Information technology security consultants are experts in programming languages, computer and telecommunications hardware and software, the Internet, and security techniques such as penetration testing, firewalls, mobile device security, and vulnerability scanning. They perform a wide range of duties, depending on their employers and the needs of their clients.
In the areas of assessment and protection, IT security consultants assess their clients’ IT systems to identify weaknesses and formulate strategies to address these issues; break into their clients’ computer systems and networks, with permission, to determine if they are vulnerable to cyber criminals and spies (this is known as ethical hacking or white hat hacking); and work closely with software architects, hardware engineers, software developers, and other IT professionals to develop custom software or systems to help organizations remedy these issues. They also install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain firewalls and data encryption programs to protect sensitive information, and test, operate, and maintain systems security software and hardware. Then they educate a client’s employees about new security products and procedures. To provide the best advice to client, consultants stay up to date on the latest information technology security trends and threat.
Information technology security consultants stand ready to respond when a client’s system is potentially being hacked. They identify, analyze, and report suspicious events and activities that occur or are alleged to have occurred within computer networks and other systems; engage in surveillance and counter surveillance methods to gather evidence of security breaches or related issues; respond to crises or urgent situations to mitigate immediate and potential threats; and collect, analyze, and present computer-related evidence in support of network vulnerability mitigation, and/or fraud, criminal, law enforcement, or counterintelligence investigations.
Information technology security consultants who operate their own businesses must continuously generate new business by advertising in industry publications, on social media, and through word-of-mouth recommendations from past clients; be active on social media, present at industry conferences, and write articles and white papers to increase their visibility and attract new clients; negotiate project fees with potential customers; prepare contracts and invoices; and manage office staff.
- Accountants
- Agile Coaches or Trainers
- Agricultural Consultants
- App Services Workers
- Auditors
- Back-End Developers
- Bank Examiners
- Big Data Developers
- Blockchain Developers
- Business Continuity Planners
- Business Development Managers and Directors
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Business Managers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Chief Restructuring Officers
- Chief Revenue Officers
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Chief Trust Officers
- Cloud Engineers
- Computer Network Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Computer Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Programmer/Analysts
- Computer Trainers
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Cryptocurrency Specialists
- Cryptographic Technicians
- Customer Success Managers
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Data Processing Technicians
- Data Scientists
- Database Specialists
- Decision Scientists
- Deepfake Professionals
- Digital Agents
- Digital Designers
- Digital Workplace Experience Engineers
- Directors of Security
- Document Management Specialists
- Energy Consultants
- Enterprise Architects
- Environmental Consultants
- Ergonomists
- ETL Developers
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Consultants
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Forensic Accountants and Auditors
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Full Stack Developers/Engineers
- Graphic Designers
- Graphics Programmers
- Health Care Consultants
- Health Data Analysts
- Health Informaticists
- Help Desk Representatives
- Human Resources Consultants
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Information Assurance Analysts
- Information Brokers
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Technology Consultants
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Developers
- Internet Executives
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet of Things Developers
- Internet Quality Assurance Specialists
- Internet Security Specialists
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Internet Transaction Specialists
- JavaScript Developers
- Learning Innovations Designers
- Legal Operations Specialists
- Life Coaches
- Machine Learning Engineers
- Management Analysts and Consultants
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Model View Controller Developers
- Network Operations Center Engineers
- Network Operations Center Technicians
- Online Gambling Specialists
- Online Journalists
- Online Producers
- Personal Privacy Advisors
- Personnel and Labor Relations Specialists
- Political Consultants
- Press Secretaries
- Product Owners
- Professional Hackers
- Project Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Scrum Masters
- Search Engine Optimization Specialists
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Site Reliability Engineers
- Social Media Workers
- Software Application Developers
- Software Designers
- Software Engineers
- Software Quality Assurance Testers
- Solutions Architects
- Strategy Managers
- Systems Setup Specialists
- Technical Support Specialists
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Technology Ethicists
- Webmasters
- Wireless Service Technicians
- Workplace Diversity Experts