How to Become a Cyber Security Architect in 2024

We are living in an era when every organization leverages the advantages of technology to expedite organizational goals and automate operations. This essentially demands securing the technologies- systems involved in running the business. A well-guarded organizational structure manned by a competent cyber security architect becomes necessary.  With this, there is a profound need for a Cyber Security training course to prepare professionals with the most advanced and dynamic skills. 

If you aim to become a cyber security architect this coming year and in a few years, make sure you have built a solid foundation with ample knowledge of how to navigate the career trajectory. In this article, let us learn in detail about what it takes to be a Cyber Security Architect and the things one should know to be a Cyber Security Architect

Know your way to becoming a Cyber Security Architect

Incidences of cyber security breaches and cyberattacks are becoming an hourly affair all over the world. With the rapid occurrences, the cost of recovering from such cyber incidents has become even more expensive. A recent analysis found that the average price of data breaches to businesses was $4 million. This was the most significant cost ever reported in the previous ten years. A strong security architecture is a fantastic method to lower these risks. Systems designed by experts in this industry are intended to safeguard businesses and their customers’ data from cyberattacks.

To contribute to combating cybercrime, learning how to become a security architect will go a long way. Let us now find out the in-depth information through this article to help you decide if this is the right job for you and enable you better to understand the duties and requirements for the position.

Steps to become a Cyber Security Architect

There is no one path you must take in order to succeed as a security architect. However, in most circumstances, the road to becoming a security architect starts with a certain educational degree, certifications, and sets of abilities. In some cases, people transfer from other IT professions.

Required Educational Background for a Cyber Security Architect

The value of a Cyber Security training course has become more of an urgent necessity to train cybersecurity personnel. Concerning schooling and education, one may start with a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. A cyber security degree is valuable for several reasons, including the numerous employment choices and the skills you will acquire. You can also pursue degrees in information technology, computer security, and other related fields in order to become a cybersecurity architect in addition to this one.

Those who have graduated in different fields may thus make the most of a cyber security training course. You can continue to learn more and gain higher degrees with a cyber security training course and advance your skills. One may even go for a master’s degree in cybersecurity. A cyber security course is more of a gateway to the inside world of cyber security. You will learn all the skills and abilities necessary to perform as a Cyber Security Architect. Cyber security course is essentially designed to equip prospective professionals with appropriate skills and to keep them upgraded with Industry’s trends and practices.

Gain Certification in Cyber security 

Obtaining a certification in cyber security will help you go a long way in your career. They are highly regarded by many organizations as evidence of your commitment and capacity to carry out the duties of a cybersecurity architect. Several certificates that could advance your profession include:

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA)
  • GIAC Security Certifications
  • GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
  • CompTIA Security+

Some of them include restrictions for eligibility, like having a minimum of two years of work experience (a requirement for CEH), having completed four years of college, having five years of total paid full-time work experience (requirements for CISSP), and many others. Certification in Cyber security is often a mandatory credential for most advanced positions. Cyber security certification training will fast-track your attempts and even help you clear any certification exams on your first attempt. 

Begin working at the entry-level position

Most security architects take on the position after working in cybersecurity for a number of years. If you look through various job postings on LinkedIn, you might see that the necessary experience in information security ranges from three to eight years. On your professional route to becoming a security architect, you might advance into positions like cybersecurity consultant, penetration tester, or security engineer after earning a year or two of experience.

Know the roles of a cyber security architect

The day-to-day responsibilities of a security architect will change depending on the sector, size, and condition of the organization’s security architecture. You might carry out the following duties in this position:

  • Designing and upgrading a comprehensive security plan
  • Preparing a budget for new security hardware or software
  • Project management for security enhancements
  • Managing the security testing approach, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning
  • Carrying out regular threat analysis to stay current with the security environment
  • Running a team in cybersecurity
  • Ensuring adherence to all relevant laws and regulations

Skills required for a Cyber Security Architect

Many security architects have years of experience in this high-level position and have amassed the necessary set of abilities. Even if you’re new to cybersecurity, you might already have some of these technical and professional capabilities, which were gathered from real LinkedIn job advertisements for security architects.

Technical abilities of a security architect

You must be familiar with the best practices for keeping cloud environments secure because many businesses now operate (at least in part) on the cloud.

Network security: To make sure a company’s network is both secure and functioning, you must strike a balance between business and security requirements.

Software development and DevSecOps: Having experience with software development can help you integrate security principles into the development process more successfully.

Identity and access management: It can fall under your purview to safeguard information from unwanted access while facilitating access for those who require it.

Coding: Writing code in a scripting language, such as Python or PowerShell, enables you to automate processes and increase productivity.

Operating Systems: You must be familiar with operating systems for Linux, Windows, and Mac. Depending on your company, you might need to handle security issues particular to each operating system.

Having comprehensive knowledge as we have discussed in the article will boost your preparation to become a Cyber Security Architect.