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How to start your career as a security architect

Published on: 17 Sep 2024

Thanks to modern digitalisation, there are a wide variety of cyber security jobs, including security architecture. These experts are highly specialised in identifying security threats and deploying appropriate measures to resolve them. 

As cyber attacks escalate and technology advances rapidly, security architect roles have become more crucial than ever. Cyber security architects design and roll out comprehensive security frameworks to protect organisational assets from the latest threats.

If you’re wondering what the difference is with a security architect vs a security engineer, then it’s that architects have a superior rank to engineers, although the two team members often work closely together. This makes it a good position to aim for later on in your career.

Security architects are senior members of staff within their organisations and often have significant levels of knowledge, skill and experience within the field of cyber security. The role involves taking a top-level perspective of a company’s protective measures, as well as maintaining existing defences and creating new ones.

Due to the nature of being a security architect, it’s not an entry-level job by any means. In fact, you’ll need to gain several years of professional experience before being considered for this position. That means navigating a cyber security career path that leads you to have the right skills and experience to take on the role.

Educational pathways, job market trends and the increased complexity of IT infrastructures will all have an impact on landing your security architect job. Make sure you’re building your CV in the right direction if this is a role you think you’re particularly suited to.

Achieve a university degree

The vast majority of cyber security roles require candidates to have obtained a degree in computer science or a closely related subject. This is mainly so that candidates have some demonstrable knowledge and experience within the field. Depending on the organisation, there might even be a requirement for some level of postgraduate qualification.

You won’t need to have a degree in security architecture. In fact, most subjects within computer science or IT will support you to become an architect, as they foster the technical, theoretical and practical knowledge you’ll need to get your career started.
 
Search for entry-level roles

If you’ve graduated from university with a degree in either computer science or IT subjects, or you’re moving from another profession with significant experience in these fields, it’s time to search for the perfect starting role. However, for most organisations, a security architect is a senior member of both the technical and managerial teams. This just means you’ll need to be open to other roles at first.

When starting your career, take on a general job within the industry. It will allow you to use the knowledge you gained from your university or prior experience and hone your skills. Some of the most common entry-level positions include database administrator, software developer and IT technician.
 
Build experience in cyber security

Because security architecture is a senior career pathway, having an extensive understanding of cyber security and best practices is simply unavoidable. After gaining some experience in an IT position, the next step is to move into a more specialised cyber security role. Positions such as security analyst are great for building essential career experience.

Obtain industry certifications

There are plenty of cyber security job opportunities on the market at the moment, but don’t be fooled by the abundance of vacancies. It’s an incredibly competitive industry and, as a senior position, becoming a security architect is no simple task.

To help stand out from the majority of candidates, take a look at some of the available certifications in cyber security. It’s not an essential part of architecture, but certified security architects will inevitably be more lucrative for employers than other prospects. Some of the most common certifications include:

  • CompTIA Security+
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
  • Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

Look for security architect jobs

With the experience, skills and knowledge gained from all of the previous steps, you should be well-placed to apply for security architect jobs. However, identifying these vacancies can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for professionals already working in the demanding cyber security sector.

The best way to look for security architect jobs - and other cyber security roles - is to sign up with a dedicated job board such as CyberSecurityJobsite.com. Just by uploading your CV, recruiters and organisations can view your credentials and reach out to you if the right opportunity arises.

Tips for landing a security architect job

Any successful cyber security career means taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way and looking for jobs in the right places.

Obtaining a position as a security architect is no different and you should be prepared for each step of the application process. Here are some tips if you’ve got your heart set on security architecture.

  • The role of security architect is prestigious and not an entry-level position. Gain experience in other areas of cyber security and work your way up to applying for this job. Experience in systems analysis, application development and business planning will all look good on your CV.
  • Candidates will be expected to fully understand the ISO/IEC 27001 framework and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Demonstrate this at interview by explaining the purpose, scope and structure of each option and how you would decide which one to implement.
  • Search for security architect jobs on a specialist cyber security job board, upload your CV so recruiters looking for your skills can come to you and attend a Cyber Security EXPO to network with the biggest players in the business.

Industry trends and future outlook

Some of the biggest trends in security architecture at present are related to cloud security and network security, as many businesses use these elements to run. It’s a fine line between being functional and remaining secure, with identity and access management key considerations for security architects.

Emerging technologies are making the job of managing privacy and data protection ever more complex. 5G, edge computing, quantum computing and AI are just some of the factors security architects are now having to consider that weren’t an issue just a few years ago.

Growing networks through 5G and edge computing offers a wider potential attack surface, making it more difficult to secure all possible entry points. It’s this challenge that security architecture sets to meet and one that those who choose this career path can’t back away from.

Areas where security architects are in high demand and can command top salaries include:

  • Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing
  • Securities, commodity contracts and financial investments
  • Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing
  • Monetary authorities
  • Telecommunications
  • Management, scientific and technical consulting services

To view our current security architect vacancies, take a look at our current opportunities to find your perfect role.