Can You Work From Home in Cybersecurity and Who is Hiring?

Written by Steve Todd in General

In the most recent years, headlines such as data breach and cybersecurity are more and more common. The companies are facing the challenge of hiring top tech talent, which made the option for work from home in cybersecurity very beneficial and viable.

Can you work from home in cybersecurity? There are few opportunities to work from home in cybersecurity such as cybersecurity research, security consultancy, audits, penetration testing, IAM analysis, security architects, etc. Due to the increased awareness of cybercrime, the demand for professionals who can protect the company’s digital space is increasing rapidly.

Cybersecurity is referring to all preventing methods for protection of all systems that are internet-connected, including software and hardware from being compromised or cyber-attacked, as well as protecting sensitive information from being stolen.

Cybersecurity is a category of security that consists of numerous software and hardware technologies, used for protecting against unauthorized data access either on personal or corporate networks. It requires vast knowledge and information for potential threats from viruses or other malicious codes.

Companies are not the only target for cybercriminals, every information can be used or monetized in loads of different ways, such as stealing the medical coverage, identity theft, or intercepting the tax refund.  

Some of the cybersecurity tools are passwords, software patches, anti-virus software, anti-malware software, two-factor authentication, firewalls, encryption, etc.

Having a cybersecurity plan is very important when the company is dealing with sensitive information. So appointing a chief security officer is of utmost importance.

Cybersecurity is one of the fields that is constantly evolving, and new risks appear every day. Professionals for information security must learn all the time to stay up to date with all the threats and the countermeasures. Usually, people who want to start a career in cybersecurity are coming straight out of college or transitioning from other IT positions. Either way, you have to have some general IT experience and understand how everything works before you can secure the technology and protect it.

Here are different types of cybersecurity work from home jobs:

Information Security Analyst or Cyber Security Analyst

This type of job is regarding creating plans, implementing strategies and security measures for protecting the company’s networks of potential breaches and attacks such as malware, viruses, and hacks. Cybersecurity analysts are constantly monitoring the computer networks of their company as well as keeping all the systems in running smoothly, assessing the potential risks, identifying the weaknesses of the network and thus enhancing the whole security of the system.

All their activities include researching IT trends, installing software with proper encryption, recommending the hardware and making reports on weak spots and breaches. Also, creating contingency plans if there is some successful attack. Cybersecurity analysts have to stay up-to-date with all the tools that they are using, so they can plan the weapons to strengthen the defense.

Additionally, they should educate the other employees about the potential security risks and the best practices. Because even if you have the most secure system it takes only one person with the right access level being not careful to bring the whole system’s security down.

Security analysts need to have technical skills such as risk assessment and management, knowledge of information systems, networks, databases, hardware, cryptography, project management, Linux, etc.  

Cybersecurity analysts have a really important role in the company because cyber attacks can cause huge financial loss. For example, if the hackers infiltrate the credit card system, millions of dollars can be stolen in a few minutes. Also, stealing crucial military information can be really dangerous for overall safety.

Penetration Tester or an Ethical Hacker

Penetration testers are using the same tools and knowledge as to test out the strength of the networks against attacks. They are trying to find all the weak spots and vulnerabilities of the network and present solutions on how those vulnerabilities can be solved.

Penetration testers, using different software and tools are making simulations of real-life attacks, to identify the weaknesses of the system and make recommendations on how to improving security. They have the following responsibilities:

  • Finding holes in the security and point out all the methods or techniques that can be used by the attackers to exploit the weaknesses of the system;
  • Performing different types of a penetration test on networks, systems, and web application;
  • Do the needed research, create documentation and discuss their findings with the IT team or with the management of the company;
  • Develop new penetration tests and tools.

Security Consultant

Security consultants need to have 3-5 years of experience in cybersecurity. They are considered as know-it-all cybersecurity experts. Security consultants are also known as information security consultants, database security consultants, computer security consultants, or network security consultants.

