You’ve decided to launch your cybersecurity career, but you’re still feeling in the dark about the different fields, domains, and areas in which you could thrive.
You may ask what does it take to work in security assessment vs network security?
We have summarized for you the top 8 cybersecurity domains, that are both accepted by the community and offer loads of opportunities for professionals.
In our two-part article, you’d discover more about each individual domain: the responsibilities and technologies that are necessary, as well as the roles which it encompasses.
So without further ado, let’s unveil part 1 of the 8 cybersecurity domains.
Communication and Network Security
This is the largest domain and focuses on securing organizations’ communication channels, network components, and design principles for network architecture.
To paraphrase – professionals within the role focus on ensuring that data in transit remains confidential. The Communication and Network Security domain is vast, and multiple elements would need to be secured. Within the list below, we’ve noted some main communication channels and networks you’d need to ensure are protected.
- Data transmission modes: simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex
- Networks: LANs, WANs, MANs, GANs, and PANs
- OSI (open system interconnection), TCP/IP models
- Software-defined networking (SDN)
- Remote access (VPN, PPP, IPSec, etc.)
Aside from these, you’d need to ensure that the following hardware components are secure: switches, VLANs, routers, firewalls, etc.
You’d also be responsible for testing the systems for vulnerabilities and investigating security breaches. Communication and Network Security roles include:
- Network Engineer
- Security Consultant / Engineer
- Information Security Analyst /Manager
- Chief Information Security Officer
Does this sound like this is the career journey you’d like to take? Consider whether you have the relevant education and certificate, as this would be beneficial for anyone looking to grow and develop in this exciting and booming domain.
IAM (Information and Access Management)
There’s a saying in cybersecurity that goes, “People are the weakest link.” It’s the role of experts in IAM to secure organizations’ systems by implementing access management solutions. IAM as a domain refers to the systems, processes, and procedures an organization uses to control how users access data and information.
Responsibilities include logical and physical access to assets; identity management and validation; identity and access provisioning lifecycle; and third-party identity services.
The authorization mechanisms/ technologies used within the role are:
- single sign-on systems
- two-factor authentication
- multifactor authentication
- privileged access management
On a day-to-day basis, IAM specialists deal with updating individuals’ roles within a system; assigning levels of access; and protecting sensitive data. Being oriented towards details is crucial for success within the field, and some roles you can have within it are:
- Information Technology Manager
- IAM Experts
- Asset Supervisor/ Manager
- Infrastructure Manager
Relevant certifications you may need to start your career in IAM are (and are not limited to): SC-900, CAMS, SC-300, CIST, CIGE, SF CIAMD, etc.
Security Architecture and Engineering
Think about the following: when designing an organization’s systems, what would be easier: to build them with the necessary security precautions in mind, or to set those up, once you’re finished?
Security Architecture and Engineering is yet another very broad domain that encompasses both network security and computer operations security. Your role within it would be to implement different principles, standards, and structures to design a secure information system.
The various responsibilities include assessing and mitigating system vulnerabilities; designing and implementing physical security.
Some areas of focus are cloud systems, cryptography, cyberattacks (including ransomware), and virtualized systems. Security experts fully grasp how hardware, firmware, and software work together, as this is the domain that deals with:
- Firewalls
- Router/switch security
- IDS/IPS
- Host-based security tools
- Email Filtering
- Vulnerability scanning
Apart from having an understanding of fundamental concepts of security models, you’d also work with common architecture frameworks (e.g. Zachman, SABSA, TOGAF, ITIL). Security Architecture and Engineering offers various job prospects, including:
- Cybersecurity Expert
- Security Architect
- Security Engineer
If you’re interested in working within the sector, make sure you update your experience with the latest certification – as this field is ever-growing to protect organizations from new cyber threats.
Asset Security
This domain basically deals with safeguarding the most crucial asset of any organization – data. Asset security professionals use different data protection methods to resolve issues relating to data lifecycle management. Those could encompass data collection and storage, maintenance, and destruction. Crucial skills here are knowledge of the different roles of who handles data (owner, controller, and custodian), as well as how to:
- Identify and classify information
- Protect Privacy
- Follow asset retention periods
- Engineer data security controls
- Map out data handling requirements
Experts working in asset security are tasked with one of the most vital aspects of ensuring that the organization’s “ecosystem” is secure. That is for the data to remain confidential, yet accessible by all relevant agents. If you want to start a career in asset security, some roles include:
- Asset protection manager
- Asset protection lead
- Asset protection associate
AMATAS was created back in 2016 by cybersecurity visionaries, driven to make our digital world more cyber secure. We aspire to help organizations of all shapes and sizes to realize their full potential without the fear of cyber threats and attacks.
Want to join us on our mission?
We are always on the lookout for professionals who are passionate to grow their careers in cybersecurity. By joining our team, we offer our team members the opportunity to work from home and have flexible work time. As well, we ensure you’re fully prepared for the ever-changing digital environment by helping you with extra certifications and training.
We are passionate about building the cybersecurity community in Bulgaria and organize webinars and meet-ups to discuss some of the biggest threats and trends with both experts and novice professionals, alike.
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest job opportunities. As well, don’t miss out on part 2 of our guide to the different cybersecurity domains.
AMATAS is part of Ocean Investments, a family-owned investment company focused on early-stage technology innovators in cybersecurity, health tech and real estate. Learn more about Ocean Investments here.
