Cyber Security Salary in India: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

The heartbeat of the modern era resonates across the vast digital expanse. Again, irrespective of our area of operation or industry, no one can avoid the increasingly growing digital environment. Every second, huge amounts of information cross virtual highways, flawlessly connected through interlinked devices.

But in the quiet, tussles between assistance and malice raise their head. With technological marvels, a dark world starts rearing its head as a breeding ground for cyber threats and hacking attempts. This is precisely the reason for the sudden rise in demand for cybersecurity careers in India and all over the world.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch of the CyberShikshaa initiative by Microsoft India with ICT Academy to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity architecture, Behncken said, “The count of cybersecurity incidents in India surged from 290,000 in 2018 to nearly 1.5 million in 2021.” According to Cybercrime Magazine, it is expected that 3.5 million jobs in the field of cybersecurity will be created before the year 2025.

Cyberspace careers is not just a trend but it is a must for survival in the present technological world. Hence, to cater to the need and respond to the insistence of protecting the digital future it becomes imperative to study what cybersecurity is, why it is necessary, the common types of cyber attacks, the career opportunities available, and the cybersecurity salary in India.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is meant to be an organised process in place for the protection of digital systems, networks, and devices along with data from unauthorised breach, damage, or theft. It allows for practices, technologies, and measures to be taken into consideration so that information technology assets remain secure against threats or vulnerability.

Cybersecurity is essential in today’s digital landscape due to several critical reasons:

• Protection of Sensitive Data
• Mitigation of Cyber Threats
• Preservation of Business Continuity
• Security of Critical Infrastructure
• Protection of Personal Privacy
• Compliance with Regulations
• Global Security Concerns

In other words, it is impossible to overestimate the role of cybersecurity in protecting information and property, preserving the confidentiality of people’s data, stabilising companies’ operations, and preventing threats to the security of countries and the entire world in this connected world.

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Cyber Security Skill Gap

According to the Fortinet Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report 2023, 56 percent of organisations experience a problem in the hiring of personnel in the cybersecurity field, and 54 percent experienced a problem in employee retention in the same field. Moreover, 44% of survey respondents also point out the high level of challenge identified to attract talents for positions on cloud security and security operations.

This is about the deficit of cybersecurity expertise in India: in 2023 there was a 30% shortage. Approximately 40,000 cybersecurity jobs were already available by May 2023; however, 30% out of these positions were vacant. Hence, you can have a good professional life as a cybersecurity expert with a pretty good cybersecurity salary in India.

Cyber Security Market and Scope in India

Cybersecurity market in India to grow significantly by 2025 and require almost one million workers, according to the Data Security Council of India. Some of the reasons for this surge are an increased rate of cyber threats and attacks, recognition of the importance of cybersecurity, the Covid-19 and an increase in cybercrimes.

In the next decade, the need for quantum resistant cryptography is going to increase and turn into a necessity. Post-quantum era preparations will become the basis of further planning in the cybersecurity world. As IoT is expected to grow, stressing more on IoT security will be important because Internet of Things (IoT) enlarges the scope of cybercriminals’ opportunities. These factors put pressure on raising the cyber security salary in India.

Common Categories of Cyber Security

There are different types of cyber security jobs and salary differs according to different roles. Depending on the fields they operate in and the strategies that they use to protect digital systems, it can be divided into different categories.

Here are some key cybersecurity types:

• Network Security: Concentrated on protecting computer networks from anyone who is not authorised to access and control them or any malicious intrusion. This includes applying firewalls, VPNs and intrusion detection systems in order to safeguard the network
• Endpoint Security: Emphasis is placed on securing specific devices like computers, laptop, portable devices, and servers. To secure the endpoints antivirus software is adopted along with the encryption and access control.
• Cloud Security: Designed to guard information, programs, and utilities located in cloud platforms. It includes practices such as securing data through encryption, limiting access to data and cloud security policies among others.
• Application Security: Concentrates on protecting software and applications from being attacked or have possibilities for risk. This entails secure coding practices, penetration testing, and security updates in appropriate periods of time.
• Data Security: Refers to the processes of guarding such information as personnel records, financial information and identity details from access or misuse by third parties. There are mechanisms like encryption, tokenisation, and data loss prevention (DLP) that are employed in the process of protecting data.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): Responsible for the administration and the limitation of users’ rights to access certain systems and information. IAM makes certain that only authorised persons are granted access, thus limiting some people from getting access to something they are not supposed to.
• IoT Security: Protect the increasing number of connected devices in the Internet of Things. It encompasses the processes of user authentication, communications encryption, and traffic analysis with an aim of securing IoT devices & networks.
• Behavioural Analytics: A technology that employs machine learning and AI in analysing user behaviour for anomalies that might finally point toward a potential security threat or breac

Each type of cybersecurity is thus very important in safeguarding digital properties, networks, and data; and are a well-coordinated structure in the fight against new forms of cyber threats.

Different Types of Cyber Security Attacks

There are numerous varieties of cybersecurity threats or attacks employed by individuals to carry out intentional actions, which include rendering systems useless, theft, or disruptions. Some of the common forms of cyber-attacks are discussed below:

• Malware: Malicious software designed to infiltrate and damage systems. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
• Phishing: A fraud, generally committed via email, phone, or SMS, regarding an attempt to fool targets by impersonating a trusted organisation in providing login credentials, financial information, or sensitive personal data.
• DDos (Denial-of-Service): In a system or network environment sending too many requests within a short span of time with the intention of making a system or network slow or non-responsive to users.
• SQL Injection: When database vulnerability is used malignantly by executing malicious SQL code, which allows viewing, changing, or deleting data.
• Man in the Middle Attack: This includes intercepting the communication between two parties with an intention to eavesdrop, steal information, or manipulate data without either party knowing.

