An online cybersecurity degree can be the perfect stepping stone if you want to establish a meaningful career in cybersecurity, with a host of fascinating job roles available to those with relevant qualifications. This is true for individuals who are yet to enter the workforce, working professionals who wish to venture into the field of cybersecurity for the first time, and experienced cybersecurity professionals aiming for managerial or executive leadership positions. No matter your career stage, an online cybersecurity degree will lead you to a job that aligns with your skillset and aspirations.
This article examines the top three job roles you can get with an online cybersecurity degree, segmented by the aforementioned career profiles.
For individuals who are yet to enter the workforce
If you’re looking for first-time employment and interested in cybersecurity, an online degree offers you a path toward the following cybersecurity job roles:
System Administrator – System Administrators help maintain the security and reliability of an organization’s IT network and infrastructure. Their responsibilities include monitoring system performance, implementing security measures, user support and troubleshooting, configuration management, data backup and recovery, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for System Administrators in the U.S. is $95,360.
Digital Forensic Investigator – Digital Forensic Investigators analyze electronic data to identify evidence of cybercrimes and present that evidence in legal proceedings. They work to ensure the integrity of digital information and play a key role in both private and government sectors by gathering evidence, analyzing data, investigating breaches, providing testimony, and more. Payscale.com states that the median annual pay for Digital Forensic Investigators in the U.S. is $70,429.
Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester – Ethical hackers (also known as White Hat Hackers or Penetration Testers) use their cybersecurity skills to help organizations identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Their job entails security evaluation, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing exercises, security report generation, compliance assurance, and more. Salary.com states that the median annual pay for Ethical Hackers in the U.S. is $112,137.
For working professionals transitioning into the field of cybersecurity for the first time
If you’re a working professional with no prior cybersecurity experience seeking to venture into the field of cybersecurity, an online degree can help you get the following cybersecurity job roles:
Information Security Analyst – Information Security Analysts serve a critical role in safeguarding an organization’s valuable data and ensuring the integrity of IT infrastructure. They handle various responsibilities, such as threat monitoring, vulnerability assessment, security protocol implementation, incident response, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for Information Security Analysts in the U.S. is $120,360.
Senior Network Defender – Senior Network Defenders are experienced professionals who protect an organization’s computer networks from cyber threats and attacks. Their responsibilities include threat detection, vulnerability management, incident analysis and response, security policy development, mentoring junior cybersecurity professionals, and more. According to ZipRecruiter, the median annual pay for Senior Network Defenders in the U.S. is $122,108.
Information Security Manager – Information Security Managers are responsible for securing an organization’s digital assets and maintaining sensitive business data’s integrity, availability, and confidentiality. Their job role encompasses risk assessment, cybersecurity implementation, ensuring data compliance, staff training and raising awareness, and data protection policy development. The median annual pay for Information Security Managers in the U.S. is $156,114, per Salary.com.
For experienced cybersecurity professionals aiming for managerial or executive leadership positions
If you’re already employed as a cybersecurity professional specializing in a particular domain of cybersecurity, the right online degree can expand your skill set and position you for the following leadership roles:
IT Director – IT Directors are technological authorities within their organizations. To carry out their responsibilities, they must oversee all technology operations, analyze business requirements, allocate resources, control IT budgets, establish IT policies, purchase IT equipment and software, coordinate with multiple departments and teams, communicate effectively with stakeholders, run compliance and quality assurance checks, and more. The median annual pay for IT Directors in the U.S. is $207,339 per Salary.com.
Cyber Security Director – Cyber Security Directors are the leading stewards of protecting sensitive data and defending an organization from cyber-attacks. Their job duties include conducting cybersecurity assessments, hosting mock incident drills, developing security policies, minimizing IT downtime, implementing cybersecurity protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, leading teams of cybersecurity professionals, raising security awareness throughout an organization, and more. Salary.com states that the median annual pay for Cyber Security Directors in the U.S. is $227,050.
Chief Information Security Officer – Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are the visionaries of an organization’s overarching cybersecurity strategy and practices. These C-level leaders are often the ultimate authority for all aspects involved in safeguarding business data, IT infrastructure, and digital networks from cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, team management and leadership, risk management and mitigation, security policy development, incident response, stakeholder coordination and communication, task delegation, budget management, and more. The median annual pay for Chief Information Security Officers in the U.S. is $339,489, per Salary.com.
Mapping Your Cybersecurity Career Path
The scope for career success in cybersecurity is immense. Demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is only increasing year-over-year, with companies going to great lengths to find, recruit, and retain suitable talent. EC-Council University (ECCU) is a major player in nurturing and creating this talent to bridge the widening cybersecurity workforce gap globally. Explore our catalog of online cybersecurity degrees designed to transform you into a future-ready cybersecurity leader. You’ll learn from industry experts, gain unique industry insights, become familiar with cutting-edge technology, develop in-demand skills, acquire valuable cybersecurity certifications, and position yourself perfectly for a rewarding cybersecurity career.
Connect with an ECCU Career Advisor to map out your cybersecurity career path today!
