Security Architects: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of security architects about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for security architects to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of security architects expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for security architects.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Security Architects?

Do security architects need a degree? What kind of experience do security architects typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for security architects to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Security Architects

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of security architects. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 57% of positions. In 21% of job listings no education level was listed and in 14% of postings a master's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Security Architects

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for security architects. In 39% of job postings for Security Architects, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 28% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 7-9 years of experience was sought in 14% of job postings for security architects.

What Kind of Degree Do Security Architects Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for security architects, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 25 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective security architects, and in 2023 a total of 319,948 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective security architects.

Top Degree Programs for Security Architects

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Security Architects

What Skills Do Security Architects Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by security architects to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for security architects, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Security Architects
Based on 54,396 job postings

Based on 54,396 job postings related to security architects, cyber security was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 49% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for auditing, vulnerability, computer science, incident response and information systems were also highly sought.

As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for security architects, followed by communication, operations, information technology, leadership and research.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about security architects? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for security architects.

What do security architects do?
How much do security architects make?

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