Future Scope of Cyber Security in India in 2024

We will take a look at the cyber security future trends and how one can go about establishing a successful career in this domain. 

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The banking sector, government agencies, financial institutions, military, and other authorized institutions possess sensitive information that is stored on computers and transmitted via networks. With the rise in cyberattacks and future cyber security threats, it has become imperative to protect these data, and there is a tremendous scope for cyber security professionals in the future.

Cyber Security Overview

Aside from the technology involved, the scope of cyber security also constitutes smartness in taking the right cyber-defense decisions. Typically, strong cyber security implies multiple layers of protection to data with encryption. 

It is essential to be aware of the different types of cyber security packages that are available at one’s disposal in order to enable sound judgment when it comes to choosing one. Listed below are some of the types of cyber security packages that one can consider:

1. Critical Infrastructure Security – This type is found in applications that contain cyber-physical systems like water purification systems or electricity grids.
2. Application Security – This cyber security type (found in antivirus or firewall) implements both software and hardware to fight the threats that appear during the development stage of an application.
3. Network Security – It secures the infrastructure behind the design like a two-factor authentication process to protect internal networks from intruders.
4. Data Loss Prevention – It is concerned with the processes and policies for the prevention of data loss and includes data storage policies and network permissions.
5. Information Security – Also known as InfoSec, this type of cybersecurity type protects both online and offline data from unauthorized access, disclosure, deletion, or any other form of malicious intent.
6. Cloud Security – This software-based tool prevents data corruption and addresses risks against on-premise threats.
7. End-user Education – End-user education involves training and educating the end-users and the general masses on the best practices to use when dealing with the internet and the online world.

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Different Types of Cyber Threats

Cyber threats can be primarily narrowed down to the following three categories:

1. Attacks on Confidentiality – These attacks target personal identification information like bank account information and card details. 
2. Attacks on Integrity – Also known as leaks, these attacks are designed to sabotage businesses or personal identities. It involves releasing sensitive information to build mistrust in you.
3. Attacks on Availability – This modern-day extortion blocks one from accessing their own data until a ransom is paid.

The above three categories encompass all types of cyber-attacks like social engineering, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), malware, ransomware, and others.

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Importance of Cyber Security

Due to the increased exposure to information on the internet, cybercrime has become one of the more rapidly increasing crimes. While devices and networks are getting disrupted on a larger scale, stopping identity theft isn’t the only objective. The protection of data integrity is equally critical.

Cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated, and it is important to understand their change in target, their methods, and their impact on organizations. Since the danger lurks for anyone who uses the internet, cyber security has inevitably become an integral part of our system.

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Domains of Cyber Security

Let us understand the various domains that a Cyber Security aspirant can pursue.

Domain 1: Security Management

Security management involves people and processes. It includes:

• Risk assessment and drawing methods to fight against these risks
• Ensuring security functions align with businesses operations and processes
• Having management procedures and processes in place
• User security awareness training

Domain 2: Identity and Access Management

Also known as IAM, Identity and Access Management enables the processes, systems, and procedures to handle authentication, assign characters, and manage access control. Each user and system are assigned unique names and there is a method in place for users to prove their identity. 

Domain 3: Security Engineering

Security engineering includes network security and computer operations security. It involves:

• Firewalls
• Router and Switch Security
• Email Filtering
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS)
• Host-based Security Tools

Domain 4: Business Continuity

Business continuity is all about attempting to restore business operations after a catastrophic event like a natural disaster. It involves disaster recovery and business continuity plans and procedures that need to be periodically reviewed. 

Understanding the functions of the organization can help introduce certain systems to ensure quick and effective solutions with as little loss of data as possible. 

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Domain 5: Compliance

Compliance plays a crucial role in security management by ensuring that an organization has appropriate security controls. Additionally, it is also essential to be in line with the legislation and regulations that are applicable to the organization. 

Compliance involves understanding and implementing regulations, internal audits, and third-party domains.

Domain 6: Cryptography

Cryptography protects the CIA and non-repudiation of information. It is in conjunction with compliance and security management.

Domain 7: Physical Security

Physical security is the control that is applied to the physical hardware that one is concerned with. Some examples of physical security can be ensuring security guards at every entrance, the right fencing at entry and exit points, a secure data center that allows physical access to only authorized individuals, etc.

