11 Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs To Pursue in 2024

Most of us use technology every day. Whether you’re online banking or saving your work in the cloud, computers, phones, laptops, and tablets are part of our day-to-day work and social activities. But who protects the information you share online? Cyber security professionals. 

Cyber security is about data protection. As a cyber security professional, your job is to keep information systems secure, protect the personal data on those systems, and come up with solutions to prevent future data breaches. 

While data protection is at the heart of the job, these professionals can wear many other hats. Cyber security professionals may in be in charge of:

• Training teams on how to protect data
• Providing security guidance to business users who use cloud technology and other data storage services
• Advising businesses on new data management procedures and ways to improve IT business processes 
• Testing systems to see if they’re vulnerable to cyber attacks 

 

The good news about this field is there are plenty of jobs in demand. The number of cyber security jobs grows by 7% in Canada every year (and with the world being online, it certainly makes sense). In this post, we’ll tell you what to expect in the world of cyber security, including different entry-level cyber security jobs you can pursue, why the work is important, and important skills to polish as you jumpstart your career.

Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs
Job	Recommended Degrees	Average Salary
Incident Responder	Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security, Certified Reverse Engineering, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Penetration Tester	$49,770/yr
Security Software   Developer	Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security	$73,000/yr
IT Auditor	Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security or IT	$78,899/yr
Forensic Expert	Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science	$78,935/yr
Cyber Security   Specialist	Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Science	$89,579/yr
Penetration Tester	Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science	$90,000/yr
Security Consultant	Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security	$91,178/yr
Source Code Auditor	Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Forensics	$102,600/yr
Security Architect	Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Science	$124,752/yr
Data Security   Strategist	Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science. Additional certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)	$130,000/yr
Cryptographer	Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Information Technology, or Cyber Security	$145,356/yr

1. Incident Responder 

An Incident Responder is specifically responsible for analyzing and responding to a breach after it’s already happened. 

In this role, you’ll analyze how the breach happened and use evidence from the breach to create ways to mitigate further attacks. Incident Responders additionally need knowledge of business continuity to ensure processes don’t falter after an attack. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security, Certified Reverse Engineering, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Penetration Tester 

Average Annual Salary: $49,770

2. Security Software Developer

As a Security Developer, you’d get to create applications and other platforms to prevent data breaches. The most popular types of applications currently focus on protecting cloud data. 

Security Software Developers are trusted with analyzing and adjusting existing programs so they’re up-to-date with cyber security best practices. In this role, especially, you’ll need to keep a pulse of the most recent cyber security trends. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security 

Average Annual Salary: $73,000

3. IT Auditor 

Companies will contract IT Auditors to find ways to improve their infrastructure so that the organization runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible. 

Popular in supply chain management, IT Auditors look for ways to automate processes without sacrificing security in networks. They additionally break down IT concepts to train team members on how to use updated systems. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security or IT

Average Annual Salary: $78,899

4. Forensic Expert 

While the movies may show Forensic Experts sweeping fingerprints from crime scenes, there’s much more involved. In the realm of cyber security, Forensic Experts recover information and reconstruct hardware after an incident has taken place, like a ransomware attack or a site hack. 

By doing so, Forensic Experts look for “digital traces” that can be used as evidence in an investigation. While they usually work in crime investigation, Forensic Experts also work in health care, tech, and more. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science 

Average Annual Salary: $78,935

5. Cyber Security Specialist

Cyber Security Specialists are responsible for maintaining network security through frequent testing and ongoing updates. This is one of the most common entry-level cyber security jobs in Canada. 

In this role, you’ll ensure networks are safe from external threats, such as hackers. You’ll also be responsible for building and maintaining systems that can detect threats before they break into your network. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Science. 

Average Annual Salary: $89,579

6. Penetration Tester 

As a Penetration Tester, your job is to launch fake attacks on a company’s network to ensure there aren’t any gaps in their security. 

In this role, you’ll constantly evaluate a company’s systems — looking to identify gaps or shortcomings that could lead to a potential hack. After performing these mock attacks, you’ll then report to executives on what is and isn’t working within the company’s security. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science 

Average Annual Salary: $90,000

7. Security Consultant 

Many organizations, some of which may not be as established, turn to external Security Consultants for advice. 

Like Cyber Security Specialists, Security Consultants identify vulnerabilities in networks. The main difference is that Consultants are typically contracted, while Cyber Security Specialists work in-house. This role is great for someone who enjoys taking on new challenges as they move from client to client.

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security

Average Annual Salary: $91,178

8. Source Code Auditor 

Source Code Auditors work within a company’s codebase to identify bugs, glitches, or other potential weaknesses. In this role, you’ll need an awareness of malware trends, and a keen understanding of how hackers break into codebases — so you know how to prevent it. 

Source Code Auditors are typically expert coders as well, with expertise in web development and fluency in a number of different coding languages. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Forensics

Average Annual Salary: $102,600

9. Security Architect

Security Architects have to think like hackers to problem-solve ways to prevent future attacks. Typically leading a team of IT Analysts and Security Engineers, Security Architects dig deep into systems to find possible vulnerabilities. 

Using their knowledge of system weaknesses, Security Architects build impenetrable systems for their companies. As team leaders, they’re additionally responsible for overseeing budgets and training various team members. 

Recommended Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Science

Average Annual Salary: $124,752

10. Data Security Strategist

As a Data Security Strategist, you’d come up with new ways to optimize data security functions and storage. You would be the brains behind new approaches for data protection. 

