The Top Cybersecurity Jobs to Watch in 2023 and Beyond

There is a global demand for cyber professionals, and California is leading the charge within the United States for open roles in the cybersecurity industry. Information security is not only a hot discussion topic as our world becomes increasingly interconnected, but it’s also a rapidly growing industry: the cybersecurity market is forecasted to reach $366.1 billion in 2028. 

California boasts the highest employment for Computer and Mathematical occupations and there are currently 77,000 cybersecurity positions unfilled throughout the state. Employers are seeking qualified, well-rounded information security professionals to protect their organizations and sensitive data.

There are a myriad of cybersecurity jobs in the cybersecurity sector requiring varying degrees of experience and specialized skills. Explore the different careers available in the cyber workforce below.

Types of Cybersecurity Teams

It’s important to note that not every company is going to have designated cybersecurity teams, but these general role definitions are good to keep in mind as you explore your career options.

Blue Team

Blue Team specialists are typically tasked with protecting an organization’s sensitive data against outside threats. This role requires an in-depth understanding of the company’s security strategy and protocols in order to better strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.

Conducting risk assessments, analyzing data, and monitoring the security systems are all a part of the Blue Team’s responsibilities. 

Red Team

The Red Team is usually composed of ethical hacking jobs where they’re committed to exposing the vulnerabilities in a company’s security system. They attempt to gain access to sensitive information through a variety of attacks, from social engineering to phishing campaigns.

The Red Team functionally works against the Blue Team in order to expose vulnerabilities in the organization’s network. These teams work together in order to provide multi-faceted security solutions to protect the company’s sensitive information.

Compliance and Risk Management

Data needs to be safeguarded using relevant regulations for cybersecurity best practices. This team ensures the confidentiality of sensitive data within the organization. A major responsibility of professionals on this team includes monitoring, managing, and mitigating risks that could result in a security breach.

The organizational structure will vary by company and industry, but making sense of the general teams can help you map out your future in information security. The image from shellsharks.com below is an excellent example of the immense variety of jobs in the cyber industry and how they connect.

Top Cybersecurity Jobs to Consider In Your Career

There is considerable overlap between role responsibilities and expectations. As with any specialized industry, not all cybersecurity jobs are going to be available at the entry level. However, forming an understanding of the general duties of different cyber roles can help you determine your own path. Below are some of the most in-demand cybersecurity roles in California with their average salary.*

• Application Security Engineer: This role focuses on developing and testing a variety of security measures to prevent threats from malicious third parties.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $115,992
    
• Information Security / Cybersecurity Analyst: Professionals in these roles monitor networks for potential breaches. They enforce defense measures and provide threat analysis on past cyber attacks in order to improve security protocols for a company’s sensitive data.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $101,536
    
• Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester: This job primarily engages in simulated attacks on their networks and systems in order to highlight vulnerabilities. Become an ethical hacker to play a critical role in a company’s cybersecurity defenses.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $122,422
    
• Cloud Security Engineer: This highly specialized role is responsible for the overall design, maintenance, and support of cloud computing software.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $128,540
    
• CS Architect: Professionals in this role design, create, and maintain security systems within a company’s network. They also maintain the computer systems and data within the infrastructure and assess the security of a company’s systems.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $141,210
    
• System Administrator: Typically referred to as SysAdmin, this role focuses on installing and configuring an organization’s network with security protocols. They also create, implement, and monitor security policies that are utilized company-wide.
  • Estimated Salary in California is $92,914

* Salaries vary based on a number of factors, including position, location, experience level, skills, as well as work and personal history.

Resources for Cybersecurity Jobs in California

If you want to learn more about cybersecurity positions that are open in California, here is a sampling of some of the resources available.

• CalCareers.gov is designed specifically for California residents. You can search state careers and set up personalized alerts to be notified when jobs you are interested in are available.
• Employment Development Department of California is another tool designed to provide information about a wide range of careers at the state and local levels in California.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides comprehensive salary and wage data, as well as a general overview of different career paths.
• CSULB Cybersecurity Professional Certificate Program has a dedicated admissions team that you can connect with for free to learn about current job market insights and potential career opportunities.

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