IT Job Information Job information for IT students. What jobs can I get with a cybersecurity master's degree?

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An information security manager's job is to lead the charge against cyberthreats to an organization and implement changes to increase security. They manage the teams that are in charge of implementing tools to analyze for unusual behavior, monitor network activity, understand network vulnerabilities, and perform vulnerability scans. They also help explain to stakeholders and other leaders the value of security. Organizations need these managers to help keep their information and data safe. 

The average annual salary for information security managers is $123,000. This is well above the national average salary in the U.S., which is $56,000, making it a great career choice. Entry-level salaries are around $101,000 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $149,000 per year. A master's degree can greatly impact your salary level, propelling you forward in position and pay. Salaries for this kind of position will also greatly vary based on your location, the organization where you are working, and the specific kind of work you are doing. 

While you can become an information security manager with a bachelor's degree, a master's degree will make you even more competitive for this role. A master's degree will give you added knowledge and management skills that can help you excel in this role. Most cybersecurity professionals will have experience in other areas of IT before moving into cybersecurity, and a master's degree can help prove you have the necessary background and experience for this role.

Information security management roles are expected to grow 32% by the year 2028, over five times faster than the national average for job growth. This is because as technology advances, the need for professionals who know how to secure data and increase privacy are increasingly vital. 

A cybersecurity risk manager will identify the industry standards and regulations in order to minimize the risk of losing sensitive information to hackers. Business systems need risk managers to develop, maintain, and evaluate their security policies and procedures. They work with engineering and operations teams to ensure regulations are met and do audits of systems to evaluate for potential risks or problems. They regularly research and learn about new regulations and security tactics, document and maintain all of the security policies, monitor the effectiveness of security measures, and explain risks and security options to stakeholders.

Risk managers earn an average annual salary of $117,000 per year, with the bottom 10% earning about $100,000 per year, and the top 10% earning more than $137,000 per year. Risk managers can earn more if they work for larger organizations with complex systems and policies that need addressing. The more high-level information a company has, the more they need proper risk management, so the more they are willing to pay. Your level of education is also crucial to getting this role and making more money. 

A degree in cybersecurity is key to landing a role as a risk manager. Management-level positions are generally reserved for those who have a master's degree, so getting a risk manager job will likely require that higher education. A master's degree in cybersecurity will give you additional knowledge in cybersecurity management, how to work with stakeholders and other organizational leaders to implement changes, and how to understand regulations. Risk managers can greatly benefit from a cybersecurity master's degree.

Employment for risk managers is expected to rise 15% in the next few years, much faster than the national average of 6% job growth. This is because as more companies understand their need for privacy and security, more risk managers will be hired to implement the best policies and analyze future problems. Risk managers are key members of IT and security teams to help make sure a company is following regulations and keeping information as safe as possible.

Computer hackers are constantly looking for new ways to break into an organization's systems and steal data. So it's important that cybersecurity experts stay one step ahead of them. That's where cybersecurity consultants or white hat hackers come in. Cyber security consultants are well versed in current hacking methods, information security, and social engineering, and they stay on top of how cyber criminals or black hat hackers are breaking into networks. Cyber security consultants are legally allowed to hack, and they use their knowledge to hack into an organization’s network and learn about their vulnerabilities. They help explain to clients where their vulnerabilities are and give options for the best ways to strengthen the security of their system.

Cyber security consultants earn an average annual salary of around $72,000 per year. The bottom 10% earn about $50,000 with the top 10% earning more than $132,000 per year. The amount of money you can earn will be directly impacted by your education level and where you work. Cyber security consultants are usually employed by software companies who are hired out by organizations to analyze their systems and security. They then work with that organization to understand the vulnerabilities and create software options to help.

A cybersecurity master's degree can be a great asset to a cybersecurity consultant. Many master's degree programs give specific training in ethical hacking and can prepare you for certification and additional courses. A master's degree in cybersecurity goes beyond the basics and can help you prepare to work with individuals who don't know cybersecurity to explain their vulnerabilities, as well as lead software teams to help develop solutions to problems.

The BLS says that information security analyst positions, which include cybersecurity consultants, are expected to grow 28% by 2028, much faster than the national average. This is largely because more organizations are seeing cyber breaches and data theft, and are wanting to make their systems more secure to protect themselves and their customers. As more organizations see a need for securing systems, the demand for cybersecurity consultants will continue to grow.

A Chief Information Security Officer, or CISO, is a senior executive, and their direct job is to oversee the entire security department of an organization. They regularly report to the rest of the company’s executive suite about security and technology. They direct and oversee the security systems, approve new policies, oversee security testing and software implementation, maintain a current understanding of the IT industry and security options, manage the entire security team including hiring and budgets, schedule and oversee security audits, and work with other executives and stakeholders to explain security systems and plans. Many organizations have a CISO who works with third-party companies or the IT department to run security systems in the organization. 

Chief information security officer is one of the highest paid positions in IT, with the average yearly salary sitting at $227,000. The bottom 10% earn $198,000 per year, and the top 10% earn more than $262,000 per year. The company that you work for, what they do, and where they are located are key factors in determining your salary level.

If you want to become a CISO, a master's degree is a requirement. A master's degree in cybersecurity is an ideal choice for this position, and will prepare you to manage teams and work with stakeholders, give you advanced understanding of security systems and cyber issues, and will help you prepare to work with a variety of systems and programs to help safeguard your organization. 

Job growth for CISOs is higher than the national average, expected to grow 11% by 2028. This is largely because more organizations are seeing a need to add this executive-level position to their organization. Cyber hackers are getting more sophisticated, so having someone to regulate an organization's security systems and protocols is key to data privacy.