Cybersecurity careers & salaries: From ethical hacker to architect

An organization’s best defense against online attacks and data theft is its team of cybersecurity professionals. Protecting an organization’s systems and networks from unauthorized access and malicious activity is central to cybersecurity. 

A set of protocols, such as managed detection and response (MDR) services, allow cybersecurity personnel to take action against cyber-attacks.

While smaller organizations often outsource their cybersecurity needs to contractors, larger companies typically have dedicated staff with specific and specialized responsibilities in cybersecurity.

Whether you’re looking for a job with a dedicated cybersecurity firm that serves multiple client businesses or a role within a specific company’s cybersecurity department, the eight titles below represent some of the most common career paths in this growing field. 

Compensation varies quite a bit between roles, but in general, cybersecurity professionals often earn between $90,000 and $360,000 annually.