For an organization to ensure all-around protection of its networks and digital assets, the expertise of a cybersecurity consultant is paramount. Becoming a cybersecurity consultant, however, takes extensive time and work.

This article details the paths you can take to build a consultancy career in cybersecurity. They also explore cybersecurity consultant salary averages and growth projections for these professionals, along with how to find cybersecurity consultant jobs.

What Is a Cybersecurity Consultant?

Cybersecurity consultants protect their clients’ networks and digital assets. They do so through security evaluations, risk assessments, the development of security policies and prompt responses to cyberattacks.

These cybersecurity professionals may also be called information security consultants, network security consultants or database security consultants. They serve a wide array of clients in the finance, telecoms, healthcare, e-commerce, government and manufacturing sectors.

Cybersecurity consultants may work in-house. However, some prefer working with clients through security consulting firms or on a freelance basis.

Most cybersecurity consultants are generalists because their role cuts across multiple aspects of cyberdefense. However, day-to-day responsibilities may vary depending on the security situation.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll place the roles of cybersecurity consultants into three categories: prevention, detection and response.

Prevention: Cybersecurity consultants who specialize in prevention focus on keeping unauthorized individuals from accessing an organization’s networks and systems. Tasks in this category include:

• Studying and applying the latest authentication protocols
• Performing vulnerability testing
• Drawing up new security protocols aimed at tightening the organization’s cyberdefense
• Configuring access rules to the firewall

Detection: Cybersecurity consultants who work in this category seek to discover and understand vulnerabilities in the IT infrastructure. These professionals focus on:

• Establishing a threat analysis schedule
• Interviewing staff to ascertain the root of security breaches
• Presenting test findings to the client via whitepapers and technical reports

Response: This category hones in on recognizing and reacting to cyberattacks. A consultant’s incident response plan involves:

• Analyzing breaches
• Advising in-house security teams on the best defense strategies
• Supervising the implementation of solutions

Skills Needed To Work as a Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity job requirements include proficiency in both technical and nontechnical skills. Below, they outline the hard and soft skills that IT security consultants should have.

Technical Skills

• In-depth understanding of cyberspace and industry standards
• Experience in ethical hacking
• Fluency in programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, Python, Golang, SQL and shell scripting
• Knowledge of operating systems like Linux, UNIX and Windows
• Experience working with proxies, load balancers, firewalls and security monitoring tools
• Proficiency in IT architecture and infrastructure
• Cryptography

Soft Skills

• Documentation and organizational skills
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Time management skill
• Leadership skill
• Adaptability
• Teamwork

Cybersecurity Consultant Salary and Outlook

According to Payscale, the average cybersecurity consultant earns about $94,000 per year. The demand for cybersecurity experts has increased drastically over the last decade. In 2016, the unemployment rate for this sector dropped to 0%, and it has since remained within that range. Moreover, Cybersecurity Ventures recently projected that there would be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings by 2025.

These statistics indicate a strong job outlook for cybersecurity consultants.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Consultant

Earn a Degree

According to Burning Glass Institute, 44% of job listings for computer support specialists, including cybersecurity consultants, require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree. You can acquire a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related major like information technology and computer science.

A master’s degree in cybersecurity or digital forensics can also increase your chances of landing a more senior role.

That said, having a college degree is no longer a prerequisite for many cybersecurity positions. Alternatives to traditional degrees do exist. For example, prospective network security consultants can also break into the field via immersive cybersecurity bootcamps.

The bootcamp option is ideal for people who want to pivot their careers without investing in a full degree program. Cybersecurity bootcamp tuition can range from about $10,000 to $20,000.

Gain Experience

You can’t become a credible cybersecurity consultant overnight. Before you become eligible to work as a security consultant, you must build experience from the ground up in the cybersecurity landscape.

After earning a degree or completing a bootcamp, it’s time to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job. Some junior roles you can start with include:

• IT auditor
• Penetration tester
• Incident responder
• Information security analyst
• Digital forensic examiner

Three to five years of experience in any of the above roles can enhance your knowledge of cyberdefense and your interpersonal abilities. After sharpening these skills, you can advance to administrative roles.

