Insurance

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

Jack of all trades... master of none... ABL... Always Be Learning! I love what I do and I love helping people.