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With every passing day, the adoption of the internet, as well as online practices is increasing in every sphere. Cybersecurity is witnessing a significant growth trend. According to Markets and Markets, one new business will fall victim to ransomware every 11 seconds by 2022. According to a report by KSN (Kaspersky Security Network), India had a 37 per cent increase in cyber-attacks in the first quarter of 2020.
As per PwC’s report, the Indian cybersecurity market is anticipated to grow from USD 217.9 billion in 2021 to USD 345.4 billion by the year 2026. Now let us take a look at who is a cybersecurity engineer and what is the average salary of a typical cybersecurity engineer in India?
What Is Cybersecurity?
While physical security protects objects and facilities in the real world, cybersecurity protects data and information systems. Cybersecurity is basically a practice to safeguard computers, servers, electronic systems, data, networks, and mobile devices from malware electronic attacks. It is aimed to protect data from malicious logins and codes and is applied in a wide range of contexts, from businesses to cloud computing.
Common Categories of Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is divided into the following segments:
Application Security
Application security mainly aims to focus on finding and fixing vulnerabilities in application codes to make the applications secure.
Network Security
Network security focuses on preventing and protecting corporate networks from intrusions like malware or targeted attackers.
Information Security
Information security protects data integrity as well as privacy during transmission and storage from one device to another.
Operational Security
Operational security comprises the processes and decisions to protect and manage data assets. It also encompasses user permissions for network access and the steps that explain the way data should be stored and transmitted safely.
End-user Education
By failing to follow safe security measures, anyone can unintentionally introduce a cybersecurity hazard such as a virus. End-user education on how to discard questionable emails, avoid plugging in unknown USB drives, and other important lessons are critical for corporate security.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Disaster recovery and business continuity specifies how an organization responds to a cybersecurity incident that results in data loss or a service outage, as well as how it restores its data and operations to the same operational capability as before the incident. Business continuity refers to a company’s plan for operating in the absence of specified resources.
Cyber Security Threats
These below provided threats to cybersecurity exist:
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Cybercrime
It comprises single or group actors targeting systems to cause disruption.
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Cyber Attack
Consists of groups or single players who want to disrupt systems.
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Cyber Terrorism
It aims to cause fear or panic by undermining electronic systems.
Given below are some of the methods used to compromise cybersecurity:
Malware
Malware is a common cyber attack in which hackers use malicious software to damage a user’s computer. Malware is delivered through a seemingly legal download or an unwanted email attachment. They are usually done to gain money, but they can also be done for political reasons. Malware comes in many forms, including Trojans, viruses, ransomware, spyware, botnets, and adware.
SQL Injection
Here, a hacker exploits a vulnerability in data-driven apps to put malicious code into a database using a malicious SQL statement for taking control of the database to steal data.
Denial of Service Attack
Here, a cybercriminal will prevent a computer from fulfilling legitimate requests. The traffic overloads the networks and servers, rendering the system useless. It makes it impossible for a company to manage its core tasks.
Phishing
In phishing, a hacker sends people malicious emails which seem to be a legitimate company to ask for sensitive information like personal data or credit card details. They will then use this information to steal money digitally.
Man in the Middle Attack
A cybercriminal intercepts communication between two individuals in order to steal data in this type of attack.
Cyber Security Frameworks
Cybersecurity frameworks are a set of policies and procedures that companies can adopt for improving and upgrading their cybersecurity strategies. These frameworks are built through various cybersecurity organizations and government departments and act as guidelines for companies to upgrade their cybersecurity. They provide in-depth directions on how to use a five-step cybersecurity process:
- Identify: Check and shortlist vulnerable assets present in an organization
- Protect: Make sure to protect your data and assets
- Detect: Detect breaches and intrusions
- Respond: Respond to breaches
- Recover: Recover the damage to your data, corporate finance, systems, and reputation from the cyber attack
Skills Needed to Become a Cyber Security Professional
Technical expertise, logical thinking and troubleshooting, verbal and written communication, the ability to acquire new technology, and the ability to operate autonomously are all required skills in cybersecurity. Now let us take a closer look at all this skills:
Strong Technical Knowledge
For starters, IT professionals should be familiar with the architecture, administration, and management of operating systems (including various Linux Distributions, Windows, and Virtualization Technologies). To put it another way, get to know and appreciate firewalls and network load balancers. This is in addition to having the knowledge of general programming/software development ideas and software analytics.
Implementation Skills
Any good cybersecurity professional understands how to review a company’s security setup comprehensively, including threat modeling requirements, implementation, testing, and vulnerability assessment. They should also be familiar with operating systems, networking, and virtualization software security challenges.
Management Skills
Cybersecurity professionals also recommend and set the technical direction for managing security issues, as well as ensure the integrity of the process and approach that results. In terms of soft skills, they will have to explain how an attack was carried out to management.
Cyber Security Skill Gap
Apart from the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals, the industry is facing a shortage of talents who can do the job of cyber security analysts. The education institutions have seen the gap and started designing courses like Cybersecurity Bootcamp which will help people in making aware of the importance of cybersecurity. However, it is important for you to go through each and every course and compare them before selecting a particular course.
