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How to Become a Cyber Security Consultant

By Steve Smith

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

 

April 20, 2023

Businesses of all sizes depend on secure information systems for the processing and storage of sensitive data. To help keep these systems secure, companies employ cyber security professionals and often work with consultants who have specific information security skills. In this article, we’ll outline how to become a cyber security consultant, explore some of their duties and the skills needed to pursue this occupation, as well as the certifications related to this role. We’ll also consider the job outlook for this occupation.

What Is a Cyber Security Consultant?

These highly skilled IT professionals specialize in creating solutions to safeguard sensitive data like consumers’ personal information in information systems. Working on the front lines of  cyber security, these specialists have become critical to modern business operations as they manage risk and look for ways to firm up their defenses against cyberattacks like ransomware, spam, spyware and malware, phishing and other forms of cyber warfare.

The growth of e-commerce, mobile payments, cloud computing, big data and analytics, IoT (Internet of Things), machine learning and social media have all increased risks for consumers and businesses. In Cisco’s Annual Internet Report White Paper, they reported that the last several years have easily been the  most eventful period from a cyber security threat perspective, and this has shifted the treatment of cyber security from merely an information technology issue to a significant business risk.

What Does a Cyber Security Consultant Do?

Cyber security consultants are called upon to perform a variety of tasks to assess the security of an organization’s information systems, software and networks, identify vulnerabilities and help their clients devise the most effective ways to defend them against cyberattacks.

Their regular duties may include:

  • Performing vulnerability testing by using ethical hacking and other techniques.

  • Delivering test findings in technical reports and white papers.

  • Planning, researching and designing security architecture for IT projects.

  • Advising on the management of security breaches and other security-related incidents and developing response plans.

  • Implementing and maintaining company-wide cyber security policies for client organizations and meeting with clients to discuss the security measures related to these policies.

  • Consulting with staff to facilitate security assessments and discuss security issues and concerns, and training staff to recognize and defend against security risks.

  • Keeping up to date with the latest trends and technologies that will enable the most effective security measures to safeguard systems.

  • Developing and submitting cost estimates for upgrades to systems and identify potential challenges in collaboration with the client’s IT project managers.

Important Cyber Security Consultant Skills

A blend of  technical and interpersonal skills enable these information security professionals to perform their IT-related tasks and engage effectively with members of their clients’ management teams to discuss their findings and proposed solutions. 

Technical Skills:

Examples of some of the technical skills they routinely use are:

  • Knowledge of network structure: An understanding of technical concepts like firewall installation, network configuration and management and the administration of different operating systems is essential in this occupation.

  • Risk identification and management: Through regular monitoring and analysis, risk management enables cyber security professionals to identify areas that may be vulnerable to a security breach and then take steps to defend against these threats. 

  • Data management and analysis: An understanding of modern data management is required to create systems that gather, organize, analyze and protect data.

  • Cloud implementation and management: Cyber security professionals should be knowledgeable of cloud computing systems and processes and be proficient in the steps necessary to ensure cloud security. They should also know how to work with IT department personnel to create safe internal cloud systems. 

  • Penetration testing: This cyberattack methodology helps test information systems against breaches by seeking out weaknesses so they can be reinforced. This provides businesses with unbiased feedback about the effectiveness of their security measures, and is an essential skill in the cyber security consultant’s tool belt.

  • Ethical hacking: Learning and using techniques used by ethical hackers is crucial to uncovering vulnerabilities in clients’ systems, networks or applications. By using the same methods a malicious hacker might use to illegally gain access to a system, these consulting professionals can provide their clients with reliable vulnerability reports. 

  • Project Management:  Strong project management skills are essential for keeping the teams and initiatives cyber consultants work with on task and on time. Since they’re closely involved in how company’s strengthen their security defenses, these skills are essential to making sure that each step is completed, and executed at a high standard. 

  • Knowledge of compliance assessments: Compliance, a significant component of any organization’s cyber security strategy, involves adhering to the standards and regulations of government agencies and other regulatory bodies. Information security professionals must be familiar with their organizations’ compliance policies and with data privacy regulations.

