Jon Baleva Jan 25, 2024
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Top 9 Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs in 2024

The fast changes in technology are causing a boom in cyberattacks. Be it personal or professionals, most activities depend on technology leading to unknown risks that arise around us. Moreover, the connection made with the internet world opened up another portal, where retrieving any information has become more accessible.

Cybersecurity job roles and professions ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cybersecurity professionals have different security roles based on entry-level analysts or top-level executives. A cybersecurity professional’s main agenda is to protect and defend against continuously strengthening malicious threats despite the position.

Cybersecurity professionals play a significant role in small and big enterprises with technical skills, hacking skills, and computer forensic skills. The future of cybersecurity will be high in demand and the rate of growth for cyber security jobs will grow in information security. In this blog, we discuss the top 9 highest paying cybersecurity jobs in 2024. 

Top Cyber Security Jobs in 2024

The roles of a cyber security professional include breach prevention, incident response to hacker hun, and compliance. Various Cybersecurity certifications can prepare candidates for the below-mentioned job roles. Read below to know the most paid cybersecurity jobs in 2024. 

  • Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
  • Security Architect
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Malware Analyst
  • Penetration Tester
  • Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator
  • Lead Software Security Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Sales Engineer
  • Bug Bounty Specialist

1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Information Security Officer plays a significant role in reducing Information Technology (IT) risks in the enterprise. The key responsibilities of this job role include computer security and cybersecurity. This team is also responsible for disaster recovery and business continuity management. The CISO professionals must have a strong balance of business acumen and technology knowledge. They must be capable of:

  • Identity and access management
  • Information privacy
  • Information risk management
  • Information security and information assurance
  • Information security operations centre (ISOC)
  • Information technology controls for financial and other systems

The average annual salary of a CISO in the United States is $161,945, and in the UAE is AED 490090

2. Security Architect

A Security Architect is a cybersecurity professional who is responsible for designing security structures to prevent malware attacks. They are supposed to perform vulnerability tests. A security architect can kickstart the career with a degree in computer science or information technology, strong IT experience, and experience in the risk management sector. The candidate must also possess the following skills: 

  • Knowledge of Network hardware configuration 
  • Knowledge of security protocols and cryptography
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Security Architect Certifications

To become a security architect CompTIA Security+ and CISSP certifications can help a candidate. The average salary of a Security Architect in the United States is $123,642, and in the UAE is AED 336000.

3. Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers are professionals who design security measures to prevent the organization from a cyberattack. They are responsible for protecting the organization’s networks and data. They are also responsible for developing and implementing high-tech solutions to defend against hacking, malware and ransomware. To become a Cybersecurity Engineer, one must possess the following qualifications:

  • Degree in information technology or computer science. 
  • Two years of work experience in the relevant field. 
  • Good networking skills
  • Knowledge of C, C++ is required. 
  • Python and Java knowledge is also essential
  • Cyber Security Engineer Certifications

The average Cyber Security Engineer Salary in the United States is $96,220 and in the UAE is AED 240000. 

4. Malware Analyst 

The primary function of a malware analyst is to identify and understand various forms of malware. This includes all the forms of adware, bots, bugs, rootkits, spyware, ransomware, Trojan horses, viruses, and worms.

A malware analyst identifies and examines cyber threats and then develops malware protection tools to avoid malware threats. To become a malware analyst, the following are the requirements:

 degree in information technology or computer science.

  • Two years of work experience in the relevant field 
  • Knowledge of Windows, Linux, UNIX operating systems 
  • Knowledge of C and C++ is needed
  • Usage of tools like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, RegShot, and TCP view 
  • Malware Analyst Certifications

The candidate must also hold a GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification. The average annual salary of malware analysts in the United States is $92,880 and AED 300,000

5. Penetration Tester

A penetration tester is also known as an ethical hacker. The ethical hacker is a network security consultant who exploits a system’s vulnerabilities. 

Companies and governments turn to ethical hackers to strengthen security by finding the flaws before black hat hackers find them. They also provide services like the recovery of data and documents that might have encountered breaches. The companies need ethical hackers  to:

  • Identify and give remedy for security vulnerabilities 
  • Help provide quality assurance in software development
  • Assess a company’s security and regulatory measures

The below listed are the requirements to become a penetration tester:

  • 1- 4 years of experience in information security
  • Good networking skills
  • Knowledge of Windows, Linux, UNIX operating systems. 
  • Knowledge of C, C++ is required
  • Knowledge of Java, Python, and Perl 

Certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT), and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) are also requirements for an ethical hacker job role. The average annual salary of an ethical hacker in the United States is $84,283 and in AED 207,300.

6. Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator

Cybersecurity Manager is also known as information security managers. This job role requires identifying potential areas of vulnerability and enhancing the security to safeguard data. This job role offers a salary of $125,00 in the U.S. The requirements to become a Cybersecurity Manager are:

  • Knowledge to balance security needs with organizational goals
  • Problem-solving and analytical ability
  • Degree in Master of Science in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity

7. Lead Software Security Engineer

Security engineers specifically develop and supervise data and technology security systems to help prevent breaches. Security engineers build systems to defend against attacks or leaks. Security engineers make an average annual salary of $90,923 in the U.S. The requirements to become a lead software security engineer are:

  • Bachelor's degree in information security, cybersecurity, or a related field
  • Professional experience in security engineering, risk management or program testing.

8. Bug Bounty Specialist

Bug bounty specialists or hunters are individuals who are experts with the nuts and bolts of cybersecurity. They are professionals who are well versed in finding flaws and vulnerabilities. Bug bounty professionals detect and fix bugs to prevent incidents of widespread abuse. Skills required to attain this job role are:

  • Solid understanding of some network fundamentals 
  • SQL database, web components like HTML, CSS, PHP and Javascript 
  • Knowledge of Cross-Site Scripting 
  • Knowledge of  Server Side Request Forgery 
  • Knowledge of Local & Remote file inclusion 
  • Knowledge of  Information Disclosure 

9. Cybersecurity Sales Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers are also called information security engineers. They identify threats and vulnerabilities in systems and software. They are then supposed to apply their skills to develop and implement solutions to defend against all types of cybercrime. The average salary for this profession in the U.S is $180,000 

To Wrap Up

With relevant certifications and skills, a candidate can pursue the jobs mentioned above. These job roles are highly in demand in 2024 with a good salary. So, ready to build your qualifications and make the best cybersecurity career?

SENIOR TRAINER: NETWORKING AND PROGRAMMING

Jon Baleva is an IT professional with 20 years of experience in programming and networking. He is an expert in Python & IT Security domains as well as in Operating Systems (OS). He has trained professionals and students in IT Programming courses, Microsoft Azure, Linux   & MAC OS. He is also a writer who writes on tech-related topics for various tech magazines in Philippine. He is now an IT Trainer with Edoxi Training Institute, Dubai.

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