Top 9 Highest Paying Cyber Security Jobs in India [A Complete Report] | upGrad blog (2024)

Have you noticed how the need for cybersecurity has skyrocketed in recent years? It’s amazing to see how various industries are now investing more than ever before in cybersecurity products and services to protect their valuable data. Notably, a recent research study by Ponemon Institute and IBM Security revealed that the global average cost of data breaches is a staggering $3.86 million.

These figures indicate the growing awareness among organizations and individuals about safeguarding their valuable assets and sensitive data. Drawing from my experience, I’ve provided a concise overview of career prospects and the requisite skill set in this domain, shedding light on the lucrative opportunities that top-tier cybersecurity jobs in India offer.

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Read:Career in Cyber Security

What is the role of cyber security?

From my perspective as an expert in the field, the role of cybersecurity is crucial in safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information. In today’s technology-driven world, it is indispensable in protecting organizations, individuals, and governments from cyber threats and attacks.

Cybersecurity involves many responsibilities, including identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security measures, monitoring potential threats, and responding swiftly to incidents. It requires a deep understanding of evolving cyber threats, security technologies, and risk management.

One of cybersecurity’s primary goals is to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It involves network security, endpoint protection, encryption, and user awareness training.

Moreover, cybersecurity professionals are tasked with staying ahead of cybercriminals by continuously adapting and enhancing security measures. They play a critical role in maintaining the trust and integrity of digital systems, which is paramount in today’s interconnected world.

Highest Paying Jobs in Cyber Security

1. Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts work alongside other IT professionals to keep a tab on the organization’s security measures and controls. They plan, implement, and upgrade solutions by performing the following tasks:

• Identifying vulnerabilities in the security infrastructure before it is compromised
• Monitoring the systems through internal and external audits
• Conducting tests, risk analyses, and security assessments

Therefore, companies hire security analysts to mitigate cyber attacks and breaches, proving detrimental to the financial health and brand image. Since these professionals have a sound grasp of the security procedures and best practices, they keep the company protected from future intrusions and lapses. In India, you can make a yearly salary of Rs 6 lakh as a full-time security analyst.

Cybersecurity Analysts are also known as Information Security Analysts. They protect an organization’s servers and networks. They plan, assess, and employ security strategies to avoid security breaches. They ascertain that an organization’s digital assets are protected.

They discern whether any weakness prevails in information systems. Subsequently, they develop solutions and strategies to solve these vulnerabilities. They install encryption and software, analyze suspicious activity, research IT trends, and instruct employees about security. They defend against and recover the network against cyberattacks. Many of the best companies for cyber security jobs in India look for these qualities when they hire a cybersecurity analyst.

You may be confused about how to start a career in cybersecurity and become a cybersecurity analyst. The following points can help you:

• Pursue a program or course in cybersecurity to learn the fundamentals.
• Learn the fundamentals of programming languages like C, C++, Python, JavaScript, SQL, and PHP.
• Develop the relevant technical skills required for this job role. For example, you need to learn web application and system administration, ethical hacking, and penetration testing.
• Get a cybersecurity certificate like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or CompTIA Security+.
• Research cutting-edge strategies and technologies to avoid cyberattacks.

Many of the best companies for cyber security jobs in India prioritise hiring a cybersecurity analyst who obtained at least one relevant cybersecurity certificate.

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Cybersecurity Analysts are also known as Information Security Analysts. They protect an organization’s servers and networks. They plan, assess, and employ security strategies to avoid security breaches. They ascertain that an organization’s digital assets are protected.

They discern whether any weakness prevails in information systems. Subsequently, they develop solutions and strategies to solve these vulnerabilities. They install encryption and software, analyze suspicious activity, research IT trends, and instruct employees about security. They defend against and recover the network against cyberattacks. Many of the best companies for cyber security jobs in India look for these qualities when they hire a cybersecurity analyst.

You may be confused about how to start a career in cybersecurity and become a cybersecurity analyst. The following points can help you:

• Pursue a program or course in cybersecurity to learn the fundamentals.
• Learn the fundamentals of programming languages like C, C++, Python, JavaScript, SQL, and PHP.
• Develop the relevant technical skills required for this job role. For example, you need to learn web application and system administration, ethical hacking, and penetration testing.
• Get a cybersecurity certificate like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or CompTIA Security+.
• Research cutting-edge strategies and technologies to avoid cyberattacks.

