The guide to cyber security salaries in London

The volume of cyber crime has increased significantly in recent years, with malicious attackers constantly looking for new ways to access sensitive and confidential information.

According to data from AAG, the UK had the highest number of cyber crime victims per million internet users at 4,783 in 2022. This figure is up 40 per cent on the same statistic from 2020.

As the methods used by criminals become increasingly sophisticated, organisations around the world are responding by investing in more advanced defence measures. This means there are now more opportunities for highly skilled cyber security professionals than ever before.

The British government’s Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis 2022 revealed approximately 1,838 cyber security businesses to be active in the UK, with one-third of those situated in the Greater London area, making it the region with the most opportunities.

Because the need for cyber security experts is constantly growing, organisations have no choice but to compete for top talent. As such, the salaries you can expect for these positions are often lucrative, especially for roles in the capital.

 

What is the average cyber security salary in London?

Cyber security is well known for offering competitive salaries to professionals with relevant skills and experience. 

Glassdoor figures estimate the average salary for cyber security jobs in London to be approximately £64,000 per annum. This number is somewhat skewed by the fact that senior personnel could be taking home well over £100,000 per year.

The data suggests the majority of London-based professionals in the sector earn between £40,000 and £60,000 annually, before considering bonus payments.

 

What is the highest pay for cyber security jobs in London?

Those who excel in their field and accede to senior positions can often find themselves receiving over £100,000. The UK Cybersecurity Salary Survey 2023 showed significant pay rises in the last year for roles including incident response, identity and access management and governance, risk and compliance.

Other positions that could yield a salary of over £100,000 include:

  • Chief security officer
  • Cloud security lead
  • Security technical architect
  • Penetration tester

 

How many cyber security jobs are there in London?

London is one of the world’s biggest business hubs and is home to a vast array of the largest organisations on the planet. Many of these companies have digitised their services, which puts them at greater risk of cyber attacks.

The more sensitive data there is in an area, the higher the risk of criminals trying to access it. For the capital, which is packed with businesses from every industry, the need for talented experts is higher than ever.

This ever-growing need is highlighted by the volume of cyber crime taking place in the UK. The government’s latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey reported that 39 per cent of businesses in the country suffered an attack in 2022 and the Cyber security skills in the UK labour market 2023 report revealed there were more than 160,000 cyber security job postings in the last year, an increase of 30 per cent from 2022.

The number of skilled cyber security experts isn’t enough to fill the volume of vacant positions. The same government report indicated a current shortfall of 11,200 people to meet the demand of the cyber workforce.

So, if you have the right skills and experience for a cyber security job in London, now is the perfect time to look for a new career.

 

How to increase your cyber security salary in London

Whether you’re a seasoned cyber security expert or new to the field, there are several ways to increase your salary. If you’re based in London, you’re already one step ahead, as the region offers the highest compensation for cyber security roles in the country.

Here are some other ways you can boost your earnings as a cyber security professional in London.

 

Education

To land a lucrative salary in cyber security, education is paramount. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is a prerequisite for almost any position, but if you are looking for a long career in the field, a master’s degree will set you apart from many other candidates.

 

Obtain certifications

Cyber security jobs are highly certificated and many positions require candidates to hold these.

Obtaining certifications doesn’t just showcase your skills, it also demonstrates your commitment to the profession and sets you apart from other candidates when looking for a new position or going for a promotion. Some popular certifications include:

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

 

Specialise

In the long term, being a generalist in the cyber security industry won’t yield the highest salary. The most senior professionals tend to come from a strong background in a specific area.

By honing your skills in one area of cyber security, you will start to build a reputation in the sector, leading to more opportunities in your career.

 

Gain experience in other areas

If you’re new to the cyber security field, you can boost your career prospects by actively getting involved in projects with other teams.

This is a great way to demonstrate your value to senior leaders within your organisation and make yourself important to them when it comes to key business decisions.

 

Where can I find cyber security jobs in London?

To start the search for your next position, head to a specialised job board like CyberSecurityJobsite.com. You can also register your CV so that recruiters can view your skills and experience before reaching out to you directly if you meet their requirements.

Browse our latest cyber security vacancies in London or simply search ‘cyber security jobs London’ on CyberSecurityJobsite.com to take the next step in your career.