Security is also said to be the death of performance. It’s up to network security architects to make sure this doesn’t happen in their environments. Security measures must be implemented without jeopardising the overall network’s productivity and performance. Security architects will be in charge of both defensive and offensive network security measures. Firewall knowledge, penetration testing, and incident response are all needed, but it doesn’t end there. Since security architects will be assisting in the construction of networks, a thorough understanding of computer networking concepts such as routing and switching will be required. A career as a security architect could be the right fit for those who are interested in a unique combination of networking, security, and management.

6 steps to follow when pursuing a career as a security architect

How to Become a Security Architect?

  1. Get ready In general, a security architect’s position is not one for the faint of heart. Security architects are supposed to have between 5 and 10 years of experience, with at least a few of those years devoted to cybersecurity, according to New Horizons Computer Learning Center. This means that individuals should be prepared for a long journey ahead of them when selecting this career path. Professionals should determine what sort of degree they want to obtain in order to prepare for a career as a security architect. In this area, both generalised computer science degrees and advanced cybersecurity degrees can be helpful. Professionals could then determine which form of steppingstone job will better fit them in order to obtain the necessary experience. All of this should be investigated in order to build a customised career plan.
  2. Educate yourself Students can obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field at the very least before pursuing a career as a security architect. It is up to the participant to choose a programme that is important to their career goals. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a bachelor’s degree in computer science, for example, will be a good option. Since a security architect is a management-level role, practitioners would almost certainly be expected to have a master’s degree in cybersecurity or a related area. Experience in similar fields may often be substituted for a master’s degree.
  3. Get some experience A security architect is not an entry-level role, as previously stated. This means that people who want to be security architects will probably have to pursue their careers somewhere else. Since it is a management job, professionals usually begin with an entry-level position, progress to a more intermediate position, and then to the role of security architect. For example, a person can begin their career as a system administrator, then progress to a more security-focused position as a security engineer, and finally to the role of security architect. Security administrator, network administrator, security professional, security analyst, and security consultant are all positions that may lead to a security architect position.
  4. Make an effort to obtain certifications Certifications will help professionals and students prove their expertise and make their resume stand out from the crowd, like they can for other cybersecurity roles. For those interested in cybersecurity, the CompTIA Security+ certification is an excellent entry-level certification. This qualification addresses both theoretical and realistic aspects of cybersecurity. Professionals may focus on acquiring their CISSP for more advanced or expert-level certifications. CISSP candidates must have a thorough understanding of cybersecurity domains such as protection and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, IAM, security evaluation and testing, security operations, and software development security, among others. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), to name a few, are intermediate certifications that come somewhere between the Security+ and the CISSP ability levels.
  5. Put it into action There is nothing left to do but apply after researching the world of security architects, obtaining the requisite degrees and certifications, and accumulating 5-10 years of experience in a related area. Jobs can be found online, much like any other place in cybersecurity, by searching for keywords like “security architect” on sites like Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn, and others.
  6. Continue to learn A security architect’s education is never-ending. Since this is a management position and security is always evolving, security architects must keep current on new and emerging threats and security strategies on a regular basis. Security architects will stay up to date by attending trainings offered by organisations like BlackHat and SANs.

What is a security architect?

Network architects are executives who are in charge of an organization’s network security. These professionals are needed during the initial design, construction, and implementation of the network, as well as during its lifetime. Any network improvements will be overseen by security architects to ensure that the company is not jeopardised. It’s not unusual for security architects to be in charge of both defensive and offensive monitoring, such as installing and configuring firewalls and anti-virus applications.

Security architect skills

Security architects would be required to meet the needs of each organisation. The following are some examples of what security architects should be able to do.

Collaboration In the construction and maintenance of computer networks, security architects can play a key role. As a result, security architects must possess a thorough understanding of computer networking concepts. It should be a top priority for everyone aspiring to work in the area of computer networking. Analysis of Malware General knowledge of malware and malware detection is needed to be an effective security architect and protect the network against malware. abilities in management Since this is a management role, anyone interested in being a security architect must be able to handle both a project and a team of employees. Control of risks Since risk management is such an important part of a security architect’s work, getting a solid understanding of risk management fundamentals is essential.

What do security architects do?

Security architects can play a key role in every organization’s IT projects and initiatives. This is due to the fact that they will be responsible for designing, planning, and maintaining the security architectures that will surround these projects or initiatives. They will work to ensure that an organization’s protection is at its highest level, and they will conduct routine testing that may include penetration testing, vulnerability screening, and risk analysis. They’ll keep up with new developments and be mindful of emerging threats so they can put protections in place to protect themselves. In most cases, they will control and supervise a company’s security staff. Security architects are often in charge of spearheading security awareness projects.

Security architect job description

Despite the fact that each job description will be tailored to the recruiting company, the skills required and general qualifications will frequently remain the same. On their job descriptions, security architects should expect to see the following items:

Managing and maintaining existing device protection controls, as well as putting in new and better ones. Ascertain that all workers are subjected to the maxim of least privilege. Execute and maintain a security architecture for Identity & Access Management (IAM). Examine the reliability of third-party applications and services. Initiatives for security awareness training are managed and overseen. Continuous security testing, such as vulnerability scanning and risk assessment

Outlook for security architects

Security architects, like most cybersecurity professions, have a bright future. Since threats to computer systems and networks cannot be fully removed, the demand for trained security personnel is increasing. However, since a network architect is a higher-level cybersecurity position than, say, a security analyst, there are less job openings.

Security architect salary

Security architects may expect to earn slightly more than their cybersecurity peers due to their advanced level role. A security architect’s average base salary is $118,697 per year, according to Glassdoor.com. This is around $25,000 more a year than the national average for security researchers and $50,000 more than the national average for security administrators. Although the pay is undoubtedly higher, it is also important to understand the necessary education and experience in order to secure a position as a security architect.