Types of cybersecurity jobs: From entry-level to senior-level

Did you hear that one in six cybersecurity jobs in Canada go unfilled? The need for cybersecurity experts is rising as new threats emerge. Still, due to many reasons, including skill shortages, these roles are not being filled, and businesses and consumers are suffering the consequences.

In April 2024, drug store giant London Drugs experienced a cyberattack that forced them to close all their Western Canada stores. This highlights the growing concern and impact of cyber attacks among businesses and the general public. In 2021, over one-fifth of Canadian businesses reported a cybersecurity incident. As businesses feel increasingly threatened by the potential for attacks, they’re taking action: 60% designated at least one employee to cybersecurity and 38% use Cybersecurity Consultants.

In Canada, we need over 25,000 more cybersecurity professionals in various roles, from technical to non-technical, as well as managerial and leadership roles. With the proper knowledge and soft skills, you could have a fruitful cybersecurity career and make a difference in companies' security worldwide. You don’t even need direct experience to get started. Many of your transferrable soft skills can be a good start, as long as you have passion and a drive to succeed.

This article explores the vast landscape of cybersecurity careers to understand the in-demand roles, responsibilities, and skills needed. Get our expert insights into how you can align your interests and skills with the right cybersecurity role.

What are the most in-demand skills across various cybersecurity jobs today

Cybersecurity jobs require in-depth technical knowledge and relevant soft skills. Kiley Williams, Co-Founder and Security Architect at Ranedrop Corporation, says the most in-demand skills needed in cybersecurity today include:

• Software architecture: In software security roles, you must understand commonly used software architecture and its flaws or vulnerabilities. This includes understanding computer operating systems, patching, deployment, vulnerabilities, and how to protect these systems.
• Hardware architecture: Understanding how physical hardware is manufactured and used can help you mitigate hacking of compromised physical devices (such as phones and tech with microchips). An understanding of electrical and computer engineering can also be beneficial.
• Cryptography (signal intelligence): Cryptography is about understanding secure communications. It may involve the coding or decoding of encrypted files and content (such as passwords and user information in a database).
• Protecting people: Know best practices to help individuals protect themselves and their physical devices. You may be asked to use “social engineering” principles to help team members secure their work devices and be aware of typical phishing schemes and scams to trick them into compromising their information security or devices.
  

You can learn many of these technical skills and essential soft skills in a post-secondary education program or technology bootcamps. Enrolling in post-secondary education programs for computer sciences, software engineering, electrical or computer engineering, math, and social psychology can also help you gain a broader understanding of the tech and cyber ecosystems.

Discover how our Cybersecurity Bootcamp curriculum aligns with your skillset and career aspiration. Get a closer look at the program designed to set you up for success in the cybersecurity field.

What are the different types of cybersecurity roles?

Whether you are new to IT and cybersecurity or have some cybersecurity experience already, there are many in-demand cybersecurity jobs waiting for you.

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts (sometimes known as information security analysts or systems security analysts), play an essential role in protecting an organization's computer systems and data. In this role, you can expect to spend your days designing and implementing firewalls and other digital security software systems to protect data and network systems across an organization.

This is a popular entry-level job for a career in cybersecurity or other IT fields (as are these 5 other jobs). As an entry-level position, you’re often part of a larger team of mid- to senior-level cybersecurity experts from whom you can learn.

While you will likely learn much on the job, having some IT and cybersecurity education will help. If this is a jumping-off point to your cybersecurity career, learn as much as possible to discover which cybersecurity subset interests you most. Upskilling programs can support this educational and career path.

Cybersecurity Analyst career information Seniority: Entry-level Average salary: $63 - 90k per year Career outlook: Moderate to good throughout Canada

In this role, you may be responsible for:

• Monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security incidents
• Documenting processes and incidents
• Keeping company security systems and software up-to-date
• Staying up to date on cyber defence trends, analysis, and reporting.

