Security architect is one of the most popular and fruitful career choices for IT professionals who are looking for a promising future. The demand for these professionals is high, and the good news is that it is projected to grow exponentially for years to come. The reason behind the high demand is increased cyber threats. Most companies operate on cloud platforms, and it exposes the data and operations to online attacks. When you have a security architect, they work endlessly to study the current company architecture and frame strategies for enhanced security. So, it is also an exciting career option for IT aspirants who like to be in a competitive environment with something new to learn every day. In this article, I will discuss everything about how to become a security architect. Use this information to plan your journey, and you will experience fruitful results.
Who is a Security Architect, and What Do They Do?
A Security Architect is a professional who is responsible for network security. They design and implement secure computing systems and networks to add a protective layer to sensitive information. Their job role starts with analyzing an organization’s business requirements and identifying potential risks in designing fruitful security solutions. Additionally, Security Architects work hard to stay put with the emerging cyber security threats and best practices to mitigate the risks. Some organizations may ask security architects to conduct security audits and risk assessment activities to identify potential weaknesses and recommend apt solutions. If all this sounds exciting, becoming a security architect is definitely a fruitful career decision for you. Make sure you develop a skillset relevant to this industry to prove your worth as a security architect, and there will be countless opportunities for you to explore.
How to Become a Security Architect in 5 Simple Steps
One question that I frequently get asked by IT aspirants is how to become a cybersecurity architect. It is a query amongst those who have qualified for the Best Cyber Security training programs and wish to know how their career can boom as an architect. To help you all get clarity, here are the step-by-step processes to plan a journey to become a successful security architect.
Step 1: Master Skills
The first step to initiate your journey as a security architect is to learn relevant skills and become industry-proficient. There are organizations that give more weightage to the CISA Certification than a degree in computer science. So, it is always advisable to develop the apt skill set to excel in this industry.
Top Skills Needed to Become a Security Architect
Talking about the skills that can help in this domain, I have categorized them into soft and hard skills. Soft skills are more like your personality traits, while hard skills are related to your technical expertise.
Soft Skills
- Communication Skills: They have to articulate security concepts in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. They also need to convey security risks and recommendations to non-technical stakeholders. So, you should focus on improving your communication skills.
- Analytical Thinking: It is essential to develop this skill for efficient assessment and interpretation of security data. Moreover, your analytical thinking skills will also help you make informed decisions and design fruitful security measures.
- Problem-Solving: Another soft skill that can take you a long way is problem-solving. Develop the ability to think critically to solve problems; it is crucial for addressing security issues promptly.
Hard Skills
- Network Security: Develop an understanding of network protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and other network security technologies to secure communication channels.
- Application Security: Gain knowledge of best coding practices, web security, and potential vulnerabilities in applications. The more security practices you learn, the more you are ready for the market.
- Cloud Security: It is crucial to gain expertise in protecting cloud environments, understanding cloud architecture, and hands-on knowledge of security measures in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
Top Security Architect Certifications / Degree
On the roadmap to becoming a security architect, one of the crucial aspects is to complete an add-on certification course. These courses are specially curated to develop relevant skills in the aspirants and teach them the trending tools and best practices to enhance an organization’s security. Some of the certification programs you can opt for are:
Step 2: Determine Your Ideal Timeline
It certainly takes time to get success in any career. So, when you ask how to become a security architect after the 12th, I would say it will take some time.
Start Learning in a Format That Suits You
Before I explain how much time it would take and how you can fix a timeline to become a security architect, it is crucial to mention that you decide at your own pace. There is no point in following any trail. What worked for others might not work for you! So, you start learning in a format that suits your requirements and helps you achieve your professional goals.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Security Architect?
The time it takes to become a security analyst can vary for different aspirants. However, if you talk about the timeline that most aspirants follow, the time it would take is:
4 years of completing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology.
One year for certification courses that develop relevant skills and increase your chances of getting hired.
So, ideally, after five years of continuous learning, you can start your career as a security architect. As far as growth is concerned, you can always complete add-on courses to keep learning and scaling ahead.
Step 3: Begin Building Your Portfolio / Resume
Once you are ready to explore the job market, you should focus on building an impressive resume. Understand that your resume is your first impression of the employer, and you cannot afford to compromise with this. So, make an extra effort to build your resume and ensure every highlight of your career gets mentioned over it.