Many of the best companies for cyber security jobs in India prioritise hiring a cybersecurity analyst who obtained at least one relevant cybersecurity certificate.

2. Information Security Manager

Information security managers are instrumental in detecting loopholes in information systems that make them more susceptible to attacks. They look for potential areas of cyber threats within the company’s data, computers, and networks. Their primary duty is to guarantee that the data doesn’t get stolen and the systems/networks are not hacked.

Businesses can end up paying hefty sums as damages and fines if they fail to protect sensitive customer information or violate data protection laws. Therefore, it makes sense for large corporations to employ information security managers and avoid such scenarios. The average pay associated with this position in India ranges from Rs 15 lakh per annum to Rs 16.5 lakh p.a.

Information security managers are responsible for designing and executing security systems that defend a company or organization’s computer networks against cyberattacks. They help the organization set security standards.

Some of the top companies for cyber security jobs in India expect that an information security manager does the following:

• Assess an organization’s security measures
• Analyze reports created by the monitoring system
• Supervise data recovery in emergencies
• Supervise security violation investigations
• Manage backup, and security systems

Information security managers are responsible for designing and executing security systems that defend a company or organization’s computer networks against cyberattacks. They help the organization set security standards.

Some of the top companies for cyber security jobs in India expect that an information security manager does the following:

• Assess an organization’s security measures
• Analyze reports created by the monitoring system
• Supervise data recovery in emergencies
• Supervise security violation investigations
• Manage backup, and security systems

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3. Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers are tasked with creating and executing secure network solutions. Security engineering functions are integral to strengthening technology initiatives and taking them to the next level. Due to the stark demand-supply gap in the required workforce capabilities, companies value the in-depth knowledge and experience these IT practitioners bring to the table.

On average, a cybersecurity analyst in India is paid between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 11 lakh p.a. Also, top tech firms in the United States routinely hire well-trained candidates for this engineering occupation and offer them competitive remuneration. Hence, this role joins the bandwagon of the highest salary cyber security jobs in India and the world.

Cybersecurity Engineers design security measures to protect the organization against a cyberattack. They protect the organization’s data and networks. They are also tasked with developing and executing advanced solutions to protect the system against malware, ransomware, and hacking.

Cybersecurity Engineers design security measures to protect the organization against a cyberattack. They protect the organization’s data and networks. They are also tasked with developing and executing advanced solutions to protect the system against malware, ransomware, and hacking.

Plenty of top companies for cyber security jobs in India look for the following qualifications when hiring a Cybersecurity Engineer:

• Degree in computer science or information technology.
• Two years of work experience in cybersecurity.
• Networking skills
• Knowledge of C, C++, Python, and Java
• Cyber Security Engineer Certifications

Plenty of top companies for cyber security jobs in India look for the following qualifications when hiring a Cybersecurity Engineer:

• Degree in computer science or information technology.
• Two years of work experience in cybersecurity.
• Networking skills
• Knowledge of C, C++, Python, and Java
• Cyber Security Engineer Certifications

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4. Security Architect

Security architects are involved in the research and planning of security elements for their company. They also play a crucial role in need-based designing and work with the programming team to create the final structure. Their responsibilities extend beyond the architecture building stage and include preparing company policies, procedures, and user guides.

Security Architects are responsible for creating security structures to avoid malware attacks. They carry out vulnerability tests. They can begin their cybersecurity career through a degree in IT or computer science and gain some work experience in the risk management sector. Some of their tasks are similar to those assigned in security engineer jobs.

Their roles and responsibilities vary based on the organization’s size, the industry, and the existing state of the organization’s security infrastructure.

Security Architects usually perform these tasks:

• Designing and modernizing security strategy
• Creating a budget for the latest security software or hardware
• Handling security improvement projects
• Administering security testing strategy, penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning
• Handling a cybersecurity team
• Performing regular threat analysis to keep the system updated on the prevailing security landscape
• Guaranteeing compliance with related laws and rules

Security Architects are expected to possess the following skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of Network hardware configuration
• Knowledge of cryptography and security protocols
• Problem-solving and analytical skills

Security architects in India make a handsome sum of Rs 17 lakh a year on average.

