How to Get the Best IT Security Salary Package for Yourself
Technology has intertwined our personal and professional lives in ways that were inconceivable only a few decades ago. But it has its own set of pros and cons. According to cybersecurity data statistics, cybercrime has caused $2 trillion in losses so far, and the figure appears to be growing every day. This makes the job of IT security professionals that much more critical for any organization. But is it also lucrative? What does the IT security salary look like? Let’s find out.
What is IT Security?
IT security is the umbrella term for the collective strategies, techniques, solutions, and technologies used to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s data and digital assets.
What Does an IT Security Professional Do?
A professional in this role does the following specialized tasks:
- Configures and installs user-access controls, as well as identity- and access-management systems
- Monitors network and application performance for unusual activities
- Conducts frequent audits to ensure that security measures are in compliance
- Uses endpoint detection and prevention solutions to avoid harmful hacks
- Implements comprehensive vulnerability management solutions for all on-premises and cloud assets
- Sets up a common disaster recovery/business continuity strategy with IT operations
- Works with HR and/or team leaders to teach staff how to spot suspicious behavior
Skills Required to Enter IT
1. Coding Capabilities
The ability to write code is one of the fundamental skill sets that an employer seeks in an IT professional.
2. Communication Skills
Communication skills are necessary for anybody working in IT since professionals in this space frequently need to collaborate across several teams and organizations.
3. Knowledge of Computer Networks
Knowledge networking is an extension of effective communication skills, and is essential for IT employees in both large and small businesses.
4. Operating Systems Knowledge
Understanding how to deal with and repair multiple operating systems is a critical IT skill. Expertise in numerous operating systems might boost your attractiveness to employers who may wish to move to a new system in the future.
IT Security Salary—by Location
The IT security salary in some parts of the world is as follows:
| Location | Salary (in $) per year |
| U.S. | $91,230 |
| U.K. | $178,325 |
| Germany | $66,679 |
| India | $7,965 |
| U.A.E. | $45,737 |
| Singapore | $35,646 |
Note: All salaries are taken from Glassdoor
7 Top IT Security Jobs
| Job Title | Educational Requirement | Skills | Experience | Average Salary (in $ per year) |
| Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and an MBA |
|
Seven to nine years of relevant experience | $188,292 |
| Security Architect | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
More than two years of relevant experience | $155,909 |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
Two to three years of relevant experience | $106,480 |
| Malware Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
At least two years of relevant experience | $78,307 |
| Penetration Tester | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
One to four years of experience in information security | $103,070 |
| Computer Forensic Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
One to two years of experience in the relevant field | $64,202 |
| Cloud Security Specialist | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology |
|
Up to two years of experience in the relevant field | $120,491 |
Top IT Hiring Companies
Let’s take a look at the IT security salary in the U.S. for professionals in top-tier companies.
- Tesla: The average yearly salary for a Tesla security engineer is roughly $154,250, which is 45% more than the national average.
- Google: For a cybersecurity engineer at Google, the average annual salary is $137,755.
- Amazon: A security engineer’s yearly compensation is around $126,770, which is 19% more than the national average.
- Azure: The expected annual salary for a security engineer is $107,747, which is in line with the national average.
- Microsoft: A security analyst at this company can expect around $90,000 annually, in line with the national average.
How to Boost Your IT Salary
1. Upskilling
The more abilities you have at your disposal, the more valuable you are as an employee. Having more certifications is a great way to make a strong argument for a raise. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), etc can help boost your salary. Explore some more cybersecurity courses on Emeritus.
2. Education
A master’s degree might increase your chances of getting that higher paycheck.
3. Gaining More Experience
Gaining experience in the multiple roles that fall within the purview of IT security will help you understand what suits you the best. Moreover, this multiplicity of experience will add heft to your resume, which might be helpful to get you higher pay.
How to Upskill and Reskill With Emeritus
Emeritus offers a wide range of cybersecurity courses that will enhance your skills and help you gain newer ones in the field.
Security specialists with advanced skills are in high demand. With a good IT security salary and growth in the industry, IT is most certainly a lucrative career choice.
Write to us at content@emeritus.org
