12 Types of Cybersecurity Roles (With Duties and Salaries)

Cybersecurity professionals specialize in protecting networks, systems and software from cyberattacks. They ensure private information and data is secure within the system. If you're interested in joining the cybersecurity industry, learning about some of the positions you can pursue may be beneficial.

In this article, we explain what cybersecurity is and list 12 types of cybersecurity jobs you can pursue, including the salaries and job duties for each position.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the process of keeping technological systems safe from outside forces. Successful cybersecurity efforts can protect sensitive information and allow organizations and businesses to build trust with their customers. Any organization that uses technology and regularly collects information uses some form of cybersecurity to keep that information safe.

Related: Working in Cybersecurity: Definition, Careers and Skills

12 types of cybersecurity roles

Here are 12 types of cybersecurity roles you can pursue. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.

1. Computer forensic analyst

National average salary: $46,146 per year

Primary duties: A computer forensic analyst is a professional who assesses devices and systems and finds methods for recovering data. They can learn more about the people who owned the devices and gather information. A computer forensic analyst often helps to gather the information that the police can use during criminal investigations focused on cybercrime.

2. IT security specialist

National average salary: $57,787 per year

Primary duties: An information technology security specialist works with a team of IT professionals to develop strategies for protecting devices and systems within an organization from cyberattacks. The IT security specialist may assess the system and identify areas in which the team can strengthen it. IT specialists may also perform mock cyberattacks to learn more about how current security strategies can protect systems and information.

Read more: Learn About Being an IT Specialist

3. Security manager

National average salary: $64,000 per year

Primary duties: A security manager is a leader who oversees security measures within an organization. Security managers with a focus on cybersecurity manage IT teams and develop strategies for cybersecurity efforts. They may also write rules and regulations regarding cybersecurity decisions.

4. Security engineer

National average salary: $76,009 per year

Primary duties: Security engineers are technical professionals with developed understandings of computer networking and operating systems. They focus on implementing important security measures across an organization. The security engineer may troubleshoot new security measures. They often coordinate the response to breaches in security and help the IT team develop solutions for avoiding those breaches in the future.

5. Security consultant

National average salary: $76,019 per year

Primary duties: Security consultants are highly knowledgeable security professionals who help organizations identify ways in which they can improve their security measures. The security consultant can examine the current security system and help leaders understand where they don't function well and how to improve them. Consultants may suggest specific security systems or products depending on the organization's needs.

6. Director of security

National average salary: $79,486 per year

Primary duties: The director of security leads both information technology staff and managers of security. The director of security role for cybersecurity is often present in larger companies that dedicate bigger teams of professionals to maintaining systems security. The director provides leadership and guidance, creates and implements regulations and communicates with company executives about security situations.

7. Security administrator

National average salary: $82,375 per year

Primary duties: A security administrator, or security manager, is someone who manages security solutions. They may help organize information and efforts and create plans for implementing new security measures. The administrator can also develop training documents to help educate team members about new cybersecurity policies and procedures. Administrators for security may focus on helping others adhere to security policies and managing situations in which they don't.

8. Information security analyst

National average salary: $84,821 per year

Primary duties: An information security analyst gathers and assesses data to learn more about an organization's security profile. They can also collaborate with other security and information technology professionals to implement security measures and assess their performance. For example, an information security analyst may help implement a firewall within the system to protect important information.

Read more: Learn About Being an Information Security Analyst

9. Security specialist

National average salary: $90,913 per year

Primary duties: A security specialist, or cybersecurity specialist, is a professional who dedicates their time to monitoring the company or organization's current security measures and potential breaches. They can respond to cyberattacks in real time by using security measures to repel attacks and keep information safe. A security specialist may make minor changes to systems to improve the overall security.

10. Chief information officer

National average salary: $108,753 per year

Primary duties: Chief information officers are the highest position within a company that focuses on the information within a company or organization's systems. The chief of information provides guidance and leadership to specialists and managers within their department by creating regulations for security procedures. The chief information officer also considers data and aligns the company's technical strategy with its overall goals.

11. Network security engineer

National average salary: $109,639 per year

Primary duties: A network security engineer focuses on how devices and computers connect to one another using the internet. Network security engineers help implement security measures that apply to connections to the network and how a computer protects its information over the internet. Many cyberattacks can occur through the network an organization uses, so it's important that the network security engineer monitors potential breaches and implements strategies for protecting access and information within the business.

12. Machine learning engineer

National average salary: $128,031 per year

Primary duties: A machine learning engineer designs, creates and implements algorithms for artificial intelligence. Machine learning engineers who focus on cybersecurity can focus on algorithms that can best identify and protect against cybersecurity attacks. The algorithms they create can gather information and use it to make cybersecurity decisions.