Security Architects are responsible for creating security structures to avoid malware attacks. They carry out vulnerability tests. They can begin their cybersecurity career through a degree in IT or computer science and gain some work experience in the risk management sector. Some of their tasks are similar to those assigned in security engineer jobs.

Their roles and responsibilities vary based on the organization’s size, the industry, and the existing state of the organization’s security infrastructure.

Security Architects usually perform these tasks:

• Designing and modernizing security strategy
• Creating a budget for the latest security software or hardware
• Handling security improvement projects
• Administering security testing strategy, penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning
• Handling a cybersecurity team
• Performing regular threat analysis to keep the system updated on the prevailing security landscape
• Guaranteeing compliance with related laws and rules

Security Architects are expected to possess the following skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of Network hardware configuration
• Knowledge of cryptography and security protocols
• Problem-solving and analytical skills

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5. Application Security Engineer

Application security engineers look after the stability of an organization’s internal and external applications. For example, a company using Azure or AWS would benefit from their expertise in dealing with the privacy and compliance aspects.

Any enterprise looking to integrate such software into their day-to-day operations or build their applications would want to hire these cybersecurity professionals. All in all, application security engineers prevent attackers from disrupting the integrity of the entire app infrastructure.

Application security engineers guarantee that all steps of SLDC (software development lifecycle) follow security best practices. They are accountable for abiding by secure coding principles. They need to help the team when testing an application against security risks before release.

They are technical experts in the areas like the design of application security systems and technical analysis. They are well-versed in problem-solving and analytical skills. If you are confused about what is the highest paying job in cyber security? then one of its answers can be Application Security Engineer.

Some of the key responsibilities of Application security engineers:

• To ensure the security of the company’s data, applications, and networks
• To ensure that the organization’s services and applications are secured and employed with the best security practices.
• To provide technical guidance to the application security team.
• To manage the application security program and define relevant standards, procedures, and policies
• To be able to collaboratively work with senior management in multiple departments
• To coordinate with engineering teams to execute and maintain integrated applications.
• To be able to effectively work in a dynamic project-oriented environment
• To prioritize and execute tasks
• To deal with sensitive and personal information

Application security engineers guarantee that all steps of SLDC (software development lifecycle) follow security best practices. They are accountable for abiding by secure coding principles. They need to help the team when testing an application against security risks before release.

They are technical experts in the areas like the design of application security systems and technical analysis. They are well-versed in problem-solving and analytical skills. If you are confused about what is the highest paying job in cyber security? then one of its answers can be Application Security Engineer.

Some of the key responsibilities of Application security engineers:

• To ensure the security of the company’s data, applications, and networks
• To ensure that the organization’s services and applications are secured and employed with the best security practices.
• To provide technical guidance to the application security team.
• To manage the application security program and define relevant standards, procedures, and policies
• To be able to collaboratively work with senior management in multiple departments
• To coordinate with engineering teams to execute and maintain integrated applications.
• To be able to effectively work in a dynamic project-oriented environment
• To prioritize and execute tasks
• To deal with sensitive and personal information

The expected salary for this position in India stands at Rs 9 lakh p.a.

Also Read: Cyber Security Salary in India

6. Network Security Engineer

This role is quite similar to cybersecurity engineers, except that it entails securing the multifaceted components of computer networks. As a network security engineer, your job is to perform the following activities:

• Maintain security systems, LAN, WAN, and server architecture.
• Monitor firewalls, email security, virtual networks, web protocols, programs, etc.
• Find system vulnerabilities and improve automation.

Modern businesses know that attaining the full safety of computer networks is a tricky game. Therefore, network security engineers’ knowledge and experience are highly valuable in addressing any potential security lapses.

Network security engineers protect your network against prevailing bugs and future cyber threats. Their prime focus is on network security but their job is multifaceted. They deal with various IT-related tasks.

They recognize and work on the security gaps in a network. Moreover, they prepare policies to protect network infrastructure during a cyberattack. They also help the organization with swift disaster recovery.

