There is just a lot of cybersecurity job titles out there. Moreover, some companies have their definition of what duties a title entails. Meanwhile, other companies require experience and a whole set of skills. These factors leave many employers and job seekers to speak different languages about the same job.
The NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework has attempted to standardized cybersecurity job titles. The thing is, that standardization alone took a 144-page document. Moreover, chances are you haven’t heard of NICE or even the definitions of cybersecurity job titles.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics compressed most of many cybersecurity roles and responsibilities into one title – information security analyst. Its definition is “people who plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.”
This article aims to simplify and categorize these job titles. That way, job seekers will have an easier search. Listed below are some of those categories.
Cybersecurity Leadership Roles
The titles in this category are quite self-explanatory. The most common titles in this category are:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Chief Security Officer (CSO).
These C-level executives are responsible for overseeing the entire cybersecurity of a company.
The title “Security Director” is similar to the roles of CISO and CSO. However, the names and areas of focus may vary depending on the company’s industry and size. For instance, a CISO may have an Information Security Director reporting to them.
C-level executives in cybersecurity come with more responsibility and higher compensation.
Furthermore, leadership roles in the industry are no longer confined to the technical aspect. Hackers’ methods have increased both in number and complexity. Moreover, it’s crucial to align cybersecurity with business objectives. Thus, having well-rounded leaders is more critical than ever.
Effective leaders rapidly respond to threats and influence their fellow senior leaders. From the word itself, leaders in the industry can lead effectively.
Non-Technical Cybersecurity Roles
Meanwhile, it’s also crucial that a company has security policies and programs in place. This is where non-technical cybersecurity job titles come in. Many of these roles are considered GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) roles. Some examples of such roles are:
- Security Auditors
- Cybersecurity Attorneys
- Cyber Insurance Specialists
- Security Awareness Trainers
- Customer Support Representatives
Human error is the main thing attackers depend on. However, many companies assign the wrong departments. That is on the job of instilling the importance of security practices.
For instance, some companies assign finding insurance to the IT department. Or it could be the HR showing a short security protocol video during onboarding. Non-technical cybersecurity roles are also crucial in protecting an organization’s data.
Conclusion
Yet, it’s not just the title that matters. Hiring managers must hire candidates depending if they have the right skill set for the job.
On the other hand, having the wrong title on your job description could hinder you from finding the right candidate. Job seekers often start their job hunt with their titles. Afterward, they will search frequently used titles that closely match their skills.
Meanwhile, some great candidates possessed uncommon titles. Avoid using resume search software as it may miss highly qualified people.
