With business and commerce increasingly reliant on IT systems, the security and integrity of those systems is of the utmost importance. For this reason, candidates with skills relevant to the role of IT Security Consultant are highly sought after by recruitment agencies, and can command extremely competitive remuneration / benefit packages.
What do IT Security Consultants do?
IT Security Consultants are responsible wholly or in part for the overall integrity, security, and often compliance of an IT system. In order to achieve this, Consultants utilise techniques such as ethical or ‘white hat’ hacking / penetration testing; simulated security breaches; risk assessments; and planning for disaster recovery. A Consultant might also be required to prepare reports on a system’s security - as well as designing entirely new systems / components of systems.
Security compliance involves standards and laws such as the ISO 27000 Series and Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK. These guidelines are intended to safeguard the security not only of data belonging to the companies implementing them, but also that of their customers, clients, employees, and associates - in fact, any living individual on whom they hold data.
What do recruiters look for in an IT Security Consultant?
IT Security Consultant is generally a high-level role within an organisation, commanding significant cachet. As such, candidates for these vacancies tend to be experienced IT professionals - who more often than not have an existing background in data security.
When making a hire in this area, firms look for certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) membership, and often a degree in an IT-related discipline such as Computer Science.
Working in this sector
Salaries for IT Security Consultants tend to be relatively high - with roles often offering upwards of £40k. Salaries can easily rise to around double this with experience, if working for the right company - and even get into six-figure sums for senior roles. Because of the nature of IT, this job role can often involve remote, home-based working - as well as visiting clients in person, or working in an office.
Speaking to the recruitment agencies listed on this page is the easiest way to find work in this sector. Each one employs consultants with a wealth of expertise in this area, who specialise in filling vacancies