How to Become a Cybersecurity Manager

As technology evolves, businesses must protect their customers and data, making cybersecurity an in-demand industry. As a relatively new career path without a clear trajectory, organizations face a skills gap in cybersecurity, with millions of roles available worldwide and insufficient qualified professionals to fill them. With the proper skill development, experience, and qualifications, you can position yourself in high demand as a cybersecurity manager. 

Learn more about the role of a cybersecurity manager and the skills, qualifications, and experience needed to bridge the skills gap and embark on this rewarding career.

What does a cybersecurity manager do?

A cybersecurity manager, also known as an information security manager, oversees the operational side of threat detection, ensuring an organization's infrastructure, including computer systems, networks, and data, remains secure against cyberattacks, malware, and intrusions. 

A cybersecurity manager typically serves at a high level. In this role, you will likely lead a team of other IT professionals, including cybersecurity analysts and administrators. You and your team may be responsible for managing risk and security operations within your organization, which includes developing strategies, mitigating threats, and ensuring the safety of sensitive data, such as financial assets and customer information. 

Cybersecurity manager duties and responsibilities

The responsibilities of a cybersecurity manager typically include security strategy and implementation, threat management and monitoring, compliance, and team and organizational management. Your exact duties can vary from company to company. However, you can often expect the following tasks:

• Designing and implementing security strategies

• Establishing security protocols

• Ensuring compliance with policies, rules, and regulations 

• Identifying threats and responding accordingly

• Updating cybersecurity systems and firewalls

• Conducting security audits and monitoring performance

• Keeping abreast of cyber trends and security threats

• Researching and sourcing appropriate cybersecurity tools and software

• Managing a team and monitoring their performance

• Training staff outside of the cybersecurity department on the importance of cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity manager salary and job outlook

The cybersecurity industry is a billion-dollar sector projected to grow to $578.2 billion by 2033 [1]. This growth brings numerous job opportunities. Cybersecurity professionals can expect job growth of 33 percent, significantly higher than average [2]. Additionally, the job outlook for computer and information systems managers, who help establish cybersecurity processes, is 17 percent, which is also higher than average [3]. The demand is partly driven by the lack of skilled workers compared to the number of employers looking to fill related positions. Data from 2023 through 2024 suggests that for every 10 open cybersecurity positions, only 8.3 skilled workers are available. Additionally, employers spend an average of 21 percent more time finding skilled workers in this field, with only 8.3 qualified applicants for every 10 cybersecurity job openings [4].

Cybersecurity professionals earn competitive salaries. As a cybersecurity manager, you can expect an average base salary of $153,216, which can rise to $216,208 with benefits and bonuses [5]. Given that companies are experiencing a skills gap, qualified candidates can be in high demand, and some companies are willing to pay very high salaries. According to Glassdoor, top-paying companies such as Google offer salaries of up to $362,000 [5].

How to become a cybersecurity manager

To excel as a manager in the cybersecurity field, you can build a blend of skills, experience, and education. Additionally, if you’re seeking a position as a cybersecurity manager, previous management experience can help you stand out among the candidates.

Cybersecurity constantly evolves as technology advances and cybercriminals find new and increasingly sophisticated methods. This dynamic nature, combined with the relatively new status of the career path, offers multiple entry points rather than a single, defined route. This creates more flexibility when it comes to building your skills and experience.

Step 1: Get an education.

Education is essential in the cybersecurity field. While a degree is only sometimes mandatory, employers may prefer candidates with one, especially for management positions. A great option is a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field. You might also consider pursuing a master’s degree in a specialized area. To obtain a management position, you might consider further study in a master’s program focused on cybersecurity management. 

Although degree pathways are many people's choice—62 percent of people have a bachelor's and another 19 percent have a master's degree—you can pursue non-degree options to advance your career [6]. You can also enter cybersecurity with options like bootcamps, certifications, experience, and online courses and programs.

Step 2: Get certified.

Certifications are highly valued in cybersecurity because they demonstrate your specialized skill set in specific areas of security or relevant technologies. Some employers may require specific certifications as part of the role requirements based on the security systems and software the company uses. Certifications also serve as an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise, whether you have a degree or are transitioning from another field.

