Why Cyber Security Careers in Demand? | Certified Ethical Hacker

Top 8 In-Demand Cybersecurity Jobs for 2025

Summary:

The field of cybersecurity is a hard endeavor that offers a wealth of prospects for professional advancement. Gain an understanding of the most desirable careers in the field of cybersecurity, as well as the education and experience requirements for these positions.

Organizations have a lot of work to do in terms of cybersecurity, which is why they want qualified cybersecurity specialists who are able to bring the appropriate combination of skills, knowledge, best practices, and experience to the table in order to safeguard the firm. A number of enterprises are put in jeopardy as a result of the findings of the “2023 Cybersecurity Skills Gap” report published by Fortinet. The report indicated that 56% of companies have difficulty recruiting cybersecurity talent, and 54% have difficulty retaining them.

Because of this issue, there is a vast array of opportunities available to professionals who are proficient in cybersecurity. According to a survey by Fortinet, 83% of business boards have recommended increasing the number of security personnel. This indicates that the demand for cybersecurity professionals who are trained, certified, and skilled is at an all-time high, particularly for the eight specialists that are listed below.

Who are these experts in their field? What kinds of skills do they possess? What does it look like for each of them to have a career in the field of cybersecurity? Just what kind of role is it? Are you able to provide an average wage for each position?

Keep reading to find out about the most in-demand occupations in the field of cybersecurity.

1. Cybersecurity Engineer

Role level: Advanced/ experienced

Role type: Technical

Average salary: ₹7,52,500 per year

A cybersecurity engineer is responsible for the construction of information security (infosec) systems and IT infrastructures, as well as the protection of these systems against cyber assaults and unauthorized access. In addition to developing and enforcing security plans, standards, protocols, and best practices, cybersecurity engineers also construct emergency plans to ensure that everything is back up and running as quickly as possible in the event of a potential catastrophe.

In order to be successful in this profession, proactive thought, planning, and action are essential. It is common for cybersecurity experts to devote a significant amount of their time to the process of discovering system vulnerabilities through penetration testing and determining how to address these flaws before they develop into significant security issues. They may also conduct a study of the organization’s legal, technical, and regulatory areas that have an impact on information technology security and make recommendations for changes to be made in those areas.

Other responsibilities include the following:

Making firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as well as installing them.
It may be necessary to evaluate new security software, hardware, and facilities for installation, or to update existing ones.
Using programs that encrypt documents.

As an additional responsibility, a cybersecurity engineer is responsible for addressing any security issues that have been identified. This may involve the relocation of data or information, or the collaboration with external teams to assist the business in recovering from a data breach.

In order to effectively explain complicated issues to management and to outline the most effective ways to put the most recent security plans and procedures into action, those who fill this function need to possess good communication skills. In the aftermath of an assault, they can also be required to collaborate with law enforcement.

Education and skills

Computer engineering, cybersecurity, information security, or a career that is closely related requires a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Secure coding practices and vulnerability detection.
An analysis of the risks.
Establishing a secure network architecture and design.
Firewall architecture and design.
Investigation of computer systems.
The administration of identities and access.
Technology that utilizes virtualization.
Providing protection against sophisticated, persistent threats, malware, phishing, and social engineering.
Technologies that encrypt data.

Certifications

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+).
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+).
Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP).
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

2. Infosec Analyst/ Cybersecurity Analyst

Role level: Entry-level/midlevel/experienced

Role type: Technical

Average salary: ₹6,40,000 per year

The role of a security analyst is relatively broad and can involve a variety of activities. Some of these obligations include monitoring security best practices, protocols, and procedures making use of the appropriate technologies, as well as ensuring that practices are properly implemented and followed. Reports generated by these tools are analyzed by individuals in this job to proactively discover actions that are odd or anomalous on the network. In addition, they might be in charge of managing credentials and file access, as well as maintaining the firewall and updating the network.

A security analyst who has received adequate training will have a thorough awareness of the various types of cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware attacks, social engineering, and data theft. They will also have a solid understanding of how data is kept and then handled. They may do vulnerability scans and penetration testing, and they may also make recommendations for changes that are pertinent to the improvement of security.

A security operations center is a place where security analysts may be employed by large corporations. The purpose of this center is to particularly monitor, detect, contain, and remediate threats. Security analysts may have a broad range of responsibilities in organizations of a medium or smaller size. These responsibilities may include overseeing everything from security analysis and intrusion detection to the management of firewalls, antivirus software upgrades, and patch updates. Because of their experience in security threats and best practices, it is possible that they will be requested to instruct employees on how to maintain good cybersecurity hygiene.

