Having a successful career can be attainable if you set clear goals and understand what it takes to achieve them. As a professional or aspiring cyber security engineer, it is important to be familiar with the industries that demand your skills.
This article includes information on which industries hire the most cyber security engineers to guide you in your job hunt. It also includes top companies hiring at the moment and their available cyber security job roles.
What Does a Cyber Security Engineer Do?
Cyber security engineers are professionals who design and implement high-tech security solutions to protect software, networks, and systems from threats and vulnerabilities. These threats can include hacking and malware. Cyber security engineers also develop security policies and offer solutions for issues with computer systems.
Responsibilities of a Cyber Security Engineer
- Planning, implementing, monitoring, and enhancing the protection of an organization’s computer and network systems
- Designing security measures to cater to an organization’s needs
- Troubleshooting an organization’s network and security issues
- Planning and developing security policies for the organization’s network and computer systems
- Reporting and communicating security tasks, changes, and procedures to other members of the organization
How Much Can You Earn as a Cyber Security Engineer?
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of cyber security engineers is $97,805. However, this rate may differ based on several factors like your past professional experience, your skill level, and which company you work for. Entry-level cyber security engineers earn an annual average of $77,246 while senior engineers earn an annual average salary of $124,830.
Demand for Cyber Security Engineers in 2022
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected 33 percent job growth for cyber security engineers between 2020 and 2030, which is much higher than the overall average of all occupations. Each year, approximately 16,200 job openings are expected in the field.
Which Industries Use Cyber Security the Most?
The major industries that use cyber security the most are finance, the government, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Cyber security is needed in most organizations, but the above-listed are the industries with the highest need for cyber security engineers.
Top Industries With Cyber Security Jobs
Financial Institutions
In-demand jobs: Cyber security analyst, information systems security manager, penetration tester, malware analyst, application security engineer, security architect
Financial institutions are undoubtedly at the top of the list of industries with the most cyber security jobs. Organizations in this field deal with money and are more open to cyber attacks than any other industry. Cyber criminals continuously find more sophisticated ways to hack financial organizations’ networks and computer systems, which increases the need for cyber security professionals.
Cyber security professionals are needed by this industry to set up secure systems to prevent cyber crimes and ensure that the large amount of data that is constantly handled is not compromised. Without cyber security engineers, protecting data would be almost impossible. This makes it one of the best industries to job hunt if you have cyber security skills.
Top Attractive Employers for Cyber Security Engineer in Financial Institutions
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP Morgan Chase | 240,000 | Plano, Columbus, Wilmington, Tampa | Information security manager |
| Citigroup | 210,000 | Texas, O’Fallon | Information security analyst |
| American Express | 84,000 | New York | Information security manager |
| Paypal | 27,700 | Chicago, San Jose, Austin | Information security engineer |
| Visa | 20,500 | Foster City | Cyber security engineer |
Government Agencies
- In-demand jobs: Chief information security officer, forensic engineer, security director, cyber security analyst
Government agencies deal with sensitive data that needs to be actively protected from cyber criminals. Due to this risk, cyber security professionals are in high demand in the government sector. Without these experts, they risk losing highly sensitive data.
The government needs to continually hire more cyber security talent to ensure that its data is safe and secure. If you’re an aspiring information security engineer, the government is a great place to work. There is an endless need for your practical skills and you have an opportunity to pursue a rewarding career.
Top Attractive Employers for Cyber Security Engineer in Government Agencies
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | 115,000 | Washington, DC | IT cyber security specialist |
| Department of Energy | 14,678 | Tulsa | IT cyber security specialist |
| Idaho National Laboratory | 5,134 | Idaho Falls | Cyber security policy analyst |
| National Security Agency | Classified | Fort Meade | Information systems security officer |
| Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency | N/A | Arlington | Information systems security manager |
Healthcare Organizations
- In-demand jobs: Network security analyst, information systems security manager, security architect, forensic engineer
Healthcare organizations are also a target of cyber crimes due to the sensitive data and information they store. These organizations deal with the personal information of millions of people and are required to keep it safe and out of the hands of criminals. This is why cyber security professionals are in high demand at healthcare companies.
Cyber security is also needed in this sector to ensure that organizations continue to provide high-quality care to their patients. Data breaches can influence the delivery of appropriate care to patients. Medical records of health institutions are stored in the cloud, making them an easy target for hackers. Cyber criminals with access to this information can cause costly medical and financial damage.
Top Attractive Employers for Cyber Security Engineer in Healthcare Organizations
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Health | 141,000 | Remote | Security analyst |
| Fairview Health Services | 34,000 | Minneapolis | Senior cyber security engineer |
| UW Health | 22,849 | Remote | Systems security analyst |
| NextGen Healthcare | 2,600 | Remote | Cyber security engineer |
| Alliance Health | 2,450 | Morrisville | IT security and compliance specialist |
Manufacturing Industry
- In-demand jobs: Systems engineer, cybersecurity consultant, malware analyst
Cyber criminals aim to steal product plans from manufacturing companies’ databases. If these plans are leaked, the companies could stand to lose large amounts of money. Many manufacturers do not consider the possibility of cyber attacks, making it easier for cyber criminals to breach their security.