You may want to consider the following cybersecurity certifications:

• Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP)

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)

Step 3: Gain experience.

Experience is crucial for a career in cybersecurity management, with many employers looking for someone with two to five years of experience in related roles. You will likely need to demonstrate strong IT skills, including those necessary to oversee cybersecurity operations, policies, protocols, and projects, along with leadership and management experience.

To secure a cybersecurity role that can provide you with the experience necessary to transition to a management position, start with an internship, an entry-level IT position, or an entry-level role in cybersecurity. Consider positions such as analyst, IT security specialist, or IT auditor. 

You can also enhance your knowledge and experience by attending conferences, participating in workshops, and volunteering.

Step 4: Continue your professional development.

Staying current with cybersecurity technology, regulations, and industry trends is vital in this ever-evolving field. Join professional organizations, stay informed through news sources, and network with other cybersecurity professionals while pursuing additional courses and certifications. 

Essential cybersecurity manager skills

Employers seek cybersecurity managers with technical and leadership skills to effectively manage teams, develop and implement strategies, and communicate clearly. The cybersecurity industry faces a skills gap, with more positions available than qualified professionals. The global cybersecurity workforce experienced a shortfall of 4.8 million workers in 2024 [7]. Consequently, employers prioritize candidates with the correct skill set, sometimes placing greater emphasis on skills than formal education. 

Technical skills:

• Network security

• Risk assessment 

• Project management

• Penetration testing

• Encryption

• Antivirus software 

• Linux

• Programming

• Firewall installation

Workplace skills:

• Communication 

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

• Organization

• Leadership

Who hires cybersecurity managers?

Cybersecurity is critical for businesses and organizations of all sizes, and the cybersecurity market, as a whole, continues experiencing marked expansion, growing at an anticipated rate of 7.58 percent through 2029 [8]. That growth is fueled by the ever-increasing cost of breaches and the ongoing disruption that known and emerging threats can cause. 

As technology evolves and AI advances, cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated. Consequently, businesses require professionals with the skills to combat those threats and those adept at adopting a data-driven approach. Companies are now keen to hire cybersecurity managers who can shift the focus from security to resilience. With security systems generally in place, the emphasis has shifted to ensuring that these systems are resilient and aligned with business needs.

You can find opportunities for cybersecurity manager positions across various industries and in both the private and public sectors. Industries that employ cybersecurity managers include:

• Government departments

• Health care

• IT and technology

• Nonprofit organizations

• Business

Cybersecurity manager career advancement 

Cybersecurity is a growing field with ample opportunities for development and career paths, including advancement to positions at the director level or higher, or more lateral moves to consulting or instructor-based positions. As a cybersecurity manager, you are already in a senior role and can progress into various technical and non-technical positions once you build your experience. Cybersecurity skills are highly sought, allowing you to move across the industry and choose your specialization. 

Continuing to learn is essential, as the cybersecurity landscape constantly evolves, and staying up-to-date is crucial. Examples of potential roles and their corresponding salaries include:

• Cybersecurity project manager: $133,350 [9]

• Cybersecurity director: $197,299 [10]

• Cybersecurity instructor: $102,360 [11] 

• Chief security officer: $151,577 [12]

Start your career as a cybersecurity manager with Coursera

Cybersecurity managers are in high demand in a rapidly growing industry. You can build your skills and experience while working toward relevant qualifications to stand out among candidates. Whether you already have a degree and are looking to expand your skill set or are interested in a non-degree path to enter the field, you’ll find options on Coursera to help you along the way.

For example, when you explore the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, you can go from a total beginner to job-ready, building skills like penetration testing, cloud computing security, threat mitigation, and security incident management. This way, you’ll better understand fundamental cybersecurity concepts, threat mitigation strategies, and organizations' vulnerabilities. 

Similarly, the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate can help you get practical experience with SQL and Python, identify vulnerabilities and risks, and understand the broader impact of cybersecurity practices on organizations.