How To Become A Security Manager (With Salary And FAQs)

Updated 6 March 2023

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Cybersecurity managers play an essential role in the growing digital world. They monitor and secure the data and information flow in an organisation's virtual networks and help facilitate data operations. Knowing about the role of security managers can help you decide if this is a suitable career for you. In this article, we discuss how to become a security manager, share their responsibilities, salary information and essential skills and answer a few questions related to their profession.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.

What is a cybersecurity manager?

Cybersecurity managers are IT experts responsible for securing business information, data, networks and servers. They safeguard the company's digital assets and flow of information, identify and fix vulnerabilities, implement security as per industry standard and protocol and prevent data loss, leakage or hacking. With the growing digitisation of business processes and operations, the role of cybersecurity managers and experts has become necessary for modern-day organisations. Here are some typical responsibilities of a cybersecurity manager:

oversee a team of security analysts and experts
secure the IT infrastructure of a business
develop company-wide cybersecurity policies and strategies
hire new members of the cybersecurity team
train company employees on how to secure data and prevent unauthorised access to their accounts
supervise day-to-day security measures
prepare budgets for cybersecurity activities
purchase new tools and technologies to enhance cybersecurity protection
ensure periodic update of systems
defend company systems and servers against cyber intrusion and hacking

How to become a security manager

Follow these steps to find out how to become a security manager:

1. Complete your education

The minimum qualification to become a cybersecurity professional is usually a bachelor's degree. Complete your 10+2 with subjects like computer science and pursue a BTech or BSc degree in IT engineering, cybersecurity, system engineer, computer programming or any allied field. This can help you develop strong fundamentals in basic concepts of cybersecurity.

2. Find your specialisation

There are several specialisations in cybersecurity, like IT risk management, cybersecurity intelligence, cryptography, network security, vulnerability assessment, security architecture and security administration. You can choose a field as per your interest and career goals. Learn more about the different fields of cybersecurity by reading, researching and talking to experts. You can also consult your professors and seniors to understand the pros, cons and scope of different specialisations.

3. Get professional experience

Once you are sure of your specialisation, start applying for relevant entry-level positions in companies. Note that the role of a cybersecurity engineer or professional may have different job titles. You can look for job opportunities in IT, ITES, BFSI, consultancy and marketing organisations.

4. Enroll for a certification course

Since cybersecurity is an emerging field and many academic institutes do not offer specialised degrees in this subject, pursuing a certification or diploma program can be beneficial. You can choose short-duration certifications offered by private and government institutes or apply for global certificates. To enhance your skills and develop your specialisation, you can also consider pursuing a master's degree in subjects like information security management, cybersecurity and information technology. Many cybersecurity professionals complete online certifications or remote educational degrees while working for skill enhancement and career development.

5. Apply for leadership roles

Once you obtain sufficient experience and skills, you can apply for the role of a project manager or leader. Cybersecurity leaders usually have deep expertise and experience in one specialisation but have basic knowledge of all sub-domains. When applying for leadership positions, highlight your achievements, certifications, skills and professional experience. Customise your resume and cover letter to include the right keywords and skills to make a great first impression.

Essential skills of a security manager

Here are some vital skills that can help you succeed as a security manager:

Technical expertise

Having strong knowledge of operating systems, programming languages, security software, hardware, common system vulnerabilities and malware threats is essential to becoming a cybersecurity expert. Many education degree programmes and certification courses also train students to understand the hacker mentality and safeguard business data from threats and intrusions. Experience in implementing cybersecurity measures like firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection and prevention protocols is also vital.

Ability to handle pressure

The role of a cybersecurity manager is a mentally demanding job, as one has to handle and supervise multiple processes simultaneously. Other than working on a computer screen for extended periods, you may have to visit data centres, change hardware or visit different workstations. The ability to manage the stress and pressure of handling a team and securing company data is vital for this role. Security experts may also have to work for long hours and be available for teams working in different time zones.

Collaboration and communication

Security managers usually lead and supervise a team of experts and may collaborate with other IT leaders in the company. Cybersecurity managers may also have to file reports, maintain records and present information to other senior leaders in the company. This makes collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills crucial for success. Being able to delegate tasks, give feedback and assess progress is essential in this role. This makes the ability to work as a capable leader, communicator and mentor vital for security experts.

Problem-solving

Taking into account information from different sources and data points to swiftly decide the course of action is essential for cybersecurity managers. Notably, in case of data leak or intrusion, cybersecurity managers may have to work quickly to solve several crises simultaneously and make decisions in short periods. Other than strong technical knowledge, this requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills to help them make the right decision. Also, a commitment to lifelong learning is vital for security experts to stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, solutions, protocols and technology.

Attention to detail

Cybersecurity managers require attention to detail and the ability to focus so that they can spot vulnerabilities, detect anomalies and review code accurately. This is particularly true for those who specialise in performing tests and reporting system vulnerabilities. They also require strong market research skills to select the most suitable cybersecurity tools and software for their business requirements.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity managers

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about how to become a security manager:

What is the average salary of a cybersecurity manager?

The average salary of a cybersecurity manager is ₹21,25,414 per year. This figure can vary as per your skills, experience, specialisation and location. Completing specialised certification courses can help you earn a higher salary and make you eligible for cybersecurity management and leadership roles.

Can you become a cybersecurity expert after BTech?

If you have a BTech degree in computer science, IT or any other allied subject, you can pursue cybersecurity as a career. Pursuing a master's degree in cybersecurity with these subjects is easier. Students with non-IT BTech degrees can also opt for short-term diploma courses and certifications to learn cybersecurity skills. Many leading institutes and online learning platforms also offer foundational certification courses for fresh graduates and beginners to learn cybersecurity.

How long does it take to become a cybersecurity manager?

Different organisations may have variable qualification and experience requirements for cybersecurity experts and managers. Depending on your educational qualifications and skills, it can take between six and eight years of professional experience to become a cybersecurity manager. Having expertise in different domains and fields of cybersecurity, alongside specialised knowledge and experiences, can help you become a manager.

What are the career opportunities for security experts?

Cybersecurity experts and managers can specialise in becoming information security officers, digital security consultants, cybersecurity architects, network security engineers, digital forensic experts and penetration testers. They can also work as cryptographers or become C-suite leaders like chief information security officers or CISOs. As per industry reports and research, India will have over 1.5 million job vacancies in cybersecurity by 2025, which indicates that the demand for cybersecurity experts can grow in the near future.

Where can cybersecurity managers find job opportunities?

In addition to working with leading IT companies, cybersecurity managers can also work with banks, financial businesses, e-commerce platforms, government agencies, cloud companies and website development agencies. As businesses increasingly digitise their processes, the requirement for cybersecurity experts and managers is likely to increase. This also makes cybersecurity employment opportunities prevalent in all industries and fields.