Cybersecurity: what salary can you expect in 2024?

What salary can you expect from working in cybersecurity? Tech Studies will answer this question today. There are many jobs in cybersecurity, but the challenge remains the same: ensuring the security and protection of information systems, equipment, and data within a company. Cybersecurity engineers, consultants, analysts, etc., will discover cybersecurity jobs and their average salary by level of experience without further delay.

Cybersecurity and its definition

Faced with the increase in cyber attacks that are affecting more companies, private and public organizations, and some higher education institutions (in particular, the cyberattack suffered by the EPF), cybersecurity has quickly become a priority for economic players worldwide. But what exactly is cybersecurity? How do you set it up, and above all, how do you train in this new field, which is still relatively new? Here’s a quick reminder.

While cybersecurity is thought to be a new field of science, the term was first introduced in 1948 by the American researcher and mathematician Norbert Wiener. In his book “Cybernetics, Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine,” the mathematical scientist discusses man’s mastery of machines.

Cybersecurity encompasses all the means to ensure the protection of computer data within a digital infrastructure, but not only. It also aims to protect all IT tools, such as servers, mobile devices, networks, and computers. Faced with this panel of digital tools to be secured, you can imagine that cybersecurity is a comprehensive concept, which it is quite possible to divide into several mechanisms:

• the processes to measure and control the mechanisms put in place;
• identification processes;
• the application of devices to quickly recover sensitive data in the event of technical problems;
• Regular software updates.

And when you say cybersecurity, you say cybercriminals. This is because the malicious individuals responsible for cyberattacks have in-depth technical skills and knowledge, which should be noticed. To constrain them, organizations set up a cybersecurity service to ensure the security of their entire network and computer equipment:

• information security: ensuring the confidentiality of data as well as its storage;
• network security: maintaining and protecting the computer network against potential intruders;
• train end users on what to do (delete suspicious attachments, install antivirus software on their devices, etc.);
• software security: protecting all of an organization’s IT devices from any threat to ensure management and access to valuable data;
• operational security: ensuring the processing and protection of data;
• Implement a disaster recovery policy if a company is the victim of a cyberattack.

In an era where digital technology is omnipresent in our daily lives and economic activities, cybersecurity has quickly become a subject that concerns individuals and professionals. More and more companies are using digital tools and the Internet to grow their businesses. That’s right—IT security concerns you as much as a CAC 40 company!

Cybersecurity salary: a more than attractive remuneration

As you may have read earlier in this article, cybersecurity has become a company priority. What for? Because their growth and the development of their activities rhyme, above all, with security. Indeed, it is necessary to work in good conditions to protect the sensitive data of their customers, their partners, and their employees, which they can store internally. This is why the salary in the cybersecurity sector is the most attractive compared to the remuneration of other branches of tech: data analysis, web development, etc.

To protect this data, companies are quick to invest in cybersecurity, mainly because the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to regulate data processing equally within the European Union. Today, every collection and use of data must be deliberately accepted by the user and justified.

Regardless of their industry, companies are subject to many cyber threats that take various forms. To avoid them, companies are quick to be generous with cybersecurity salaries. Often, they are subject to fraud, theft, and data deletion, which can significantly hinder the development of their business.

The most well-known cyber threat is malware. This type of malware consists of a program or file that can harm the user via their computer. There are several types of malware, which are:

• Trojan horses: malicious programs that masquerade as genuine software. By doing this, cybercriminals can quickly get hold of a computer’s data;
• Virus: a program that attaches itself to a healthy file and spreads rapidly throughout the system to affect other files on a computer;
• Ransomware: malware that blocks system files on a user’s computer. In exchange for unlocking the device, the attacker demands a ransom;
• Adware: adware that allows malware to be spread in a system;
• Spyware: a program that secretly records a user’s actions.

Phishing is also a form of computer fraud that companies can encounter. It involves mimicking similar emails from trusted sources. Thanks to this type of cyberattack, many individuals have their credit card codes or login credentials stolen.

Another threat that does not specifically concern companies but individuals is social engineering. This method relies on human interaction to deceive and gain access to confidential information. If you receive a suspicious call asking for initially protected access codes, do not answer, and report the number!

Business leaders are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of data stored internally, significantly so as not to disrupt their business. To do this, companies open a cybersecurity department within their IT department (information systems department) or call on external consultants who are experts on the subject.

What salary should be received by professionals in cybersecurity in 2024?

Cybersecurity is a promising sector with an attractive average salary, and this applies to the professional integration of junior profiles. On average, the wages in cybersecurity are between €38,000 and €65,000 gross per year for a profile with less than 3 years of experience. As you can imagine, there are many jobs in this sector. In other words, cybersecurity salaries vary enormously depending on a professional’s specialization and experience level.

Cybersecurity Expert: The Highest Paying Occupations

This is an excellent choice if you want to work in the tech sector and, more specifically, specialize in cybersecurity. In addition to meeting the needs of many companies constantly looking for experts capable of ensuring an organization’s software and hardware security, you have a very high chance of making a good living. Which cybersecurity profession is the best choice? Three of them are cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and cybersecurity consultants.

The Cybersecurity Engineer and His Salary

A fundamental pillar in information systems management, the cybersecurity engineer (also known as a computer engineer) is responsible for analyzing and dealing with intrusion threats by developing concrete action plans. It guarantees the protection of data stored internally in a company, ensuring the quality control of its IT infrastructure. Cybersecurity engineers can also act as consultants and carry out their activities independently. This allows it to anticipate potential cyberattacks. On a day-to-day basis, its missions consist of:

• designing security procedures adapted to the problems of the company’s network;
• analyze stored computer data;
• monitor current threats;
• guide the technical teams on the corrective measures to be applied.