Like other entry-level cyber security jobs, this role is rooted in protecting systems from threats. As a Data Security Strategist, you’re responsible for mapping data and data usages, and ensuring it’s protected. 

Recommended Education Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security.

Additional Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP). 

Average Annual Salary: $130,000

11. Cryptographer 

Cryptography is a method used to keep messages confidential and only visible between the sender and receiver. Cryptographers find the most secure way to transfer information between parties. 

Cryptographers generally find ways to encrypt data being sent between websites, social media platforms, emails, and more. This may be a credit card company sending you information about your account or a company implementing two-factor authentication. 

Recommended Education Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Information Technology, or Cyber Security

Average Annual Salary: $145,356

Why is Cyber Security Important?  

Technology plays a vital role in our day-to-day life and society. In 2018, Canada was actually the third most targeted country to possible cyber attacks. This goes to show that even a small market can be targeted and given the number of businesses that rely on technology, keeping that data secure is incredibly important. 

Here’s a list to give you an idea of all the systems and businesses that rely on cyber security protection.

• Finance and banking. Cyber security professionals work to keep your banking and personal information as well as your financial property protected. 
• Health. The health sector stores a large amount of sensitive patient information and documents that need to be protected. 
• Transportation/travel. Any time you leave the country, you have to show your passport and disclose personal data. Cyber security professionals ensure your information for ground and air transportation is kept safe. 
• Government. Government systems store and document a lot of private information which, if it were breached, could cause mass destruction throughout entire countries. 
• Communications. Whether it’s public or private communications, you’d certainly want your personal emails, texts, social media conversations, and web-browsing activity to be kept confidential.
• Safety and law. Emergency response teams and police use call-centers and interactive voice response systems to help others. These systems require security measures to keep your data safe. 
• Energy resources and utilities. Believe it or not, cyber criminals will target industrial energy and control systems to steal data and even cause physical damage. 

 

Half the battle is cyber security awareness — both knowing the potential threats and how to protect your personal information. Did you know 1 in 4 Canadians have been victims of a virus, spyware, or malware? While you can do your part to practice safe data storage and usage, there are people out there who work to protect your information in a larger capacity. 

Let’s take a deeper dive into the types of cyber security jobs you can find.

Cyber Security Salaries in Canada

Cyber security roles are some of the highest paying jobs in Canada, and young professionals in the field have the opportunity to progress quickly in their careers. 

According to Talent.com, the average annual salary for a cyber security professional in Canada is $125,000, with a low end of $87,217 and a high end of $151,507. 

Cyber security salaries differ by region in Canada, with some of the highest-paying salaries in Quebec and British Columbia. You will find the lowest-paying salaries in more remote regions like Saskatchewan.

Cyber Security Salaries by Region
Quebec	$131,761/yr
British Columbia	$130,000/yr
Ontario	$124,837/yr
Alberta	$107,026/yr
Nova Scotia	$102,077/yr
Saskatchewan	$88,422/yr
Source: Talent.com

What are Some Key Skills You Should Have?

Beyond a degree, there are other ways you can set yourself apart from other candidates in cyber security. Here are some soft skills that will help you if you want to become a cyber security professional.

• Communication skills. While it may not be the most obvious skill, entry-level cyber security jobs require strong communication skills. You must be able to clearly articulate the issue or problem to coworkers, clients, executives, and beyond, which is why this skill is so important. 
• Strong problem-solving skills. Cyber security professionals deal with new issues every day and have to be able to think creatively and quickly to come up with solutions.
• Team player. In the cyber security field, you’ll often work as part of a team. You must understand your responsibilities/how they impact your team and offer to help others when they need it. 
• Discretion. Cyber security professionals deal with a lot of private and sensitive information. It’s part of your job to keep certain information confidential and deal with sensitive issues professionally. 
• Analytical skills. Cyber security professionals will have to assess client needs and goals and then analyze gaps that could be filled to improve their current processes.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Still have questions about a career in cyber security? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about launching a career in cyber security. 

What is the Most Entry-Level Cyber Security Job? 

An analyst or specialist role is typically the most junior in the cyber security industry. Whether you’re an IT Analyst, a Security Analyst, or a Cyber Security Analyst, analyst roles in cyber security are part of a larger team being led by someone in a manager or architect role. 

Can You Do Cyber Security With No Experience?

You don’t necessarily need experience to work in cyber security if you have a degree in a relevant field like computer science or have a background in data analysis. However, it can be extremely helpful to either have internship experience or at least one year of experience working on a cyber security team. 

Is Cyber Security Stressful? 

Cyber security can be a stressful job as those in the industry get tasked with protecting networks that oftentimes hold valuable and sensitive information. 

Cyber security professionals also are responsible for equipping employees with the right tools and training them on best practices, which can be very difficult and time-consuming work. 

Does Cyber Security Require Coding?

Unless you’re working specifically in codebases, you won’t need coding knowledge to get an entry-level cyber security job. However, as you advance in your career, it may be helpful to have fluency in some coding languages. 

How Do I Start a Career in Cyber Security? 

No matter which cyber security job you end up in, it’s important to keep learning as you grow in your career. The tech landscape evolves quickly so you’ll want to keep up with industry trends and changes.

If you’re ready to start a career in cyber security, check out our Cyber and Cloud Security Diploma Program. In just 11 months, you’ll gain the skills you need to keep cloud customers and organizations’ information secure as well as prevent future data breaches.