Their job is to make assessments of potential cybersecurity risks, presenting solutions for different types of companies as well as guiding them on how to protect and secure their hardware and information. They need to be really flexible because they are dealing with different types of variables while doing assessments of the security systems in different companies. Also, they have the following responsibilities:

  • Performing different types of security assessment and vulnerability tests;
  • Determine which is the best way for protecting the networks, computers, information systems, data from potential cyber-attacks;
  • Provide security guidance and technical supervision to the security team;
  • Offering the best security solutions for the company such as antivirus, cryptography, etc., and testing them;
  • Communicate with the staff to find if there are some security issues.

The consultants can also have a few areas of specializations as they are categorized below:

  • Training – Consultants are responsible for training the system administrators on identifying all potential social engineering attacks as well as what measures to be taken to protect the systems properly. Also, the consultants can provide training for acquiring information security certifications such as CEH, CISSP, and more.
  • Seminars and Workshops – These kinds of events are with the purpose of presenting new ways for discovering new vulnerabilities or protecting the systems from already identified vulnerabilities. These events are used for increasing the image of the consultant and not for gaining money.
  • Auditing of the information security – This type of job is a wider category than penetration testing. It includes identifying any vulnerabilities or gaps that need to be resolved, the readiness of the company in the case of a successful cyberattack, systems capacity.

Security Architect

Security architects need to have 5-10 years of experience in security. Their main job is to design, build, and implement the company’s networks and computer security. Security architects are developing complex security systems, oversee their functioning, and make sure that the systems are ready to prevent the attacks from different types of hacker intrusions, DDoS attacks, and malware. Also, they have the following responsibilities:

  • Researching, planning, and designing impenetrable security architecture, depending on the company’s needs;
  • Performing tests for vulnerabilities, risk analysis, and assessment of the security;
  • Doing research for implementing the latest standards in security as well as implementing the best practices;
  • Educating the staff about security policies and overseeing them;
  • Installing firewalls, VPNs, and much more.

CISO – Chief Information Security Officer

Chief Information Security Officer is the person responsible for implementing, developing and maintaining the security services that will protect the company from all potential risks and threats. Also, the CISO is in charge of assembling the security teams and overseeing their job.

Prior to becoming a CISO, the candidate should have experience of 7-12 years in the IT sector, especially in the field of security as well as spent few years working as a manager of the security teams and operations.

They have the following responsibilities:

  • Building a security team of security experts and guiding them;
  • Creating strategies for implementing new security technologies and making improvements on the existing strategies;
  • Overseeing the development of the company’s security procedures and policies;
  • Establishing a proper program for security risk management by collaborating with the people in charge;
  • Conducting the needed investigations, research, and recommending the best courses of action in the case of a successful breach.

Who is hiring work from home in cybersecurity?

There are numerous websites such as Flexjobs.com, Indeed.com, Workingnomads.co, SimplyHired.com, and many more that are offering numerous ads for cybersecurity jobs on different experience levels. Some of the companies who are hiring work from home cybersecurity workers, including a short description of the jobs are:

WWT is currently seeking a senior level consultant that will perform different types of services, including creating and improving the overall maturity and posture of the security systems. All services should be provided by applying the best practices and complying with all standards, regulations, and frameworks. The consultant will be providing services for different clients (companies from Fortune 500).

  • BRTRC – Cyber Security Engineer

BRTRC is currently seeking for Cyber Security Engineer that will perform different types of security assessments on a wide range of technologies, services, products, and platforms. The ideal candidate should have a flexible skill set and be comfortable working in a fast-paced. The candidate should most importantly have experience and understanding of the foundational computing concepts, like networking services (DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP),  virtualization, as well as being familiarized with security technologies such as VPN, PKI, SSL, IDS/IPS, and firewalls…

CrowdStrike is seeking a Security Researcher to join their Advanced Research Team. The candidate should have extensive experience with Linux, Windows, BSD, and UNIX server systems for setting up and maintaining secure systems. You should be able to challenge the security of your clients, through performing vulnerabilities test. To automate the maintenance of the systems, the ideal candidate should use Shell and Python scripting. Also writing detailed documentation and analysis of the threats is a key responsibility.

