If you work in security intelligence, you are well on your way to having the skills needed in cybersecurity. While they both aim to identify, monitor and counter cyber threats, security intelligence takes a broader perspective and includes physical and cybersecurity whereas cybersecurity analytics homes in on protecting critical IT infrastructure. Security intelligence roles are most prevalent in government and enterprise, where cybersecurity roles can be found in any number of organizations and industries, opening up more job opportunities. People looking to switch from security intelligence to cybersecurity may need additional training or IT certifications to round out their skillset.
If you work in security intelligence – or have a security intelligence background but are struggling to find work – take a look at cybersecurity. This booming field won’t be changing anytime soon, and CyberSeek outlines career paths that can set you on the road to success. Keep reading to see what a career path in cybersecurity might look like for someone with security intelligence skills.
Pathway to Success
You can see from the image below that there are a variety of entry-, mid- and advanced-level cybersecurity roles that are easily transitioned from other feeder roles. A career in cybersecurity offers endless possibilities and paths that you can take. You have control over where you go next! We will be going into detail on one role from each career level, and remember – this is just one of the many paths you can venture on in cybersecurity. You can head over to CyberSeek’s Career Pathway and explore other paths and choose your own adventure!
Entry-level: Cybersecurity Specialist/Technician
Cybersecurity specialist is a great starting point for a cybersecurity career. They guard an organization’s networks to help protect them from cyberattacks, and if an attack does occur, cybersecurity specialists fight it. They need to be creative and adaptable to ever-changing attack techniques. If you’re passionate about protecting networks and fighting off threats, a career as a cybersecurity specialist could be a great fit for you! Check out these quick facts about cybersecurity specialists:
Average Salary for Cybersecurity Specialists
- $75,000
Total Number of Job Openings for Cybersecurity Specialists in the United States
- 7,792
Degree Requirements for Cybersecurity Specialists
- 15 percent do not require a bachelor’s degree
- 58 percent require a bachelor’s degree
- 27 percent require a graduate degree
Top Certifications Requested for Cybersecurity Specialists
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- GIAC
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Top Skills Requested for Cybersecurity Specialists
- Information security
- Information systems
- Information assurance
- Network security
- Vulnerability assessment
Mid-Level: Penetration Tester
A penetration tester, sometimes known as an ethical hacker, thinks like a malicious attacker, but uses their skills for good to protect an organization’s networks. Have you ever heard the phrase, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em? This perfectly describes a penetration tester – they test their networks by staging attacks to ensure they are as strong as possible. A career as a penetration tester can be very exciting – how often does one get to act like a bad guy at work and get paid for it? Check out what it has to offer and what it takes to get started:
Average Salary for Penetration Testers
- $102,000
Total Number of Job Openings for Penetration Testersin the United States
- 9,826
Degree Requirements for Penetration Testers
- 6 percent do not require a bachelor’s degree
- 72 percent require a bachelor’s degree
- 22 percent require a graduate degree
Top Certifications Requested for Penetration Testers
- GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)
- CISM
- GIAC
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA CySA+
- CISA
Top Skills Requested for Penetration Testers
- Information security
- Penetration testing
- Linux
- Vulnerability assessment
- Python
Advanced-Level: Cybersecurity Engineer
As you work your way up in cybersecurity, you can aspire to become a cybersecurity engineer. Cybersecurity engineers build and maintain a system that’s safe against cyberattacks. They focus on fixing and protecting these systems and stay up to date on new technology so they can keep their system secure. Cybersecurity engineers will work closely with and manage roles like the cybersecurity specialists and penetration testers we touched on earlier!
Average Salary for Cybersecurity Engineers
- $108,000
Total Number of Job Openings for Cybersecurity Engineers in the United States
- 40,998
Degree Requirements for Cybersecurity Engineers
- 11 percent do not require a bachelor’s degree
- 67 percent require a bachelor’s degree
- 23 percent require a graduate degree
Top Certifications Requested for Cybersecurity Engineers
- GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)
- CISM
- GIAC
- CompTIA Security+
- CISA
Top Skills Requested for Cybersecurity Engineers
- Information security
- Network security
- Linux
- Information systems
- Python
In Conclusion
If you work in in security intelligence and want to switch to cybersecurity , the pathway of cybersecurity specialist to penetration tester to cybersecurity engineer is just one of many you can take. A career in cybersecurity provides many possibilities, and you have the choice to do what will make you happiest and most fulfilled. Your experience in security intelligence has prepared you for a successful cybersecurity career – be confident in your established skills, develop additional skills where you may be lacking and earn a few applicable certifications, and you’re on your way to a thriving career in cybersecurity.
Get on the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway today!
