The majority of cybersecurity professionals believe that advances in generative AI and machine learning will change the way they work, sooner or later. In an ISC2 2024 investigation Among security professionals, 88% said they expect AI to significantly change their jobs within two years, while 35% said it already has.
Forward-thinking companies are looking to upskill their existing cybersecurity teams in new technologies to meet evolving internal needs. Some are even creating roles that formally combine AI and security skills, breaking new ground. career in cybersecurity New AI cybersecurity jobs include, for example, AI/ML security engineers, AI cybersecurity analysts, AI security operations consultants, and GenAI security development managers.
Request for AI Security Expertise
While some are worried GenAI Could Make Cybersecurity Professionals ObsoleteIndustry experts generally predict that this will assist rather than replace them in the security operations center. As such, many predict that demand for employees with both AI and cybersecurity skills will increase.
As part of cybersecurity programs, CISOs are hoping that GenAI can help close the skills gap by removing some of the most tedious and repetitive tasks from human operators, freeing them up for higher-level, strategic tasks. Key Use Cases for AI in Cybersecurity include identification of false positive alerts And vulnerability management automationIn this context, SecOps teams must understand how to use AI tools effectively, as well as how to combat New AI-driven cyber threats.
More broadly, business leaders want to deploy GenAI to gain strategic advantage across the enterprise. These systems need cybersecurity staff who know how to both defend them against cyberattacks and maintain the integrity of their data.
4 new cybersecurity jobs linked to AI
While this field of security is still in its infancy, AI-related cybersecurity certifications and positions are already emerging, with job postings appearing on LinkedIn, Indeed, and other career sites.
Consider the following AI cybersecurity roles and how job seekers could capitalize on these opportunities.
1. AI/ML Security Engineer
The primary responsibility of an AI/ML security engineer is to ensure the integrity and security of an organization’s AI models and systems. This typically includes performing security architecture assessments on new and established AI systems and researching new AI security methodologies.
Practitioners in this field must have both strong overall cybersecurity domain expertise and a specific understanding of AI/ML systems and processes.
The exact level of experience and other factors, such as security clearance requirements, vary by organization. That said, companies typically look for AI/ML security engineering candidates with an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field of study and at least ten years of cybersecurity experience.
2. AI Cybersecurity Analyst
AI security analysts use AI/ML technologies to protect enterprise systems from cyberattacks. They work with AI tools to enhance threat detection and incident response efforts and monitor the threat landscape. They may also be involved in develop and train AI models and algorithms for SecOps purposes.
Additionally, AI cybersecurity analysts may have expertise in combating AI-driven malware and other AI-generated threats.
While specific job requirements vary depending on the hiring organization, employers typically look for security specialists with STEM-related college degrees, at least a decade of cybersecurity experience, and expertise in AI tools and threats.
3. AI Security Operations Consultant
Companies that don’t have internal AI resources often turn to third-party consultants to help them improve their security and overall effectiveness. These consultants can help companies in the following ways:
Independent consulting firms typically look to hire seasoned professionals with strong cybersecurity experience and AI expertise for these roles. Experience in key verticals, such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, is particularly advantageous.
4. GenAI Security Development Manager
GenAI Security Developers create security controls for organizations’ internal GenAI systems.
Hiring managers typically look for people with deep development expertise, who have built systems from scratch, and who have, if not deep GenAI skills, at least an enthusiasm for learning how to work with these models and systems.
Amy Larsen DeCarlo has covered the IT industry for over 30 years, as a journalist, editor and analyst. As a senior analyst at GlobalData, she covers managed security and cloud services.