Education and skills

Bachelor’s degree: computer science, cybersecurity, infosec, or a related field.
Proprietary network management.
Penetration testing.
Security incident triaging.
Risk assessments.
Data encryption.
Firewall design, configuration, deployment, and maintenance.
Certifications
CompTIA Network+.
CompTIA Security+.
CompTIA PenTest+.
CySA+.

3. Network Security Architect

Role level: Advanced/experienced

Role type: Technical and managerial

Average salary: ₹20,25,000 per year

To improve the security strength of enterprise design while simultaneously maintaining network productivity, efficiency, availability, and performance, a network security architect plays a crucial role. In addition to assisting in the training of users and administrators, network security architects are responsible for translating business requirements into functional systems, defining suitable rules and procedures for those systems, and more. In addition to this, they keep a close eye on operational and financial restrictions. Because of this, having skills in people management and management in general is essential for this profession.

Both defensive and offensive measures, such as penetration testing, are implemented by network security architects in order to guarantee continuous security throughout the whole lifecycle of a network. Examples of defensive measures include the setting of a firewall and antivirus software. They are also responsible for monitoring network changes to ensure that the company is exposed to the least amount of danger possible. Additionally, it is anticipated that they will have a comprehensive understanding of the various security tools and methods that are associated with firewalls, penetration testing, and incident response. Additionally, it is necessary for them to be familiar with the networking requirements of computer systems, which encompass routing, switching, and trust domains, in addition to the best practices, technologies, and industry-standard frameworks involved in security.

They carry out studies of the network and the systems in order to determine and choose the control mechanisms that are most suitable for the needed level of security. They are required to have knowledge of a variety of access control systems, including role-based access control, mandated access control, and discretionary access control.

Education and skills

Required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
Preferred: Master’s degree in cybersecurity.
Strategic planning.
ITIL and COBIT IT process models.
Knowledge of TCP/IP networking and networking security.
Open Systems Interconnection 7-layer model.
Intrusion detection systems.
Risk management.
Single sign-on identity management systems.
VPN layers and connections.
Protocol encryption.

Certifications

Basic Networking Training and Certification Course by Craw Security
CompTIA Network+.
ISC2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional.
CISCO CCNA 350-701 Security

4. Security Software Developer

Role level: Midlevel/senior/lead

Role type: Technical

Average salary: ₹24,80,663 per year

An individual who is interested in information security and wants to write code for software would be an ideal candidate for the post of security software developer. A security software developer is someone who builds software and is able to add protection to it in order to “harden” it against potential attacks. This is accomplished by combining technical programming expertise with product development and security analysis competence. These individuals are required to have a current understanding of the threat landscape in order to accomplish this, which is the reason why entry-level positions in this field are almost nonexistent.

It is essential for a security software developer to have the ability to envision the hazards of the future in the present and to take measures to mitigate those threats at an early stage. They should also strike a balance between the speed of the product, its functionality, the user experience, and its security in order to avoid making any unneeded choices or blunders that could be expensive. Developers of security software will generally collaborate with other professionals, such as designers, engineers, and testers. As a result, in addition to having a technical understanding of software architecture, design, and coding, they need also to have good communication and cooperation skills.

With regard to the Internet of Things (IoT) and other developing areas of technology, security software engineers are in high demand and have many options available to them.

Education and skills

All of the following are examples of the education and skills that are typically sought after for midlevel positions:

Bachelor’s degree in software development or software engineering.
Secure coding practices.
Security controls.
Penetration testing is preferred but not always required.

In general, those who are interested in advanced roles require the education and abilities that were described above, in addition to the following:

Project management.
Network security.

Certifications

CompTIA Security+.
CySA+.
CompTIA PenTest+.
CASP+.
Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Certified Information Security Manager.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert.
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate.

5. Penetration Tester/ Ethical Hacker

Role level: Junior/associate/midlevel/senior/lead

Role type: Technical and reporting

Average salary: ₹7,13,500 per year

When it comes to cybersecurity, ethical hackers are the private eyes of the industry. They take on the role of the bad guys in order to gain an understanding of the attackers’ motivations, methods, and threats. The purpose of the penetration testing that they carry out is to identify weaknesses and gaps in the security protocols of web-based applications, operating systems, devices, and networks. In addition to this, they recommend appropriate remedies before malicious actors are able to make use of these vulnerabilities. As part of their proactive job, they are responsible for protecting the information and systems of the organization.