The network security engineer jobs involve the following responsibilities:

• To maintain WAN, LAN, and server architecture.
• To create virus detection programs.
• To examine security breach alerts.
• To develop tracking scripts for system vulnerabilities.
• To ensure regular maintenance of firewalls.
• To maintain email security, firewalls, virtual private networks, etc.
• To ensure maintenance of email and web security protocols.
• To resolve any security or vulnerability issues that might arise.
• To track, record, and supervise any security issues.
• To ensure periodic testing of the organization’s systems and network from the security viewpoint
• To stay updated with the recent threats in the cybersecurity field to guide the organization about systems’ upgradation.

Network security engineers protect your network against prevailing bugs and future cyber threats. Their prime focus is on network security but their job is multifaceted. They deal with various IT-related tasks.

They recognize and work on the security gaps in a network. Moreover, they prepare policies to protect network infrastructure during a cyberattack. They also help the organization with swift disaster recovery.

The network security engineer jobs involve the following responsibilities:

• To maintain WAN, LAN, and server architecture.
• To create virus detection programs.
• To examine security breach alerts.
• To develop tracking scripts for system vulnerabilities.
• To ensure regular maintenance of firewalls.
• To maintain email security, firewalls, virtual private networks, etc.
• To ensure maintenance of email and web security protocols.
• To resolve any security or vulnerability issues that might arise.
• To track, record, and supervise any security issues.
• To ensure periodic testing of the organization’s systems and network from the security viewpoint
• To stay updated with the recent threats in the cybersecurity field to guide the organization about systems’ upgradation.

This position’s starting annual salary is estimated to be between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 8 lakh, varying based on the organization, location, qualifications, and seniority.

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7. Ethical Hackers

Ethical hackers or Penetration Testers bring in their intuitive knowledge and skills to reveal hackers’ logic. Their tasks are critical to cybersecurity as they test and pick apart the vulnerabilities across systems, applications, and networks. Such security tests may be conducted daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Hiring ethical hackers can also prove useful in staying on top of the latest hacking strategies. And the insider information can help protect businesses from high-level cybercrimes and attacks.

Freshers with 0-3 years of experience can make Rs 3.5 lakh per annum in an ethical hacking role. Certified professionals with significant industry experience can earn as high as Rs 15 lakh a year.

8. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Rounding up this list of the highest paying cyber security jobs in India is the CISO designation. These senior executives lead strategies to increase network, internet, and data security within the company.

They also review project managers and team members’ work to uphold the highest standards of security protocols. In other words, the Chief Information Security Officer is responsible for protecting the technologies and assets by establishing the enterprise vision, strategy, and programs.

The average total compensation of a standard CISO role in India would be around Rs 30 lakh a year.

Chief information security officers (CISO) look after a company’s data and information security. This CISO has recently adopted a more extensive role in their workplaces. Primarily, they deal with cybersecurity and computer security.

They are also responsible for business continuity management and disaster recovery. They should possess technical knowledge and business insights. One of the answers to this question – what is the highest paying job in cyber security? is CISO.

Their key responsibilities include:

• To perform real-time analysis of immediate threats.
• To keep up with emerging security threats and inform the company about them.
• To ascertain that all information security processes operate smoothly.
• To make sure organizational data is not stolen or misused.
• To perform identity and access management.
• To provide Information technology controls for economic and other systems.
• To look after information privacy, information risk management, information security, information assurance, and Information security operations center (ISOC).

Chief information security officers (CISO) look after a company’s data and information security. This CISO has recently adopted a more extensive role in their workplaces. Primarily, they deal with cybersecurity and computer security.

They are also responsible for business continuity management and disaster recovery. They should possess technical knowledge and business insights. One of the answers to this question – what is the highest paying job in cyber security? is CISO.

Their key responsibilities include:

• To perform real-time analysis of immediate threats.
• To keep up with emerging security threats and inform the company about them.
• To ascertain that all information security processes operate smoothly.
• To make sure organizational data is not stolen or misused.
• To perform identity and access management.
• To provide Information technology controls for economic and other systems.
• To look after information privacy, information risk management, information security, information assurance, and Information security operations center (ISOC).

