Guide to Become a Cyber Security Architect

A Cyber Security Architect can accomplish the most stunning protective goals nowadays. Such an architect is among the most in-demand careers amidst an ever-increasing variety of risks. Protecting against cyberattacks, hacking, ransomware, and malware, viruses, too, has become an essential need on the professional front. A single device may not have much to worry about but imagine the dozens or hundreds of computers in mega companies at the mercy of cybercriminals 24/7. They have lots to worry about since their computer infrastructure provides the bread and butter. Critical infrastructure that safeguards public services like health and energy facilities also depend primarily upon information technology.

Various confusing designations

Another cause for concern is the several categories of workers that mean similar things. A cybersecurity engineer, a network specialist, a maintenance engineer, and a cybersecurity manager have somewhat overlapping roles and professional responsibilities. Other jobs use terms like security auditor, security director, security consultant, security administrator, and security analyst. Wherever cybersecurity or security is mentioned, it is particularly alarming. The safety of valuable data resources stands at risk if cyberattacks manage to penetrate the wall of defense.

What will be the defense systems like?

Who designs and maintains them? Who updates them according to the new trends and software? The Cyber Security Architect has a vital role to play.

Cyber security architect's daily duties

• According to the company scale, the architect is put in charge of a team of workers

• Initially, the architect needs an overall comprehension of the company information and working systems

• Specific guiding rules and regulations apply like a framework

• Planning, researching, and design of rigorous, flexible security architecture systems for IT

• Implementing and maintaining security procedures and motivating worker cooperation

• Drawing up a budget for new and improved infrastructure

• Defining assets needed like LANs and WANs, VPNs, Routers and firewalls, servers, and IDS scanning systems

• Supervising installation and management of the security systems

• Identifying integration problems and solving them

• Responsible for the designing of PKIs that includes digital signatures

• Testing security through penetration testing and vulnerability scanning

• Threat analysis testing and security assessments regularly and updating according to trends

• Installing new security systems and updating protocols

• Technically guiding security teams and spreading awareness across the company

• Ensuring timely response in cases of phishing, scams, and data breaches and analyzing and solving them

A cyber security architect's education, training, and experience

As in almost every profession, academics comes first, and a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or information technology is a good start. Majoring in cyber security would be more specific. Theoretical study and work experience differ, and that is why working experience is insisted upon by most companies. Completing five or ten years of professional experience is a good achievement, especially in security-related duties, systems analysis, and application testing.

Essential skills for a cybersecurity architect

A delicate mixture of soft and hard skills make up the architect's successful job profile. Leadership and communication skills combined with swift problem-solving abilities are essential. Working with teams and supervising projects are important duties. The architect needs to develop awareness in workers who need to learn more about IT.

Regarding hard skills, the architect works for network security enhancement with a deep understanding of routers and switches besides VLAN security. DNS and VPN, DDOS moderation technology, routing, proxy services, and authentication are other areas. The architect knows Windows, Linux, UNIX, and cloud risk assessment methods. Third-party auditing is on the agenda too. The architect works with IDS/IPS, firewalls, network access controls, and network segmentation. Other essentials are the ISO 27001/27002 requirements and ITIL and COBIT frameworks.

Why not get certified?

An authentic certificate, whether a diploma or degree from an esteemed institution, documents a list of capabilities and skills. Succeeding in the examiner certifies that much effort and learning in the chosen field have taken place. Look for courses that provide plenty of practical experiences in addition to book-based study. Multimedia courses get rid of the tedium associated with a lonely book study. Many courses combine online study with attendance in physical classrooms. Beware of fraudulent courses that promise the world and deliver little. Certification supports that the candidate has completed a certain course of study and reached an appropriate level for executing professional duties. Learning on the job is a valuable resource, too, and it gets to the realities of professional needs. Education is always flawed, especially in a constantly-changing field like IT. Fill up the loopholes while working and seek additional study programs.

Certifications related to security architecture study

Not everybody succeeds in acquiring a bachelor's or master's degree due to budgets or circumstances, locations and situations. Online certifications are easy to access, and starting could help the professional process. Some certificate courses are

CSSA − Certified SCADA Security Architect,

CISM − Certified Information Security Manager,

GSEC / GCIH / GCIA − GIAC Security Certifications,

CEH − Certified Ethical Hacker,

CISSP − Certified Information Systems Security Professional and

CISSP-ISSAP − Information Systems Security Architecture Professional.

Acquiring the essential technical skills

With the rapid spread of affordable cloud systems, at least partly, security in the cloud assumes great importance for almost every company. Ensuring the safety and functionality of network security is the fundamental duty. Software capability is crucial, and DevSecOps too. A security architect should know scripting languages like Python and PowerShell with the target of automating tasks that have become so important now. Among the different operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac, security problems may differ. Protecting systems means that nobody should be able to access them illegally.

Practice the crucial workplace skills

Exceptional spoken and written language skills help since the jobs with MNCs require exposure to different cultures. The ability to collaborate sincerely with workers and company owners in cosmopolitan settings is fundamental. Project management skills apply to the setting up of new security systems. Problem-solving essentially means defeating hackers at their own game! An architect should be interested in training younger workers about security concerns.

Conclusion

The long and hard cybersecurity battle, sometimes on the losing side, continues with hackers globally. Statistics on cyberattacks and ransomware cases in developed countries like America are very high. Crime happens in IT systems just like they happen in every industry. Which company has not experienced virus attacks? With researched and trendy alertness and sincere dedication, capable cyber security architects succeed in defense measures. They minimize the possibility of alien access, which is the first step in cybercrime.