In here I want us to take a look at a few job roles within a company that pay attention to infosec and protection of cyber security of it’s digital assets. Those roles are not necessary exists within every company and all of those roles. but in some cases a single role might take responsibility of more than one
20 Roles of Infosec
Name | Seniority | Description | Reports to |
---|---|---|---|
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | Executive | Develops and oversees the implementation of an organization’s information security strategy. Responsible for ensuring that the organization’s security posture meets regulatory requirements and industry standards. | CEO or Board of Directors |
Security Architect | Senior | Designs and builds secure systems and networks, ensuring that security is integrated into all aspects of the design and development process. | CISO or Director of Security |
Security Analyst | Entry/Mid | Monitors, analyzes, and responds to security incidents and alerts. Responsible for identifying and mitigating security threats and vulnerabilities. | Security Operations Manager |
Penetration Tester | Mid/Senior | Conducts authorized simulated attacks on systems to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. Provides recommendations for improving security controls. | Security Operations Manager |
Security Engineer | Mid/Senior | Implements and manages security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies. | Security Architect |
Incident Responder | Mid/Senior | Investigates and responds to security incidents, including data breaches and cyber attacks. Works to contain and remediate the impact of security breaches. | Security Operations Manager |
Forensic Analyst | Mid/Senior | Collects, analyzes, and preserves digital evidence related to security incidents. Provides support for legal and regulatory investigations. | Incident Responder |
Security Operations Manager | Manager | Manages and oversees the daily operations of the security team. Responsible for coordinating incident response, monitoring security events, and managing security technologies. | CISO or Director of Security |
Cybersecurity Consultant | Mid/Senior | Provides expert advice and guidance on cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance. May also provide technical consulting services. | Varies (Consulting Firm) |
Security Compliance Analyst | Mid | Ensures that an organization complies with relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to information security. Conducts audits and assessments to identify compliance gaps. | Security Operations Manager |
Network Security Engineer | Mid/Senior | Designs, implements, and manages network security solutions, such as firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems, to protect an organization’s network infrastructure. | Security Architect |
Cloud Security Engineer | Mid/Senior | Focuses on securing cloud environments, including public, private, and hybrid clouds. Implements security controls and best practices for cloud-based applications and data. | Security Architect |
Application Security Engineer | Mid/Senior | Focuses on securing software applications throughout the development lifecycle. Identifies and mitigates security vulnerabilities in applications. | Security Architect |
Threat Intelligence Analyst | Mid/Senior | Collects, analyzes, and interprets threat intelligence data to identify emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Provides actionable intelligence to support security operations. | Security Operations Manager |
Security Awareness Trainer | Mid/Senior | Develops and delivers security awareness training programs to educate employees about cybersecurity best practices and reduce the risk of human error. | CISO or Security Manager |
Identity and Access Management (IAM) Specialist | Mid/Senior | Manages user identities and access rights across an organization’s systems and applications. Ensures that access is granted and revoked appropriately. | Senior Security Manager |
Cryptographer | Mid/Senior | Designs and implements cryptographic algorithms and protocols to secure data and communications. Conducts research to develop new cryptographic techniques. | Senior Security Manager |
Malware Analyst | Mid/Senior | Analyzes and reverse-engineers malware to understand its behavior and develop countermeasures. Provides expertise in identifying and mitigating malware threats. | Security Manager |
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst | Mid | Monitors security alerts and incidents from various sources, investigates potential security threats, and escalates issues as necessary. | Security Manager |
Digital Forensics Investigator | Mid/Senior | Conducts digital investigations to collect and analyze evidence related to cyber crimes. Works closely with law enforcement and legal teams to support investigations. | Security Manager |
Responsibility of CISO
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays a crucial role in the cybersecurity ecosystem of an average company. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Developing and Implementing Security Strategies: The CISO is responsible for developing and implementing the overall information security strategy for the organization, aligning it with business goals and objectives.
- Overseeing Security Policies and Procedures: They oversee the development, implementation, and enforcement of security policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.
- Risk Management: The CISO identifies, assesses, and prioritizes security risks and develops strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.
- Security Awareness and Training: They are responsible for raising awareness about security threats among employees and providing training to help them understand and adhere to security policies.
- Incident Response: The CISO leads the organization’s response to security incidents, including conducting investigations, coordinating response efforts, and implementing corrective actions.
- Security Architecture and Technology: They oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of security architecture and technologies, ensuring they are effective in protecting the organization’s assets.
- Compliance: The CISO ensures that the organization complies with relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to information security.
- Reporting and Communication: They communicate regularly with senior management and other stakeholders to provide updates on the organization’s security posture and any security incidents or risks.
- Vendor Management: The CISO manages relationships with security vendors and service providers to ensure they meet the organization’s security requirements.
- Budgeting and Resource Allocation: They are responsible for budgeting and allocating resources for cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with the organization’s priorities and goals.
- Monitoring and Auditing: The CISO oversees the monitoring of security controls and conducts regular audits to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
- Leading the Security Team: The CISO provides leadership and direction to the security team, including hiring, training, and mentoring security professionals.
The CISO plays a critical role in ensuring the security and resilience of an organization’s information assets and is instrumental in protecting the organization from cyber threats.
