When evaluating IT network security, it becomes evident that the vulnerability of data and applications is significantly heightened. To protect those assets, cybersecurity architecture comes into play. Cybersecurity architects employ that architecture to combat risks and threats by doing risk analysis.
In this blog post, we are going to see what is cybersecurity architecture, the role of a cybersecurity architect, cybersecurity architect skills, Cybersecurity Architect Career Paths, and the salary and career prospects of cybersecurity architects.
To learn more about cybersecurity architecture and the role of cybersecurity architect, getting SC-100 Certification can be the right choice. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What is meant by Cybersecurity Architecture?
Cybersecurity Architecture lies as the foundation for defending the organization’s security system against harmful threats and attacks. It can be ensured in terms of ensuring security to the IT infrastructure and components. The environments that can be secured by cybersecurity architecture may include Cloud, Networks, IoT, Endpoints, and Mobile.
When cybersecurity architecture follows the seven principles of the Zero Trust security model, then the security techniques can be applied to all the data and resources.
Who is a Cybersecurity Architect?
The role of a security architect is pivotal within an organization’s IT or cybersecurity department, as it involves safeguarding the organization against digital threats. Their main responsibility is to protect digital assets from security attacks and threats.
To do so, they must analyze the security requirements and take appropriate actions to ensure the protection of the data and applications.
Effective security architects possess the ability to adopt a broad perspective on an organization’s security requirements and formulate tailored solutions to fulfill those requirements. To become a security architect, individuals typically need to enhance their security and leadership competencies while accumulating hands-on experience in the field of information security.
Cybersecurity Architect Job Description
A security architect’s main job responsibility is to design, build, test, and deploy IT security systems in an organization. To carry out this task, they need to analyze the possible security threats and risks, detect areas of weakness and must respond instantaneously to prevent possible security attacks.
Cybersecurity Architect Job Responsibilities may include:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of a company’s technology and information systems.
- Develop, construct, deploy, and maintain high-level security systems for the enterprise.
- Align the organization’s security strategy and infrastructure with the broader business and technology strategy.
- Recognize and communicate both current and emerging security threats.
- Devise security architecture components to counteract evolving threats.
- Strategize, research, and devise resilient security frameworks for any IT project.
- Conduct or oversee vulnerability testing, risk analyses, and security evaluations.
- Formulate solutions that strike a balance between business necessities and cybersecurity requirements.
- Identify security design deficiencies in existing or proposed architectures and offer suggestions for modifications or enhancements.
- Review and authorize the installation of firewall, VPN, router, IDS scanning technologies, and servers.
- Assess security systems to ensure they function as intended.
Cybersecurity Architect requirements
To become a cybersecurity architect, fulfilling the requirements is a necessary thing. So, here are some of the pre-requisites that need to be met to get the cybersecurity architect certification:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or a related field.
- Having advanced IT security certifications is beneficial.
- 5-10 years of experience in IT security and IT risk management is recommended
- Working knowledge and experience of IT risks, security implementations, and computer and software programs.
- Must have the communication skills to interact with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds and races.
- Excellent problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
Cybersecurity Architect Skills
Below we have compiled a complete list of cybersecurity architect skills. Before appearing for cybersecurity jobs, having these skills can be valuable.
Cybersecurity Architect Soft Skills
As a cybersecurity architect, you have to work under pressure. Thus possessing soft skills is significant for becoming a successful architect. Additionally, these professionals are required to take on the responsibility of mitigating security risks and should possess the expertise to manage and address them.
- Communication and interpersonal skills: The cybersecurity architects need to monitor the people who are working in the security-related endpoints like computers and networks. So they need to make a conversion with those individuals. And thus having good verbal and written communication skills can be beneficial.
- Decisiveness: Cybersecurity architects are mainly involved in making informed decisions about security best practices, security policies, and technologies. It requires some level of confidence to deliver their knowledge and evaluation of organizational requirements.
- Teamwork: More often, cybersecurity architects have to collaborate and coordinate with the team members to deliver the security requirements of an organization. So, maintaining a positive environment in a team can bring an efficient working environment.
- Motivation: Identifying the security needs is essential for Cybersecurity architects. It needs some constant motivation to craft a plan and bring it to success. Security architects must motivate the internal team members with enthusiasm.
Cybersecurity Architect Technical Skills
- Cloud security: As many organizations switch to the cloud network, you’ve to understand the best security practices for keeping the cloud network in a safer mode.
- Network security: You can be able to balance both the business and security needs to ensure that your organization’s network is functional and safe.
- Software development and DevSecOps: Having prior experience in software development can enhance your ability to integrate security principles into the development process more effectively.
- Identity and access management: Your responsibility may involve safeguarding data against unauthorized access while ensuring it remains accessible to authorized users.
- Scripting language: Proficiency in coding with Python or PowerShell for task automation can significantly improve your efficiency.
- Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems: Depending on your organization, you may need to address security considerations specific to each operating system.
Taking cybersecurity architect courses can help to strengthen your basic cybersecurity knowledge. It can also taken by the current security professionals who tend to upskill their skills to add experience.
