Salary for Executive-level / Director Cyber Security during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Cyber Security salary lies between USD 124,000 and USD 190,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Cyber Security roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Cyber Security job listings are Strategy, Compliance and Cloud. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Strategy | 97 jobs Compliance | 94 jobs Cloud | 85 jobs CISSP | 81 jobs Risk management | 71 jobs Governance | 62 jobs NIST | 61 jobs CISM | 60 jobs Incident response | 58 jobs Privacy | 44 jobs Computer Science | 43 jobs Security strategy | 40 jobs Monitoring | 40 jobs Risk assessment | 35 jobs CISA | 34 jobs Pentesting | 32 jobs Audits | 30 jobs Vulnerability management | 30 jobs CISO | 30 jobs ISO 27001 | 29 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Cyber Security roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Cyber Security job listings are Career development, Health care and Team events. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 115 jobs Health care | 71 jobs Team events | 58 jobs Competitive pay | 46 jobs Flex hours | 36 jobs Salary bonus | 35 jobs Parental leave | 34 jobs Medical leave | 32 jobs Startup environment | 30 jobs Insurance | 30 jobs Equity / stock options | 23 jobs 401(k) matching | 20 jobs Flex vacation | 19 jobs Wellness | 19 jobs Fitness / gym | 10 jobs Conferences | 8 jobs Transparency | 7 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Travel | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director of Cyber Security typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. In North America, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but bonuses and stock options can also form a substantial part of the total compensation package. In contrast, in regions with a lower cost of living, the base salary might be lower, but companies may offer more competitive bonuses to attract top talent. Industries such as finance and healthcare, which have high stakes in data security, often offer more lucrative packages compared to other sectors. Larger companies might provide more comprehensive benefits and stock options, while smaller firms might focus on higher base salaries to attract experienced professionals.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Director of Cyber Security position, consider pursuing roles with greater responsibility, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or other C-suite positions. Expanding your expertise in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or blockchain can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and attending high-profile conferences can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, demonstrating a track record of successful security implementations and risk management can position you for salary negotiations or promotions.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level positions in cyber security require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on information security or a Master of Science in Cyber Security, is often preferred. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of both the technical and managerial aspects of the role, which is crucial for strategic decision-making at the executive level.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications for a Director of Cyber Security role. Common and highly regarded certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). For those looking to specialize further, certifications like Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) can be beneficial. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and a comprehensive understanding of security principles and practices.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director of Cyber Security is expected to have at least 10-15 years of experience in the field, with a significant portion of that time spent in leadership roles. Experience should include managing security teams, developing and implementing security policies, and handling security incidents. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can be advantageous due to the unique regulatory and security challenges they present.

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