Every organization needs a team to protect its digital assets. Just like a hospital needs doctors, nurses, and specialists working together, cybersecurity requires different professionals with specific skills and responsibilities. In this room, you'll learn who does what in cybersecurity teams and how these roles work together to protect organizations from threats.

This room is designed for beginners who understand basic networking and security concepts but are new to cybersecurity career paths. You'll learn practical information about real-world cybersecurity roles that you can apply immediately to your career planning or current job.

What You'll Learn

In this room, we'll cover:

• What cybersecurity roles are and why they matter in organizations
• Key cybersecurity positions and their specific responsibilities
• How cybersecurity teams are structured in different organizations
• Real-world analogies to help you understand these concepts
• Practical guidance for exploring cybersecurity career paths

Why This Matters

Understanding cybersecurity roles is essential because:

• It helps you choose the right career path
• It shows how organizations actually defend against attacks
• It explains who to contact for different security issues
• It demonstrates how cybersecurity fits into business operations

Whether you're considering a cybersecurity career or working with cybersecurity teams, knowing "who does what" will make you more effective and informed.

Prerequisites

Before starting this room, you should:

• Understand basic networking concepts (like TCP/IP and ports)
• Know fundamental security terms (like malware, firewall, encryption)
• Be familiar with how computers and networks operate
• Have completed introductory cybersecurity or networking rooms

How to Approach This Room

1. Think about teams you know (sports teams, hospital staff, restaurant crews) - cybersecurity teams work similarly
2. Focus on responsibilities rather than just job titles
3. Consider where you might fit based on your interests and skills
4. Take notes on roles that interest you for further research
5. Complete all questions - they reinforce the key concepts

Optional Video

This optional video covers the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity roles and career paths. It's helpful but not required to complete the room.

Cybersecurity roles are specialized positions within an organization responsible for protecting digital assets, data, and systems. Just as a hospital needs different specialists (surgeons, nurses, radiologists) to provide complete healthcare, organizations need various cybersecurity professionals to create comprehensive protection.

Each role focuses on specific aspects of security, from preventing attacks to responding to incidents. This specialization allows organizations to build strong defenses by leveraging different skill sets and expertise.

Why Organizations Need Different Roles

Imagine a sports team where everyone plays the same position, it wouldn't work well. Similarly, cybersecurity requires:

1. Specialized skills - Different threats need different expertise
2. 24/7 coverage - Threats can happen at any time
3. Defense in depth - Multiple layers of protection
4. Regulatory compliance - Different regulations require specific roles
5. Efficient operations - Specialists work faster and more effectively

In small organizations, one person might wear multiple "hats," but as organizations grow, roles become more specialized.

Basic Categories of Cybersecurity Roles

Most cybersecurity roles fall into these main categories:

Category	Focus	Example Roles
Defensive Roles	Protecting systems and preventing attacks	Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Network Security Engineer
Offensive Roles	Testing defenses by simulating attacks	Penetration Tester, Ethical Hacker, Red Team Member
Management Roles	Planning, strategy, and leadership	CISO, Security Manager, GRC Analyst
Support Roles	Supporting security operations	Security Architect, Forensic Analyst, Threat Intelligence Analyst

Below is a Visual Demonstration of Cybersecurity Role Categories

Real-World Analogies

Hospital Team Analogy:

• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst = Emergency Room nurse (monitors for problems, responds immediately)
• Penetration Tester = Diagnostic specialist (tests systems to find weaknesses)
• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) = Hospital administrator (sets policies, manages budget, ensures compliance)
• Security Architect = Hospital planner (designs secure systems from the start)

Sports Team Analogy:

• Defensive roles = Defensive players (block attacks, protect the goal)
• Offensive roles = Offensive players (test defenses, find weaknesses)
• Management roles = Coaches and managers (develop strategy, make decisions)
• Support roles = Training staff and equipment managers (provide tools and support)

How Roles Work Together

Cybersecurity is a team effort. Here's how different roles typically interact:

1. Security Architect designs secure systems
2. Network Security Engineer implements the designs
3. SOC Analyst monitors for attacks on those systems
4. Penetration Tester tests if the defenses work
5. CISO ensures the team has resources and follows regulations
6. Forensic Analyst investigates if an attack succeeds

Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: "Cybersecurity is only for technical experts."
Reality: Cybersecurity needs people with business, legal, communication, and management skills too.

Myth 2: "You need to know everything about cybersecurity."
Reality: Specialization is key. Most professionals focus on specific areas.

Myth 3: "Cybersecurity work is always exciting and fast-paced."
Reality: Much cybersecurity work involves planning, documentation, and routine monitoring.

