SOC Analyst VS Penetration Tester Career Progression

Cybersecurity Careers Exploration

Overview of different roles in cybersecurity including SOC Analyst, Pentester, Threat Analyst, and Bug Bounty Hunter.

SOC Analyst

Entry-level role monitoring security events and alerts.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security systems for anomalies

• Investigate and triage security threats

• Coordinate response to security incidents

Career Progression

• Junior Analyst

• Senior Analyst

• SOC Manager

Average Salaries

• $50,000 (Entry Level)

• $70,000 (Mid Level)

• $90,000+ (Senior/Management)

Pentester (Penetration Tester)

Conducts simulated attacks to identify security weaknesses.

Responsibilities

• Perform security assessments and penetration tests

• Report on findings and provide remediation strategies

• Stay updated on the latest attack techniques

Career Progression

• Junior Pentester

• Senior Pentester

• Pentest Team Lead

Average Salaries

• $60,000 (Entry Level)

• $80,000 (Mid Level)

• $100,000+ (Senior/Lead)

Threat Analyst

Focuses on understanding and anticipating cyber threats.

Responsibilities

• Analyze threats and their potential impact

• Develop threat intelligence reports

• Collaborate with security teams to enhance defenses

Career Progression

• Junior Analyst

• Senior Threat Analyst

• Threat Intelligence Manager

Average Salaries

• $55,000 (Entry Level)

• $75,000 (Mid Level)

• $95,000+ (Senior/Management)

Bug Bounty Hunter

Independent security researchers finding and reporting vulnerabilities for rewards.

Responsibilities

• Discover and report software vulnerabilities

• Communicate with organizations about security issues

• Continuously learn and adapt to new security challenges

Career Progression

• Amateur Hunter

• Professional Hunter

• Recognized Security Researcher/Author

Average Salaries

• Highly Variable (Often depends on number and severity of bugs found)