Cybersecurity Architect Career Paths
Within an organization hierarchy level, the cybersecurity architect position is higher in the organization chart compared with security engineer or security analyst and below the positions such as Chief Technology Officer, chief information security officer (CISO), and chief security officer (CSO).
To meet the requirements for a senior-level role that involves overseeing security teams and maintaining effective communication with C-level executives, a cybersecurity architect generally needs a minimum of five years of experience in various information security positions. For some professionals, their career progression may involve progressing through several of the following stages:
Entry-level roles in security, like:
- Security Administrator
- Network Administrator
- System Administrator
Moving on to intermediate-level positions such as:
- Security Analyst
- Security Engineer
- Security Consultant
- Security Specialist
As per the skills you have, you can apply for the above positions.
Also Read : SC-100 Certification Path
Cyber Security Architect Salary
Cyber Security Architect Salaries in India
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of the Cyber Security Architect in India is found to be ₹23,90,413 per annum.
Cyber Security Architect Salaries in the USA
The typical annual salary for a cybersecurity architect in the United States is approximately $154,935, which equates to an hourly rate of around $74.49. For individuals entering the field, starting salaries generally begin at $135,200 per year, while those with extensive experience can earn as much as $195,750 per year.
It is important to note that the information provided is per the average calculation of the people who are working in this role in the specified region.
Cybersecurity Architect Jobs
There are many cybersecurity architect jobs available for those who have cybersecurity certifications.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a substantial 37 percent increase in cybersecurity job opportunities from the year 2012 to 2022. Moreover, a noticeable skills gap has emerged in this field, as retiring individuals are not being replaced by millennials at a similar pace.
Some of the cybersecurity jobs available for cybersecurity-certified individuals such as:
- Information Security Analyst
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Network Security Engineer
- Security Software Developer
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Incident Responder
- Penetration Tester(Ethical hacking)
- Security Compliance Analyst
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Cryptographer
The salary for this position can be varied depending on the location, experience, and so on. So, getting into the cybersecurity field is not an achievable thing, but you need constant effort to do it. Having cybersecurity certification in your hand, you can navigate any part of the world.
Core Benefits of Having Cyber Security Architect Certification
Most of the organizations look for the certified ones. If you get certified by a reputable cybersecurity architect training platform, then they will definitely hire you. That’s why getting the cybersecurity certification is worth it for securing the organization from harmful vulnerabilities.
Getting a cybersecurity certification program can be highly beneficial for achieving career advancement in the cybersecurity field. It can lead to increased marketability and more job opportunities, which potentially leads to higher earning potential, makes a pathway for career advancement, and shows your commitment to professional development.
Here are some key benefits of having the cybersecurity architect certification as follows:
Enhanced Reputation and Employability: Enrolling in a cybersecurity certification program enhances an individual’s credibility when pursuing a career in cybersecurity. It can help potential employers validate that you possess the essential expertise and abilities needed to safeguard their systems and data. In a competitive job market, having a cybersecurity certification can make you stand unique from other applicants and boost your attractiveness to employers.
Improved Income and Compensation: Certified cybersecurity experts are in great demand in the job market and are highly regarded. Thanks to their specialized skill set and strong demand, they frequently earn higher salaries and more lucrative compensation packages compared to those without certifications. In certain instances, completing a cybersecurity certification program can lead to a salary increase of up to 20%, potentially unlocking a higher income potential.
Career Progression Prospects: Cybersecurity certification also creates avenues for career advancement. It showcases your dedication to your profession and your eagerness to enhance your expertise and competencies. With a certification, you become a strong contender for promotions, leadership roles, and higher-paying positions within your organization.
You can take some of the Cybersecurity architect certifications listed below:
- CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
- CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- CISM: Certified Information Security Manager
- CSSA: Certified SCADA Security Architect
FAQs
What do I need to become a cybersecurity architect?
To become a cybersecurity architect, the following requirements need to be met:
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a bachelor’s degree in computer science can be beneficial. However, cybersecurity architect is considered to be a management-level role, individuals need to obtain a master’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
Is the security architect job stressful?
A typical day for a security architect may occasionally become demanding, particularly when addressing a cyberattack. Security architects must possess the ability to stay composed during high-pressure situations.
Do security architects need coding?
Cybersecurity architect does need coding knowledge but having a strong set of skills in IT, coding, and research help them to evaluate cybersecurity risks at different organizations.
Is security architecture a good career?
A cybersecurity architect job is a good option if you want to pursue a career in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity architects pay more nowadays as the cybersecurity risks level up in every organization.
Conclusion
Hope this article gives a detailed insight on how you can become a cybersecurity architect, what skills you need to possess, cybersecurity career paths, cybersecurity architect skills, and the benefits of having this certification. Furthermore, it entails information about the cybersecurity architects’ salaries and job opportunities. If you really aspire to get into the cybersecurity field, you can take fundamental-level exams such as SC-100 certification.
To prepare yourself for this certification, you can simply rely on SC-100 Study guides, SC-100 practice tests, SC-100 free questions, and so on. The cybersecurity field needs practical knowledge on how to manage security risks, so you can utilize our Azure hands-on labs and Azure sandboxes.
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