Cyber Security Consulting? All You Need To Know.

One thing about the cybersecurity sector is that there are now a variety of jobs available.

There are chief information security officers, cyber security architects, cybersecurity administrators, cybersecurity analysts, and cybersecurity engineers.

Cybersecurity consulting firms are thriving and ensuring the safety of client’s digital assets and networks. Few people are familiar with what exactly cybersecurity consultants do.

Well, they are the professionals who work independently for one or more organizations, contracting their skills to various clients before moving ahead to the next one.

The skills of a cybersecurity consultant are essential as they guarantee the complete safety of an organization’s networks and digital assets. However, establishing a cybersecurity consulting service requires a lot of time and dedication.

This article explains the basics of cybersecurity consulting and the steps you may follow to start a career as a cybersecurity consultant.

Along with career prospects, we also look at cybersecurity consultant services’ compensation averages and growth expectations. Let’s engage!

What Is Cybersecurity Consulting?

Cybersecurity consulting is undertaking the responsibility of being responsible for locating issues, analyzing security concerns, estimating risk, and putting forward solutions to counterattacks on a company’s computer networks and computer systems.

In a technological environment that is continually evolving, they assess security systems and develop layers of defence.

Cybersecurity consultants safeguard their clients’ digital assets and networks. They accomplish this through security assessments, risk appraisals, the creation of security guidelines, and quick responses to intrusions.

Information security consultants, network security consultants, and database security consultants are other names for these cybersecurity consultants. The sectors they service include government, manufacturing, communications, healthcare, e-commerce, and finance.

In-house cybersecurity consulting services are a possibility. However, some choose to work alone or through cybersecurity consulting firms with a range of clientele.

To fight against threats to businesses’ networks and computer systems, cybersecurity consultants analyze vulnerabilities, assess security concerns, evaluate risk, and execute solutions.

When assessing security systems and creating layers of protection in an IT environment that is rapidly evolving, they must consider a wide range of factors.

Cybersecurity dangers like phishing, ransomware, and hacking have grown in sophistication and scope along with technology.

According to Cisco’s Annual Internet Report, the total number of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks—attacks on servers that block user access, for example—is anticipated to reach 15.4 million by this year, nearly double the 7.9 million attacks occurred in 2018. 

This could be a fascinating career if you like the intersection of technology and problem-solving. 

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What Do Cybersecurity Consultants Do?

Cybersecurity consultants also referred to as security consultants, are frequently used by organizations to assess information technology (IT) networks, find vulnerabilities, and reduce risks. Risk mitigation, detection, and reaction are the main concerns of cybersecurity consultants. 

They can work individually and as employees of cybersecurity consulting firms. The prospective clientele of a cybersecurity consultant can include, among many others, financial institutions, colleges or universities, insurance firms, banks, and governments.

Depending on the position, a job’s concentration can range from engineering to customer service to senior leadership. Cybersecurity specialists could concentrate on customer support or device configuration early in their careers.

Setting corporate information security plans is more likely to be done by those with professional degrees and years of professional experience.

The following are the typical responsibilities of cybersecurity consultants: 

• Determine the most effective defences against potential intrusions and cyberattacks for devices, networks, software, data, and entire information systems.
• Inquire with employees and department supervisors about specific security challenges and problems.
• Plan, investigate, and create a security architecture for any IT project.
• Deliver technical reports and white papers with all test results.
• Provide the internal security staff with expert oversight and direction.
• Create, put into effect, and uphold a suitable corporate security policy for the client’s company.
• Any security-related occurrences should be responded to right away, and afterward, a full post-event study should be given.
• Continually review and upgrade the client’s security systems as necessary.
• Perform vulnerability testing, including risk analysis and security assessments, precisely as a white hat hacker would.
• Research the most recent authentication procedures, security standards, and systems.

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Skills Essential to Work as a Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity jobs require both technical and soft skills competency. The hard and soft qualities that IT security consultants should possess are:

Technical Skills

• knowledge of industry standards and cyberspace in depth
• knowing about ethical hacking
• proficiency with coding languages like shell scripting, JavaScript, HTML, Python, Golang, etc
• understanding of Windows, UNIX, and Linux operating systems
• working knowledge of firewalls, load balancers, proxies, and security monitoring tools
• knowledge of IT infrastructure and architecture
• Cryptography

Soft Skills

• Organizational and drafting abilities
• Communication
• critically analyzing
• expertise in time management
• leadership talent
• Adaptability
• Teamwork

A skilled cybersecurity specialist can effectively connect with both IT-related teams and non-technical individuals.

