How to Become a Director of Security
How to Become a Director of Security
How to Become a Director of Security

Society is more interconnected than ever thanks to the proliferation of mobile platforms, the internet of things (IoT), and social media. These technologies are also introducing new cyber threats, increasing the demand for directors of security and related roles across all industries. Security professionals researching how to become a director of security should consider how an advanced degree can help to position them as leaders in this growing field.

While news headlines mostly highlight data breaches at global companies, small businesses and organizations — from nonprofits to government agencies — in the United States are also on the front lines of the cyber war. On the world stage, the percentage of countries seeing cyber threats as a top concern surged from 54% in 2017 to an average of 61% in 2018, according to the Pew Research Center.

Defending against these growing cyber threats requires trained, nimble leaders who can direct teams of information technology (IT), cybersecurity, and data professionals to keep operations running. Maryville University is well positioned to prepare these leaders with its online master’s in cybersecurity degree program.

A director of security advises his team manager in a room full of computer monitors

What Is the Director of Security Job Description?

The director of security job description includes evaluating an organization’s vulnerability and identifying systems and processes to reduce cybersecurity risks and help to prevent attacks. Cyber criminals are persistent in developing new ways to penetrate enterprise systems, and they often get past defenses. This means that a director of security must also know about the latest cyber threats. In answering the question “What is the director of security job description?” it becomes clear that the role is constantly evolving.

Vigilance and Upskilling

Cyber threats are ever present, and professionals in director of security jobs must be aware of the dangers. Cyber criminals work 24/7 to penetrate organizational systems and access data. This means security directors must be easily reachable at any time, so security directors commonly work more than 40 hours a week. Additionally, planned system outages to perform security upgrades often occur on weekends and evenings.

Successful directors of security never take anything for granted. Their constant awareness of possible data breaches means they conduct regular reviews to uncover issues as soon as they arise. To do this, they develop standards to test and validate security protocols. Because cyber criminals are constantly devising new ways to attack, security directors must keep up with the latest technology trends and continually update their skill sets and knowledge.

Leadership and Communication

A director of security manages a team of technical professionals and provides guidance on preventing attacks and keeping teams up to speed on new cybersecurity skills. In fact, security directors review existing cybersecurity programs and serve as advisers to CEOs on all matters of security, providing guidance on making improvements. A key tip for how to become a director of security is to work on cultivating communication, leadership, strategic planning, and research skills.

Cyber threats come not just from external sources but also from within organizations themselves. Attacks that originate from within aren’t always malicious; sometimes, a hack is a result of negligence or failure to follow security procedures, such as updating passwords. A director of security serves as a champion of security procedures, so the ability to lead and influence is key.

Constant vigilance when enforcing security procedures helps to keep would-be cyber thieves away from an organization’s data, which is why the role of director of security is so important for organizations looking to remain competitive in the 21st century.

Director of Security Job Salaries

Organizations looking to employ directors of security include government agencies, financial firms and banks, IT and networking firms, and large corporations that work with an abundance of customer data.

The median annual salary for computer and information systems managers, which includes directors of security and related jobs, was $142,530 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Director of security salaries can vary widely depending on education, certifications, and experience in the field.

Employment Outlook for Director of Security Jobs

Employment growth for security directors is fueled by current market trends. As more organizations move toward digitization and cloud computing, they’ll rely on cybersecurity experts to help to protect their valuable data. The BLS projects employment for computer and information systems manager roles, such as a director of security, to increase by 11% from 2018 to 2028 — exceeding the average growth rate for all occupations. Similar roles include chief information officer (CIO), chief technology officer (CTO), and IT director.

Steps to Become a Director of Security

Professionals looking to launch their leadership career paths in this field should consider a master’s in cybersecurity degree to gain a strong background in strategic planning and enhance their technical skills in areas such as cloud security, mobile forensics, and drone technology.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Professionals pursuing careers in this rapidly growing field can find answers about how to become a director of security by looking into education that can help them advance professionally. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity enables them to pursue a growing number of opportunities, from entry level and up, in government agencies, financial institutions, businesses, and healthcare organizations.

Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree

At the director of security level, an online master’s in cybersecurity degree can round out one’s technology skills with key business concepts, enabling informed decision-making regarding security investments. Postgraduate coursework in cybersecurity varies by specialty but typically includes cryptography and network security, incident handling, legal ramifications, and application development.

Step 3: Attain Certifications and Complete Additional Training to Become a Director of Security

Since cybersecurity is constantly evolving, aspiring directors of security may need to complete certifications from accredited organizations to stay current on the latest trends. Certifications to consider include:

Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Project Management Professional (PMP)

Step 4: Gain Experience as a Security Professional

Detail-oriented professionals who offer analytical, team leadership, decision-making, and communication skills can position themselves to take on more cybersecurity responsibilities. They can take their first step toward a director role by volunteering to serve on committees focused on technology and cybersecurity in their organizations. A professional pursuing a career path as a director of security can benefit from taking coursework on related subjects offered by Maryville University.

While this article highlights some key steps for attaining a director of security role, additional training, certification, education, and experience may be required, depending on the employer and the nature of the position.

Explore Your Career Options

Maryville University is well positioned to prepare students to begin their cybersecurity careers. For example, Maryville’s online master’s in cybersecurity degree program is geared toward real-world exposure, includes a holistic curriculum offering wide-ranging cybersecurity coursework, and focuses on helping students to develop their technical knowledge.

Directors of security are in a unique position to strengthen interconnectedness in a world under constant attack from cyber criminals. If you’re up to the challenge, you can help to shape the future cyber landscape by working as a leader and defender. Now is your chance to become a leader in a role with significant earning potential.