As a cyber security professional in this field, your job would be to ensure that there are multiple layers of security protecting sensitive data, information, and products. This will help to avoid the high financial risks that manufacturing organizations may face due to the loss of important info. There are many job opportunities in the manufacturing industry for cyber security professionals. Working at GM and GE are great examples of this.
Top Attractive Employers for Cyber Security Engineer in Manufacturing
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stelantis | 300,000 | Auburn Hills | Cyber security engineer |
| Ford Motor Company | 186,000 | Dearborn | Cyber security systems engineer |
| General Motors | 155,000 | Warren | Industrial cyber security engineer |
| Tesla | 70,757 | Austin | Staff engineer, software development, infra security |
| Markforged | 300 | Watertown | Security analyst |
Technology Industry
- In-demand jobs: Security architect, information systems security engineer, application security engineer, network security analyst
The technology industry includes companies that offer services and products related to technology, software, and the internet. Some examples of such companies include Apple, Samsung, Google, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell. These companies deal with highly sensitive information and data. This adds them to the list of targets for cyber criminals.
Criminals continue to try to breach the security of these organizations to steal information on their products, designs, and finances. Companies that sell technology like phones and laptops also have to ensure that their products have secure systems to prevent hacking. They require cyber security engineers to ensure that their networks, computer systems, and products are highly secure.
Top Attractive Employers for Cyber Security Engineer in Technology
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | 79,500 | Fulton, Remote | Security engineer |
| Accenture | 674,000 | Arlington | Information systems security engineer |
| Lockheed Martin | 114,000 | Manassas | Cyber security engineer |
| Northrop Grumman | 90,000 | Ellicott | Principal cyber security engineer |
| Apple | 80,000 | San Francisco | Security engineer |
What Education Do You Need to Be a Cyber Security Engineer?
The typical education requirement of cyber security engineers is a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Cyber Security. After completing college degree programs, graduates can apply for entry-level cyber security jobs. Coding bootcamps allow those without a college degree to start a career in cyber security and other technology fields.
You can also consider taking online cyber security courses. Numerous online platforms offer top-notch cyber security courses for every skill level. You can start with beginner-level programs and progress from there. You may want to earn cyber security certifications as they serve as proof of your skills after earning a degree.
Can You Become a Cyber Security Professional with a Coding Bootcamp?
You can become a cyber security professional with a cyber security coding bootcamp. The programs are designed to prepare people for careers in technology. With coding bootcamp training in the relevant field, you can get an entry-level position. Coding bootcamps offer students hands-on experience with real-life projects taught by industry experts.
The majority of bootcamps also offer career services to help their students get ready to join the cyber security workforce. Some of those services include resume writing, interview prep, career coaching, one-on-one mentorship, and online branding. Some bootcamps also organize events where students get to meet with companies to showcase their portfolios and skills.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Cyber Security Engineer?
Programming Skills
Software programs are written using programming languages. Cyber security engineers need to have a solid knowledge of programming languages to be able to detect malicious codes, find potential vulnerabilities and cyber threats, and carry out tasks in network and computer systems. This makes their job easier and can impress potential employers.
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Penetration and Vulnerability Testing
Penetration and vulnerability tests are carried out to detect potential threats and security breaches in time and protect an organization’s system. They also make it possible to detect any weakness in its security policies that need to be updated immediately. This is one of the most important technical skills that every expert in the field should possess.
Presentation and Communication Skills
As a cyber security engineer, you need to be an excellent communicator because there will be times when you need to create reports regarding security statuses. You will need to be able to talk about technical problems in a way that everyone can understand. You may need to give regular presentations to update company executives and stakeholders on the company’s security.
Problem-Solving Skills
Cyber security revolves around solving security problems that organizations face every day. To excel in this field, you must have strong problem-solving skills. It will help you to effectively handle the numerous problems you’re bound to run into and help you remain calm.
Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking is similar to penetration testing. It helps cyber security engineers find vulnerabilities in an organization’s network and systems. This way, they can develop and implement security solutions to prevent hackers from breaching security measures.
What’s the Best Industry for Me as a Cyber Security Engineer?
As a cyber security engineer, the best industry to work in is the finance industry. Financial industries require high-quality cyber security services due to the amount of sensitive information they have to protect. However, there are other industries that your cyber security skills are needed in, like the health sector, the manufacturing industry, and government agencies.
Finding roles in these industries will help you start a successful career in cyber security because there is an immense need and high demand for experts in this field. Look for jobs at Deloitte, Apple, or Netflix to start. As long as you have the necessary skills and are willing to work, you are bound to find good work in these industries.
What Industries Hire the Most Cyber Security Engineers FAQ
The finance industry needs cyber security the most. Also, government agencies and businesses in the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and technology industries have a pressing need for cyber security professionals.
Companies that hire cyber security professionals include companies in the finance sector, the health sector, the technology sector, the retail sector, and the manufacturing sector. Government agencies also regularly hire cyber security professionals.
Yes, cyber security engineers are in high demand, and this demand is expected to continue to increase over the years, based on data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cyber security pays well. Cyber security specialists have average salaries of $97,805 annually, according to Payscale.
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