11 Public Sector Cybersecurity Jobs

Data security is vital in this technology-driven world's private and public sectors. Governments at every level are experiencing growing pressure to safeguard critical assets and develop policies across various industries. Agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide roles for cybersecurity professionals looking to work in the public sector.

When you work for these organizations and agencies, you work for the country to help prevent the rise of cybercrime.

Explore the difference between private and public sector cybersecurity roles and how to start a career in cybersecurity. Also, examine various cybersecurity job titles, salaries, role requirements, and tips for getting hired.

What is cybersecurity?

This broad field encompasses the practices of safeguarding the data, digital systems, and networks that make our personal and professional lives possible. Protecting computer systems and software from external threats becomes increasingly critical as information technology (IT) tools organize more and more aspects of life. Working in cybersecurity allows you to play an active role in protecting data and developing innovative and evolving ways to protect systems and networks from hackers who engage in cybercrime.

Cybersecurity involves minimizing the threat of data theft, safeguarding national security, and protecting financial assets. Still, cybersecurity professionals also protect individual humans from having their personal information stolen by hackers via phishing scams, identity theft, and other cyber harm. Developments in cybersecurity occur in both technology and policy, so a wide range of professional positions exist in this field, from analysts to engineers.

Private sector vs. public sector

Working in the public sector, you'll provide cybersecurity to local, state, and federal governmental agencies, whereas working in the private sector, you would likely work with and for companies, which could include small businesses or large corporations. Delve into the differences further to understand the differences between private and public sector cybersecurity jobs.

Public sector cybersecurity jobs

When you work in public sector cybersecurity jobs, you might work in cybercrime investigation with various law enforcement agencies, in-house information protection at particular government agencies, or security work with the US military and intelligence departments. Public sector cybersecurity positions typically define the duties and responsibilities of your role thoroughly and offer a clear career trajectory for promotion and growth.

Private sector cybersecurity jobs

In the private sector, however, depending on the size and type of company you work for, you might be better compensated or have more dynamic opportunities for advancement. Responsibilities in private sector roles can shift significantly with evolving business needs, leading many professionals to prefer the relative stability of public sector cybersecurity positions. You’ll want to consider the benefits of each as you pursue your own career path.

11 public sector cybersecurity jobs

According to predictions from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in cybersecurity will increase faster than the average growth for other professions in the coming years, primarily due to increasingly remote work environments and the rise of digital health care and telehealth. Cybersecurity measures will be essential to prevent cybercrime as more sensitive information moves online. Information security analyst roles alone will increase 32 percent from 2022 to 2032 [1].

The following list of public sector cybersecurity jobs in the United States includes 11 potential positions and the average base salary of each, according to April 2024 data.

1. Cybersecurity instructional curriculum developer

Average annual base salary: $71,056 [2]

As a cybersecurity instructional curriculum developer, you assist in training, teaching, and guiding individuals who want to enhance their cybersecurity knowledge. Along with a background in computer networking protocols and network security methodologies, you need strong teaching and leadership skills for success in this role. You must also be adaptive to different individual teaching needs to create robust training courses.

Employers like the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies recommend a bachelor’s degree in education or information security to qualify for this role.

2. Cyber policy and strategy planner

Average annual base salary: $86,978 [3]

As a cyber policy and strategy planner, you craft plans, principles, and practices to implement in your workplace that ensure cybersecurity across your organization. You’ll create thorough safety strategies and communicate your plans effectively with other team members. Over time, you will continuously refine and revise these strategies to enhance their effectiveness. 

For this role, you need a background in cyber technologies and policy creation and a thorough understanding of your organization’s processes and operations. Completing a bachelor’s degree in information technology, business management, or cybersecurity can be valuable.

3. Cyber workforce developer and manager

Average annual base salary: $117,492 [4]

As a cyber workforce developer and manager, your responsibilities include training and hiring new team members and integrating new strategies in alignment with your organization’s goals. You’ll also establish and help to establish cyber career paths that foster growth and development among employees.

You need cybersecurity education, training, and experience implementing cyber workforce strategies. Although government agencies don’t strictly require formal education for an entry-level cyber workforce developer and manager position, a bachelor’s degree may be a valuable asset.

4. IT investment portfolio manager

Average annual base salary: $122,079 [5]

As an IT investment portfolio manager, you ensure that an organization has the resources and financial capabilities to secure information technology and cybersecurity equipment to fulfill the agency's or organization's goals. Essentially, you confirm that all the organization’s acquisitions, procurements, outsourcing, supply chains, systems, and networks comply with the organization’s cybersecurity measures.

In this role, you’ll need extensive knowledge of information technology systems and a foundational understanding of the processes, management, and suppliers through which your organization functions. For entry- and intermediate-level jobs through the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a bachelor’s degree in finance or information technology may help you secure a role but is not required.

