Exploring Cyber Security Team Structure & Roles + Cost & Resource Chart
In this article, we will discuss every factor related to building a winning Cyber security team, like what are they, why you need them, what are the roles and could be an Ideal Cyber security team structure, how much does it cost, and more.
Cybersecurity is becoming a requirement, not merely a technological concern, as cyber threats are constantly evolving, targeting organizations with more refined tactics. To safeguard your company’s data and systems, you are going to need a strong cybersecurity team.
In this blog post, we will introduce you to the cyber security team structure. But before that, let’s start from the basics.
What is a Cyber Security Team?
A cyber security team is a group of professionals who specialize in protecting your organization’s networks, systems, and software from cyber threats and attacks. Hacking, ransomware, identity theft, leakage, exposure, phishing, malware distribution, and online fraud are all different types of cybercrime.
Why Do You Need a Cyber Security Team?
As technology advances, cybercrime has emerged as a major concern. A report shows us cybercrime’s monetary damage reported to the US Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) rose significantly between 2001 and 2022. The average yearly loss from IC3 referrals rose to $10.3 billion in 2022 from $3.5 billion in 2019.
Another study shows that about 12% of US organizations have no protection against cyber attacks, which means they could go bankrupt if they were hit.
You’re probably wondering why I’m bringing up these reports. Well, This is my way of showing you why you need a cybersecurity team for your organization.
By having a cyber security team, you can secure your organization’s IT infrastructure, edge devices, networks, and data from cyber threats, as well as protect all categories of data from theft and damage.
Who Should Be on Your Cyber Security Team?
Want to build a Cyber Security team as soon as possible? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. First, you need to determine who should be on your team. Here is a list of common roles in a cyber security team structure and their responsibilities.
| Roles | Responsibilities |
| Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | Managing the entire team |
| Security Manager | Organizing and overseeing the security operations of your organization |
| Security Architect | Creating, maintaining, and updating the security architecture |
| Security Engineer | Developing, deploying, and configuring security solutions and tools |
| Security Analyst | Detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber incidents and threats |
| Penetration Tester | Finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in the system |
| Security Awareness Trainer | Designing, delivering, and evaluating training programs and campaigns to raise awareness |
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Your CISO is the leader and strategist of your cyber security organizational structure. He/She is responsible for setting the vision, goals, policies, and budget for cyber security in your organization. Implementing, monitoring, and improving cyber security programs is also his/her responsibility.
Security Manager
The senior-level employee of your cyber security team is your Security Manager. He/she is responsible for organizing and overseeing the security operations of your organization. Hiring and developing the technology stack is also his/ her responsibility.
Security Architect
Your security architect is the designer and planner of your cyber security system. He/ she is responsible for creating, maintaining, and updating the security architecture. He/she also evaluates and recommends security solutions, tools, and best practices for the team.
Security Engineer
The person who is the builder and maintainer of the cyber security system is your security engineer. He/she is in charge of developing, deploying, and configuring security solutions and tools. He/she also troubleshoots and resolves technical issues.
Security Analyst
Your security analyst is the monitor and responder of the cyber security system. He/she is responsible for detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber incidents and threats in your cyber security organizational structure. The security analyst also performs vulnerability assessments to identify security weaknesses.
Penetration Tester:
Penetration testers in your team are usually part-time employees. But he/her responsibility for finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in your system makes them a role that no team can ignore. They are also known as an ‘ethical hacker’ or a ‘white hat.’
Security Awareness Trainer:
The educator and motivator of your cyber security organizational structure is your security awareness trainer. He /she is in charge of designing, delivering, and evaluating training programs and campaigns to raise awareness among employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders.
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How do You Organize a Cyber Security Team?
Now that you know the roles of the Cyber Security Team, it’s time to define the hierarchy of authority to form your organizational structure. There is no fit for all in organizational structure. It varies from organization to organization, depending on the size, complexity, budget, etc.
Perhaps, I can introduce you to the most common structure of a typical starter Cyber Security Team so that you get an idea and know how to structure a Cyber Security Team that works best for your organization.
Your Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is the high-level executive of your Cyber Security Team. He/She oversees the work of your security manager, security awareness trainer, and penetration tester. Your security architect, engineer, and analyst report to your security manager.
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Cost and Resource Allocation of Your Cyber Security Team?
Your Cyber Security Team structure is never complete unless you are aware of your cost and resource allocation. The Sliding Scale of Cyber Security is your way to find out.
This Sliding Scale is a model for cyber security with different categories, as shown in the image. This is a guide to help you roadmap your cost and resource allocation and encourage the growth of your security program over time. Active defense is the industry standard. The idea is to build a strong foundation with architecture and then move on.
As you can see in the cost diagram below, it is very affordable to secure the architecture. It costs more in passive defense, but you get more return. Active defense is the sweet spot, so I suggested being here earlier. The security beyond that starts becoming costly; you may or may not want it.
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Conclusion:
Hopefully, this article will help you build your Cyber Security Team. Remember, the ideal Cyber Security team structure can differ, so I suggest you consult an expert before defining the structure for your Cyber Security team.
