Common Cybersecurity Roles

Cybersecurity is a broad field with multiple career paths focusing on offensive security (attacking), defensive security (protecting), building secure systems, and governance. While many times we will see the job role of Security Engineer or Security Analyst used universally; it is pretty common for people to have a specific focused role. Below is a categorized list of common roles in cybersecurity.

1️⃣ Attack Roles (Offensive Security)

These roles focus on testing, identifying, and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems and networks.

Network Penetration Tester – Finds and exploits network vulnerabilities.
Web Application Tester – Identifies security flaws in web applications.
Cloud Penetration Tester – Tests security in cloud environments.
Exploit Developer – Develops and tests new software exploits.
Vulnerability Researcher – Discovers new vulnerabilities and their impacts.
Red Team Operator – Simulates real-world attacks to test an organization’s defenses.
Physical Penetration Tester – Assesses security of physical locations through social engineering and physical security testing.

2️⃣ Defend Roles (Defensive Security)

These roles are responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security threats.

Security Administrator – Manages security measures across IT infrastructure.
Cyber Defense Analyst (SOC Analyst) – Monitors and responds to network security alerts.
Malware Analyst – Investigates malware behavior and mitigation strategies.
Digital Forensics Analyst – Analyzes security incidents and recovers data.
Incident Responder – Responds to and mitigates cybersecurity incidents.
Threat Hunter – Proactively searches for security threats in an organization.
Blue Team Specialist – Focuses on defensive measures to protect IT systems.
Reverse Engineer – Dissects malware, exploits, and software to understand attack techniques.

3️⃣ Build Roles (Security by Design)

These roles focus on designing secure systems and integrating security from the start.

Enterprise Security Architect – Designs security frameworks for organizations.
Cloud Architect – Develops cloud security strategies.
Security Solution Architect – Designs security solutions for applications.
Security Designer – Builds and maintains cybersecurity defense structures.
Software Developer – Codes secure applications and services.
DevSecOps Engineer – Automates security processes in software development.
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) – Ensures system reliability and security.
System Hardener (SysAdmin) – Configures systems to minimize security risks.
Secure Software Engineer – Specializes in building security-first applications.
Security Automation Engineer – Develops automation tools to detect and mitigate threats.

4️⃣ Additional Roles (Governance, Compliance & Risk)

These roles focus on policy, compliance, and risk management.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – Leads an organization's cybersecurity strategy.
Security Tester – Tests security features of applications.
Security Assurance Officer – Ensures compliance with security policies.
Security Risk Analyst – Evaluates cybersecurity risks to the business.
Identity & Access Management (IAM) Analyst – Manages user access control and authentication.
Compliance Auditor – Reviews adherence to regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Specialist – Focuses on security policies, legal compliance, and risk management.
Security Awareness Trainer – Educates employees on cybersecurity best practices.
Cybersecurity Consultant – Provides advisory services to organizations on improving security posture.

📌 Choosing a Cybersecurity Career Path

Cybersecurity careers cater to different skill sets and interests:

If you enjoy breaking into systems, consider penetration testing or exploit development.
If you prefer defending networks, consider SOC analysis or incident response.
If you're passionate about building secure systems, explore DevSecOps, cloud security, or secure coding.
If you like policy and compliance, pursue GRC, risk analysis, or auditing.

Regardless of your path, continuous learning is crucial in cybersecurity. Certifications like GPEN, GCIH, OSCP, CISSP, CEH, Security+, and CISM can boost your career.