Soft Skills:

Cyber security consultants work closely with people. This is why they need soft or interpersonal skills just as much as their technical abilities. Some of these soft skills include:

  • Logical Reasoning:The ability to track down problems that aren’t immediately apparent within computer systems requires sharp reasoning skills. This ability can be applied to short-term crises as well as long-term solutions to systemic issues.

  • Adaptability: Cyber security consulting requires the ability to learn new technologies and quickly familiarize yourself with new and emerging threats. This ability to stay ahead of the curve is something clients are likely to expect. 

  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communications skills allow cyber security pros to engage with various audiences, from tech-savvy IT department personnel, to upper management and executive-level stakeholders. Making technical subject matter understandable to non-technical audiences can be crucial when reporting testing results, making presentations or recommending security solutions. 

  • Detail-oriented: Working in a high-stakes environment where small errors could create security vulnerabilities, cyber security consultants must be both detail-oriented and driven to ensure security.

Cyber Security Consultant Certifications

Cyber security professionals at any stage of their careers may pursue a number of  industry-recognized certifications to help them stand out among other job candidates. Certifications typically require passing exams, and committing to some form of continuing education or recertification to keep the credentials and the skills they validate current. 

Elements of the curriculum in DeVry’s Bachelor’s in Information Technology and Networking with a Specialization in Cyber Security,   Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Networking and Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems with a Specialization in Cyber Security Programming are aligned to many industry certifications.

Entry-Level Certifications:

Certifications you might pursue early on in your cyber security career include:

  • CompTIA Security+: This certification verifies the skills and knowledge to configure systems used to secure networks, applications and mobile devices. Certification holders have shown their ability to assess the security posture of an enterprise environment and recommend and implement appropriate security solutions. They can also identify, analyze and respond to security events and incidents.

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®):  Verifies your skills in auditing, monitoring, and assessment, and your ability to utilize risk-based approaches to audits. It also verifies you’re up to date with essential technology used in these audits. 

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP): Communicates your knowledge and understanding of data privacy laws and how they impact cyber security. This certification also helps you grasp global privacy concepts and covers the laws, regulations and enforcement models regarding them. 

Penetration Testing Certifications:

As you continue through your career, you might opt for more specific certifications. A few that focus on penetration testing include:

  • CompTIA PenTest+: This certification’s exam covers all stages of penetration testing and helps IT professionals gain vulnerability assessment and management skills. PenTest+ ensures candidates can propose remediation techniques, communicate results to management and effectively provide practical recommendations.

  • C|EH (Ethical Hacker): This certification from EC-Council is a widely recognized certification based on 5 phases of ethical hacking. Candidates build skills and gain experience with more than 500 unique attack techniques and more than 220 challenge-based, hands-on labs.

Senior-Level Certifications:

The more you advance in your career as a cyber security consultant, the more you’ll learn about:

  • CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): Covering security architecture and engineering, the CASP+ certification from CompTIA is an advanced cyber security certification designed for security architects, lead analysts, senior security engineers and other advanced cyber security technicians. It covers the practical skills these professionals need to actualize effective solutions within established policies and frameworks.

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): The CISSP certification from ISC2 is intended for cyber security professionals who want to move up to positions like chief information security officer (CISO) director of security, security manager or security consultant to name a few. This certification demonstrates your ability to design, implement and maintain cybersecurity structures. The CISSP meets the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1.

Cyber Security Consultant Career Outlook:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts high demand for information security analysts (the category cyber security professionals fall under) for the following reasons:

  • As businesses focus on strengthening cyber security, they will need information security analysts to secure new technologies from outside threats or cyberattacks.

  • A shift to remote work and the rise of e-commerce have increased the need for enhanced security.

  • Cyberattacks have become more frequent, and these cyber security professionals will be needed to prevent service interruptions, theft of critical information or ransomware attacks.

  • Strong growth in digital health services and telehealth is expected to increase data security risks for healthcare providers, and information security analysts will likely be needed to safeguard patients’ healthcare data. 

In fact, the BLS projects employment of information security analysts to grow 32% between 2022 and 2032, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 16,800 job openings in the category each year, on average, over this period.1 This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, not just entry-level.

