Security Consultant
What are the responsibilities of a Security Consultant?
Summary
A Security Consultant is like a library where others can take info from. They act as guides, advisors and all rounder when it comes to all security related stuff.
As a security consultant, you will usually be designing and implementing security solutions for a company or organization you work with.
Full Responsibilities
Every company or organization has unique needs when it comes to cyber security. For example a bank may face different threats than a supplements online shop does. Your day to day tasks will vary depending on your organization. But security consultants usually take on the following tasks:
- Get in touch with the heads of departments or staff and determine what the specific security issues are being faced
- Research authentication protocols, security standards and security systems
- Research, plan and design security architectures that are robust in nature for any given IT project
- Send out technical reports and other formal documents on your findings
- Implement, define and maintain any corporate security policies
- Update and upgrade current security systems whenever the need arises
- Find out the best and most efficient ways to protect your networks, computers, data, information and software from a variety of security threats
- Take part in vulnerability testing or perform yourself including assessments and risk analysis for security
- Identify any issues project managers of IT face and prepare cost estimates for solutions
- Using industry standard analysis criteria, perform tests on security solutions
- Provide guidance and technical supervision to IT team
- Immediately respond to any security incident and provide a detailed analysis of the event.
Career Paths
In order to become a security consultant, you will have to gain some experience using intermediate level jobs in the security, some are as follows:
From there on, you can take on the following jobs as an upgrade
IT project Manager
And if you still want to go to a better position, you can go for
Related Jobs
Security Consultants are sometimes also known as :
- Computer Security Consultant
- Database Security Consultant
- Information Security Consultant
- Network Security Consultant
Expected Salary
A security Consultant earns around $81k per year on an average. The minimum starting pay is usually $51,518 per year. The maximum a security consultant has earned in 2016 is $148,044.
Requirements
Education
Security Consultants need to know a lot about IT security. This means most employers will be looking for a candidate having at least a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity or related field like Mathematics/Engineering.
Work Experience
Security Consultants are expected to hold at least 3-5 years of professional experience in different organizations in the security field.
Soft Skills
This is a leadership position, so naturally you will be expected to have exceptional leadership qualities and negotiation skills. Companies sometimes also need a candidate that has excellent oral and written communication skills. This is because in some positions, you are expected to work with a diverse team of IT professionals and you have to talk to clients and colleagues occasionally.
Hard Skills
Technical knowledge is extremely important for a security consultant. You will be expected to have the following skills:
- Firewall and intrusion detection and prevention protocols
- ISO 27001/27002, COBIT and ITIL Frameworks
- Linux, UNIX and Windows Operating systems
- Encryption and application security technologies
- C, C++, C#, JAVA, PHP programming languages
- Web and network related protocols especially TCP/IP. IPSEC, UDP et
- Phishing social engineering, Advanced Persistent Threats (ATP), Network access controllers (NAC), enhanced authentication and gateway anti-malware.
- IDS/IPS vulnerability and penetration testing
- Ethical hacking, secure coding practices and threat modeling
- HIPAA, GLBA, PCI and SOX compliance assessments
- Performance tuning indexes, PLSQL, views and SQL
- Encryption technologies, VPNs, VOIP, DNS and other network routing modules.
Recommended Certifications
As a security consultant, IAPSC membership is the most important for you. Many employers will check if you hold a membership with International Association of Professional Security Consultants.
You can also take on following certifications:
- OSCP: Offensive Security Certified Professional
- CPP: Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
- CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- GIAC Security Certifications
- CSC: Certified Security Consultant
- PSP: Physical Security Professional (PSP)
Jake Ciber
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