Cybersecurity is a vital consideration for nearly every business in the modern economy. Leading cybersecurity firms and the U.S. government identify cybercrime as a growing threat to business and national security, with the number of malicious actors and sophistication of attacks on the rise worldwide. Organizations need strong security controls and agile management strategies to stay safe from complex digital threats.
With such widespread need and high stakes, it’s not surprising that a variety of career paths exist in the field of cybersecurity. Organizations ranging from local businesses to the federal government and large multinational corporations all require the services of knowledgeable and experienced digital security leaders.
Let’s take a closer look at what cybersecurity management is, the roles in this field, vital skills that support professional success, the educational opportunities that can lead to a career in this field and more.
What Is Cybersecurity Management?
Cybersecurity management refers to the strategic development, implementation, and monitoring of cybersecurity policies and strategies, whether across an entire organization or within a more specific area of responsibility.
The discipline goes beyond simple tasks like installing antivirus software or instructing employees to update passwords and use two-factor authentication. While these basic practices are certainly important, organizations also need coordinated, proactive controls and recovery plans to protect and maintain operations from evolving threats.
This is according to the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which also stresses that cybersecurity management is key to mitigating the risk of disruption to “services upon which our economy and the daily lives of millions of Americans depend.” Therefore, cybersecurity managers fill a crucial role not just for their organizations but also for society at large.
What Do Cybersecurity Managers Do?
Security professionals in management roles devote much of their time to monitoring a network, actively seeking out potential issues and vulnerabilities. This differs from many other types of management roles in that cybersecurity managers are more directly involved, as opposed to primarily conducting oversight of a team.
However, cybersecurity leaders also dedicate significant time to supervisory efforts, and they must take ownership of all outcomes related to cybersecurity for their organization. Managerial duties may include:
- Directing the work of a cybersecurity team;
- Developing and implementing security protocols;
- Presenting plans to stakeholders;
- Communicating emerging threats;
- Spearheading incident response and recovery actions.
Cybersecurity management emphasizes awareness, communication, and strategy. This approach to digital security can help businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies keep pace with ever-evolving cyberattacks, reducing the chances of a critical breach.
Careers in Cybersecurity Management
The diverse work settings for cybersecurity professionals include large corporations, financial institutions, consulting firms, and government organizations. In particular, many cybersecurity specialists work at the Department of Homeland Security for the U.S. government. Additionally, various technology enterprises, startups, and nonprofits employ experts who develop cutting-edge security solutions.
Reaching a management position within any of these organizations typically requires building experience in entry-level IT roles for some time, during which you gain expertise with incident response and related duties. Earning an advanced degree in cybersecurity can also provide a deeper understanding of the discipline and may help qualify an individual for managerial roles. Here are some of the best cybersecurity career opportunities for professionals who work their way up in the field.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts, sometimes called cybersecurity analysts, play a key role in cybersecurity management. They focus on building effective strategies to manage risk as well as implementing processes and tools to keep critical information and vital systems secure. They regularly monitor network security, engage in penetration testing efforts, research related trends, and make recommendations to other stakeholders, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Qualifications: Becoming an information security analyst typically requires a bachelor’s degree and some years of work experience in a related job. Industry certification may also help a candidate’s prospects or earnings potential.
- Salary and outlook: Information security analysts earned a median wage of $102,600 per year as of May 2021, according to the BLS. These positions also boast a very favorable outlook, with projected growth of 35% from 2021 to 2031. This is much higher than average for all occupations.
Information security analysts are at the heart of their employer’s cybersecurity efforts, using a combination of frontline duties and management expertise as part of a larger team. With demonstrated success over time, experience in this mid-level role can also lead to higher management positions.
Database Administrator or Architect
Database administrators and architects oversee the critical information that so many organizations rely on. These professionals create (for architects) or structure (for administrators) the tools and platforms to manage a company’s data. This requires a commitment to security while ensuring availability to authorized users. Therefore, while not the sole focus for these managers, cybersecurity is a foundational responsibility in a database administrator’s job description, and they play a key role in any data backup or recovery efforts.
- Qualifications: Most database administrators hold a bachelor’s or professional degree, and the BLS notes that employers may prefer applicants with a master’s degree. Several industry certifications are available for database architecture, which may also improve your chances of employment. Previous work experience is not always required, except for more senior roles.
- Salary and outlook: As is the case with many technology occupations, database administrators and architects can expect relatively high compensation. The BLS finds the median annual pay for this role is $101,000, significantly more than the median wage for all workers. Job growth is slightly higher than average, at 9% projected over the decade 2021 to 2031.
As managers of one or more databases within an organization, database administrators or architects may report to higher-level technology managers, and those leadership roles present yet another tier for potential advancement within the cybersecurity field.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and information systems managers are the leaders of IT infrastructure within organizations. Though an information systems (IS) manager’s duties are wide-ranging, they include protecting critical information and implementing effective processes and systems for digital defense. They might oversee a team of cybersecurity analysts, and as a top technology official within a company, IS managers may be the ones ultimately responsible for the company’s network security.
