What do we mean by cyber?
Cyber security is a mindset. It’s about thinking differently. It’s about problem solving. It’s about keeping the lights on, keeping business flowing, and staying safe online.
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security is ensuring the protection of systems, networks and programs for digital attacks. Often referred to as ‘Cyberattacks’, they often attempt to cause system damage, reputational harm, interrupt normal business practice or to extract money from the target.
A career in Cyber security has huge scope and can specialise in one area, be more generalist or be very varied in day-to-day responsibilities.
To find out how your skills could suit a role in Cyber, use the Cyber Security Council Career mapping tool.
There are 16 specialisms in cyber security.
Job roles in cyber security can encompass more than one sector, or be specialist roles.
Cyber Security Generalist
A combination of multiple specialities into one Cyber role.
Cyber Security Management
Managing staff, resources and policies to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the business from harm in the event of a cyber-attack.
Digital Forensics
Investigate and reconstruct the events during or after a cyber-attack.
Incident Response
Preparing for cyber security incidents, handing and following up attacks when they happen. Working to ensure minimum loss and disruption in the event of a breach.
Vulnerability Management
Working to understand the current threat landscape and ensure systems are configured correctly, managed, and protected.
Cyber Threat Intelligence
Maintaining awareness of the current and potential threats to systems, to maximise the businesses situational awareness.
Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detecting
Monitoring systems to detect an intrusion or unauthorized system activity by users or attackers.
Security Testing
Testing the network, system, or a product for vulnerabilities against a set of requirements, often referred to as penetration (pen) testing.
Secure Operations
Managing the organisations information systems operations in accordance with the Security Policies.
Data Protection & Privacy
Ensuring the protection, safe storage and management of any data held by the organisation, to fulfil legal and regulatory requirements.
Cryptography & Communications
Design, development and testing of a system or product to secure communications. Can also include implementation and operation management of the system/product.
Identity and Access Management
Managing policies, protections, and controls to ensure no unauthorised access to the network, system, or any online organisational resources.
Secure System Development
The maintenance, updating and development of a system throughout its lifecycle in accordance with policies, regulations, or legal frameworks.
Secure System Architecture & Design
Designing IT systems from the ground up to be secure, functional, and compliant.
Cyber Security Audit & Assistance:
Verification of systems, adherence to policies and processes to ensure on-going compliance.
Cyber Security Governance
Management of Cyber Security risk assessment, adherence to procedure and policy and management of hazards.
Your Cyber Career Awaits
Explore how to develop your career using these resources...
CYBER SECURITY CAREER PATHWAYS
Find out more about each one of Cyber Security Specialisms on the Cyber Security Council Career Framework.
CYBER SECURITY CAREER MAPPING TOOL
To find out how your skills could suit a role in Cyber, use the Cyber Security Council Career mapping tool.
CYBER TASTER DAYS
Our industry partners will explain a ‘day in the life’ for different cyber career pathways. Come and listen.
Take the Next Step
If you want to take the next step, we offer affordable, bite-size training courses from introductions to cybersecurity through to deep-dive, hands-on upskilling in different technology areas.
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