Information Security Jobs in the UK

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As the skills deficit continues in the tech domain and the demand for information security and cybersecurity professionals only increases to match the threat of data breaches; companies like Apple, Google and tech and security agencies are employing more innovative and cryptic tactics to recruit new talent. A stunt which dates back to WWII, cryptic graffiti, job ads hidden within websites and puzzling interview questions are all part of the contemporary game plan to root out the cyber specialists organisations are in desperate need of.

Information security jobs come under a number of distinctions when it comes to job title, with the most popular being one of the following. A network security administrator can expect to be paid an average salary of £45,000-66,000 provided they bring to the table 3-6 years’ experience in an IT function, excellent communication skills and a knack for trouble shooting. The job itself entails the administration and maintenance of the business’s firewalls, the implementation of network security updates, patches and preventative measures as well as managing and updating malware prevention systems.

A systems security administrator can expect an average yearly income of around £50,000 coming from a computer systems and security related background. Someone who works well within a team and is deadline-oriented is the ideal candidate for this type of information security role, whose time will be spent monitoring systems security, responding to security incidents and protecting user accounts. With an average earning potential of £45,000, a network security engineer also comes under the list of information security jobs in the UK, requiring extensive experience with installing, monitoring and maintaining network security solutions. Candidates applying for these roles need to be organised and able to make technical jargon relatable to all areas of the business as they develop and implement ways to correct problem areas identified through analysis of network performance.

A candidate who is proficient in SQL, has acquired a CISSP certification and is comfortable juggling a diverse work load under pressure would make an excellent data security analyst. With median salaries for this information security job ranging between £50,000-55,000, the job is comprised of performing security audits and risk and vulnerability assessments, delving into areas of weakness in the organisation’s security and devising security policies in line with effective threat management.

For those candidates with 5 years or more network security experience, the role of information systems security manager, commanding between £40,000-50,000, could be the ideal route into an information security career. These individuals are highly skilled in interpersonal relations as they take charge of leadership and training for fellow InfoSec professionals as well as influencing key decisions for their organisation and reviewing company-wide security policies with a view to updating those policies where necessary.

Individuals applying to information security jobs in the UK need to be well-informed of current trends and technologies in the area as they will be expected to make educated recommendations to their organisations on how best to advance security, and thus develop security standards and best practices for the company. Whichever title you find yourself taking on within the information security field, much of the job deals with the installation and maintenance of software, network monitoring, investigations into security breaches and understanding the how, why, what and when of attacks in order to identify potential areas of vulnerability.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecast an increase of 18% in information security careers by 2024 as organisations take the measures needed to stay ahead of the developments in corporate technology and thus cybercrime tactics. Employers are looking for candidates with technical prowess in information systems, Linux, cryptography, UNIX and Cisco amongst other hard skills, as well as the necessary transferable skills such as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, collaborative working, problem solving and deductive reasoning. A degree in cybersecurity can elevate those soft skills with the technical expertise sought by employers, with the majority of companies requiring their information security professionals be educated to BA level.

Information security jobs in the UK can be largely sourced within the banking sector, financial services firms, commerce, the public sector, the Big Four and global and boutique security consultancies. In addition, those candidates with specialist expertise in emerging areas like fintech will find themselves able to negotiate higher salaries.

 

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