Domain 8: Software Development Security

The domain of software development security involves:

• Secure coding training for developers
• Code analysis on new codes
• Overseeing the development process and procedures
• Understanding the requirements of the updated application features and their effect on application security

Domain 9: Security Operations

In this domain, the tools discussed in the security engineering domain are monitored. Security Operations Center (SOC) manages the security operations. Understanding of most of the other areas is required as well, such as:

• Incident Response
• Threat Hunting
• Threat Intel
• Forensics

Scope of Cyber Security

The scope of cyber security in the future can be determined by several factors. Let’s take a look!

1. Shortage of Cyber Security Professionals

Cyber security professionals around the world are at risk of not being sufficiently prepared to battle the issues that are existent in cyber security. According to the Worldwide Information Security Workforce Study (GISWS), over 19,000 cyber security professionals around the world are insufficient laborers to overcome cyber security difficulties.

In India, the requirement for cyber security professionals by 2022 is 1.8 million. Evidently, this current shortage of cyber security professionals in the country will lead to more job openings in the near future.

2. Partially Skilled Professionals

Many organizations are still in need of highly skilled staff and a responsive workforce. Security professionals have expressed their difficulty and their lack of expertise to address cyber security issues. Professionals must therefore get certified and acquire more skills and competencies so that they can easily respond to cyber security threats and risks.

3. Global Demand

There are a high demand for Operations and Security Management professionals worldwide. On the other hand, Incident and Threat Management positions are most popular in the Latin American region with a demand of 63%. The Middle East and Africa have a demand of 65% more for Incident and Threat Management experts than some other positions.

Despite constant endeavors by organizations to hire for various positions, the current pattern remains the same thereby, significantly expanding the number of experts who will positively impact cyber security globally.

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4. High Pay

Cyber security is one of the best options for any job seeker or professional who is looking to move up the career ladder as it has an abundance of top-paying jobs as well as job security.

5. Unlimited Growth

Initially, security groups were the “handymen” types, but now they rise to fame in crime scene investigations, episode reactions, and application security. With the consistent growth in the cybersecurity domain, there is development potential in both your professional and learning curve. For a cybersecurity professional, learning never stops.

6. Cyber Security Jobs in the Future

Cyber Security professionals will get the opportunity to work on advancements and frameworks. Cybersecurity will be applicable across various industries from robots to websites. In this way, these experts will get to serve a vast number of clients making cyber security a promising career prospect. 

Because of the range of abilities that these cyber security experts have while managing all current security challenges, they will always be high in demand.

Top Jobs for Cyber Security Professionals

To start their journey in cyber security, they can get an IT degree or diploma and enroll in any of the flagship cyber security programs that are available and offered by some of the institutes. Following is a list of the top Cyber Security jobs in the market right now:

1. Cyber Security Analyst

Cyber Security Analysts are responsible for planning, designing, and implementing security measures and controls. They are in charge of monitoring the security access as well as conducting internal and external audits to ensure that no potential threats to the network security exist.

Following are some of the other job responsibilities of a Cyber Security Analyst:

• Risk analysis
• Vulnerability testing
• Security assessments
• Network management
• Employee capacity building
• Building awareness on best practices

According to Indeed, the average annual salary of a Cyber Security Analyst is ₹768346 in India and can go up to a few crores depending on the performance and outcome delivery. There are over 2,000 Cyber Security Analyst jobs listed in India on LinkedIn.

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2. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Appointing a Chief Information Security Officer has become a growing trend in businesses. Given the increasing threats to cyber security in this exponential growing global economy, it is only natural to designate a CISO that can align the cyber security plan with the vision, technology, and operations of the business.

The CISO has a standard process of identification, development, implementation, and maintenance of organizational processes to avoid any kind of security breach. They are in charge of drafting and reviewing the security policies and risk mitigation plans of a company.

A CISO earns an average salary of a whopping ₹2,240,648 per year as per PayScale and can go even up to ₹40,000,000 p.a. LinkedIn has listed 300+ job openings for CISO professionals in India.

