Cybersecurity is a crucial worry as businesses depend more and more on the cloud and other digital technology to conduct business. 8 Technology Roles That Can Change Cybersecurity.

Protecting sensitive information and corporate assets is crucial, but a data breach or cyberattack may also have detrimental effects on an organization’s business operations, reputation, and bottom line.

This focus on cybersecurity can provide a wide range of job prospects for tech workers. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that a lot of crucial cybersecurity positions don’t have the term “security” in the job title. In fact, IT experts from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets are essential to defending businesses against security incidents like cybercrime.

According to a recent Robert Half poll, 64% of IT managers want to increase hiring in the first half of 2023, and security is one of the hardest areas to fill. What if, however, some of the skills they require could be done by other IT specialists? Could it be that broadening the scope of a security function would be advantageous to both companies and job candidates? Here are eight very distinct IT positions that may assist in resolving cybersecurity issues and safeguarding a business’s assets.

8 Technology Roles That Can Change Cybersecurity

1. Systems Administrator

The systems administrator is critical to any IT team, responsible for keeping networks running smoothly. They are the go-to person for troubleshooting technical issues and making sure all systems are correctly configured. Furthermore, they play a vital role in cybersecurity, setting up firewalls, monitoring user accounts, implementing security protocols, overseeing patch management and installing security updates.

2. Network Engineer

Crafting and managing computer networks is the network engineer’s specialty. They design, install, configure and maintain systems like routers, switches and firewalls to guarantee network performance — and security. Other security responsibilities include monitoring network traffic, troubleshooting issues, responding to incidents, installing and updating software, and implementing protective measures against malicious attacks, including user education.

3. Desktop support analyst

This role involves helping other employees with their desktop computer issues. As well as general troubleshooting, desktop support analysts monitor security updates and keep track of access rights to safeguard confidential information. They also advise and educate users on securing systems and data, making them one of the first lines of defense in an organization’s IT environment.

4. Systems engineer

The systems engineer designs and maintains a company’s IT infrastructure. They keep systems up and running with minimal downtime while maintaining optimal performance. Cybersecurity is a significant responsibility of a systems engineer, including implementing best practices for software development, data protection and patching systems; continuously monitoring for suspicious activity; and responding to incidents appropriately.

5. Software engineer

Software engineers code and test applications to support business objectives and meet customer needs and expectations. As the gatekeepers to sensitive user data, these IT professionals must help ensure that all applications, databases and networks adhere to established security protocols and secure development standards. By understanding the latest security trends and technologies, and collaborating with security, operations and infrastructure teams, software engineers can help organizations stay ahead of bad actors.

6. DevOps engineer

Bridging the gap between software development and IT operations, DevOps engineers work to facilitate the successful and timely deployment of software. They can also work to automate deployment processes to help reduce human error and minimize the risk of security breaches. In addition, they act as guardians of an organization’s cloud security, ensuring that its infrastructure is robust and reliable. The best DevOps engineers stay current on emerging cybersecurity threats to protect their employer’s systems and data effectively.

7. Cloud architect

Cloud architects design and deploy cloud-based systems to meet organizational needs, as well as identify potential cost and improvement opportunities. Furthermore, they’re responsible for implementing cybersecurity measures to protect the cloud environment, including secure authentication, authorization and encryption standards and protocols, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and others. With their expertise, cloud architects keep organizations safe and connected.

8. Web developer

A web developer is responsible for building, testing, and maintaining secure websites and web applications. As well as bringing a company’s products and services to life on the web, these IT professionals must ensure their applications are as hack-proof as possible by adhering to industry security standards. This includes regularly patching applications, testing for vulnerabilities, and developing secure coding practices to further prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

As you can see, cybersecurity is a team effort including experts with diverse roles and skill sets. Instead of putting out fires when things go wrong, a business may successfully construct its digital defenses from the bottom up by recruiting the proper personnel. And even if they don’t have “security” in their job titles, computer workers may be able to find a variety of employment prospects by knowing the broader spectrum of security inside a department or business.