Myth 4: "All cybersecurity professionals hack systems."
Reality: Only specific roles (like penetration testers) do offensive work. Most focus on defense.

Now that you understand the categories of cybersecurity roles, let's explore specific positions you'll find in organizations. Each role has unique responsibilities, required skills, and typical daily tasks. Remember that job titles can vary between companies, but the core responsibilities are usually similar.

Detailed Role Breakdown

Here are eight common cybersecurity positions you're likely to encounter:

Role	Key Responsibilities	Typical Daily Tasks	Common Certifications
Security Analyst	Monitor security systems, analyze alerts, investigate incidents	Review security logs, investigate alerts, write incident reports	Security+, CySA+, CEH
SOC Analyst	Monitor Security Operations Center tools, respond to threats	Use SIEM tools, analyze threats, escalate incidents	Security+, GCIA, GCIH
Penetration Tester	Test systems for vulnerabilities, simulate attacks	Conduct vulnerability scans, perform ethical hacking, write reports	CEH, OSCP, GPEN
Security Engineer	Design and implement security systems	Configure firewalls, deploy security tools, automate processes	Security+, CISSP, GSEC
Incident Responder	Handle security breaches and incidents	Contain attacks, recover systems, document lessons learned	GCIH, GCFA, GNFA
Security Architect	Design secure network and system architectures	Create security blueprints, select technologies, ensure compliance	CISSP, SABSA, CCSP
CISO	Lead cybersecurity strategy and manage team	Set security policies, manage budget, report to executives	CISSP, CISM, CRISC
GRC Analyst	Manage governance, risk, and compliance	Assess risks, ensure regulatory compliance, audit controls	CRISC, CISA, CGEIT

Skills Required for Different Roles

Technical Skills Focus:

• Security Engineers need networking, scripting, and system administration
• Penetration Testers need programming, networking, and hacking techniques
• SOC Analysts need log analysis, threat intelligence, and tool operation

Analytical Skills Focus:

• Security Analysts need pattern recognition, investigation, and reporting
• Incident Responders need problem-solving, forensics, and crisis management
• GRC Analysts need risk assessment, compliance knowledge, and attention to detail

Business Skills Focus:

• CISO needs leadership, budgeting, communication, and strategy
• Security Architects needs system design, project management, and vendor evaluation

How Roles Interact: Security Incident Workflow

Below is a Visual Demonstration of Security Incident Response Workflow

Let's follow a phishing email incident through different roles:

1. SOC Analyst detects unusual email patterns in the email security gateway
2. Incident Responder isolates affected systems and contains the threat
3. Forensic Analyst investigates how the attack happened and what data was accessed
4. Security Engineer patches the vulnerability that allowed the attack
5. Security Architect reviews if system design needs improvement
6. CISO decides whether to report the incident to regulators
7. GRC Analyst updates policies to prevent similar attacks
8. Security Analyst monitors for similar patterns in the future

This shows how cybersecurity is truly a team effort, each role contributes at different stages.

Entry-Level vs. Senior Positions

Security Analyst (Entry-Level):

• Monitors predefined alerts
• Follows established procedures
• Escalates complex issues to seniors
• Focus: Learning and following processes

Senior Security Analyst:

• Creates new detection rules
• Mentors junior analysts
• Improves processes based on experience
• Focus: Improving and optimizing

SOC Analyst (Entry-Level):

• Monitors Tier 1 alerts
• Uses playbooks for common incidents
• Documents basic incidents
• Focus: Speed and accuracy in routine tasks

Senior SOC Analyst:

• Handles complex, multi-stage attacks
• Develops new detection methods
• Trains team members
• Focus: Strategic threat detection

Cybersecurity doesn't happen in isolation, it requires teams working together effectively. How these teams are organized depends on the organization's size, industry, and security needs. Understanding team structures helps you know where you might fit and how you'll work with others.

Just like sports teams have different formations (4-4-2, 3-5-2, etc.) for different strategies, organizations use different cybersecurity team structures based on their needs and resources.

