Cyber

A Cybersecurity Specialist or Technician is generally an entry-level role for graduates. They work as part of IT teams, dedicated to protecting the integrity of a organisation’s network and data.

Responsibilities may include:

• searching for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software.
• managing, monitoring and responding to attacks
• building firewalls and other infrastructure
• suggesting security measures
• designing strategies and defence systems.

Average wage information applies to 'Specialist' only.

A Cybersecurity Engineer or Consultant helps design and implement programs to keep an organisation’s online activity safe, often focusing on the software used to manage that.

A Cybersecurity Engineer is at the top of their game, with Consultant the mid-career pathway to this role. Cybersecurity threats change quickly, so it goes without saying that a Engineer needs to stay on top of trends and developments in the industry, new information, security protocols, guidelines and procedures.

It is this knowledge that equips them to manage security while building software systems, networks and data centres. Cybersecurity Engineers are often employed by large defence contracting companies or major consulting firms. South Australia is home to a multitude of defence contractors as well as an ever-growing list of global consulting firms, so passionate professionals can expect increasing demand for their skills as they climb the career ladder.

Responsibilities include:

• developing, planning and implementing security measures that ensure the safety of data, systems and networks
• performing threat analysis and penetration testing
• troubleshooting security issues
• managing teams responding to security breaches
• evaluating the organisation’s security needs and communicating cybersecurity protocols and best practice.

While Consultant roles are generally the mid-career pathway to Cyber Security Engineering positions, Consultants may achieve a higher salary than Engineers, due to the temporary nature of consulting work. However, graduate entry-level ‘consultant’ roles are likely to reflect lower salaries around $50,000-$70,000.

A Security Administrator is an advanced career role, and involves advising organisations and guiding their internal security procedures as they relate to information technology infrastructure. A recent report about South Australia’s cybersecurity workforce, indicated this was one of the most in-demand roles in the cyber industry in South Australia – and also the hardest to fill. So, if you have adaptable skills in IT or cybersecurity and you’re looking for career advancement, you might want to consider education or training pathways to this role.

Responsibilities include:

• defending systems against access from unauthorised users
• performing vulnerability and penetration tests
• monitoring for suspicious activity
• configuring and supporting security tools, such as firewalls and antivirus software
• identifying threats and defending against them
• developing security awareness and protocols.

The role of a Penetration Tester – also known as “ethical hacker” – is a popular one in the cybersecurity world. It’s a mid-career role and as the name suggests, they are the ultimate tester of security infrastructure! It is a Penetration Tester’s role to infiltrate a computer system to test for vulnerabilities. While the task of penetration testing is also often part of the responsibilities Cyber Security Engineers and Consultants, third-party Penetration Testers are often brought in to independently test security as they specialise in understanding new hacking techniques and may find vulnerabilities that someone directly involved in the project, had not yet considered.

Responsibilities include:

• performing penetration tests on computer systems and applications
• identifying vulnerabilities through new testing approaches
• assessing systems, servers and networks
• understanding how hackers exploit vulnerabilities and their latest techniques
• searching for weaknesses, including those presented by users
• researching and documenting findings.

A Cybersecurity Architect, also called a Security Architect, protects an organisation’s network systems, including critical data. While similar to the role of Engineers, in that it is one of the most senior roles in the cyber industry, it is often defined more so by the focus on longer-term strategic planning to enhance cybersecurity.

Responsibilities include:

• reviewing the security system and recommending enhancements
• planning and conducting regular tests
• developing project timelines for ongoing system upgrades
• establishing security protocols
• ensuring staff have IT system access that is appropriate to role requirements
• communicating security protocols to other departments.