The cyber security talent shortage still remains as potent as ever. It’s true that there have been substantial efforts to increase the supply of cyber security workers. However, demand has increased constantly, so cyber security talent becomes challenging to find. Several years ago, demand for security skills was limited mainly to the government and the defense industry. Now it has spread throughout the economy. In this article, we give an overview of the cyber security job salary in Switzerland.

TOP 3 cyber security positions and jobs salary

Cyber security careers are in high demand. Following are the top three popular positions in cyber security, including job responsibilities and respective cyber security jobs salary. So let’s take a closer look.

Cyber Security Engineer

Cyber security engineers are considered the gatekeepers of information within an organization. They’re responsible for protecting an organization’s network against persistent threats from cyberspace. They perform and design security measures accordingly. Cyber security engineers are not working in isolation, rather they are generally regarded as being an extension of the IT department.

They should possess the following qualities: obtaining a degree in computer science, information technology, or systems engineering. They are required to be detail-oriented individuals and be able to quickly detect anything out of the ordinary on a day-to-day basis. Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python, C++, Java, Ruby, Go or PowerShell is also important.

The main responsibilities of a cyber security engineer are:

• design, execute, manage, control, and upgrade security measures for the protection of the organization’s data, systems, and networks.
• test and detect network and system vulnerabilities.
• build computer security architecture and advance comprehensive cyber security designs.
• carry out threat intelligence and perform new security solutions to properly protect the organization.

Salaries for cyber security engineers

As regards the salary, the average entry-level cyber security engineer salary is around $75.000. Cyber security engineers at the mid-career level can expect to earn around $95.000. Lastly, the average experienced cyber security engineer’s salary is above $115.000.

Cyber Security Analyst

Cyber security analysts are responsible for the security of an organization’s computer systems and information technology assets. Similar roles to cyber security analysts include information security analysts, security operations center analysts, and security analysts. These titles basically hold the same job description and execute the same tasks.

Typical responsibilities of a cyber security analyst are:

• to implement incident response, which includes responding to and preventing attacks.
• to assure necessary security controls are in place that will protect digital files and the main electronic infrastructure.
• to suggest techniques to identify and prevent malicious activity, carry out reviews of security events, and improve methods to develop security incident identification.

Salaries for cyber security analysts

Indeed says that the average salary for a security analyst is around $78.000 in the United States of America. The average entry-level cyber security analyst salary is around $62.000, whereas mid-career cyber security analysts can expect to make nearly $88.000. Interestingly, a senior cyber security analyst with 10 years’ experience can make $61.000 in London, whereas an individual with the same qualifications can make $125.000 in New York.

Chief Security Officer (CSO)

The chief security officers are the company executives who are in charge of the security of personnel, physical assets, and information in both physical and digital forms. They usually have many years of experience in cyber security. Thus, they are able to professionally manage standards that dictate how information is secured, transformed, and stored.

Because intruders try to penetrate the organization’s systems every day, chief security officers have to be knowledgeable in securing the internal organization systems. Additionally, a CSO has some type of management experience, as they have a number of managers from several departments who report to the CSO.

CSOs have to possess knowledge in administration, management, human resources, customer service, law, and government. Moreover, they are expected to have excellent skills in judgment, decision making, complex problem solving, and critical thinking.

Typical responsibilities of a chief security officer include:

• to determine goals and objectives for organization security, and defining budgets for each year IT and security changes;
  
  
• to develop and execute strategic security protocols and procedures;
  
  
• to initiate safety measures to safeguard the assets and properties of a business unit;
  
  
• to comprehend both local and federal laws regarding IT security and work jointly with teams to make sure that the business follows the necessary policies.
  
  

Salaries for chief security officers

Above mentioned capabilities and skills signify excellent compensation as well as long-term job opportunities. For example, payscale.com says that the median salary for a chief security officer is $132.000, with anything from $68.000 to $202.000. The early-career chief security officer can expect to make $80.000.

According to Economic Research Institute, the average salary for a chief security officer who holds at least five years of experience will be around $160.000 in 2025.

Cyber security salaries in Switzerland

In comparison to other European countries, Switzerland is known to have superb information and telecommunications infrastructure. Switzerland is the birthplace of the World Wide Web. The country’s position as a high-tech location makes it an ideal place to foster digital trust.

In fact, Switzerland is making an outstanding contribution to advancing cyber security across the globe and fostering peaceful use of information and communications technology. The job market in the cyber security domain is hot. So, make sure to check our blog post where we discussed why choose cyber security as a career.

As regards the cyber security salary in Switzerland, an employee working in the IT sector makes about CHF 126,000 per year. Salaries typically range from CHF 64.500, which is the lowest average, to around CHF 210.000, the highest average.

An entry-level cyber security specialist who possesses 1 to 3 years of experience, earns an average salary of CHF 84.000. A senior-level cyber security specialist with at least 7 years of experience makes an average salary of CHF 149.000.

The annual average salaries for other cyber security positions in Switzerland are as follows:

• Cyber Security Engineer – CHF 110.000 and CHF 130.000
  
• Cyber Security Consultant – CHF 110.000 and CHF 160.000
  
• Cyber Security Analyst – CHF 90.000 and CHF 110.000
  
• Cyber Incident Responder – CHF 111.000 and CHF 130.000 annually
  
• Penetration Tester – CHF 110.000 and CHF 130.000
  
• Security Director– CHF 160.000 and CHF 200.000
  
• Information Security Officer (ISO) – CHF 130.000 and CHF 150.000
  
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – CHF 150.000 and CHF 220.000
  
• Vulnerability Assessor – CHF 110.000 and CHF 130.000

Boost your career in cyber security

Recent cyber incidents and widely reported pervasive vulnerabilities reveal the rapidly changing cyber risk landscape. Every employee entrusted with hands-on work must be trained to hold necessary capabilities allowing them to secure systems, understand how intruders think and implement, and handle incidents when they happen.

Swiss Cyber Institute has developed a knowledge-based Cyber Security Specialist program with a Swiss Federal Diploma. This program is intended to introduce you to the field of cyber security and prepare you for the Swiss Federal Examination. Don’t miss this chance, and become a Cyber Security Specialist with a Swiss Federal Diploma.

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NOTE: This content is developed in collaboration with cyberunity – a cyber security talent agency and a career community. The salary figures mentioned throughout this article are based on cyberunity’s daily interviews with candidates and client briefings for the Swiss market. Salaries depend on the company size, and the quotes above are mainly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

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