Cybersecurity Responsibilities and Job Description

When it comes to network security and protecting a business from vulnerabilities, working with a cybersecurity professional is critical. A security breach can have a lasting impact on an organization. Not only do these types of attacks generally force the affected business offline until the damage can be repaired, but customers and employees must be notified if their sensitive information has been compromised, which can badly damage the organization’s reputation.

We rely on computer networks for virtually every business operation in the modern age, which means effective cybersecurity should be one of any organization’s first priorities to protect themselves and their clients.

In this guide, we’ll explore what you need to know about IT security. Whether you’re a computer scientist who’d like to get a job in the field or a hiring manager wanting to find a professional to provide these services for your organization, knowing the ins and outs of the industry can help you understand how to get started.

What does a cybersecurity specialist do?

Cybersecurity specialists help protect the operating systems that keep a business functioning. They have the training needed to evaluate security solutions, set security policies, and help the business respond to phishing, malware, breaches, and other security incidents. A cybersecurity specialist is a key player in establishing cybersecurity strategies and implementing tactics to achieve those strategic goals.

Read on to learn about the key responsibilities these individuals have, the qualifications these professionals need, and what a job posting will typically look like.

Key responsibilities

A cybersecurity specialist focuses on keeping an organization’s data and systems secure. They may work independently or as part of a cybersecurity team, depending upon the requirements of a particular business. Let’s explore some of a cybersecurity specialist’s key responsibilities:

• Cybersecurity specialists often define who has access to different parts of a system.
• They set up protection for servers, establishing security measures like firewalls and antivirus software.
• They monitor the latest threats in cybersecurity to remain up to date on the best protective strategies.
• When security advancements are called for, they map out plans and implement upgrades.
• They conduct regular audits to pinpoint weaknesses in the cybersecurity posture.
• They evaluate security problems as they arise and develop the best ways to resolve them.
• They maintain and improve technical knowledge through continuing education opportunities.
• Specialists keep their teams up to date on current cybersecurity posture, which helps team members contribute to the overall cybersecurity of a business. For example, teams might provide anti-phishing training.

On a daily basis, the responsibilities of a cybersecurity specialist might vary considerably. While some days might require fast-paced, high-stress tasks like stopping a cybersecurity breach or restoring systems, other days might be slower and involve writing reports, helping people with computer problems, or running routine penetration testing.

Cybersecurity qualifications

Cybersecurity specialists need to have a strong grasp on cybersecurity best practices. This means they’ll have to understand how hackers work, how computer systems function, and how systems can be protected. Education and skills are required to establish this kind of know-how. Below, we’ve outlined some of the qualifications a cybersecurity specialist might need to find a position:

Computer-specific skills

• A cybersecurity specialist should have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject that emphasizes computer system function.
• Experience working in cybersecurity, such as an internship or apprenticeship, is important.
• Expert-level IT skills are a must, including knowledge of networks and data centers, hardware, and software.
• Cybersecurity specialists will need an understanding of hacker strategies to anticipate the moves cybercriminals might make.
• They’ll need training on security software and how to conduct vulnerability assessments.

General skills important on the job

• Cybersecurity specialists will generally need to have a desire for continuing education. The rapid development of technology and the evolving capabilities of cybercriminals means that cybersecurity professionals need to keep their knowledge current to combat these threats.
• They’ll need problem-solving skills. Cybersecurity experts need to find ways to quickly combat problems as they arise and find creative solutions to protect their systems.
• A strong work ethic with excellent attention to detail is essential. Detecting signs of a cyberattack often requires paying attention to the small things. For example, a backup failing to take place on schedule could be caused by an internal error, or it might be caused by a cybercriminal putting a stop to the organization’s offsite backups to launch a ransomware attack in the future. Noticing changes in routine like this can make a difference in how quickly attacks are identified and stopped.

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Skills that will make a cybersecurity professional stand out

If cybersecurity professionals want to stand out, they’ll need extra knowledge and experience. Additional  qualifications such as the ones outlined below can help  cybersecurity specialists excel in their current position or create opportunities for advancement.

Below are additional skills that cybersecurity professionals should nurture if they want to show superior qualifications:

• They’ll need to study computer forensics to learn to track and recover data that’s been stolen.
• Earning a master’s degree in computer science or a related field can set them above the rest.
• Gaining experience as an ethical hacker can make a cybersecurity professional stand out. This kind of skill makes it easier to track hackers and protect systems.
• Knowing cybersecurity best practices across different types of systems and networks is important. This includes networks across mobile devices, cloud networks, and wireless networks.
• If cybersecurity professionals learn languages like Python, SQL, JavaScript, or PHP, they’ll be better equipped to stop hackers and cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity experts should develop their computer skills, practice working effectively within a team, and hone their capacity to notice small changes that can indicate a cybersecurity attack. These skills are likely to make them stand out from other professionals in the field.