The cybersecurity consultant should have some leadership qualities, because it is your responsibility to put new policies and processes into place.

Finally, someone actively in cybersecurity consulting must be a skilled negotiator who can communicate effectively with people at various levels of the company hierarchy.

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Salary and Outlook for Cybersecurity Consultants

The average cybersecurity consultant makes nearly $88,000 annually, according to Payscale. This average compensation is 52% above the overall national average wage for all employees.

Over the past ten years, there has been a sharp growth in demand for cybersecurity professionals. The sector’s unemployment rate fell to 0% in 2016, and it has been there ever since.

In addition, a recent prediction by Cybersecurity Ventures indicated that by 2025, 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs would be available. These numbers show that cybersecurity consultants have a promising work outlook.

The ideal way to increase your income while also exposing yourself to a variety of unusual cases and tasks is through freelancing.

Businesses are continuously searching for independent cybersecurity consulting services to set up their services and get the IT ready for continuing administration.

Finding the best gigs at the best prices is made possible by using FE to connect and engage with them in the most interesting way possible.

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How Do I Start Cybersecurity Consulting Services?

There are very essential steps to take before you set out into cybersecurity consulting services. We’ve listed some of them for you in this section.

#1. Acquire a Degree

According to Burning Glass Institute, candidates are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in 44% of job postings for computer support specialists, including cybersecurity consultants.

A bachelor’s degree can be earned in cybersecurity or a related field like computer science or information technology.

Your chances of getting a more senior position can also be improved by earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity or digital forensics.

Having said that, many cybersecurity jobs no longer require a college degree. Traditional degrees do have alternatives. For instance, immersive cybersecurity boot camps can help aspiring network security consultants get into the industry.

#2. Acquire Experience

It takes time to develop a solid reputation as a cybersecurity consultant who is into active cybersecurity consulting services. You must gain extensive expertise in the field of cybersecurity or work with reputable cybersecurity consulting firms before you are qualified to serve as a security consultant.

It’s time to submit an application for an entry-level cybersecurity job after graduating from college or finishing a boot camp. You can start in the following junior positions.

• IT auditor
• Penetration tester
• Incident responder
• Analyst for information security
• Examiner of digital Forensics

Your understanding of cyber protection as well as your interpersonal abilities can be improved with 3 to 5 years of experience in any of the aforementioned professions. You can move up to administrative positions after honing these abilities.

#3. Get certification

Industry certifications or certifications from outstanding cybersecurity consulting firms can validate your competence as a professional and provide you a leg up when it comes to employment. They may also boost your chances for financial gain.

The Certified Information Security Manager®, CISSP, and CISA are common certifications among seasoned network security experts. Other professional qualifications, such as the Certified Security Consultant title, are only open to consultants.

The CSC certification displays your breadth of expertise and integrity as a security consultant, according to the International Association of Professional Security Consultants. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an authorized institution to be eligible. Alternatively, candidates might have four years of cybersecurity expertise and CISSP certification.

#4. Job Applications

There are numerous avenues via which cybersecurity consultants might locate lucrative opportunities. You can apply as soon as a new position for cybersecurity consulting services is posted by setting up job alerts on LinkedIn.

You may also notice when organizations are hiring for security consulting opportunities by visiting their websites. A lot of firms post job openings on employment boards.

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What Advantages Do a Career in Cybersecurity Offer?

There are many prospects for growth and development in the cybersecurity sector, which is a rising one. Although it has the potential to be financially rewarding, the industry also carries a great deal of responsibility.

It is the responsibility of cybersecurity experts to defend against attacks from hackers, viruses, and other online hazards. These experts frequently collaborate with other IT specialists, including software developers or programmers, in teams.

Here are just a few of the many advantages of choosing this professional path:

• The potential to change the world by defending individuals and organizations from online threats.
• The chance to acquire new field-related abilities and information.
• A chance to work on-site or remotely.

Entry, Mid, and Advanced Level jobs in Cybersecurity

A rising sector of the economy, cybersecurity requires qualified workers to fill entry-, mid-, and advanced-level positions. The demand for cybersecurity positions is predicted to increase by 18% over the following five years.

Safeguarding computer networks and data from unwanted access, use, or destruction is the focus of the cybersecurity field.

Professionals in cybersecurity come in a wide range of specialties and skill sets. Only a high school diploma or GED equivalent and some on-the-job training are needed for entry-level cybersecurity work. 