Portfolio Example or Resume Template in PDF for Download and add resume image
Velvet JobsStep 4: Where and how to find a job
The next step in your journey to becoming a successful security architect is finding the right job. Most aspirants find it challenging to look for the right kind of jobs that comply with their future goals. If you are also sailing in the same boat, I am here to help.
Top Companies Hiring Security Architect
Here is a list of companies hiring security architects, along with an average salary. You can save time and effort by looking for your desired job role in these companies, skipping other options.
| Company | Salary |
| Accenture | $127K |
| IBM | $107K |
| TCS | $116K |
| Capgemini | $180K |
| Wipro | $136K |
Job Outlook for Security Architect
The job outlook for a security architect is promising, and if you are well-prepared for it, rest assured that your career will be sustainable. The best way to become a security architect and plan a fruitful career is to keep enrolling in the add-on certification courses and updating your skill set. By doing so, you can enjoy a long, secure, and monetarily sound career as a security architect.
Step 5: Ace the Interview
The market is competitive, so there are countless candidates competing for the same job opportunity. So, to become a cyber security architect, you have to ace the interview! Some employers may conduct a written technical test along with a personal interview. On the other hand, others may directly call you for the PI. Learn about the process and start preparing accordingly.
Brief overview of the interview process + Tips
Once you know the interview process that the company follows, start with the preparation process. Solve some sample technical tests and read probable interview questions for a security architect. Furthermore, make sure you dress well and present yourself professionally and confidently throughout the interview process.
Who can Become a Security Architect?
When you explore how to become a security architect, you will come across multiple eligibility criteria that you have to qualify. Only those aspirants who fulfill that criterion can become successful security architects. These eligibility criteria are:
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology
- Specialized certification course in network engineering or cyber security. You can opt for KnowledgeHut’s Cyber Security online courses or explore other renowned and reliable options.
If you are exploring how to become a senior security architect, ensure you have hands-on experience in the industry before applying for a senior position.
Why / Benefits
I have discussed how you can plan a career as a security analyst and how fruitful this domain is. The question that often arises is what benefits one can expect in this industry.
What’s the Demand for Security Architects?
The demand for security architects is high across industries, and the best part is that this demand is high at a global level. You will find a booming market with countless job opportunities if only you can prove your worth as an expert security architect. As per a report, there is a projected growth of 33% in the IT job sector, and 5% of it will be related to network security.
Salary details for the top 5 countries
To understand the demand better, refer to the table below showcasing the salaries of security architects in the top 5 countries.
| Countries | Salary |
| UK | £83K |
| USA | $220K |
| India | INR 230K |
| Canada | $129k |
| Singapore | $217K |
Common Challenges When Aiming to Become a Security Architect with Solutions
Though security architect is a fruitful industry, becoming successful in this industry has its own challenges. Some of the challenges you might face are:
- Technical expertise: the challenge is to keep up with changing technologies and gain proficiency in diverse security tools and platforms. To address this challenge, you should follow the continuous learning process.
- Risk Assessment and Management: another challenge is identifying risks, as it requires a deep understanding of this business and technology. To overcome it, develop efficient risk assessment skills and align security measures with business goals.
- Communication Skills: there is a lot of communication involved. So, make sure you do not let it become a challenge. Work on improving your interpersonal skills to overcome this challenge.
- Security Integration: another challenge you might face is embedding security practices. To streamline this process carefully, you should promote DevSecOps culture.
- Adaptability: This domain is rapidly changing, so it requires security architects to be adaptable. To overcome this challenge, make sure you work on upgrading your skills regularly.
Conclusion
Digitization, dependency, reliability on cloud networks, and increasing cyber threats have worked together in favor of security architects. The demand in this domain has grown exponentially and is projected to see exceptional growth for years to come. So, if you are planning to start a career as a security architect, rest assured that it will be a fruitful journey with job security and excellent monetary perks. If you are starting after the 12th, direct your journey right from graduation. However, a switch is also possible if you complete the right certification courses and develop skills that prepare you to work as a proficient security architect. In this guide to becoming a security architect, I have listed every detail you should know about this journey. Use this information to plan a strategy, and you will certainly enjoy a fruitful professional career.
