A cyber security consultant carries out a wide range of roles and responsibilities within the cybersecurity field. They act as both the attacker and the defender in computer systems, networks, and software programs. They oversee what weaknesses in the systems and networks and figuring out how to strengthen systems to avert hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. They also work for different businesses assessing risks, problems, and solutions for security issues. The consultant may work as a physical security consultant or as an Information Technology consultant who works with computers. It is a rewarding role to help people with their security problems and requirements. Security consultants may work for consulting firms or as self-employed contractors, but all of these professionals require basic education and certification requirements to work in their sectors.

Security Consultant Job Description

Risk management is the core of a security consultant’s position. When data breaches seem to occur continually, knocking highly critical information at risk, security consultants are accountable for ensuring that does not happen to their company or client. As extremely computer-focused individuals, security consultants are continuously up-to-date on the newest technology trends.

Security Consultant Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of a security consultant vary depending on the company type and industry they work for, but based on concrete analysis of job listings in the field, these are some common everyday jobs carried out in this role:

Assess Security Solutions:

Security consultants are responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing security solutions to meet their client’s requirements. Consultants also protects highly important and sensitive information and must do so suitably.

Sales:

A security consultant also provides assistance to the sales team to secure new customers. The security consultant will be projected to positively educate budding new customers on the security solutions the company offers.

Research Threat Risks:

In a world where data has become vital, the security consultant assesses potential threat risks constantly and protect the company. Security consultants thoroughly monitor these possible risks across many diverse platforms, including databases, email, and websites.

Reporting:

Those who depend on security consultants to keep their information safe and secure want unvarying updates. The security consultants must report on their efforts on a consistent basis to encourage clients about their information security.

Encryption Management:

The responsibility of a security consultant is to supervise and implement the encryption management tools used by the company. One of the most effective means to keep information safe is to encrypt it, making it impossible for possible hackers to decode it for their own use.

Security Consultant Skills and Qualifications

Security consultants are required to be intensely familiar with risk management tools and how to best utilize them for optimal protection. Characteristically, five to seven years of experience in the cybersecurity field is compulsory, along with a robust grasp of the subsequent skills:

Security Architecture

• Building a company’s complete security structure across multiple platforms
• Should have the technical expertise to create architecture that is suitable for the needs of company

Endpoint Security Skills

Building robust solutions that address these numerous points of risk entry at a rapidly changing pace

Computer Coding

• Must be well-versed in different programming languages

Communication skills

• Engaged in communicating complicated and technical information to internal and external teams
• Strong communications skills are required to meet the exigencies.

Technical Expertise –

• The work of security consultant is extremely technical. They are required to have analytical bent of mind with the capability to discern risks and solutions in multi-layered web systems.

Security Consultant’s Education and Training

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering is required.
• Most companies prefer industry training for security consultants rather than internal training on the job.

Security Consultant Salary and Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics those who are in the security field earn around $96,000 per year on average. The job is growing at forceful speeds.
• Recruitment for security consultants is predictable to grow by 28% through 2026, which is must faster than average.