How do I Become a Security Architect?

In the ever-changing field of cybersecurity, organizations need well-trained staff to help them keep up with their growing security needs, security architects fill these roles.

When a new network is being developed, a security architect is needed to oversee the network build and ensure that defensive measures are put in place right from the get-go. Having a network built without having considered what security measures need to be in place is simply setting the organization up for failure.

It’s often said that security is the death of efficiency. It’s up to security architects to ensure that this is not the case in their networks. Security measures must be put in place without causing a decrease in productivity and efficiently of the overall network.

Security architects will handle both defensive and offensive measures taken on the network. Knowledge of firewalls, penetration testing, and incident response if a must but it doesn’t stop there. Since security architects will be assisting in building networks, comprehensive knowledge of computer networking such as routing and switching will be necessary as well.

For individuals who are interested in a unique combination of networking, security, and a bit of management, pursuing a career as a security architect may the right fit. This article will prove all the information you need to start and excel in your career.

What is an IT Security Architect?
How do I Become a Security Architect in India?
Why do You Need a Security Architect?
What Does an Application Security Architect do?
Security Architect Career Path
Security Architect Salary
Security Architect Jobs
Security Architect Qualifications
Security Architect vs Security Engineer
Security Solutions Architect Salary
Security Architect Salary in India
Cyber Security Architect Requirements
Security Architect Skills
How Long Does it Take to Become a Security Architect?
How Much do Security Architects Make?
What Makes a Good Security Architect?
What Does an IT Security Auditor do?
How do I Become a Security Analyst?
How do You Become an Application Architect?
What do Cryptographers do?
How do I Start a Career in Security Audit?
Is The CISA Exam Difficult?
Does Cryptography Need Math?
Are Cryptographers in Demand?
What is The Best Paying Cyber Security Jobs?
Cyber Security Architect Courses
Cyber Security Architect Salary
How Many Hours Does a Security Architect Work?
Cyber Security Roles

What is an IT Security Architect?

Security architects are management-level individuals who oversee the security of an organization’s network. These professionals are needed when the network is first designed, built, and implemented, as well throughout the entire life of the network. Security architects will oversee any changes that are to be made to the network so that they do not put the organization at risk.

It is not uncommon for security architects to handle both defensive measures such as implementing/configuring firewalls and anti-virus software, as well as handling offensive testing such as running penetration tests.

How do I Become a Security Architect in India?

The following step by step guide will help one kickstart a career in Security Architecture in India and other parts of the world.

1. Preparation

Experience is key in security architecture; one should prepare for a long career path in this field before expecting results. Hence, research regarding personalized career growth is a must before venturing into this field.

2. Learning

Pursuing a degree in computer science or a specialized cybersecurity degree is beneficial and preferred by most employers. As a security architect also plays a management level role, professionals may be required to obtain a master’s degree in cybersecurity or related fields.

3. Gain experience

As mentioned before, the experience is key, and the security architect is not glamorous in the early days. One may have to begin their career as a system administrator and then move on to a more focused role such as that of a security engineer before taking up a niche position like that of a security architect.

4. Pursue certification

Certifications on a security architect’s resume not only helps the professional stand out in a crowd but in fact, remain in the crowd. With specialized courses available in the market, it is necessary to ensure that one is up to date.

Security Architects can earn specialized CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credentials in architecture or pursue advanced programs such as CASP programs which cover not only architectural domains but also cloud and virtual technology integration and cryptographic techniques.

They can also pursue advanced security qualifications such as SABSA (Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture).

5. Application

After required exposure, the final steps to pursuing a said career is an actual application for the job that can be done online on portals such as Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com.

6. Continuous learning

A long career path and a dynamic field such as cybersecurity necessitate continuous learning to ensure that one remains updated regarding new and emerging threats and security techniques. Various organizations such as BlackHat and SANs conduct regular training to keep security architects up to date.

Why do You Need a Security Architect?

Security architects assess their organizations’ information technology and computer systems, identifying strengths and weaknesses. They conduct penetration tests, risk analyses, and ethical hacks on local area networks, wide area networks, and virtual private networks. They also assess routers, firewalls, and comparable systems to determine efficacy and efficiency.

