
The job of a security architect requires special skills, education, and expertise, and you need to have some technical knowledge beforehand as well. Moreover, the right experience will also help you get this job in a better place.
The exact requirements can be different for different industries and organizations. But, let’s see some of the general requirements:
Skills
You need to have the following skills to apply for the post of security architect:
- A comprehensive understanding of frameworks such as COBIT
- Complete knowledge of control objectives for IT framed by ISACA.
- A complete grasp on cybersecurity laws and guidelines
- Complete understanding of complex risk management and assessment theories and practices
As a security architect, there are other skills that you must have when working in a security team. These include:
- Administrative and leadership skills
- Understanding of information technology ethics
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Innovative thinking and creativity
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Education
Well, you must be thinking that the skills mentioned above are quite hard to learn in a short period. But if you have the right educational background, you might be familiar with most of these skills.
You can get benefits from most of the degree programs as they teach you skills like administration, leadership, communication, and problem-solving. These soft skills are a part of almost every educational program.
If you want to start your career as a security architect, a bachelor’s degree will help you learn the basics, and a degree related to IT will help you master some of those hard skills.
Now, let’s assume that you have a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in information technology.
So, what’s next? You should go for a higher degree of education, such as a master’s degree in cybersecurity. This will help you in developing an understanding of the nature of the job of a security architect.
It is a fact that many security architects have previous hacking experience. If you have the skills to penetrate computer and network security systems, believe me, you are already halfway across your journey to becoming a security specialist.
During your education, you will handle lots of projects and internships. These will give you the crucial hands-on experience and the expertise needed to get your first job.
Experience
You must be aware of the fact that applying for a job in any company requires experience, or exceptional skills if you are a beginner. The same is true for cybersecurity firms. Just hang in there as I walk you through the whole process.
Different companies need different levels of experience from their employees. This usually depends on the size of the company and the level of security required.
Companies that need more technical work may ask for at least five years of experience. On the other hand, some companies might be OK with even one or two years of work experience.
If you have an entry-level experience, you can get a role as a security analyst. Sounds good? You can also get the job of a security consultant or engineer, and after developing your skills, you can apply for a promotion to be a security architect.
However, it is very difficult to get the post of a security architect with entry or mid-level experience. The best way forward is to gain experience and learn more skills during your job as a security analyst.
This will help you develop and polish the skills necessary for the job of a security architect. Once you have developed the required skills, you can apply for the post of a security architect. In most cases, security architects start as a security consultant and engineer and then move to the next role.
Certifications
To be honest, there is no need to worry if you lack some of the skills required for the job of a security architect.
No doubt, skills, and experience are the key requirements in this field, but here’s the interesting thing; cybersecurity certifications can get you back in the game.
Even if you have the skills and experience, a certificate of your skills can boost your resume. Certificates from well-known programs will make you stand out among the crowd.
The best way to apply for a job is to review the specific employer’s job requirements. These job requirements will give you an idea of the criteria of selection and guide you to get the right certifications for it.
But that’s not all. Certifications also help you polish your skills and remain updated to the level of cybersecurity requirements.
Some of the most relevant certifications that will boost your resume include:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- EC-Council Network Security Administrator (ENSA)
- The CREST Registered Technical Security Architecture (CRTSA)
- The GIAC®️ Defensible Security Architecture (GDSA)
- IACRB’s Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA)
- Certified Wireless Network Professional
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)