An associate’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline, one year of professional experience, plus a few specialized education courses are needed for mid-level roles.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline, three years of expertise, and specialized education courses are necessary for advanced-level roles.

Top Cybersecurity Consultant Jobs

#1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

An organization’s entire information security is ensured by a senior-level professional known as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

In addition to interacting with stakeholders and informing them of the issues with information security, CISOs are in charge of creating and maintaining programs for information security and risk management.

A CISO is typically someone who has excelled in many different cybersecurity-related positions.

#2. Security Architect

Strong security mechanisms that are utilized to thwart malware attacks must be designed by a security architect. They carry out vulnerability assessments and aid the other security team members technically. 

#3. Cybersecurity Engineer

Engineers that specialize in cyber security create security methods to protect a company from cyberattacks.

They are in charge of safeguarding the organization’s data and network infrastructure. To preserve overall security, they work with the other teams to build cybersecurity platforms. 

#4. Analyst for computer forensics 

In cyberattack situations, computer forensics analysts collect digital evidence and retrieve data. They focus on restoring data that has been altered, erased, or stolen.

 #5. Engineer for application security

The person who creates, executes, and maintains the security of an organization’s applications is an application security engineer. They are in charge of creating and carrying out regulations that will safeguard against both internal and external dangers.

An application security engineer’s normal day begins with a review of the previous day’s findings and the correction of any flaws or vulnerabilities. They will then work with other engineers to organize the work for the next day.

#6. Cloud Security Specialist

Cloud security experts are in great demand and will continue to be so as a result of the rising reliance on the cloud.

A cloud security specialist’s job is to defend networks, systems, and data from cyber-attacks.

They accomplish this by identifying risks and weak spots, putting safety measures in place, keeping an eye out for incursions on networks, and checking legal compliance.

#7. Administrator of databases

The individual who oversees and manages the database is known as the database administrator.

They are in charge of planning, building, and upkeep of the database. Additionally, database managers must guarantee the safety and security of the data stored in the database.

Any organization’s ability to operate smoothly depends on its database administrators. They are in charge of ensuring the databases are operating effectively and safely. 

 #8. Incident Manager

A person who manages and resolves events is known as an incident manager. When an event occurs, they are the ones that are called in to remedy it.

The ability to manage various scenarios is the most crucial requirement for this position.

Best Cybersecurity Consulting Firms

The market for cybersecurity technology has grown tremendously, as have the number of solutions that are now offered, in response to the rising demand for strong security defense.

We offer our suggestions for the top cybersecurity consulting firms in the world based on their innovation, revenue, and progress, user reviews, product characteristics and advantages, analyst reports, independent security testing, and use cases. This will help you navigate this expanding market.

#1. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks (PANW), which has consistently scored highly in demanding independent security tests, whether in the domain of next-generation firewalls (NGFW), endpoint detection and response (EDR), or any other, is at the top of our list, and for a very good reason.

#2. Fortinet

Fortinet excels in network security, but it also has power in other important security domains like SIEM and EDR.

Unsurprisingly, Fortinet has used its experience in networking to establish itself as a leader in related sectors like SD-WAN.

#3. Cisco

Another enduring favorite on this list is Cisco (CSCO). The industry leader in networking has expanded into related industries, such as network security, using its market supremacy.

Faster than the corporation as a whole, Cisco’s $4 billion security division is expanding arobustrong 9% rate. 

#4. ZScaler

Zscaler’s comprehensive cloud security platform places the San Jose-based business well-positioned for significant upcoming trends like zero trust, edge security, and secure access service edge (SASE), with $1.53 billion in planned sales this year and an ongoing projected growth rate of 53%. 

#5. IBM

Even though it may not be the success story it once was, IBM still commands respect in numerous IT sectors, including security, because of its impressive R&D skills. 

Read More: 10 Best Cybersecurity Consulting Firms in the World

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This article’s information on cybersecurity consulting is accurate and will give you a great head start right now.

The field of cybersecurity is highly lucrative and will provide you the chance to tackle both straightforward and intricate network and digital issues while also giving your clients general safety.

References

• Forbes.com – How To Become A Cybersecurity Consultant
• Coursera.com – What Is Cybersecurity Consulting
• Simplelearn.com – Cybersecurity Consultant: Overview and Career Path
• Onlinedegrees.und.edu – Cybersecurity: Job Description and Salary
• Fieldengineer.com – Cybersecurity Job Consultant  Description and Certification

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