If the cybersecurity engineer receives a more than attractive salary, it is because it allows hackers to avoid different types of intrusion initiated by hackers on the lookout for any flaw present in an IT system. To do this, it first thoroughly audits the security level of a company’s computer network. Following the latter, it defines a comprehensive plan to propose concrete solutions and resolve existing flaws.

On average, a cybersecurity engineer earns between €38,000 and €45,000 gross per year at the beginning of their career. In other words, their salary ranges between €2,200 and €2,900 net each month.

Once they have acquired between 2 and 5 years of experience, the cybersecurity engineer earns between €40,000 and €60,000 gross per year, or between €2,500 and €3,800 net per month. The annual salary of a senior cybersecurity engineer ranges from €65,000 to €120,000 (between €4,100 and €7,700 net monthly). While these salary ranges are wide, they vary depending on the size of the company where the professional works, their level of experience, or their geographical location.

For comparison, a cybersecurity engineer earns a salary of around 44,200 Swiss francs (CHF) per year in Switzerland at the beginning of their career. This corresponds to approximately €45,000. After a few years, a Swiss cybersecurity engineer can expect to earn around CHF 162,000 per year. It should be noted that the Swiss franc and the euro have a roughly equivalent value in 2024, as the Swiss currency has appreciated sharply in recent years.

The job of a cybersecurity analyst

As the name suggests, the cybersecurity analyst is responsible for monitoring the protection of computer files in a company. To this end, it regularly monitors all activities related to IT security, particularly software and other digital programs.

In the event of a cyberattack, he analyzes the situation and must solve the problems encountered. To do so, they must use specific technical skills, including being a data expert and knowing programming languages. Knowing how to work under pressure is also essential to properly manage cyberattacks.

Regarding the cybersecurity analyst and his salary, on average, €3,300 gross per month for junior profiles. After a few years of experience, it fluctuates between €4,500 and €6,000 gross per month.

Business Cybersecurity: The Salary of a Cybersecurity Consultant

Suppose you have carefully read the beginning of this article. In that case, companies can call on external professionals to ensure the security of their information system, network, and equipment. But which business cybersecurity should you turn to? To do this, they call on a cybersecurity consultant. The latter will provide a consulting service to provide concrete solutions to a company’s problems and fight cyber threats.

Faced with these challenges and the special status of cybersecurity consultants, their salary varies enormously. Indeed, the professional’s level of expertise and the duration of intervention to carry out his mission must be considered. The longer it lasts, the higher its remuneration will be. On average, a junior cybersecurity consultant earns €2,8000 gross each month. A more senior profile can claim a salary that includes €5,000 gross per month.

How much does a pentester make in 2024?

Do you know the job of a pentester? This one does what hackers do daily: trying to hack into a network system. However, this cybersecurity professional does this solely to avoid this type of hacking. As you can see, the pentester’s mission is to identify the flaws in a computer system or network to prevent any cyberattack.

As far as his remuneration is concerned, it varies between 3,000 and 4,000 euros gross per month at the beginning of his career. After a few years of experience, the salary of a pentester varies between 5,000 and 8,000 euros gross per month for a professional of advanced level.

The Salary of an Ethical Hacker in 2024

The salary of an ethical hacker, also known as an “IT security professional” or “information systems security expert,” can vary greatly depending on several factors, including experience, geographic location, certifications, employer, and the specific area of computer security in which they work. Experience provides valuable skills and knowledge. IT security certifications, such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), can also increase the salary potential of an ethical hacker.

According to Glassdoor, the income of an ethical hacker in France is generally between 3,000 and 4,000 euros gross per month, but this remuneration can amount to 8,000 euros gross monthly or more for seasoned experts. In the United States, the average annual compensation for an ethical hacker can even be as high as $150,000 gross per year.

What training should I take to become a cybersecurity expert?

BTS in cybersecurity

Are you taking the baccalaureate this year and want to work in cybersecurity after your studies? Discover below the bac+2 level courses that you can follow once you have the baccalaureate in your pocket:

• BTS computer science;
• BTS computer security;
• BTS in computer science and networks, with a focus on cyber defense;
• BTS cyber defense;
• BTS digital systems with a focus on computer science and networks;
• BTS IT services for organizations.

Professional licenses in cybersecurity and other bac+3 diplomas

To learn cybersecurity and become an expert in this field, which is in demand by companies, it is also possible to follow a bac+3 level training after the baccalaureate. Here are some examples of courses that allow you to specialize in cybersecurity:

• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity;
• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and ethical hacking;
• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and cybersecurity;
• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and networks.

If you have already completed a BTS in cybersecurity, you can continue your studies by following a professional degree in cybersecurity, such as:

• Professional degree in computer science;
• Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense Pro License;
• Professional cyber defense license;
• Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Network Security and Information Systems;
• Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, and Health, specializing in computer science.

Focus on the master’s degrees available to practice a profession in cybersecurity.

To work as a cybersecurity expert, it is strongly advised to continue your studies until you have completed a bac+5 level diploma. To do this, you can choose one of the following courses:

• Master’s degree in computer science with a cybersecurity course;
• Master’s degree in cybersecurity, systems security;
• MS (Specialized Master’s Degree) Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense;
• MSc Cybersecurity and Management.

Now, you have everything you need to become a true cybersecurity professional. Don’t hesitate to follow us on social networks to learn about each cybersecurity job (salary, cybersecurity engineer, IT security expert, cybersecurity consultant, etc.). On our TikTok page, you will also find tips and tricks on becoming a cybersecurity expert.