These are some of the important types of attacks. Understanding these attack types assists organisations and people to take appropriate cybersecurity measures so as to counter these looming threats and minimise the risk of cyber attacks.

Skills Required to Become a Cyber Security Professional

The cybersecurity field requires everything: logical thinking, troubleshooting, technical expertise, lots of verbal and written communication. Most importantly, the person must be efficient in learning and acquiring new technologies while working independently if the project assigned requires it.

Let’s have a closer look at the top-most required skills in cybersecurity to become professional or expert and to get better cyber security job pay offers. Here they are:

• Strong Technical Knowledge: Professional knowledge in cybersecurity calls for deeper understanding of network security, operating systems, coding languages, and security tools.
• Cyber Threat Intelligence: Experts in this area can gather, analyse, and put into context the threat data from various sources. In this way, they can act proactively in finding threats and reacting to them.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Cybersecurity experts have to develop problem-solving skills to analyse complex threats, look for weak points, and create innovative ways of neutralising them.
• Implementation Skills: Ranging from how to translate security strategies and protocols into actionable measures within organisational frameworks.
• Ethical Mindset: An ethical professional is one who cares about moral principles, protects confidentiality, and adheres to legal and ethical standards in handling sensitive information.
• Management Skills: More so, cybersecurity experts with good management skills can coordinate security frameworks, team leadership, and ensure collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Communication and Collaboration: Cybersecurity professionals who have better communication skills can help wide-ranging teams collaborate better in terms of sharing information and coordinating responses to a given cyber event.
• Continuous Learning: Updating one’s knowledge is the most crucial competence nowadays, especially when it comes to dealing with new threats every day. It is noteworthy that the continuously learning professional stays abreast with trends, technologies, and threads in the cybersecurity domain.

Again, the interested candidates may look for different cybersecurity training programs where they can be trained under experts to acquire all the required skills one should possess to become a professional in this field.

Cyber Security Frameworks

The cybersecurity framework is a policy and procedure that organisations adopt for the betterment and enhancement of their cybersecurity methods. Different cybersecurity organisations and government agencies have come up with such a framework that provides the founding basis on which companies should seek to improve their cybersecurity system. Extensive guidelines have been provided on a systematic, five-step cybersecurity methodology that includes the following:

• Identification: Assess and identify vulnerable assets within the organisation.
• Protection: Ensure robust protection of data and assets.
• Detection: Promptly identify breaches and intrusions.
• Response: React effectively to cybersecurity breaches.
• Recovery: Restoration of compromised data, financial assets, systems, and corporate reputation after a cyber attack.

Average Range of Cyber Security Salary in India

Here’s an average range of cyber security salary in India across various roles:

Different Cyber Security Job Roles and Salaries in India

To know about cyber security salary in India for different job roles with their responsibilities, you must look into the following table:

When it comes to government cyber security salary in India, the anticipated net income within the Government of India falls between ₹50,818 and ₹52,017 per month.

Key Factors Affecting Cyber Security Salary in India

When we talk about cyber security jobs for freshers, salary expectations can depend on many factors. To be more realistic, these factors not only affect freshers but also impacts the salary of a cyber security professional who has working experience.

Let’s see those kee factors that influences the cyber security salary in India:

• Experience and Expertise
• Education and Certifications
• Specialisation and Skills
• Industry and Company Size
• Demand-Supply Dynamics
• Role and Responsibilities
• Market Trends and Threat Landscape
• Location

Understanding these factors can provide insights into the range and variation in cyber security jobs salary across different roles and regions in India.

Top Companies That Hire for Cyber Security Roles

Several top-tier companies actively seek cybersecurity talent to fortify their digital defences and protect their assets. Some of these prominent companies known for hiring cybersecurity professionals include:

• IBM
• Cisco
• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Google
• Deloitte
• Accenture
• CrowdStrike
• FireEye
• Palo Alto Networks

Many of these companies including technology companies, consulting firms and cybersecurity firms among others hire cybersecurity professionals to help protect their resources and networks from cyber threats while offering the highest remuneration package to their employees in India.

How to Get Started with a Cyber Security Career?

The demand for cybersecurity talent in India is experiencing rapid growth. Employers are willing to provide splendid wages that provide individuals possessing the expertise to protect the organisation’s data from hackers and cyber criminals.

The people who want to climb the corporate ladder but do not want to leave their current job should know about the cybersecurity courses, which are offered online in India. Below is a list of important steps one need to follow in order to launch a career in this area of cyber security:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. Also, you can go for an online cyber security course from a reputable platform like Hero Vired.
• Familiarity with firewalls and diverse types of endpoint security.
• Proficiency in languages/tools like C++, Java, Node, Python, Ruby, Go, or Powershell offers added benefits.
• Capability to handle pressure in a fast-paced work setting.
• Possession of keen attention to detail alongside exceptional problem-solving abilities.
• Continuous update on the latest trends in cybersecurity and hacker methodologies is essential.

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Conclusion

The world of cybersecurity, specifically in India, is in a phase of an enormous increase in demand because of the growing incidence of cyber threats coupled with the increasing adoption of digital frameworks. The scarcity of skilled professionals, evident in the substantial skills gap, translates into lucrative career opportunities and the experts in cyber security earn better salaries.

The cyber security salary in India also has a lot of variation based on the position, the average salaries per annum start from ₹ 5 lakhs to a highest of ₹ 69 lakhs. Large organisations continue to look for cybersecurity skills, and job offers come with attractive remuneration levels to protect organisations’ digital infrastructure. Any young professional may start developing his or her cybersecurity career by acquiring the right education, developing practical experience, and updating knowledge as to the latest tendencies.