Responsibility of Security Architect
The Security Architect plays a more technical role in the cybersecurity ecosystem of an average company. Their responsibilities typically include but not limited to:
- Designing Security Architectures: The Security Architect is responsible for designing the overall security architecture for the organization, ensuring that it meets the organization’s security requirements and aligns with industry best practices.
- Security Requirements Analysis: They analyze the organization’s security requirements and translate them into effective security solutions.
- Security Solution Design: The Security Architect designs security solutions, including hardware, software, and network security components, to meet the organization’s security needs.
- Security Technology Evaluation: They evaluate new security technologies and products to determine their suitability for the organization’s security architecture.
- Security Policy and Procedure Development: The Security Architect assists in the development of security policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.
- Security Risk Assessment: They conduct security risk assessments to identify and prioritize security risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
- Security Incident Response Planning: The Security Architect helps develop and implement security incident response plans to ensure the organization can respond effectively to security incidents.
- Security Compliance: They ensure that the organization complies with relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to information security.
- Security Awareness and Training: The Security Architect helps raise awareness about security threats among employees and provides training to help them understand and adhere to security policies.
- Security Architecture Reviews: They conduct regular reviews of the security architecture to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.
- Security Technology Implementation: The Security Architect assists in the implementation of security technologies, ensuring they are configured correctly and effectively.
- Vendor Management: They manage relationships with security vendors and service providers to ensure they meet the organization’s security requirements.
- Collaboration: The Security Architect collaborates with other members of the security team and IT department to ensure that security measures are integrated into the organization’s overall IT infrastructure.
- Documentation: They document security architectures, designs, and procedures to ensure that they are well understood and can be effectively implemented and maintained.
The Security Architect plays a critical role in ensuring the security and resilience of an organization’s information assets and is instrumental in protecting the organization from cyber threats.
Responsibility of Security Analyst
The role of a Security Analyst in a cybersecurity ecosystem within an average company is crucial for maintaining the security posture of the organization. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Monitoring Security Systems: Security Analysts monitor security systems such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools to detect and respond to security incidents.
- Incident Response: They investigate security incidents, assess the impact, and implement measures to contain and mitigate the effects of security breaches.
- Vulnerability Assessment: Security Analysts conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses in the organization’s systems and networks.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): They use SIEM tools to collect, analyze, and report on security-related data to detect and respond to security incidents.
- Threat Intelligence: Security Analysts research and analyze cyber threats and trends to understand potential risks to the organization and recommend security measures to mitigate these risks.
- Security Policy and Procedure Compliance: They ensure that the organization’s security policies and procedures comply with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
- Security Awareness Training: Security Analysts may be involved in providing security awareness training to employees to help them recognize and respond to security threats.
- Security Incident Reporting: They prepare and present reports on security incidents, including the causes, impacts, and remediation measures taken, to management and relevant stakeholders.
- Security Tool Management: They manage and maintain security tools and technologies, ensuring they are up-to-date and configured correctly to protect the organization’s systems and data.
- Collaboration: Security Analysts collaborate with other members of the security team, IT department, and external partners to respond to security incidents and implement security measures.
- Documentation: They document security incidents, investigations, and remediation activities for future reference and audit purposes.
Security Analysts play a critical role in identifying, analyzing, and responding to security threats to protect the organization’s information assets and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its data and systems.
Responsibility of Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester, also known as an Ethical Hacker, plays a crucial role in assessing the security posture of an organization by simulating cyberattacks and identifying vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Vulnerability Assessment: Conducting thorough assessments of systems, networks, and applications to identify security vulnerabilities.
- Penetration Testing: Performing simulated cyberattacks to exploit identified vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of existing security controls.
- Security Assessment: Evaluating the security of IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and configurations.
- Risk Analysis: Identifying and prioritizing security risks based on the severity of vulnerabilities and potential impact on the organization.
- Report Generation: Documenting findings from security assessments and penetration tests in detailed reports, including recommendations for remediation.
- Remediation Guidance: Providing guidance to IT and security teams on how to remediate identified vulnerabilities and improve overall security posture.
- Security Awareness: Educating employees about cybersecurity best practices and raising awareness about common security threats.
- Compliance: Ensuring that security assessments and penetration testing activities comply with relevant regulations and standards.
- Continuous Monitoring: Monitoring systems and networks for new vulnerabilities and emerging threats to proactively address security issues.
- Collaboration: Collaborating with other security professionals, including security analysts and incident responders, to improve overall security posture.
- Research: Keeping abreast of the latest security trends, tools, and techniques to enhance penetration testing methodologies and approaches.
Overall, Penetration Testers play a critical role in helping organizations identify and mitigate security risks to protect against potential cyberattacks and data breaches.
I am a software engineer with 20 years of experience of writing code, Software languages, Large scale web application, security and data protection of online digital assets in various software systems and services. I’ve decided to write and share my interests in cyber security online and information security to help and improve white hat security, safety and privacy of our online digital assets, As companies, as individuals or experts providing services. In here you’ll be able to read freely about cyber security threats, detections, common problems, services, news and everything related to information security and cyber security – enjoy and feel free to contact me via the contact page for any question.