Because they frequently work on projects that are both highly secret and time-sensitive, ethical hackers need to be trustworthy and able to withstand high levels of stress and unpredictability. In addition to this, they should be innovative and extremely organized in order to efficiently record and monitor their own initiatives. To begin, they are required to continually upgrade their knowledge, abilities, and techniques in order to anticipate the activities of cybercriminals. Additionally, they are required to aid in the handling of incidents and forensic investigations in order to enhance the security posture of the company.

There are certain organizations that make a distinction between ethical hackers and penetration testers. Pen testing is one of the duties of an ethical hacker in these companies. In addition to having excellent tactical cyber skills, an ethical hacker also has a comprehensive knowledge of the organization’s vulnerabilities and the approach that is taken to handle vulnerabilities. Some people believe that the two roles can be interchanged with one another.

Education and skills

Bachelor’s degree: infosec or a related field.
Penetration testing methods and tools — e.g., Network Mapper, Wireshark, and Kali.
Knowledge of Python, Golang, Bash, and PowerShell.
OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities.
Social engineering.

Certifications

Ethical Hacking Course by Craw Security
Advanced Penetration Testing Course by Craw Security
PEN-200 Offensive Security Certified Professional or OSCP Certification Training
CompTIA Security+.
CySA+.
CompTIA PenTest+.

6. Application Security Engineer

Role level: Junior/midlevel

Role type: Technical and communication

Average salary: ₹11,50,000 per year

When the software development lifecycles (SDLCs) of the past were in place, security was seen to be something that could be examined and then simply added to the finished software product after the development process was finished. The fact is, however, that corporations are becoming more susceptible to cyber-attacks and data breaches, as we have witnessed. In order to protect themselves from such severe dangers, businesses need to make certain that security is not an afterthought but rather a fundamental component of software programs. In addition, an application security engineer is primarily responsible for this aspect of the company.

At each and every stage of the software development life cycle (SDLC), this professional makes certain that developers adhere to secure coding principles. In addition, they provide assistance to the development team in testing the application against particular security threats and criteria before it is made available to the public.

It is the responsibility of the application security engineer to ensure that the software is designed in a safety-conscious manner. In order to accomplish this, they need to be able to do the following:

Get familiar with the development environments; a significant number of application security engineers have previous experience as coders and programmers.

Gain an understanding of the process of writing code and the construction of software.
Conduct code reviews, in addition to scanning for application vulnerabilities and performing pen testing.
Determine the order of priority for vulnerabilities and assist developers in evaluating and fixing them.
Acquire an understanding of how the application will function in the production environment as well as the potential vulnerabilities it may have in the real world.
Uphold the documentation of technical aspects.

It is the responsibility of an application security engineer to contribute significantly to the enhancement of application security and to guarantee that the end product is capable of successfully functioning within the current threat landscape. It would be ideal if this individual had previous experience with coding. It is possible for them to do their duties despite the fact that they do not possess this background, given that they are able to communicate effectively with the development team and other teams involved in the product engineering pipeline, as well as explain any security concerns that may arise within the context of the application’s code.

Education and skills

Computer science or a field closely connected to it requires a bachelor’s degree.
Familiarity with the encryption methods used in cloud storage and database storage.
A working knowledge of cryptography, web application security, network engineering, security protocols, and systems engineering is preferred. Working experience in software development is also very desirable.
Having a solid conceptual understanding of the software development life cycle (SDLC).
An understanding of the most effective methods for secure coding.
An awareness of both existing and developing dangers to computer security.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities.

Certifications

Web Application Security Course by Craw Security
Mobile Application Security Course by Craw Security
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional.
MCSI-Certified Application Security Engineer.
Certified Application Security Engineer.

7. Malware Analyst

Role level: Midlevel/experienced

Role type: Technical, plus reporting and communication

Average salary: ₹5,00,000 per year

According to the “2023 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report,” ransomware assaults on educational institutions and government agencies increased by 411% and 887% per year, respectively. This indicates that these two sectors were the most popular targets of ransomware attackers.

An increasing number of businesses are falling prey to this threat, which may be explained by the fact that the varieties and capabilities of malware are always evolving. Even more concerning is the fact that a great number of businesses are having trouble keeping up with the new and emerging forms of malware that are difficult to detect and propagate rapidly. This is the reason why there is a surge in demand for malware experts that has never been seen before.

Threats that are associated with malware are identified and investigated by a malware analyst. Additionally, they investigate incidents that have already occurred that are associated with malware. To accomplish the following, their objective is to gain an understanding of the nature of threats and attacks of this kind:

Reverse engineer malicious code.
Understand how an attack was deployed and why it was successful or not.
Develop and refine malware protection tools.
Document suitable methods to avoid malware threats in the future.