Common Cybersecurity Team Models

Below is a Visual Demonstration of Cybersecurity Team Organizational Structures

Organizations typically use one of three main team structures:

Structure	Description	Best For	Challenges
Centralized	All cybersecurity roles report to a single CISO/security department	Large organizations, regulated industries, unified strategy	Can be slow to respond, may not understand department needs
Decentralized	Cybersecurity roles are spread across different departments (IT, HR, Operations)	Small organizations, tech companies, flexible environments	Lack of coordination, inconsistent standards, duplicated efforts
Hybrid	Core security team is centralized, but security champions exist in departments	Most medium to large organizations, balanced approach	Requires good communication, can create confusion about responsibilities

Team Size and Composition

Small Organization (50-200 employees):

• 1-3 cybersecurity professionals
• Often combined with IT roles
• Generalists who handle multiple areas
• Example: 1 Security Manager, 1 Security Analyst, 1 part-time consultant

Medium Organization (200-1000 employees):

• 5-15 cybersecurity professionals
• Start to see specialization
• May have a small SOC or on-call rotation
• Example: 1 CISO, 2 SOC Analysts, 1 Security Engineer, 1 GRC Analyst

Large Enterprise (1000+ employees):

• 20+ cybersecurity professionals
• Multiple specialized teams
• 24/7 Security Operations Center
• Example: CISO team, SOC team, engineering team, GRC team, red team

Communication and Collaboration

Effective cybersecurity teams communicate constantly:

• Daily Standups: Brief meetings where team members share what they're working on
• Incident Response Calls: Emergency meetings during security incidents
• Cross-Training: Team members learn each other's roles for backup
• Tool Sharing: Using shared platforms for monitoring, ticketing, and documentation

Key collaboration tools include:

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) - Central logging and alerting
• Ticketing Systems - Tracking incidents and tasks
• Chat Platforms - Real-time communication
• Document Repositories - Shared policies and procedures

Real-World Team Structure Examples

Tech Startup (Decentralized):

• Developers follow secure coding practices
• DevOps engineers implement security in infrastructure
• No dedicated security team initially
• Security consultant hired for specific projects

Financial Corporation (Centralized):

• Dedicated cybersecurity department with 50+ staff
• 24/7 Security Operations Center
• Separate teams for monitoring, engineering, compliance
• Strict hierarchy and reporting lines

Hospital System (Hybrid):

• Central security team handles network and systems
• Department security liaisons in IT, HR, medical records
• Compliance officers in each hospital
• Shared tools with centralized monitoring

Scenario: Building Cybersecurity Teams

Situation 1: A 100-person e-commerce company needs its first cybersecurity hire.

Solution: Hire a Security Generalist who can:

• Set up basic security tools
• Create security policies
• Train employees on security
• Work with IT on secure configurations
• Plan for future team growth

Situation 2: A 5000-person bank needs to improve security after an incident.

Solution: Build a team with:

• CISO to lead strategy
• SOC Manager to build 24/7 monitoring
• 2 Senior Security Analysts for investigation
• Security Engineer to implement controls
• GRC Analyst for compliance
• Incident Response Specialist for future incidents

Situation 3: A government agency with existing IT staff needs better security.

Solution: Create security roles within existing teams:

• Network Security Specialist in networking team
• Application Security Specialist in development team
• Data Protection Officer in legal/compliance
• Security Trainer in HR/training department

You've successfully explored the world of cybersecurity roles and how they work together to protect organizations. Understanding "who does what" in cybersecurity is a fundamental building block for your cybersecurity journey, whether you're pursuing a career or working with security teams.

In this room, you learned:

1. What cybersecurity roles are - Specialized positions that protect organizations
2. The four main categories - Defensive, offensive, management, and support roles
3. Specific positions and responsibilities - From SOC Analysts to CISOs
4. How teams are organized - Centralized, decentralized, and hybrid structures
5. Real-world applications - How these concepts work in actual organizations

You now have a mental map of the cybersecurity landscape that will help you navigate career options, understand organizational security, and communicate effectively with security professionals.

Key Takeaways

• Cybersecurity requires teamwork - No single role can protect an organization alone
• Specialization is normal - Most professionals focus on specific areas rather than knowing everything
• Structure follows need - Team organization depends on organization size and industry
• Communication is critical - The best technical defenses fail without good team coordination
• Entry points exist - Many roles have clear starting positions for beginners

What You Should Now Understand

After completing this room, you should be able to:

1. Identify common cybersecurity roles and explain their basic responsibilities
2. Differentiate between defensive, offensive, management, and support roles
3. Describe how cybersecurity teams are typically organized
4. Explain how different roles work together during security incidents
5. Identify potential career paths that match your interests and skills
6. Understand why organizations need different cybersecurity specialists

If you can do these things, you have a solid foundation in cybersecurity roles and responsibilities!

Remember that cybersecurity isn't just about technology, it's about people working together to solve problems. The roles you've learned about represent different ways that people contribute to organizational security.

Whether you become a technical specialist, a strategic leader, or a supportive team member, you can find a place in cybersecurity that matches your skills and interests. The diversity of roles means there's room for many different types of people in this field.

You've taken an important first step in understanding the human side of cybersecurity. Keep building on this foundation, stay curious, and remember that every expert was once a beginner.