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3. Network Security Engineer

The Network Security Engineer is there to ensure the operational smoothness of a business. The main responsibilities of this job are:

• Identifying vulnerabilities
• Overseeing the maintenance of firewalls, network monitoring tools, VPNs, routers, switches
• System maintenance
• Improving automation

According to Glassdoor, a Network Security Engineer earns about ₹696,250 p.a. as the average annual salary in India. There are over 2,000 Network Security Engineer jobs available in India according to LinkedIn.

4. Cyber Security Manager

The Cyber Security Manager manages the security protocols of an organization. They are involved with the strategizing processes for the improvement of data and network security. These managers handle an entire team of IT professionals who work day and night to optimize the data management and security protocols and systems.

Cyber Security Managers perform crucial research when it comes to the latest cyber threat trends that drive the drafting of security policies in a company.

The average compensation of Cyber Security Managers is about ₹2,195,801 p.a. Salaries are subject to increase depending on performance. Over 1,000 Cyber Security Manager jobs are listed on LinkedIn in India.

5. Security Architect

Security Architects design the complete network and computer security architecture. They plan and design the different elements that are involved in security. Security Architects are instrumental when it comes to recommending changes, security policies, and protocols.

As per PayScale, the average annual salary for Security Architects in India is ₹2,144,029. LinkedIn has listed over 3,000 Security Architect positions in India.

Eligibility Criteria to Become a Cyber Security Professional

It is important to understand that in cyber security, there is no specific degree that is handed out to become a professional in this field. This means that any IT degree is good enough to get one started in the cyber security domain.

Most cyber security jobs list a graduation degree in any of the IT-related fields as a minimum eligibility requirement. Even a diploma in IT will suffice to get started. So, aspirants don’t have to worry too much about not having the correct degree as long as they have an IT degree.

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Skills to Become a Cybersecurity Professional

Every role in the cybersecurity profile has different demands. But there are some basic skills that you must possess or hone to pursue a career in this domain.

Technical Skills

Most firms look for cyber security professionals who possess one or more of the following technical skills:

• Networking and System Administration
• IoT
• Operating Systems and Virtual Machines
• Cryptography
• Virtualisation Network Services and Security
• Network Security Control
• Coding
• Cloud Security
• Windows Server

Soft Skills

Although soft skills may not seem as important as domain knowledge, given the widening scope of cyber security, businesses are on the constant lookout for professionals with dynamic skills. 

The following basic soft skills can come in handy for anyone looking to build a career in cyber security.

1. Curiosity and inquisitiveness
2. Business acumen
3. Adaptability
4. Interpersonal and communication skills
5. Passion

Some additional skills that are required in cyber security are risk analysis, information security, security incident handling & response, security audit, and laws and regulations.

Cyber Security Certifications List for Beginners

One can start acquiring the above-mentioned skills with the help of several certifications that are available. Here are some cyber security certifications that beginners can consider taking up.

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the top certifications for ethical hacking. Anyone who wants to build a strong foundation in ethical hacking can do so by signing up for a CEH certification course and getting certified. 

A Certified Ethical Hacker is able to inspect the infrastructure of a network with the consent of the owner in order to locate existing vulnerabilities in the system and network.

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2. CCNA Cyber Ops/Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

The new Cisco Certified Cyber-Ops Associate Certification is for candidates preparing for associate-level job roles in the security operation center (SOCs). This certification includes foundational skills, knowledge, and processes that are essential to detect, prevent, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

3. OSCP with PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali Linux)

This certification is for those planning to appear for Offensive Security or Penetration Testing. This ethical hacking course includes penetration testing tools and techniques through hands-on experience.

4. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ offers core knowledge on cyber security roles and helps candidates by providing them with intermediate-level cyber security hands-on skills. It focuses on providing troubleshooting skills that ensure candidates acquire problem-solving skills.

5. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA): Penetration Testing

This ECSA certification is a continuation of the CEH Certification. It helps the candidates to apply their knowledge and skills using the tools and techniques learned in Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.

Also, Read on Reconnaissance in Cyber Security!

Conclusion

The scope of Cyber Security in India definitely shows promise. Top companies like Cisco, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, Fortinet, etc. are actively hiring cybersecurity professionals. There are a number of options available today for aspirants to learn cybersecurity through courses.