To become a Cybersecurity Analyst, you may require any or all of the following:

• A bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science.
• A cybersecurity certificate or digital diploma (such as our Cybersecurity Bootcamp)
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical thinking skills
• Risk management skills
• Threat intelligence knowledge
• Knowledge of IT frameworks, programming languages, and operating systems
• Experience with network and systems security

Incident Responder

When an active breach is detected, an Incident Responder helps identify the attacker, mitigate damages, and eradicate the threat as the operation occurs. It’s like being a first responder: you get called to action when a threat or active danger is detected. This can be a high-stress job as you must jump in quickly during an attack and thwart it as soon as possible. Good Incident Responders can minimize the damaging impacts on your company's data and systems.

This role is often combined with a Cybersecurity Analyst role. It includes entry-level positions and more mid-level roles depending on the responsibilities assigned, your education, and related experience. Having up-to-date expertise in a wide range of cybersecurity tools and software (including endpoint security, cloud-based software, cyber forensics, data management and storage) will be beneficial.

Incident Responder career information Seniority: Entry- to mid-level Average salary: $66 - 101K per year Career outlook: Good throughout Canada

In this role, you may be responsible for:

• Cyber threat analysis
• Performing forensic collections and tracking
• Assessing threats and impacts
• Analyzing system logs
• Liaising with legal or law enforcement to explain details when needed

To become an Incident Responder, you may require any or all of the following:

• A bachelor's or master’s degree in information technology or computer science
• A cybersecurity certificate or digital diploma (such as our Cybersecurity Bootcamp)
• General security certifications like CISSP or CISM
• Current skills in the latest technology and tools for cybersecurity
• Incident-response specific training and experience
• Cyber tradecraft training
• The ability to stay calm under pressure
• Good analytical skills for post-attack reporting and analysis
• Up-to-date knowledge of cybersecurity and hack trends

Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester

Ethical Hackers or Penetration Testers are responsible for assessing potential cybersecurity risks and actively “testing” systems by hacking them to identify vulnerabilities or gaps in security.

Ethical Hackers or Penetration Testers can range from entry-level to senior-level positions. For example, an entry-level Penetration Tester may rely on software and vulnerability scanning tools to print reports. More senior roles in the ethical hacking space may require a highly skilled (senior) person to attempt attacks on the system to search for weaknesses.

Most Ethical Hackers or Penetration Testers roles will be hired for in-house roles. You could also get hired to work at a cybersecurity consultancy, where you’d do this work for multiple companies through an agency-style model.

Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester career information Seniority: Entry- to senior-level Average salary: $74 - 114K per year Career outlook: expected to grow by 28% by 2026

In these roles, you may be responsible for:

• Identifying weaknesses in digital infrastructure
• Mitigating risks using ethical hacking
• Perform regular penetration tests on the systems
• Reporting findings and recommendations to secure a company’s systems and data
• Upgrading and maintaining security tools and software

To become an Ethical Hacker or Penetration Tester, you may require any or all of the following:

• A bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science
• A cybersecurity certificate or digital diploma (such as a Cybersecurity Bootcamp)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification
• Advanced knowledge of network security systems, tools, and techniques
• Good troubleshooting skills
• Up-to-date knowledge of hacking techniques and cyber threats

Cybersecurity Consultant

As a Cybersecurity Consultant, you will help identify security issues, assess risks, and implement security solutions. This is the perfect opportunity for a cybersecurity professional late in their career who enjoys examining cybersecurity holistically to create customized solutions for an organization.

This work is more hands-off than that of other cybersecurity professionals. It’s primarily a strategy and reporting role, where you don’t necessarily need to implement tasks or day-to-day operations (such as penetration testing or incident response). If you enter this field early in your cybersecurity career, you may specialize in a particular area of cybersecurity, such as device configuration, and work with a team of others with complementary specializations.