Obtain Certification

Industry certifications verify your professional credibility and supply you a competitive advantage in hiring. They can also increase your earning potential.

Popular certifications among seasoned network security professionals include Certified Information Security Manager®, CISSP and CISA. Other industry certifications, including the Certified Security Consultant (CSC℠) designation, are available exclusively to consultants.

According to the International Association of Professional Security Consultants, the CSC certification demonstrates your depth of knowledge and integrity as a security consultant. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Alternatively, candidates may be CISSP-certified with four years of experience in cybersecurity.

Apply for Jobs

There are various channels for cybersecurity consultants to find well-paying positions. Setting job alerts on LinkedIn allows you to apply as soon as a new job opening is posted. You can also check the websites of companies you want to work for to see when they post security consultancy positions.

Many employers also advertise open positions on job boards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Cybersecurity Consultant

Business consultants are essential for helping a company stay competitive in a constantly changing market. Most business consultants need a bachelor’s degree in business, social sciences or engineering, and an MBA may be a good option as well.

A career path in business consulting can provide individuals with competitive salaries and many job opportunities after college. If you are interested in becoming a business consultant, read more for a snapshot of what you need to know.

What Does a Business Consultant Do?

A business consultant’s job is to provide advice and recommendations to the leaders of an organization. A consultant may also support the implementation of their recommendations. The title of business consultant can vary by company or industry and may include titles like management analyst, business advisor, strategy consultant, operational consultant, financial consultant or even leadership consultant.

Consultants will conduct studies on the issues an organization is trying to solve. Studies may include interviewing personnel and observing the methods and practices used within the workplace. They will also analyze their findings, determine solutions and hold meetings to review recommendations with management.

Business Consultant Job Outlook

Business consultant careers are expected to grow faster than average over the next decade and have attractive salaries. As technology continues to reshape a multitude of industries, markets will become more competitive, requiring businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects to see strong demand for consultants who specialize in specific business functions, such as HR or information technology. For example, companies rely on IT consultants to maintain their security and efficiency. The BLS also predicts government agencies will call on consultants to optimize their operations.

Business consultants are among the highest earners across all occupational groups. According to the BLS, a business consultant or management analyst earns a median income of $95,290, with the top 90% of earners making more than $167,650.

Top Skills for a Business Consultant

Having highly effective communication skills is crucial for a business consultant. Being an effective communicator will help the relationship between consultant and client. Not only do you need to clearly convey your ideas to your client, but being able to comprehend their issues and needs will help you determine the best course of action to take.

Other top skills include a depth of knowledge in the industry or business you are working in, as well as problem-solving and creative thinking skills. A firm grasp of these abilities will allow you to supply advice and recommendations that will help your client stay ahead of the curve.

Steps to Becoming a Business Consultant

Working as a business consultant requires a particular skill set. Not only do you need to possess deep knowledge of an industry, but you must also have the ability to think creatively, communicate effectively and have analytical and leadership skills.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is typically a requirement to become a business consultant. Many business consultants also obtain a designation such as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).

Students should consider a major that includes a focus on business, including business management, marketing, accounting and finances. Additionally, degrees in social sciences and engineering have their strengths as well, especially if a student plans to work as a consultant in the field they major in.

Students should also consider choosing a major that aligns with the industry they aspire to consult in.

Consider an MBA Program

Although not required, completing an MBA program will make you more attractive for higher-paying positions at consulting firms. An MBA is also an opportunity to network with professionals in the field and gain additional knowledge on certain industries.

Additionally, if you are an entrepreneur or plan to start your own consulting business, earning an MBA will help increase your ethos and could broaden your clientele.

Look into Certifications

Certifications are not a requirement for success as a business consultant, but they can be beneficial. Consider these two certifications, but note that there are many types of certifications available.

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® offered by the Project Management Institute can show prospective clients that you understand the needs of a business. The designation validates your understanding of the technical aspects of project management, the soft skills required to influence a team and how organizational strategy relates to project scope.

The U.S. Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) offers the internationally recognized professional designation of Certified Management Consultant (CMC). This certification shows clients your competency of professional knowledge and a commitment to ethical practices.

Frequently Asked Questions