GovernmentCIO is seeking for a cybersecurity specialist for the program of Insurance Modernization of the Veterans Affairs department. The candidate should perform an assessment of the current cybersecurity levels, define which level of risk is acceptable, training the security team in executing proper security policies and establish a framework for maintenance procedures. Using penetration testing to identify the potential risk to the information and cybersecurity…

  • BNY Mellon– Principal Information Security Analyst

BNY Mellon is seeking a senior level Principal information security analyst that will contribute to the whole implementation and development of the security architecture, procedures, standards, and guidelines for different types of platforms. The candidate should be able to give advice regarding existing and new technologies as well as give recommendations on new security tools, and helps the security team into their proper implementation. Do different types of analyzes and reviews of complex data, with the purpose of providing conclusions, insights, and recommend action plans…

Cynergistek is seeking an Information Security Engineer that will have to create verbal and written assessments of the security risks, with the use of a wide range of frameworks to help clients in the defense of the existing and new security risks. Also, you should be able to use your expertise to answer all rising questions regarding the whole security information system…

ECS Federal LLC is seeking an Information Systems Security officer that has experience with RMF or DIACAP and extensive expertise in the documentation for security assessments that are supporting DoD systems…

Also, the following companies are hiring work from home or remote cybersecurity roles:

  • Interface Security Systems LLC – SMB Information Security Manager
  • Catasys – Cybersecurity Project Manager for HIPAA/HITRUST
  • Equifax – Cyber Security Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
  • DELL-  Senior Security Researcher – SecureWorks – Remote US
  • Leggett & Platt Incorporated – Carthage, MO – Network Security Analyst
  • WageWorks – Information Security Operations Manager
  • Deltek, Inc. – Cloud Security Manager Network Administration and Vulnerability Remediation, Cloud Ops Manager Security Assurance, Validation and Audit

What is the salary range for people working in cybersecurity?

  • For the role of Information Security Analyst, the salary range per year is from $49,003 to $102,219
  • For the role of Lead Software Security Engineer, the salary range per year is around $230.000.
  • For the role of CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), the salary range per year is around $192.000.
  • For the role of Security Architect, the salary range per year is from $81,800 to $147,800.
  • For the role of Penetration Tester, the salary range per year is from $45,200 – $120,200.
  • For the role of Investigator for Information Security Crime, the salary range per year is from $55,700 – $119,000.

What are the most popular certifications in cybersecurity?

Employers usually are asking for the following certifications as a measure for quality executing all tasks.

  • CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker – identifying the weaknesses of the system, so they can be resolved;
  • CISM: Certified Information Security Manager – certificate for the IT roles responsible for developing, managing and overseeing the security systems as well as for developing the best security procedures.
  • CompTIA Security+ – the most important certificate for cybersecurity since it is providing foundational knowledge of cryptography, vulnerabilities and risk management.
  • CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional – certificate for the top professional level roles and it’s covering all vulnerabilities in the cryptography concepts, web-based systems, and investigations;
  • GSEC: SANS GIAC Security Essentials – certificates for IT professionals that understand the terminology for information security and at the same time possess the need technical expertise and skills to have a particular security role

What is a cyber attack?

A cyber attack is a particular action made with the purpose of attacking computer information systems, computer networks, infrastructures, personal computer devices, with the use of different types of methods for stealing, destroying or altering the data on the systems. Some of the most common types of cyberattacks are:

  • DOS (denial of service) and DDoS (distributed denial of service) – A DOS attack means overwhelming the resources of a system so it can’t respond to the service requests. A DDoS attack is similar to DOS attack, with the exception that a DDoS attack is launched by a large number of different host machines infected by malicious code.
  • MitM (Men in the middle) – This is an attack where the hackers insert themselves between the communication of a server and a client.
  • Phishing – This is an attack where the users receive an email that seems to be from a trusted source, with the goal of gaining their personal and financial information.
  • Drive by – This is an attack where the hackers plant malicious code into the PHP or HTTP code into insecure websites. This malicious code will install directly in the end user’s computer or re-direct them to another suspicious site.
  • Malware attack – This is when malicious software is installed in the system with consent. There are different types of this kind of software such as macro viruses, polymorphic viruses, file infectors, trojans, stealth viruses, ransomware, etc.
  • Password attack – Passwords are used as the most common way of authenticating the users to a certain system, so acquiring the user’s passwords is a very effective and common type of attack.

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