With the world going increasingly digital there are many different cybersecurity jobs to select from. This article helps you narrow your options by describing what’s expected of nine top opportunities.
In today’s world, many people rely on technological devices and the internet, whether for business or pleasure. It’s not surprising that cybersecurity is a growing field. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI), an association of the cybersecurity ecosystem players, reports that the cybersecurity market in India grew at a compound annual growth rate of more than 30 per cent from 2019 to 2023 [1]. The DSCI expects the Indian cybersecurity market to account for 5 per cent of the global market by 2028.
Working in the cybersecurity field also gives you a chance to work in a fast-paced environment where you continually learn and grow. Cybersecurity might be worth considering if you’re already in the world of information technology (IT) or looking to make a career switch.
This article will look at some of the many roles available to cybersecurity professionals.
*The salary information below is the average annual base pay from Glassdoor as of September 2025. These figures do not include additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.
Many cybersecurity professionals enter this niche area after having work experience in the IT environment. Once you have a relevant IT background, you could begin your cybersecurity job with one of these roles.
Average annual salary: ₹5,00,000
Related job titles: Cyber analyst, IT security analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect their organisations from cyberattacks and unauthorised access. In this role, you will likely be expected to:
Monitor networks for security breaches.
Investigate, document, and report security breaches.
Research IT security trends.
Help computer users with security products and procedures.
Develop strategies to help secure the organisation.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+
Average annual salary: ₹4,00,000
Related job titles: Application security tester, Information security tester
As a security tester, you work to keep an organisation a step ahead of threats. Your responsibilities might include:
Designing and implementing IT security systems to protect the organisation's computer networks from cyber attacks.
Monitoring computer networks for security issues
Installing security software
Documenting all security issues or breaches you find
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Average annual salary: ₹6,00,000
Related job titles: Systems engineer, network administrator
Network security engineers design, install, and monitor the layers of cybersecurity at an organisation. You’ll likely need to know about:
Configuring and administering network and security-related hardware and software
Preventing unauthorised access from outside sources
Preparing for security threats and taking action to cut risk
Stress testing networks
Troubleshooting technology
Documenting IT infrastructure
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP)
Average annual salary: ₹ 8,00,000
Related job titles: Internal IT auditor, security auditor
IT auditors evaluate and assess the IT infrastructure for potential security, efficiency, and compliance issues. Some of your regular tasks might include:
Creating plans to audit infrastructure
Performing and documenting audits
Reporting and presenting audit findings with recommendations for ways to cut risk
Developing and installing security fixes
Seeking out opportunities for better efficiency
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Average annual salary: ₹ 10L
Related job titles: Information security consultant, network security consultant, computer security consultant, and database security consultant
Instead of working for just one company, as a consultant, you can work with several different clients. Your work may be more short-term and project-oriented. You may be hired to:
Measure, design, and implement security systems.
Develop security procedures for the organisation.
Collaborate with in-house security teams to respond to unwanted intrusions.
Carry out information security compliance assessments and audits.
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+
Average annual salary: ₹7,00,000
Related job titles: cybersecurity specialist, information security specialist
As an information security specialist, you’ll serve as your company’s go-to person for security. You’ll also:
Ensure data remains secure against unauthorised access and cyber attack.
Test and maintain firewalls and antivirus software.
Develop and lead security training.
Research new security risks.
Suggest improvements for security weaknesses.
Common certifications: (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2 CISSP), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Average annual salary: ₹22.5L
Related job titles: Cybersecurity officer
Security managers oversee the prevention of cyber theft for a business. You might:
Implement security standards
Manage a budget for cybersecurity operations
Hire cybersecurity staff
Communicate with clients about security operations
Prepare the organisation for audits and compliance reporting
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+
Average annual salary: ₹35L
Related job titles: chief security officer, chief security architect
In this job you’re in charge of information security for the organisation. You’re typically responsible for protecting the IT infrastructure but also making sure that employees understand their role in keeping your business compliant and secure. You can expect to play a role in:
Evaluating protocols and developing security and privacy protections
Establishing and maintaining relationships with external IT providers and services
Budgeting for IT needs and tracking return on investment
Auditing organisational technology for vulnerabilities and ensuring ongoing compliance
Devising and documenting business continuity and disaster recovery plans
Liaising with leadership on business resilience and the organisation’s cyber and technology posture
Common certifications: Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)
Average annual salary: ₹5,00,000
Related job titles: white hat hacker, ethical hacker, vulnerability assessor
Ethical hackers have permission to find weaknesses before the malicious actor can do so. Responsibilities can include:
Planning, designing, and carrying out penetration tests
Creating reports on test results and offering recommendations to security decision-makers
Developing scripts to automate parts of the testing process
Conducting social engineering exercises (attempting to get company employees to disclose confidential information)
Providing technical support during incident handling
Common certifications: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
While requirements for cybersecurity jobs vary widely from company to company, you might notice some common trends. Let’s take a closer look at some of the requirements and how you can meet them to get your first cybersecurity job.
Many jobs in security list a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field as a requirement. While degrees are common amongst professionals in the cybersecurity industry, they’re not always required. An (ISC)² survey of 929 cybersecurity hiring managers found that about 90 per cent of security managers consider previous IT work experience or entry-level certifications to be more important than formal education in IT or cybersecurity [2].
Having a bachelor’s or master’s degree can often create more job opportunities, make you a more competitive candidate in the cybersecurity job market, or help you advance in your career.
Having the right skills can go a long way toward securing a job. To start, you may want to develop skills in:
Cloud security
Programming (especially scripting) languages
Encryption
Risk assessment
Intrusion detection
Problem-solving
Analytical thinking
Start building job-ready skills in cybersecurity with the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera. Get hands-on experience with industry tools and examine real-world case studies, all at your own pace. Upon completion, you’ll have a Professional Certificate for your resume and be prepared to explore job titles like security analyst, SOC (security operations center) analyst, and more.
The Data Security Council of India. "Reimagining Security: A New Era Powered by Generative AI, https://www.dsci.in/resource/content/reimagining-security-in-gen-ai-era." Accessed 18 September 2025.
(ISC)². "2025 Cybersecurity Hiring Trends: Why Investing in Entry- and Junior-Level Talent is Key to Building a More Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce, https://www.isc2.org/Insights/2025/06/cybersecurity-hiring-trends-study." Accessed 18 September 2025.
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