5 Network Security Jobs You Should Consider Hiring For

Globally, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.45 million in 2023. Given the growing rate and sophistication of cybercrime, having the processes and people to combat these threats has never been more crucial. Cyber attacks can leave a company's IT infrastructure, including its networks, vulnerable to financial and reputational harm. One way to counter this is to hone your recruitment strategy and focus on hiring talent for network security jobs.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the top roles you should consider hiring for. We’ll highlight five network security specialist jobs, outlining the primary responsibilities of each position and the skills to look out for when sourcing and placing candidates into these niche roles.

This guide explores the following network security jobs:

1. Network Security Analyst

2. Network Security Architect

3. AI Security Specialist

4. Network Support Engineer 

5. Network Security Consultant
   
   

1. Network Security Analyst

When hiring talent to bolster your team, a network security analyst is one of the top roles you should consider recruiting for. Network security analysts are vital to any organization looking for an individual to protect its IT infrastructure from cybersecurity threats. These specialists will help your business assess its network connections, hardware, and software for potential vulnerabilities. 

Liaising with your internal leadership and network security team, network security analysts will help implement strategies to combat potential threats and optimize your online assets to ensure they are well protected against cyber-attacks. These network security experts will continuously monitor your networks to stay on top of emerging threats and suspicious behavior, ensuring your business operates securely around the clock. 

Responsibilities of a network security analyst  

Network security analysts are typically responsible for the following:

• Assessing an organization's IT infrastructure for vulnerabilities and 
• Implementing defense strategies, such as the use of firewalls to strengthen a company's cybersecurity posture
• Monitor network activity for potential threats
• Research and create programs to mitigate cyber threats
• Develop policies to educate the wider business on how to protect themselves and the company from cyber-attacks

Skills to look out for in a network security analyst 

When recruiting for these analyst network security jobs, consider talent with the following skills and traits:

• Proven expertise in programming languages such as Java and Python
• Knowledge of industry-specific cybersecurity protocols and policies 
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve network security-related issues
• A relevant network security degree or recognized certification such as CompTIA Security+

2. Network Security Architect

Next on our list of roles you should recruit for your network security team is the position of a network security architect. These specialists lend their expertise across the security systems used to protect a company from various cybersecurity threats. Individuals operating in this niche are predominantly focused on predicting and identifying potential threats and safeguarding an organization's network and digital assets from security vulnerabilities.

Talent in these network security jobs will develop a deep knowledge of the various intricacies of an organization's networks and IT infrastructure. They will dedicate their efforts to designing, building, testing, and deploying security systems for a company's network. These security systems act as secure barriers, fortifying a company's network from cyber-attacks capable of causing severe financial and reputational damage.  

Responsibilities of a network security architect 

Here are the typical responsibilities of these network security professionals:

• Designing and deploying various security architectures
• Ability to understand and adapt to an organization's networks, IT infrastructure, and systems
• Monitoring networks and IT infrastructure and responding to incidents
• Optimizing and testing security systems to ensure they effectively protect networks and IT infrastructure  
• Educating the network security team and wider business on cybersecurity awareness

Skills to look out for in a network security architect

Below are the skills to look out for when hiring these specific network security specialists:

• Ability to use programming languages such as Java and C++
• Knowledge of security frameworks and cloud security  
• Experience with operating systems such as Windows and Mac
• A degree in network security, computer science, or a related field
• Qualifications in relevant IT and network security certifications 

3. AI Security Specialist

Continuing our discussion on hiring diverse talent for network security jobs, the next role on our list is an AI security specialist. If you’ve adopted or are considering using artificial intelligence (AI) to support your operational efficiencies, recruiting an AI security specialist for your network security team is an essential hire. These network security experts and modern tech innovators can secure your AI-based systems while future-proofing your business.  

As AI in the network space grows in prominence, AI security specialists play a vital role in protecting AI systems from emerging cyber threats and data breaches. These network security professionals will monitor AI models and conduct risk assessments to evaluate and forecast potential attacks. With proficiency in AI and machine learning (ML), talent in this space will ensure that an organization is equipped with robust AI frameworks to counter existing and emerging threats. 

