The importance of the Cybersecurity Specialist profile

Cyberattacks affect all types of organizations, from large corporations to small businesses. Increasing digitalization has exposed companies to risks such as data theft, financial fraud, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity specialists are responsible for designing security strategies, implementing preventive measures, detecting vulnerabilities, and responding to security incidents.

Salary ranges in cybersecurity

The cybersecurity job market not only offers stability but also highly competitive salaries. According to various studies and IT job portals such as tecnoempleo.com, salaries may vary depending on the country, experience, and specialization. In Spain, for example, the following ranges apply:

• Junior Cybersecurity Specialist: between €27,000 and €45,000 gross per year
• IT Security Analyst: between €45,000 and €60,000 gross per year.
• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): more than €70,000 gross per year.

Skills and competencies needed for working in cybersecurity

To excel in this field, it is essential to have a combination of technical and soft skills. Some of the most relevant and in-demand skills, according to the Employment Map, are:

Specialized technical knowledge

• Communication networks: Understanding firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and monitoring tools.
• Cryptography: Knowledge of encryption, digital signatures, and SSL/TLS certificates.
• Cloud Security: Skills in the development and supervision of on-demand computing resources and internet-hosted services. Mastery of solutions such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, etc.
• Pentesting and Forensic Analysis: Identification and prevention of vulnerabilities and incident response.
• Programming and Scripting: Proficiency in languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell for task automation.
• Regulations and Compliance: Familiarity with standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR, NIST, and Data Protection Laws.

Soft Skills

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving: Cybersecurity specialists must be capable of analyzing complex situations and making quick decisions to prevent threats.
• Continuous learning ability: Given the constant evolution of threats, professionals must stay up-to-date on new trends, tools, and attack and defense techniques.
• Teamwork and stress management: Cybersecurity involves collaboration with different departments and responding to crises swiftly, which requires stress management and teamwork skills.

Future of cybersecurity: Where will the opportunities be?

In the coming years, job opportunities in this sector will grow in key areas such as:

• Cybersecurity in Artificial Intelligence: With the increasing adoption of AI in critical processes, experts will be needed to protect algorithms and data from attacks.
• Protection of Critical Infrastructure: Sectors such as energy, transportation, and healthcare are becoming increasingly digitalized, driving demand for specialists to defend these systems.
• Cloud Security: As companies migrate to the cloud, securing these environments will become a priority, requiring skills in DevSecOps and identity management.
• Cybersecurity on the Internet of Things (IoT): With the exponential growth of connected devices, protecting networks and data in IoT will be one of the most relevant areas.

Professional guidance and development tools

For those interested in entering the world of cybersecurity or enhancing their skills, Fundación Telefónica offers free online cybersecurity courses through its Conecta Empleo platform, developed in collaboration with experts from Telefónica Tech (Govertis).

Each of these courses covers topics from basic to advanced levels, allowing learners to gradually acquire cybersecurity knowledge and choose the course or courses that best fit their starting point.