Additionally, industry professionals can earn cybersecurity certifications to further demonstrate their qualifications. Being a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), for example, could catch the attention of a potential employer or client.

Let’s talk salaries

Those working as information security analysts or cybersecurity analysts have the potential to earn an above-average salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earn a median salary of $102,600 per year, which is about $5,000 more per year than median salary for all other types of computer occupations. It’s more than double the median salary of all occupations in the country.

Salaries in the cybersecurity industry do vary by field. Those who work in the information, finance, or insurance industries have the highest annual salaries.

It’s important to note that salaries for professionals generally increase as people begin to gain work experience. This means entry-level jobs typically have lower salaries than leadership roles. Glassdoor reports that those just starting out in the field, who have only one to three years of experience, have a median total salary of $75,448.  Meanwhile, those who are well established in the field with 15 years of experience or more have a median total salary of $110,880.

Cybersecurity job description template

If you’re in the process of creating an effective cybersecurity job description, you’ll want to clearly spell out the responsibilities you’ll expect your applicants to take on and the qualifications you want them to have. You should also include information on what they can expect from you in terms of salary and benefits.

Here, we’ll walk you through the key elements of an effective description and provide you with a template you can use to create your own.

Job title

First, you need to provide a name for the position you’re hiring for. This name should reflect the position’s responsibilities accurately and provide information about how the position fits into your internal hierarchy. If you have a larger cybersecurity team, note if this role will be a supervisory position or if it will answer to others on the cybersecurity team.

Create your cybersecurity job summary

Next, write a job description that outlines the responsibilities. Include details such as the type of systems the professional can expect to work with. Note whether they’ll work independently, as a part of a team, or in connection with third-party providers who support the business’s security. The summary might provide an overview of a typical day on the job. Some daily responsibilities might include providing cybersecurity training, testing, and system management.

You might also want to provide the hours the professional can expect to work. Include your expectations for on-call service. For example, if you expect your cybersecurity professional to work after hours or weekend hours in the event of a cyberattack, make this clear. If you have a cybersecurity team that rotates availability for emergencies, laying out these expectations can be helpful. You should also define whether the job is a short-term project or full-time employment.

Create a bulleted list of cybersecurity responsibilities

It’s a great idea to create a detailed, bulleted list of tasks you expect your cybersecurity professional to manage. You’ll list their responsibilities with regard to your network and data centers, information technology management, maintaining your IT infrastructure, training non-security personnel on required security protocol, and implementing system protection. Your list might have items similar to the following:

• Developing security strategies to protect internal networks and data centers
• Developing and implementing an incident response plan to enact in the event of a cyber attack
• Researching and advising on security IT infrastructure
• Monitoring systems and networks for cybersecurity attacks
• Implementing protective measures for business systems
• Researching the latest cybersecurity strategies to stay updated

List your required and preferred credentials

In the next section, create a list of required qualifications and experience you want your applicants to have. You might specify information about your networks or data centers and the security systems already in place to make sure your applicants have experience in those areas. If you’re looking for a professional who can take on a more senior role, you might also list specific certifications you want your applicant to have.

Salary and benefits

Finally, let your applicants know what you have to offer in terms of salary and benefits. Listing a salary range can help prevent serious misalignment between applicants and your business. You can also note the benefits offered, such as company days off and vacation and sick time.

Putting it all together

A template is a great way to help you organize the responsibilities, expectations, and benefits you’d like to present in your job description. Use the template below to bring all your information together.

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Keep your company’s data safe with professional support

The average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million, with even higher cost in the healthcare industry. Businesses today need to make sure they fully protect their systems and data to avoid an event like this. A cybersecurity plan not only helps an organization stay online by preventing downtime from a cyber attack, but it also protects company reputation, customer information, and even employee data.

Freelance cybersecurity professionals are dedicated to helping businesses protect their networks and systems, which means they can help establish the protective protocols needed.

If you’re ready to get started finding the right freelance cybersecurity professional for your company, look for one now on Upwork. With Upwork’s Talent Marketplace™, you can create a job posting that outlines exactly what you need from a professional. You’ll receive bids and find the specialist that can do the best work for you. You can also browse available talent based on qualifications, reviewing profiles and past experience to find the security professional you’d like to work with.

Don’t leave your business unprotected. See what you can do with a qualified cybersecurity professional.

If you want to grow in your own cybersecurity career, becoming a freelancer on Upwork can be a great way to find clients. As the world’s largest freelance marketplace, Upwork offers you a great place to read job openings, create a profile to highlight your work experience, and place bids to find the opportunities you’re looking for.