Responsibilities of an AI security specialist

These AI-focused network security specialists are typically responsible for the following: 

• Develop and implement secure AI security frameworks
• Perform risk assessments and tests to analyze the vulnerability of a company's AI systems 
• Deploy strategies to reduce the impact of an AI-related cyber-attack
• Conduct audits to assess the effectiveness of AI security strategies
• Keep up-to-date with the latest AI trends

Skills to look out for in an AI security specialist

Here is a list of skills and attributes to consider when hiring an AI security specialist:

• Knowledge of the synergy between AI network security
• Experience using AI security tools and technologies 
• A strong awareness of the relevant AI security standards and regulations
• Ability to utilize programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python 
• A degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field

4. Network Security Engineer

Another of the top network security jobs you should consider hiring for as part of your recruitment strategy is the role of a network security engineer. Professionals in this space are often considered the backbone of an organization's IT security. They are instrumental in ensuring a company's networks remain secure against cyber threats, such as ransomware, Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks, and other malicious activity. 

Network security engineers are primarily responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining a business's security systems. They focus on helping companies set up the proper defenses to deter threat actors and ensure there are no gaps or vulnerabilities within the network that hackers can exploit. These network security experts will regularly monitor an organization's network, remaining vigilant and ready to combat typical and emerging cyber threats.

Responsibilities of a network security engineer

Below are the typical responsibilities of a network security engineer:

• Design, configure and maintain network security infrastructure 
• Auditing and testing networks and IT assets for gaps and vulnerabilities
• Regularly monitoring networks for potential cyber threats
• Liaising with the network security team on potential threats and industry developments 
• Staying up-to-date with the latest network security technologies and protocols 

Skills to look out for in a network security engineer

These are the skills and attributes to look for in these network security professionals: 

• Experience using programming languages, including Java, C++, and Python
• Deep awareness of the different types of cyber threats
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field
• Recognized certifications from the likes of CompTIA and Cisco 

5. Network Security Consultant

Organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity should consider hiring a network security consultant. A valuable asset to any network security team, these professionals help companies navigate the complexities and dangers in the tech space. They support businesses of various sizes and industries in defending their computer systems, hardware, software, networks, and overall IT infrastructure from multiple cyber threats. 

Talent in these network security jobs will help companies detect and identify vulnerabilities within their IT infrastructure. They will evaluate existing security frameworks and investigate how they can be optimized. Network security consultants stay on top of emerging developments within the security space and deploy the latest tools and technologies to ensure a business's systems are protected from threats all year round.

Responsibilities of a network security consultant

These network security specialists are typically responsible for the following:

• Enhancing security protection across networks, systems, and IT infrastructure
• Performing audits and tests across an IT infrastructure to detect vulnerabilities 
• Keeping updated with the latest security technologies and protocols 
• Optimizing existing security processes across a company's IT infrastructure
• Collaborating with IT and network security teams to ensure an IT infrastructure has optimized defense systems  

Skills to look out for in a network security consultant

Below are the key skills to consider in your future network security specialists:

• Experience deploying security processes to protect against cyber threats
• Understanding of operating systems such as Linux and Windows
• Ability to use programming languages such as Java, Javascript, and Python
• Deep knowledge of various types of cyber threats
• A recognized security certification or degree in cybersecurity computer science or a related field

The Final Word on Hiring Talent in Network Security Jobs

Securing your organization's network is more crucial than ever. By hiring skilled professionals in permanent or contract roles, such as network security analysts, architects, AI security specialists, engineers, and consultants, you can strengthen your posture against cyber threats. 

Each of these network security jobs brings unique expertise, from analyzing and mitigating vulnerabilities to designing robust security architectures and AI for advanced threat protection. Prioritizing these roles in your network recruitment strategy will take your network security team closer to safeguarding your IT infrastructure and ultimately help protect your company from potentially severe financial and reputational damage.

Discover more roles you could recruit for by reading our guide on 5 Cybersecurity Specialists You Should Hire to Boost Your IT Team.

Recruiting for Network Security Jobs?

If you’re looking to hire network security specialists to boost your security posture, we can help. Our experienced consultants lend their expertise to network security recruitment and are here to help grow your organization by connecting you with the market’s brightest talent. 

Partner with us today to find the people you need to fill your network security jobs.