5. IT program auditor

Average annual base salary: $89,437 [6]

As an IT program auditor, you review and test security programs and strategies, creating recommendations for possible upgrades based on the results of your review. You identify lapses in cybersecurity measures and offer actionable improvements.

You will need robust risk management and quality assurance skills to perform the tasks necessary for this role. To qualify, you may complete the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). The course can help you learn about system auditing, compliance reporting, and security practices.

6. IT project manager

Average annual base salary: $121,933 [7]

As a public sector IT project manager, you oversee projects within the IT department. You oversee many moving parts of a project, working closely with design concepts, project scoping and pricing, staffing, and planning workflows. You might also serve as a point person for project team members. You ensure the team meets every project’s required timelines and expectations.

This role requires extensive cybersecurity knowledge and IT systems and practices related to your organization. You must demonstrate risk assessment and evaluation skills and strong research capabilities. You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in IT for this role, though specific certifications and experiences may be an adequate substitute for an educational degree, depending on your employer.

7. Program manager

Average annual base salary: $89,344 [8]

As a program manager, you will work with a team to create new strategies to prevent cybercrime. You and your team will implement these strategies, perform regular needs assessments, and practice continuously improving your plans to reduce cyber risk.

To qualify for this role, you must first develop a solid grasp of the agency’s goals. You also need to be able to lead others effectively to carry out these organizational goals and work within resource constraints. Completing an associate or bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science can help you get entry-level program manager roles.

8. Database administrator 

Average annual base salary: $104,192 [9]

As a database administrator, you monitor and maintain database management systems software. You update database management systems and processes according to changing data capacity requirements within your organization, and you back up and recover databases to ensure that pertinent information remains accessible.

This role requires strong data analysis and organizational skills, knowledge of data structures, and design skills to optimize storage capacities. Experience in programming languages and computer science, a bachelor’s degree, and certifications in database infrastructures may help you qualify for this role.

9. Knowledge manager

Average annual base salary: $109,260 [10]

Knowledge management describes an organization's processes for identifying, documenting, organizing, and disseminating information. As the knowledge manager, you are essential to preserving important data and information so that it is valuable and accessible throughout your organization. You oversee your organization's knowledge archive and help identify uses for this information in relevant projects and information systems.

You don’t need a formal education to qualify for the entry-level public sector knowledge manager role. However, having a bachelor’s degree in a major like computer science can help you pursue an intermediate role.

10. Network operations specialist

Average annual base salary: $73,421 [11]

As a network operations specialist, you test the efficiency of network infrastructure and make necessary adjustments and improvements to ensure it runs properly for users on the front and back end.

This role requires strong computer networking skills and experience detecting cyber threats that could harm network and system infrastructures. To become a network operations specialist, you may pursue certifications such as the CompTIA Network+ and study computer science at a college or university.

11. Software developer

Average annual base salary: $101,430 [12]

As a software developer in the public sector, you help create software that reduces cybercrime and protects computer information systems. You use your knowledge of computer software to enhance computer systems' performance, troubleshoot errors, and test for quality assurance in the security features of software applications and systems.

To qualify for this role, you need a background in programming and knowledge of programming languages. You’ll also need an associate degree in computer science, software engineering, cybersecurity, or a related field.

Tips to get hired

If you’re looking into public sector cybersecurity roles, consider the following tips to help you begin your career:

• Determine your job priorities: One of the first steps in finding your next role is determining what you want from it. Before you begin looking, consider what kind of company or organization you want to work for, the type of responsibilities you’d like, and the salary you want to earn. Doing this can help you prioritize the roles that align with your abilities and interests.

• Research the company: Whether you’re looking to work for the CISA or the DHS, knowing what the institution would be like to work for is essential. Ask your interviewer about the company culture, benefits, and growth opportunities. Before you apply, research the company and discover what they’re looking for in a candidate, including skills, experience, and typical salaries.

• Look beyond job portals: Only some roles appear on job posting websites. Reach out to organizations you’re interested in working for, even if you aren’t sure they’re hiring, and check company websites for job postings other than those listed on job portals.

• Tailor your resume: When applying for a new position, tailor your resume to fit the needs and qualifications of the specific role you’re applying for. List any experience you have in the cybersecurity industry and highlight the skills employers might seek, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership competency.

Learn more with Coursera

Cybersecurity professionals are becoming more essential than ever. Public-sector cybersecurity positions could be a good fit if you want to build a strategic career protecting systems and databases against cybercrime. Applying for jobs at the CISA or DHS is an excellent place to start.

Advance your cybersecurity career by taking courses and completing professional certificates that may help you build your skills and enhance your knowledge of information technology, cybersecurity, and computer science. Explore Foundations of Cybersecurity by Google and Information Technology and Cloud Fundamentals offered by IBM on Coursera.