Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand in Canada and across the globe.
The World Economic Forum reported in January 2022, that “there is an undersupply of cyber professionals—a gap of more than 3 million worldwide."
The data below has been taken from employer job data from CanadianCybersecurityJobs.com, Canada’s only dedicated cybersecurity job portal. The data is averaged out and is the median salary data points from all aggregate data.
Remember as well that company size, sector or recognition has a lot to do with the salaries some employees get in cybersecurity. It is not unusual to see huge swings in salary, stock, or benefits from one company to another.
We have only covered some of the job opportunities in cybersecurity so far, we will be adding more in the future.
Types of Cybersecurity Jobs and Salary Ranges in Canada
1. Chief Information Security Officer / CISO
A CISO, or a Chief Information Security Officer, is a senior-level officer who is endowed with the complete safety of information in any organization. These officers are responsible for the development and maintenance of information security and risk management programs. They also interact with the organization's stakeholders to brief them about the IT security concerns. More and more we are seeing CISO roles no longer report to CIO’s but to report directly to the CEO of the company.
2. Security Architect
A Security Architect is a cybersecurity expert who is responsible for the design of robust security structures that are used to prevent malware attacks. They also perform vulnerability tests and offer technical assistance to other team members in the security department.
3. Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineers plan security measures that are implemented for the prevention of cyberattacks in an organization. These engineers are responsible for the primary protection of data and networks within an organization. They also design cybersecurity platforms and collaborate with other teams for maintaining security.
4. Malware Analyst
A Malware Analyst is an expert who identifies and examines cyber threats, such as bots, viruses and trojans, to understand their nature. They also develop malware protection tools and document methods for avoiding malware attacks.
5. Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester is also popularly known as an ethical hacker. They are usually network security consultants who exploit the vulnerabilities of a system just like a hacker. Then, they design newer penetration tools and document the test results. The key focus of their work is the prevention of cybercrimes and malware threats.
6. Computer Forensics Analyst
Computer Forensics Analysts work on cyberattack cases and gather and retrieve data and digital evidence. They are responsible for working on recovering lost, deleted, stolen, or manipulated data. Their work is highly educational as they bring out greater insights of cyberattacks.
Average Salary Ranges of Cybersecurity Jobs in Canada
Computer Forensics Analyst
from $49,000 to $138,000
Penetration Tester
from $59,000 to $162,000
Malware Analyst
average of $82,000 a year
Cybersecurity Engineer
from $64,000 to $164,000 a year
Security Architect
average salary is $121,000
CISO
average is $180,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cybersecurity professional make in Canada?
The average salary of a cyber security professional in Canada is about $90,000. There are entry-level positions which pay approximately $72,000 a year, while more senior-level, experienced professionals make about $140,000 a year or more.
What type of Cybersecurity job pays the most?
While the average salary for this role is $180,000, a chief security professional can make up to $350,000+. Individuals in sales or management who are usually on performance pay can make over $500,000 and more.
Is Cybersecurity a good career in Canada?
Cybersecurity careers are a great option to pursue. Francois Guay, founder of Canada’s largest cybersecurity network, says that the number of individuals transitioning from pure IT or business roles is increasing dramatically. He says there is also a need for the Canadian government to continue to allow for talented immigrants to come to Canada to pursue their cybersecurity careers here.
Check out great cybersecurity opportunities in Canada here.