It is necessary for malware analysts to combine the expertise of both security experts and programmers since they are expected to grasp both the code and the hazards that malicious software poses. Prior to entering this specialized field, a significant number of malware analyzers first acquired a number of years of expertise in the fields of programming and software development.

Additionally, a skilled malware analyst must possess strong digital forensics abilities, be familiar with the use of debugger tools such as OllyDbg and development environments such as IDA Pro, and be knowledgeable of anti-attack strategies and attack approaches that are on the leading edge of technology. Due to the fact that it is highly improbable that a recent graduate would possess all of these skills and competencies, the majority of malware analysts are experts working in cybersecurity at the mid-senior level.

Education and skills

Bachelor’s degree: computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field.
Experience with programming: C and C++ are the languages of choice since a large number of malware strains are created in these languages.
Python, Perl, and Ruby scripting skills are all a part of your toolkit.
Comprehensive familiarity with many tools, including IDA Pro, OllyDbg, RegShot, WinDbg, Immunity Debugger, and TCP view, among others.
A working knowledge of the Windows Application Programming Interface (API) and the Windows operating system (OS) internals.
Capability to recreate TCP/IP protocols, file formats, and data structures that are of unknown composition.
The ability to communicate with senior leadership and development teams, as well as the ability to create technical reports.

Certifications

Craw Security’s Malware Analyst Certification and Training Course
Craw Security’s Reverse Engineering Certification and Training Course
Certified Ethical Hacker.
Certified Malware Analysis Professional.
Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst.

8. Computer Forensics Analyst/ Digital Forensics Examiner

Role level: Entry-level/midlevel/senior

Role type: Technical, reporting and communication

Average salary: ₹4,50,100 per year.

An individual who specializes in computer forensics, sometimes referred to as a digital forensics examiner, forensic technician, or cyberforensic analyst, is the investigator who is responsible for the investigation of the crime scene in the realm of cybercrime. In the process of analyzing cybercrimes that have been committed against a company and determining how to avoid similar incidents from occurring in the future, this specialist is of tremendous benefit.

As a result of their investigations, computer forensics analysts are able to determine how a threat actor was able to acquire access to the company network and identify the security holes that need to be filled in order to prevent the occurrence of such unauthorized access occurrences in the future. They are also responsible for analyzing digital evidence that was left behind by the attacker, preparing evidence for legal or law enforcement objectives, and providing expert testimony during court procedures when it is required during the processes.

In addition to these essential responsibilities, a computer forensics analyst is responsible for the following tasks:

To identify the person or people responsible for an attack or intrusion on a network, log files are analyzed.
Analysis of file signatures and forensic investigation of file systems are both performed.
The process of collecting and evaluating artifacts of intrusion, which may include source code, malware, or details about the setup of the system.
We are collaborating with the security team to reduce the likelihood of future cybersecurity problems.

Within cybersecurity teams, this is an extremely important function. Additionally, it is necessary to have knowledge of cybersecurity from a technical, criminal, and legal standpoint, which is something that recent graduates often do not currently possess the ability to bring to the table. Because of this, the majority of positions in digital forensics fall within the mid-senior career range. However, there are some private organizations in the private sector as well as some local, state, and federal government agencies that do hire forensics analysts at the entry level. This is the case solely on the condition that the candidate can demonstrate that they possess the necessary set of skills and knowledge.

Education and skills

Computer forensics or a comparable field requires a bachelor’s degree.
TTPs, which stand for tactics, methods, and procedures, require knowledge of anti-forensics.
An understanding of the tools and procedures for data carving, as well as the tools for malware analysis and binary analysis.
An understanding of and familiarity with forensic tool suites, the analysis of anomalous code, the analysis of volatile data, the processing of digital evidence, and the maintenance of evidence integrity are all required.
Have the ability to interpret tool outputs in order to determine TTPs.
It is possible to perform analysis at the bit level and examine memory dumps in order to retrieve information.
It is possible to recognize many methods of obfuscation.
The ability to comprehend the law and the procedures involved in criminal investigations.
Highly developed analytical and communication abilities, in addition to a keen eye for detail.

Certifications

Cyber Forensics Investigation Course by Craw Security
Certified Forensic Computer Examiner.
Certified Computer Examiner.
EC-Council CHFI v11 Certification and Training Course

Wrapping Up

The demand for qualified cybersecurity specialists is on the rise as the frequency of cyber attacks, as well as their breadth and scale, continue to increase. The sector is not only fascinating and satisfying, but it also provides a great deal of prospects for professional advancement, substantial rewards, and the possibility of making a genuine contribution to the organizations and the industry as a whole.