Ethical Hacker and Cybersecurity Consultant career information Seniority: Mid- to senior-level Average salary: $72 - 104K per year Career outlook: Positive. The cybersecurity market is expected to grow 10.99% CAGR by 2029

In this role, you may be responsible for:

• Creating efficient security systems to safeguard against cyber attacks
• Checking security using vulnerability or penetration testing
• Continual research on the latest cyber attacks, threats and trends
• Delivering (proactive) strategy reports and (reactive) technical incident reports

To become a Cybersecurity Consultant, you may require any or all of the following:

• A bachelor's or master’s degree in information technology or computer science
• A cybersecurity certificate or digital diploma (such as a Cybersecurity Bootcamp)
• Entrepreneurial and business skills (if running your own consulting business)
• In-depth knowledge of current hacking trends and threats
• Understanding of penetration testing
• Deep knowledge of operating systems, cybersecurity tools, and software
• Ability to look at big picture and small details
• Good problem-solving skills

Security Architect

If you’re good at seeing the big picture of digital systems, a career as a Security Architect may be right for you. A Security Architect is responsible for creating a company’s vision for their digital security systems. They usually provide cybersecurity guidance to other IT team members and help respond to security data breaches as needed.

This role requires regular upskilling to ensure you consider all new threats and risks as they evolve. This may include reading the latest information about cyber threats or working with internal or third-party Ethical Hackers to continually test systems for vulnerabilities.

Due to the need for this job to look at a company’s cybersecurity holistically, it is ideally suited for someone mid- to senior-level in their cybersecurity career, as they’ve amassed the technical and hands-on knowledge and experience needed.

Security Architect career information Seniority: Mid- to senior-level Average salary: $104 - 135K per year Career outlook: Very good to moderate throughout Canada

In this role, you may be responsible for:

• Assessing cybersecurity threats and risks
• Designing a security network and system
• Maintaining security networks
• Managing budgets and project plans (for more senior-level roles)
• Improving systems based on security incidents, new potential threats, or new vulnerabilities

To become a Security Architect, you may require any or all of the following:

• A bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science
• A cybersecurity certificate or digital diploma (such as a Cybersecurity Bootcamp)
• Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification
• A CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
• Advanced knowledge of network security systems, tools, and techniques
• Leadership and teamwork skills
• Risk management skills
• Data analysis and analytical experience

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

In this leadership role, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for strategic planning and policy development for an organization's cybersecurity. This role is ideally suited for someone with extensive experience in cybersecurity and technology and strong business acumen.

Due to the seniority of this information security role, you’ll be expected to have good people-management skills and the ability to deeply understand your team’s ability and experience. This will allow you to strategically position them to best defend your network’s security. Your salary will often be proportional to experience and education.

Chief Information Security Officer career information Seniority: Senior-level Average salary: $72 - 118K per year Career outlook: Positive. The Cybersecurity market is expected to grow 10.99% CAGR by 2029

In this role, you may be responsible for:

• Overseeing a larger IT or cybersecurity team
• Implementing cybersecurity standards, policies, and procedures
• Responding to security incidents
• Managing cybersecurity technologies and tools
• Building a security-minded and risk-based culture to protect the organization
• Reporting and information-related compliance (i.e., compliance to achieve ISO/IEC 27001 certification).

To become a CISO, you may require any or all of the following:

• A diploma, bachelor's or master’s degree in information technology, cybersecurity, or computer science
• Past work as a security analyst or network administrator is beneficial
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or Certified
• Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Experience in leadership positions and managing teams
• Strong understanding of business processes and technology
• Up-to-date knowledge of digital security issues
• Experience implementing security planning to meet larger business objectives
• Proven leadership and people-management skills
• The ability to act cool and calm under pressure

Jumpstart your journey into the dynamic field of cybersecurity with our intensive Bootcamp, designed to equip you with the skills for a wide range of roles.

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Emerging cybersecurity professionals: Roles for the future

As the world of digital technology and digital reliance grows, so does the need for more qualified cybersecurity professionals in new, emerging roles. In the past decade, we’ve observed how cybersecurity roles have become more proactive in mitigating damage and negative press.

In the next decade, we expect much of the same, with the addition of increased demand for several emerging cybersecurity roles:

AI Security Specialist

As an AI Security Specialist, you’ll bridge the gap between “traditional” cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. As our world’s use of AI evolves, we’re already seeing more cybersecurity tools use AI to help cybersecurity professionals optimize their workflows and automate tasks.

In the role, you’ll use AI and machine learning tools as part of your larger cybersecurity best practices and strategy. AI can help:

• Continually scan and identify vulnerabilities in computer systems
• Scan multiple sources of information to detect abnormal behaviour
• Report active hacks in real time
• Support software patch management
• Support scaling of your technology and digital footprint and systems

Even with AI supporting these tasks, the human element will always be needed to verify the data from a human lens to determine its efficacy and risk.