- Qualifications: The BLS reports that information systems managers should have at least a bachelor’s degree, and that employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree. The BLS also notes that five or more years of relevant experience are typically required for these positions.
- Salary and outlook: The BLS reports that IS managers earn a median annual salary of $159,010 per year as of May 2021. That is substantially higher than the median wage across all occupations, and the outlook is better than average as well, at 16% growth in jobs projected from 2021 to 2031.
Managers in this role develop strategies for and assign tasks to frontline cybersecurity staff. They also frequently negotiate with vendors and service providers. These two common duties reflect the need for interpersonal and business management skills, alongside an aptitude for digital technology and security controls.
How To Begin a Career in Cybersecurity
To meet the growing need for digital security, organizations of all types are expected to increase their hiring to support secure operations, identify potential issues, and launch incident response efforts. That makes cybersecurity an exciting career field with opportunities for significant growth and substantial compensation.
To begin a career in cybersecurity and work up to a management position, it is important to start with a strong educational foundation to build the unique mix of skills that cybersecurity management requires.
Technical Skills
Technical skills are an obvious foundational need. Generally speaking, cybersecurity professionals must understand the tools and systems they’re responsible for securing. Though frontline teams may be the ones doing most of the technical work, managers need the expertise to make informed decisions and assess effectiveness in areas such as:
- Various cybersecurity tools and technologies;
- Network security protocols and strategies;
- Cloud security best practices and methods;
- Identity and access management (IAM) concepts and technologies;
- Incident response and recovery methods;
- Secure coding practices and application security principles;
- Regulatory compliance related to information security.
Technical expertise is essential, but far from the only competency that a successful cybersecurity management professional needs. Managers do much more than take instruction or complete discrete tasks — they build the strategy that informs frontline employees’ activities. This requires a strong set of leadership skills as well.
Leadership Skills
Cybersecurity managers are the professionals ultimately responsible for an organization’s information integrity, but they direct the work of teams to achieve success. This requires an additional set of interpersonal or “soft” skills such as:
- Effective communication;
- Active listening;
- Emotional intelligence;
- Knowledge of instructional methods and learning styles;
- Efficient delegation of tasks and allocation of resources;
- Collaborative problem-solving;
- Conflict resolution.
In addition to managing their own teams, cybersecurity leaders must collaborate with other teams in a company and communicate with external stakeholders. They must also coordinate activities in accordance with broader organizational goals and strategies. All of this requires business acumen that may not come from a typical technology degree program.
Bachelor’s Degree
Most cybersecurity careers begin with an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field. A small number of schools offer programs that are explicitly focused on cybersecurity, but another technology degree with a concentration or minor in cybersecurity can also build the fundamental technical skills for entry-level jobs.
For students set on management careers, however, it is worth considering a degree that combines the disciplines of technology and business management. A Bachelor of Science in Information Systems is designed to build interpersonal and leadership skills alongside technology-focused abilities. This degree from the Collat School of Business is uniquely suited to aspiring management professionals in the field of cybersecurity.
Master’s Degree
Though a master’s degree is not strictly necessary for most cybersecurity roles, even those involving managerial duties, a graduate program will further develop relevant skills and the master’s credential may help set a candidate apart from other applicants. This means that a graduate degree can be beneficial for reaching more senior roles related to cybersecurity management
A Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the UAB Collat School of Business can help support students interested in spearheading cybersecurity efforts. The Cyber Security Management concentration, one of three included in the program, is particularly relevant to this career path. As with UAB’s bachelor programs, this master’s degree is 100% online, allowing the flexibility to learn while actively pursuing professional advancement.
Advancing in a Cybersecurity Management Career
Pursuing a career in cybersecurity management offers an exciting and rewarding journey for aspiring professionals. To embark on this path, a solid education is essential for building foundational skills. A degree program will also help students learn about entry-level opportunities and pathways for professional networking, therefore increasing prospects for employment after graduation.
Newly hired individuals will then gain valuable experience on the front line of cybersecurity. With dedication, continuous learning, and demonstrated success, aspiring managers can confidently navigate the career ladder, ultimately achieving an esteemed position in cybersecurity leadership.
As organizations recognize the increasing importance of robust security measures, these skilled leaders will continue to play a pivotal role in defending against evolving cyberthreats, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of valuable information in the ever-expanding digital landscape.
Sources:
CAI, “Summary of the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy: Part 1”
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, “Cybersecurity Best Practices”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Information Security Analysts”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Information Security Analysts: Job Outlook”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Database Administrators and Architects”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Database Administrators and Architects: Pay”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Database Administrators and Architects: Job Outlook”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer and Information Systems Managers”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer and Information Systems Managers: Job Outlook”