Career role

Security Consultant

Security Consultants are external advisors who help organizations improve their security posture. You'll assess security programs, provide recommendations, and help implement solutions. This role requires broad expertise and strong communication.

AdvancedAlso known as Cybersecurity Consultant, Information Security Consultant

Plan my route to this role

Why choose this role?

Great if you love variety and working with different organizations. You'll see diverse security challenges and provide high-level guidance. Excellent compensation, but requires travel and client management skills.

Work environment

Setting: Consulting firms (Big 4, boutique security firms), independent consulting
Schedule: Variable based on client engagements, can include travel
Remote work: Some remote work, but client site visits often required
Experience: Senior (5+ years in security across multiple domains)

Education requirements

Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree valued in consulting firms

Key responsibilities

Conduct security assessments and audits
Design security strategies and roadmaps
Provide technical security guidance
Lead security transformation projects
Present findings and recommendations to executives
Manage client relationships

Required skills

Broad security knowledge across domainsSecurity frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls)Project managementExcellent presentation and communicationBusiness acumen and client management

Career path

Previous roles
Security Engineer Security Analyst Security Architect
This role
Security Consultant
Time to next level: 4-6 years
Next roles
Senior ConsultantPrincipal ConsultantPractice Lead

Certifications we recommend

Our editorial picks, based on what each exam covers. They don't show how often employers ask for a certification.

Expert3

ISC2

Expert

Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Proves five years of security experience across eight broad domains, endorsed by a peer and tested on an adaptive exam of up to 150 items

Exam: $749
Study: 6-12 months

ISACA

Expert

Certified Information Security Manager

Verifies that you can run an information security program, and ISACA checks five years of security management experience before granting it

Exam: $760
Study: 6-12 months

ISACA

Expert

Certified Information Systems Auditor

Proves you can plan and run risk-based IT audits, and it is granted only after five years of verified audit, control or security work

Exam: $760
Study: 6-12 months