Over the last few years, the demand for cyber security experts has increased significantly. A study by the New Responsibility Foundation found that in 2018, as many as 51,000 IT expert positions were unfilled in Germany. This shortage of skilled IT personnel affected not only the private sector but also the public sector.
An IDC study from 2022 found that German organizations are especially facing a shortage of cyber security specialists. The increased demand for these specialists is due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. The study highlights the need for training more security experts and suggests that organizations are looking to improve their cyber preparedness due to the Ukraine conflict.
The most common cyber security challenge cited are:
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Security complexity and a skills shortage
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Concerns around data protection and privacy, network security, integration, and rationalization.
What are future job prospects in Cyber Security?
There are many different types of cyber security-related jobs, however, in the following we’ll introduce you to 5 in-demand cyber security jobs:
A Cyber Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems, networks, and data from cyber-attacks. The primary role of a Cyber Security Analyst is to monitor, detect, and respond to security threats and incidents.
Specific responsibilities of a Cyber Security Analyst include:
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Conducting security assessments and risk analyses to identify potential vulnerabilities in the organization's systems
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Implementing and maintaining security technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software
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Responding to security incidents, including conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and taking appropriate remediation steps
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Developing and updating security policies, procedures, and standards.
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Staying current with the latest cyber security threats and trends, and continuously improving the organization's security posture
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Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, and human resources, to ensure that security policies and procedures are aligned with overall business goals and objectives
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Communicating security risks and incidents to senior management and other stakeholders
The ideal candidate for a Cyber Security Analyst position should have:
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Strong technical background
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Excellent problem-solving skills
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Ability to work well under pressure
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Good understanding of industry-standard security protocols and regulations (such as ISO 27001, NIST, and HIPAA)
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Training in computer science, information technology, or a related field
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Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+
2. Security Engineer:
A Cyber Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure systems and networks to protect an organization's information and resources from cyber threats. The primary role of a Cyber Security Engineer is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization's sensitive data and systems.
Specific responsibilities of a Cyber Security Engineer include:
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Designing and implementing security solutions, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, encryption technologies, and network security architecture
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Conducting security assessments and risk analyses to identify potential vulnerabilities in the organization's systems
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Configuring and maintaining security technologies and systems, including software updates and patches.
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Developing and updating security policies, procedures, and standards
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Staying current with the latest cyber security threats and trends, and continuously improving the organization's security posture
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Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, and human resources, to ensure that security policies and procedures are aligned with overall business goals and objectives
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Communicating security risks and incidents to senior management and other stakeholders
The ideal candidate for a Cyber Security Engineer position should have:
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Strong technical background
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Excellent problem-solving skills
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Ablity to work well under pressure
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Well-versed in the rules and security processes that are considered industry standards (such as ISO 27001, NIST, and HIPAA)
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Training in computer science, information technology, or a related field
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Credentials like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
What’s the difference between a security analyst and security engineer?
Security analysts and security engineers have similar goals of ensuring the security of an organization's computer systems, but their responsibilities differ.
A security analyst focuses on:
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Identifying and responding to security breaches and threats
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Analyzing security risks
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Implementing measures to protect data
A security engineer focuses on:
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Designing and maintaining the security infrastructure
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Implementing security controls
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Designing and testing security systems
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Mitigating security risks
Both require knowledge of security practices and technologies, but the security engineer has more technical skills and expertise.
3. Security Consultant:
A Cyber Security Consultant is responsible for advising organizations on best practices for protecting their systems and data from cyber threats.
The primary role of a Cyber Security Consultant is to assess an organization's current security posture and make recommendations for improvement.
Specific responsibilities of a Cyber Security Consultant include:
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Conducting security assessments and risk analyses to identify potential vulnerabilities in the organization's systems
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Providing expert advice and guidance on cyber security best practices, including policy and procedure development, incident response planning, and security technology implementation.
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Assisting organizations in developing and implementing security strategies that align with their overall business goals and objectives.
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Staying current with the latest cyber security threats and trends, and continuously updating recommendations and advice to clients
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Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, and human resources, to ensure that security policies and procedures are aligned with overall business goals and objectives
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Communicating security risks and incidents to senior management and other stakeholders
To be an ideal candidate for a Cyber Security Consultant role you’ll need:
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A strong technical background
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
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The ability to handle pressure
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Familiarity with industry-standard security processes (such as ISO 27001, NIST, and HIPAA)
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Credentials like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
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Prior experience as a cyber security analyst or engineer
4. Security Manager:
A Cyber Security Manager is responsible for leading an organization's efforts to protect its systems and data from cyber threats. The primary role of a Cyber Security Manager is to oversee the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and technologies that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization's sensitive information.
Specific responsibilities of a Cyber Security Manager include:
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Developing and implementing security strategies that align with the organization's overall business goals and objectives
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Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the cyber security team, including incident response, security assessments, and risk management
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Monitoring and analyzing security data and metrics to identify trends and potential threats
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Staying current with the latest cyber security threats and trends, and continuously improving the organization's security posture
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Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, and human resources, to ensure that security policies and procedures are aligned with overall business goals and objectives
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Communicating security risks and incidents to senior management and other stakeholders
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Managing the budget for cyber security initiatives and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively
For a Cyber Security Manager position the ideal candidate should have:
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A solid technical background
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Outstanding leadership abilities
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The capacity to perform successfully under pressure
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Knowledgeable about the security procedures and guidelines that are regarded as industry standards (such as ISO 27001, NIST, and HIPAA)
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Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
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Prior experience working as a cyber security analyst, engineer, or consultant.
Image description: Over the shoulder of a cyber security professional working.
5. Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester, also known as an Ethical Hacker, is responsible for simulating cyber attacks to identify and evaluate an organization's vulnerabilities. The primary role of a Penetration Tester is to find security weaknesses in the systems, applications, and networks of an organization, and to provide recommendations for improvement.
Specific responsibilities of a Penetration Tester include:
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Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify security weaknesses and potential attack vectors.
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Performing in-depth analysis of systems, applications, and networks to identify potential vulnerabilities.
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Writing detailed reports to document findings and provide recommendations for improvement.
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Communicating security risks and vulnerabilities to senior management and other stakeholders.
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Staying current with the latest cyber threats and attack techniques.
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Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, and human resources, to ensure that security
policies and procedures are aligned with overall business goals and objectives.
The ideal candidate for a Penetration Tester has:
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A strong technical background
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Excellent problem-solving skills
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Ability to work under pressure
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Be proficient in the rules and security processes that are considered industry standards (such as ISO 27001, NIST, and HIPAA)
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Certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) or EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA).
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Experience in programming and scripting languages such as Python, Ruby, or Perl
Starting your Technical Training with a bootcamp:
All in all, it can be said that any type of cyber security positions usually require a certain amount of educational training before being able to land a job. Often, experience in a different cyber security role is a precondition for another one.
However, with a bootcamp in cyber security you can jump start your technical prepration for your first role within the industry. Our cyber security course will enable you to launch your career in cyber security. You will study everything from the fundamentals, to the most modern techniques that businesses are looking for.
If you’d like to know more or if you have further questions about cyber security, or our course content, check out our free online workshops and info sessions, send us a message or contact us on WhatsApp! We’re always happy to help.
