If you’re looking for a high-impact, lucrative role that keeps you on your toes and constantly challenges you to learn new approaches, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one so uniquely poised as a job within cybersecurity.
“You’re on the front line of defense, protecting people and businesses,” ex-IBM security systems engineer Reade Taylor put it. Taylor is currently a cybersecurity entrepreneur, and speaks of his firm with pride. He’s excited about the work he does, and enjoys spotting opportunities and solving technology needs in businesses with his expertise.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are up by 33%. That’s much faster than the average job growth rate, and it is certainly an indicator of the challenges to be faced in this field in a time where everything we do is conducted digitally or remotely—leading to increased demand for cybersecurity experts.
6 Remote Cybersecurity Jobs In 2024
Wondering what remote cybersecurity jobs are recommended by cybersecurity experts and professionals as being some of the best to pursue to further your career?
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If he was to pick three of the best cybersecurity remote jobs, Adhiran Thirmal, a cybersecurity solutions expert at Security Compass, would pick security analyst, penetration tester, and security consultant, the latter which is his current role. Thirmal explains:
1. Remote Security Analyst
“Security Analysts monitor security systems, respond to incidents, and analyze threats. Our work involves using remote tools to manage and oversee security measures, making it easy to do from almost anywhere.”
Average salary range: Between $83,915 to $103,053
2. Remote Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
“Second, Penetration Testers, or ethical hackers, simulate cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities in systems and applications. Since this testing often relies on online tools and environments, it can be carried out remotely.
Average salary range: Between $79,559 to $101,429
3. Remote Security Consultant
“Lastly, Security Consultants advise organizations on how to protect their assets, conduct risk assessments, and make recommendations. Much of their work—such as meetings, assessments, and report writing—can be done via video calls and online collaboration tools, making remote work a viable option,” Thirmal says.
Average salary range: Between $117,005 to $146,249.
4. Remote IT Technician
Bill Mann has a background as an electrical engineer and technical writer. From his experience and observation of the industry, he believes that an IT technician role would make a perfect choice for anyone already in tech, seeking to transition to the cybersecurity department. This is because IT technicians are “the first point of contact for cybersecurity issues,” he says.
“IT technicians often leave their roles to join the security team, and their experience in IT is highly useful toward a security career, especially within the same organization.”
Average salary range: Between $96,383 to $124,947
5. Remote Cybersecurity Technical Writer
Next up is the remote cybersecurity technical writer job, which Mann has been doing for some time now. “Technical writers often work remotely. Any information required from IT or the security team to write a manual or instructions is readily available remotely, it’s not necessary for a copywriter to be in the office everyday. Those with copywriting experience should consider this role,” Mann recommends.
Average salary range: Between $60,008 to $98,010
Most cybersecurity roles can be done remotely and there are multiple career paths to choose from
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6. Remote Cybersecurity Instructor
Another rewarding role within cybersecurity which can easily be done as a remote job is a cybersecurity instructor. You can leverage your expertise and years within the industry to teach cybersecurity students and upcoming professionals in the field.
“I teach online at the Learnix Center, with students coming from various communities and non-IT backgrounds,” relates Konstantin Biryukov, who is a cybersecurity specialist at Amtrak and works as cybersecurity educator with Learnix Center in his free time outside of his Amtrak job.
“It’s a fantastic feeling when you watch them grow, to see the transformation from someone entering the program as a Social Security worker and graduating as a cybersecurity professional,” he beams. “My students are now mostly employed in cybersecurity, and I’m sure they’ll bring more people into the industry, which is very rewarding because it’s a golden opportunity to protect the world and make it a better and more secure place to live. There is a big shortage of cybersecurity professionals so these positions are well-paid, which helps make it an even more rewarding career,” he says.
Average salary range: Between $117,005 to $146,249
From your personal experience, why is cybersecurity a rewarding career?
“It is rewarding because I am helping to create better and more secure solutions for the company, resulting in better service for Amtrak nationwide,” says Biryukov. “I’m volunteering to bring more people into cyber security, training senior community members here in California on password security, cybersecurity, and 2-step verification.”
James White, who has a 15-year background in cybersecurity technology as well as in transportation and logistics, describes a remote job in cybersecurity as a “high-impact career where critical information and systems are to be guarded against sophisticated attacks. One gets to feel the thrill in outsmarting adversaries in cyberspace and enjoys satisfaction by improving the measures of security,” he shares. “Besides, the dynamic nature of the role means that every day brings different challenges and learning opportunities.” This in turn develops your problem-solving and adaptability skills, and the ability to think on your feet in an emergency, which are highly desirable work skills.
Or as Chief Information Security Officer Adrien Kallel puts it, “it’s a constant battle of wits. You’re always learning and adapting to new threats. Knowing you’re protecting people’s data and privacy gives a sense of purpose. Plus, the field is ever-changing, so it never gets boring.”
Camilla Barker, a cybersecurity expert and tech entrepreneur, weighs in:
Cybersecurity instructors encourage others to join the industry and fill the labor shortage
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“There’s a sense of responsibility. You’re protecting not just data but the integrity of entire businesses, sometimes entire nations.”
