecurity job role in the Middle East.

Roles and Responsibilities of Security Engineers: 

The entry-level roles and responsibilities of Security Engineers include. 

Skills Required for Security Engineers: 

Certifications to Become Security Engineers: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of Security Engineers in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA;

3. Information Security Analysts

Information Security Analysts create and implement cybersecurity protocols in organisations. They ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the organisation’s data.  

CISSP is one of the best cybersecurity certification courses to become an Information Security Analyst. Passing the CISSP Exam will help you start your career as an Information Security Analyst with a higher pay scale. 

With the rise in security incidents worldwide, the demand for Information Security Analysts has increased. As per the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment rate of Information Security Analysts is projected to reach 35% by 2031. 

Information Security Analysts perform root-cause analyses of security incidents and data breaches. They ensure business continuity after restoring the organisation's security infrastructure. 

Roles and Responsibilities of Information Security Analysts:

As an entry-level Information Level Information Security Analyst, the following will be your roles and responsibilities. 

Skills Required for Information Security Analysts: 

Certifications to Become Information Security Analysts: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of Information Security Analysts in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA. 

4. Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, are professionals who identify vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. They identify vulnerable points before malicious attacks occur and help organisations stay ahead in the ever-evolving threat landscape. 

The global losses incurred due to various cybercrime is estimated to reach 10.1 billion dollars by 2025. This has increased the need for Ethical hackers worldwide to combat cyberattacks.  Even though the terms Penetration Testers and Ethical Hackers are used interchangeably, there are differences between these two. 

While penetration testers follow a structured approach to finding vulnerabilities, Ethical Hackers follow a flexible approach. Penetration Testers focus on finding exploits through simulated attacks, whereas Ethical Hackers look into broader areas of implementing security strategies. 

Roles and Responsibilities of Ethical Hackers: 

Mentioned below are the roles and responsibilities of a Junior Ethical Hacker. 

Skills Required for Ethical Hackers: 

Certifications to Become Ethical Hackers: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of Ethical Hackers in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA;

5. Junior Incident Responder

Junior Incident Responder is an entry-level cybersecurity job role that involves identifying, analysing and responding to security incidents. They play a key role in minimising the impact of cyber threats and ensuring business continuity. 

They must be able to work under pressure during high-stakes incidents and must have proficiency in reverse engineering and forensic analysis. The Incident Response job market is expected to grow by 19% between 2024 to 2030. 

Roles and Responsibilities of Junior Incident Responders:

Given below are the job roles and responsibilities of a  Junior Incident Responder. 

Skills Required to Become Junior Incident Responder: 

Certifications to Become Junior Incident Responder: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of Junior Incident Responders in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA;

7. Security Architects

The security architects manage a larger security team, which may include security analysts, security engineers, and others. Security architects are in charge of communicating with executive-level management about the existing security gaps.  

They provide technical direction to the organisation's security team and ensure they are well-equipped during malicious attacks and data breaches. Security architects must keep up with the most recent trends and best practices in cybersecurity.

Roles and Responsibilities of Security Architect: 

You will be given these roles and responsibilities. 

Skills Required for Security Architects: 

Certifications to Become A Security Architect: 

The Table below shows the Average Salary of a Security Architect in the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and USA;

To Sum Up: 

Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, Information Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Junior Incident Responder and Security Architects are the top 6 Cybersecurity job roles that you can pursue after graduation. 

Other than the above job roles; Application Security Specialist, Cloud Security Specialist, Network Security Engineer, and Computer Forensic Analyst are some of the in-demand jobs for those aspiring to become cybersecurity professionals. 

Each job role requires the specialisation of skills and industry-recognised certification to enhance your credibility as a cybersecurity professional. Starting with these entry-level cybersecurity jobs will help you reach the top of the professional ladder. 

While pursuing your entry-level cybersecurity jobs it is important to start making professional connections with senior-level cybersecurity professionals. They can provide you with mentorship that will help you excel in your profession.