9. Incident Manager

Incident management is concerned with determining the appropriate resources and proficiencies for resolving specific security incidents in an IT organization. Incident managers are tasked with forming teams when something goes wrong, and they take full ownership of the results.

So, it is a C-suite role that requires superior leadership aptitude and problem-solving abilities. Typically, technical staff members advance to this managerial designation after obtaining suitable credentials that demonstrate their skills.

Leading tech firms like Accenture, IBM, HCL Technologies, and Wipro offer an annual salary range of Rs 5 to 8 lakh for this role.

9. Cybersecurity Consultant

You can work as an independent consultant helping businesses with their cybersecurity issues. But before any client hires you for an assignment, they would need to trust you.

For this, you must earn professional certifications and showcase your industry experience to your potential employers. It would be essential to have in-depth knowledge of the latest security features, procedures, and facilities.

Most companies usually hire consultants on a contractual or retainer arrangement. In India, the median compensation of a cybersecurity consultant is approximately Rs 6.5 lakh per year.

Besides the career options mentioned above, cybersecurity professionals can take up jobs as security device developers, information risk auditors, intrusion detection specialists, cryptologists, and computer security incident responders.

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The need for Cybersecurity Training

Some recent developments have contributed to companies placing greater emphasis on employing cybersecurity experts. We have compiled the three key factors below.

• The spur in digital finance due to Digital India and demonetization initiatives has opened up a pandora box of potential cyber threats.
• Companies are preparing to comply with the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) and taking steps to safeguard their databases from cybercrimes.
• In the aftermath of the Wannacry ransomware infecting more than two lakh computers worldwide in 2017, organizations and governments are now aware of the perils of future cyber attacks. Industry players realize that such threats can lead to financial damages worth billions of dollars, hence calling for bolstering cyber laws and security systems.

There are diverse opportunities for cybersecurity specialists across different sectors, from BFSI and retail to government. However, the challenge lies in finding adequately skilled candidates for these jobs. The supply gap can be bridged through industry-relevant courses and advanced certifications. Many companies sponsor the education of their talented employees.

You can go for upGrad and IIIT-B’s Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security. These courses intend to equip engineering graduates and IT professionals with the required practical competencies and soft skills.

Moreover, any enterprise looking to improve its security posture and mitigate financial losses and brand damages would prefer to hire individuals with demonstrated experience in the field. Therefore, hands-on learning experiences and industry projects are essential elements of the pedagogy.

As for the traditional technical skills, cybersecurity practitioners are expected to be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Architecture and administration of operating systems such as Windows, Linux, etc.
• Networking and virtualization software
• Programming, software development, and analytics

Additionally, you would benefit from honing your grasp of popular programming, assembly, and scripting languages. C/C++, Java, Python, PHP, and Perl are some prominent examples. It would help if you also prioritized practicing with firewalls and network load balancers, among other things.

Future scope

The share of security spending in the total IT expenditure is witnessing an upward trend in the last few years. The global research agency Gartner forecasts that enterprise products and service in the Indian cybersecurity market are likely to experience growth in the following segments:

• Data security
• Infrastructure protection
• Network security
• Identity and access management
• Integrated risk management

The growing security industry is also expected to attract more investment in the coming years. According to the NASSCOM report on Cybersecurity Task Force, India has the potential to create one million jobs and at least one thousand startups by 2025.

The current sub-sections of this profession span Security Testing, System Integration, Auditing and Compliance, Consulting and Advisory, Business Intelligence, and Analytics. And the scope is likely to expand further with emerging technologies like IoT, Wearables, Cloud Services, Forensics, and e-Discovery.

Conclusion

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, organizations worldwide recognize the increasing importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures. As someone deeply experienced in this field, I understand that recruiters seek qualified professionals with the right skill sets to tackle unique security challenges.

Online courses have emerged as a flexible and effective means of upskilling in cybersecurity. They allow you to acquire valuable knowledge and showcase your technical expertise to potential employers.

The current market trends in cybersecurity are up-and-coming, with a growing demand for trained professionals. This presents ample career advancement opportunities, especially for early and mid-career IT enthusiasts.

The insights above have shed light on the supply-demand dynamics within the cybersecurity industry. You should leverage this information to make informed decisions regarding your next career move and embark on a path to success in the cybersecurity domain.