How to Become a Cyber Security Consultant

While no career path or outcome is entirely predictable, there are steps you can follow to help you get started on your journey, beginning with education. Afterwards, earning industry-recognized certifications, building a strong resume and gaining on-the-job experience are all positive steps for anyone preparing to pursue this career.

Education

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a cyber security consultant, you should plan to start by enrolling in a degree or certificate program that focuses on cyber security and the many disciplines in that field. 

At DeVry, we offer a number of programs that you can consider to help you learn vital technical skills like security planning and auditing, programming and ethical hacking while also developing many of the communication and collaboration skills needed to be effective in today’s corporate environments. These programs include our Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security, our Associate Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking, our Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Networking, specialization in Cyber Security that’s part of our Bachelor’s in Information Technology and Networking, and a specialization in Cyber Security Programming that’s part of our Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems.

Our cyber security curriculum is acknowledged and verified as an approved provider by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).

Additionally, DeVry University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a specialization in Cyber Security Programming.

Certifications

Industry-recognized certifications in the fundamentals of cyber security are important to validate the skills that many employers might be looking for, that’s why we’ve aligned a number of courses in our cyber security curriculum with elements from some of the industry’s most widely recognized credentials, like CompTIA Security+, PenTest+ and the EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker certification.

At DeVry, we’ll reimburse you for up to $300 toward the cost of one industry certification exam attempt.  

Gain Experience

Often, consultants need at least a few years of work experience. After earning your degree, you may want to start by seeking entry-level employment and working your way up from there. 

Build Your Resume

Create a strong resume by highlighting your technical skills and certifications as well as your soft skills, like communication, problem-solving and analytical thinking. The more experience you have, the more you can add to your resume as you go.

Stuck on what to write? Resume writing help is just one of several services offered by our Career Services team along with interview and career coaching, LinkedIn networking, job search strategy help and more.

Cyber Security Consultant FAQs

What job experience do I need to become a cyber security consultant?

Experience requirements will vary widely between organizations and roles, but you can gain experience through internships or entry-level employment to start. According to the BLS, information security analysts may need to acquire on-the-job experience by working in a related occupation, such as a network and computer systems administrator. 

How much does a cyber security consultant make?

There are many factors that go into determining what your salary as a cyber security consultant could be, including years of experience, your geographical location and more. Start by looking at job postings in your area to get an idea of what’s typical, or explore BLS occupational data for information on a national level.

What level of education do I need to become a cyber security consultant?

The BLS notes that information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer and information technology, or a related field. They also stress the importance of industry-relevant certifications, and state that you may need additional years of experience should you want to pursue higher-level positions. 

Prepare to Pursue Your Cyber Security Career with DeVry

Our online cyber security programs are designed to help you develop your technical skills and gain the hands-on experience you’ll need to enter this growing field. Whether you start your journey earning our Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security, our Associate Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking or enroll in one of our bachelor’s-level programs, DeVry is here to help you feel confident as you prepare to pursue your career.  

In our Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking program, you’ll learn about how to implement, maintain and update secure network infrastructures for an organization, as well as how to identify vulnerabilities in their networks, software and devices.  

And there’s more. Students enrolled in this program will be automatically enrolled in our Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program, which can help build your network while you amplify your skills and explore job search resources, internships, apprenticeships and more. 

You’ll also receive a complimentary laptop as part of this technology program, which is our way of investing in your future, and in you.2

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Higher Learning Commission -www.hlcommission.org. Being accredited means we’ve met rigorous quality standards and are committed to giving you the education you deserve.

DeVry University’s cybersecurity curriculum is acknowledged and verified as an approved provider by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS). NICCS is an online training initiative and portal that follows the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education framework and connects students, educators and industry to cybersecurity resources and U.S. training providers. More information is available via https://niccs.cisa.gov and www.nist.gov/nice.

1Growth projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, not just entry-level. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

2As part of this program, one complimentary laptop is provided to students enrolled in the Associate in Cybersecurity and Networking, Associate in Information Technology and Networking, Associate in Engineering Technology, Bachelor’s of Information Technology and Networking, Bachelor’s of Software Development, Bachelor’s of Engineering Technology, Bachelor’s of Cybersecurity and Networking and Bachelor’s of Computer Information Systems. The laptop is issued during the student’s second session. Certain restrictions apply.

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