When entering the world of cybersecurity, there are many different ways to begin and advance your career. The CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway can be a great resource for determining where you're at. If you want to protect organizations from cyberattacks and threats and follow the right path, then a cybersecurity manager could be your next move.
What is a cybersecurity manager?
A cybersecurity manager is in charge of the overall cyber safety of an organization. This is an advanced-level job role that includes managing a staff of cybersecurity professionals. Here are a few ways a cybersecurity manager supports an organization:
- Leads all facets of day-to-day cybersecurity operations
- Provides subject matter expertise in designing and implementing security safeguards to the cloud, on-premises, endpoint, edge, and mobile infrastructure
- Manages cybersecurity budget and creates metrics to track performance
- Maintains security protocols and policies
- Manages teams and projects
When it comes to project management, the cybersecurity manager determines a cybersecurity department's overall goals and plans. They are also quick-minded when it comes to discovering problems and resolving them efficiently.
How to become a cybersecurity manager
Organizations typically look for someone with around 0–2 years of experience in a job role, such as a cybersecurity analyst, penetration tester, network administrator, IT support specialist, or a related job role. Some job postings seek candidates with 0–5 years of experience. Applicable industry-recognized certifications and training such as CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+), CISM, or CISSP are great ways to stand out. As for education, a high school diploma, vocational training, or a bachelor's degree in a related field is what we usually see in cybersecurity manager job descriptions.
Cybersecurity managers should possess some essential professional skills, including the ability to:
- Anticipate problems, communicate them, and resolve them appropriately
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Manage multiple concurrent objectives or activities and effectively make judgment calls
- Take ownership of issues and responsibility for customer satisfaction and the overall success of services provided
In addition to credentials and important professional skills, a cybersecurity manager should have knowledge and experience in:
- Information security
- Information systems
- Project management
- Linux
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- Risk Management Framework
Presenting a good mix of professional and technical skills is often seen as beneficial when job hunting, as it can help a future cybersecurity manager assess how the organization operates and how to approach protecting the organization from cyberattacks and threats. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ can help you get started. Check out the CompTIA Career Roadmap to see what other certifications can help you become a cybersecurity manager.
In addition to certifications, CompTIA offers a full suite of training products to help you learn the skills you need to become a cybersecurity manager:
- CertMaster Learn: Learn at your pace with interactive lessons and videos.
- CertMaster Labs: Get hands-on practice using real software applications.
- CertMaster Practice: Test your knowledge and find out if you're ready for the exam.
The details
Cybersecurity manager salary range
According to CyberSeek, the median advertised salary for a cybersecurity manager is $138,070. This is measured in accordance with online job openings from January 2022 through December 2022. Although, many factors do influence wages including location, job level, industry sector, employer size, specialty skills, years of experience, and more.
Cybersecurity manager jobs
CyberSeek has collectively stated that there are 22,535 total job openings for a cybersecurity manager measured between a 12-month period as of 2022. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) mentions that a 16% increase in employment is expected based off a 10-year projected growth rate from 2021–2031. Cybersecurity manager positions offer both work-from-home or hybrid opportunities.
Job titles related to cybersecurity manager
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Software developer
- Penetration tester
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Network engineer
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Will your next move be cybersecurity manager? If so, download the exam objectives for CompTIA Security+ to learn more.