Despite possessing the world’s largest IT talent pool, India currently lacks experienced cybersecurity experts. Because of the scarcity, businesses are ready to pay a premium amount to cybersecurity specialists. As per some data, the average cyber security engineer’s salary in India is around Rs.8.8 lakhs per annum.
Cyber Security Jobs and Salaries in India
The following are some of the cybersecurity positions with handsome pay packages.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineer position is a critical post in every organization. The individual is given a task to protect the assets of the organization from threats and needs to possess astute technical, organizational and communication skills.
The job responsibilities comprise a focus on quality control within the IT infrastructure such as building, designing and protecting secure, scalable, and advanced systems, helping the company to understand advanced cyber attacks, working on operational data center systems and networks, and assisting while creating robust strategies to prevent the organizational structure. They are also in charge of routers, firewalls, switches, VPNs, and other network monitoring tools.
The average salary of a network security engineer varies between Rs. 4 lakhs per annum to Rs.8 lakhs per annum.
Cyber Security Analyst
A cyber security analyst is also known as a data security analyst, information security analyst, security analyst, and IT security analyst. The individual is mainly responsible for planning, implementing, and upgrading security controls as well as measures. Their job also involves maintaining data, checking security access, and protecting information systems and digital folders against malicious access, destruction, and modification.
A security analyst also works on intrusion detection and prevention systems, manages a network, conducts external and internal security audits, and monitors security breaches to identify the root cause. The individual also defines, maintains and implements corporate security policies and coordinates security plans with external vendors. Apart from this, the security analyst also trains his fellow employees in security procedures by following best security practices to avoid cyber threats.
The annual salary of a cybersecurity analyst starts from Rs.5 to Rs.6 lakhs per annum.
Security Architect
A security architect plays a leading role when it comes to designing the computer as well as network security architecture for an organization. The individual assists in researching, planning, and developing security elements. He also builds designs based on the requirement of the company and then works together with the programming team to create a final structure.
A security analyst is responsible for developing organizational processes and rules outlining how employees should use security systems, as well as for deciding on disciplinary actions in the event of any lapses. Thus, the person should have all the in-depth knowledge of the organization and should be aware of its information and technology needs.
The salary of a security architect ranges between Rs.17 lakhs to Rs.22 lakhs per annum.
Cyber Security Manager
The task of a cybersecurity manager is to create strategies to improve internet and network security related to different projects. This individual is responsible for maintaining security protocols throughout the organization and manages a team of IT workers to ensure excellent data security.
The employee is expected to examine existing security policies on a regular basis and ensure that they are updated to reflect emerging threats. Upskilling through cyber security courses in India might help you advance swiftly as a manager.
Apart from this, the person also goes through regular checks on all routers, servers, switches and different connected devices to confirm that there are no lapses in the security system. Furthermore, the individual is responsible for hiring new employees and is expected to prepare and oversee budgets and procure new security tools and technologies.
The annual salary of a cyber security manager is Rs.12 lakhs per annum.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
CISO is a C-level management executive who oversees the operations of a company’s IT security department and related staff. The person also holds the responsibility to direct and manage operations, budgets and strategies to safeguard the information assets of the company.
To ensure that there are no security breaches, a CISO works with the team to define, build, implement, and manage organization-wide processes. The person is also accountable for responding to incidents and developing suitable controls and standards to reduce security risks while preserving business continuity.
The average salary of a CISO is Rs.23 lakhs per annum.
Ethical Hackers
Ethical hackers are in charge of identifying vulnerabilities and security issues and protecting organizations from malicious hackers. With organizations’ permission, they work to ensure that their hacking activities are legal and legitimate. They also penetrate computer systems and networks to identify and fix computer security vulnerabilities and perform application analysis, reverse engineering, malware analysis, protocol analysis, and debugging.
Some ethical hackers start working after getting IT experience and getting the Certified Ethical Hacker credentials offered by the International Council of E-commerce Consultants.
The salary of an ethical hacker in India ranges between Rs.5 lakhs per annum to Rs.6 lakhs per annum.
What Are the Factors Affecting Cyber Security Engineer Salary in India?
There are various factors through which the salary of a cyber security engineer in India can get affected. However, given below are the key factors that most affect the salaries of cyber security engineers in India:
- Company: The professionals who are recruited in the MNCs and Big Four companies get handsome salaries in India.
- Skills: The salaries of cybersecurity professionals also depend on the skills they possess for which they should undergo the required training programs.
- Experience: Experience also plays a significant role in determining the salary of a cybersecurity expert. An experienced professional will get higher salary packages than a fresher.
- Location: People working in India’s biggest IT hubs like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad tend to get higher salaries and exposure.
Cyber Security Scope in India
With increasing cases of cyber threats, the demand for cyber security professionals is increasing exponentially. In addition, with most people working from home, the importance of network security should be taken as a top priority. The professionals who wish to build their careers in this domain should upskill themselves. A survey predicts that the investment in organizations in cloud security tools is anticipated to reach USD 12.6 billion by 2023.
