Security Architect | Career Path

Learn about the Security Architect career path in cybersecurity. Discover key responsibilities, required skills, average salary expectations, and relevant certifications for this role.

Overview

Designs the overall security structure and strategy for an organization's IT systems. Develops security standards, evaluates technologies, and ensures security principles are integrated across the enterprise architecture.

Responsibilities

  • Design secure enterprise-wide systems and infrastructure
  • develop security standards and reference architectures
  • evaluate and select security technologies
  • ensure security principles are integrated into projects
  • provide security guidance to engineering teams

Required Skills

  • Deep understanding of security principles across multiple domains (network, cloud, app, data)
  • security frameworks (NIST, ISO, SABSA, TOGAF)
  • risk assessment methodologies
  • system design
  • threat modeling
  • strong communication and documentation skills

Salary Expectations

$120,000 - $200,000+ USD

Relevant Certifications

Common Career Pathway

Senior role, typically requires significant experience (8-10+ years) as a Security Engineer, Network Security Engineer, or Cloud Security Engineer. Strong design and strategic thinking needed.

Learning Roadmap

Broad experience as Security Engineer -> Master security frameworks -> Develop deep technical expertise in multiple domains -> Learn enterprise architecture principles -> Practice threat modeling -> Obtain advanced certs (CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA).

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