IoT Security Specialist

We already see the vulnerabilities that connected devices can have on network security. Without a secure strategy to protect connected devices (the Internet of Things or IoT), you introduce a new avenue for hackers to access your computer systems.

IoT Security Specialists are cybersecurity professionals who are IOT technology and security experts. You’ll need in-depth knowledge and experience with:

• IoT architecture
• Connected devices attacks
• Related threats and risks
• Penetration testing methods for connected devices
• Cryptography in IoT
• Mobile and web application development and security
• Experience with technology and best practices to secure these devices for an entire organization

Cybersecurity Educators

As the need for cybersecurity experts increases, so will the need for experienced educators to upskill and reskill in this space. These educators will need practical, hands-on experience in the cybersecurity area they teach.

If you’re looking for a rewarding career in bootcamp-style cybersecurity education, check out the open roles at Lighthouse Labs.

Building a career in cybersecurity

A crucial part of a successful cybersecurity career is continuous education to stay on top of the latest industry trends. Compensation for cybersecurity roles varies widely based on who you work for, your practical experience and skills, and your educational background.

Here are five steps in your cybersecurity career path that will help you build a successful career:

• Get formalized IT-related education. Enroll in certificate or diploma programs to get a foundational education in information technology, such as a diploma or bachelor's degree in computer sciences. If you can, choose electives in cybersecurity topics.
  
• Expand your knowledge with cyber-focused education. Take cyber-specific courses or bootcamps to expand your knowledge in this area. Lighthouse Labs Cybersecurity Bootcamp is 12 or 30 weeks. Bootcamps provide the immersive education you need to land a rewarding job in cybersecurity.
• Get an entry-level job: Get an entry-level job as a Cybersecurity Analyst or Incident Responder, for example. Look for jobs at organizations with mentorship or upskilling programs to learn as much as you can in these early-career jobs. Lighthouse Labs’ Career Services helps students land a job with top companies after graduating.
• Consider higher educational opportunities and certification: With additional formal education (such as a master's degree) and cybersecurity certifications, you can earn a higher salary and more senior roles. Once you know what area of cybersecurity you want to specialize in, look for applicable programs and courses.
• Keep skills up-to-date: As the cyber world evolves, so will your skills and knowledge. Invest in regular skills upgrading through bootcamps and workshops. Subscribe to cybersecurity publications such as Cyber Magazine or Cyber Defence Magazine.

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Williams stresses the importance of the ongoing learning process for this industry.

“Continuous education is crucial in cybersecurity due to the rapidly evolving nature of technology and threats, which can quickly render existing knowledge obsolete“ he says.

“Certifications are equally important, as they not only fulfill compliance requirements for certain roles but also provide essential hands-on experience and training. Striking a balance between acquiring certifications and applying practical skills to add value to a business is key.”

You should also develop your core soft skills to increase your value to a potential employer.

Soft skills common in cybersecurity include:

• Problem-solving
• Troubleshooting
• Public speaking
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Communication
• Curiosity
• Adaptability
• Ability to stay calm under pressure

One of the key soft skills Michaela Clouston, Manager of Enterprise Security Education, Financial Crimes Unit at BMO, especially looks for is curiosity. “[Curiosity is something] I think that can be brought out in an interview,” she says. “What have you really done outside of [your job]? Are you getting certifications or trying to research [the industry] outside of your day-to-day?”

How Lighthouse Labs prepares you for cybersecurity roles

Lighthouse Labs’ Cybersecurity Bootcamps prepare you for jobs as a Security Analyst, Incident Responder or Handler, and Security Researcher, to name a few. You choose between a 12-week immersive, full-time Bootcamp or a flexible, part-time 30-week Bootcamp. You’ll earn your diploma with real-world experience and knowledge, including the soft skills you need to launch a rewarding career in cybersecurity.

No coding education or experience is required to apply! We’ll teach you what you need to know.

Are you ready to explore how a career in cybersecurity aligns with your skills and interests? Chat with one of our knowledgeable Learning Advisors today.