Security architects think like hackers. They push existing computer and network security systems to their limits. Once security architects identify vulnerabilities in existing systems, they plan and implement architectural changes to boost security structures.

These professionals often develop and implement entirely new security architectures. They blend knowledge of security hardware and software, organizational needs, and cybersecurity risks with organizational policies and industry standards.

As security architects build and maintain security systems and networks, they prepare budgets, oversee expenses, and allocate personnel resources as needed. Security architects provide guidance to information technology (IT) security team members. They also lead IT analysts, security administrators, and security engineers to coordinate effective security protocols.

Security architects also respond to security breaches. When incidents arise, security architects assess causes, damages, and data recovery, preparing thorough reports for their colleagues, managers, and executives. They also implement appropriate changes, updates, and upgrades in response to vulnerabilities and incursions.

What Does an Application Security Architect do?

Application security architects work with development and computer architecture teams to build computer security applications. Their job tasks might include testing programs for security weaknesses, performing vulnerability scans, and providing security guidance to software development teams.

Software developers, including application security architects, work at least 40 hours a week if not more. Depending on their specific job duties, developers may work as part of a team, independently, or through telecommunication. Such individuals work in an office setting, with few physical demands associated with the career.

Security Architect Career Path

Many security architects boast hacker experience. With experience penetrating existing computer and network security systems, former hackers know what to look for when it comes to weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Security architects also gain knowledge of hacking during undergraduate programs in information technology, computer science, or related disciplines. Most employers prefer security architects to hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s degrees prepare students to enter the IT profession as security, network, or systems administrators. Security administrators install, administer, and monitor organizations’ security solutions. Network and systems administrators manage organizational information technology infrastructures.

Entry-level experience can lead to mid-level roles as security analysts, engineers, and consultants. Security analysts detect and prevent data incursions, while security engineers design information technology security solutions. The skills developed in entry- and mid-level information technology security positions help professionals move into security architect roles.

Experience remains key in security architecture, but information technology security professionals can earn cybersecurity certifications, as well. Certifications further hone skills, build knowledge, and keep aspiring and practicing security architects current in the field.

(ISC)², a leader in the cybersecurity community, offers an information systems security professional certification. Security architects can earn a specialized CISSP credential in architecture. The program integrates technology, leadership, and analytical content to advance field-specific expertise.

CompTIA offers an advanced security practitioner (CASP+) program, as well. Professionals with CASP+ credentials demonstrate expertise in security domain architectural concepts requirements, plus knowledge of cloud and virtualization technology integration and cryptographic techniques.

Graduate degrees in information technology security, cybersecurity, and comparable areas further enhance security architecture careers. Curricula vary by program, but core classes explore advanced incident handling, ethical hacking, and information security governance. Individuals working in specific industries such as healthcare, finance, or government may further concentrate their degrees.

Security Architect Salary

The BLS projects a 12% growth in computer and IT occupations from 2018-2028. Information technology security professionals can anticipate an added 500,000 new positions in the field. Computer network architects may see 8,400 new positions in coming years.

PayScale reports security architects earn a median annual salary of $122,676. Entry-level security architects take home roughly $77,000 annually, while their mid-level counterparts reported salaries just under $118,000. With 20 or more years in the position, security analysts earn more than $133,000 annually.

Top industries for computer network architects include computer systems design and telecommunications. Per PayScale, security architects indicated that the global defense and security technology company Lockheed Martin Corporation paid the profession’s highest salaries. Information technology consulting companies Booz Allen Hamilton and American Airlines offer some of the lowest salaries.

Washington, D.C. offers the fifth-highest annual mean wage to computer network architects. This corresponds to PayScale’s claim that security architects in Washington, D.C. earned more than 19% more than the national median annual salary.

Security Architect Jobs

A cybersecurity architect specializes in computer system analysis and network security for online products, such as cloud computing architecture and information systems. As a cybersecurity architect, your job duties involve assessing a company or organization’s current security capabilities through security testing and analysis.

You then develop methods to improve security. You also work with other experts to develop and implement organization-wide policies and protocols, such as emergency security measures and security training for all employees.