The world is experiencing an alarming surge in cybercrime, which has created an unprecedented demand for cybersecurity professionals. With each passing day, we are witnessing increasing cyber-attacks targeting individuals, businesses, and even government institutions. Thus, added to businesses, government organisations are also proactively looking for cybersecurity experts and the salary is also lucrative. So, how to get cybersecurity government jobs in India?
The Indian Government has been hiring cybersecurity professionals for multiple departments, including the department of health, finance, external affairs, parliament, defence and so on. Not only is the association with CBI, NIA, Ministry of Home affairs (MHA), IB and RAW adding a feather to the cap for its prestigious job status, but it is also high paying at the same time. Government jobs in cybersecurity provide lucrative packages since Government Data is highly sensitive and have to be safeguarded with utmost confidentiality. The minimum yearly package (for government cybersecurity job roles) starts approximately at around 5-6 LPA and can go up to 22 LPA including added incentives.
India’s Initiative towards Cybersecurity
The Indian Government, as part of its Digital India initiative, has established the “Cyber Swachhta Kendra” (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This centre aims to ensure a secure cyberspace by identifying and addressing botnet infections within India. Its primary objectives align with the “National Cyber Security Policy” that is driven to build a protected cyber ecosystem in the country. The Cyber Swachhta Kendra collaborates closely with Internet Service Providers and Product/Antivirus companies to detect and eliminate infections – while also providing users with information and tools to safeguard their systems and devices.
Why is cybersecurity an in-demand career path today?
With the continuous advancement of technology, the occurrence of security breaches and data hacking by cybercriminals is expected to rise steadily. As a result, there will be a significant surge in the demand for cybersecurity professionals across various sectors, including private companies, public organisations, and government agencies. This growing need for cybersecurity experts creates a vast array of cybersecurity job opportunities in India.
Additionally, it is worth considering the attractive salary packages that come with
Cybersecurity job opportunities in India. Cybersecurity experts in India earn around 24-40 LPA INR. This career path extends both challenges and rewards, making it highly appealing. It presents individuals with the chance to tackle complex cybersecurity issues while enjoying the satisfaction of contributing to safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information.
High demand for cybersecurity experts in the government sector
Governments worldwide are alarmed with the significant threat posed by cyber criminals. The escalating instances of cyberattacks have opened up a plethora of Cybersecurity vacancies in Indian government at the local, state, and national levels.
If you are considering a Cybersecurity jobs in India, the Indian Government provides numerous avenues for employment in the cybersecurity sector. Added to the security of government jobs, the Cybersecurity careers in India government organisations also assure attractive salaries. Moreover, there is always the great opportunity to proactively contribute to the government’s security efforts.
Besides, government cybersecurity positions may also offer additional benefits such as loan forgiveness programs or scholarship opportunities.
Government Departments Hiring Cybersecurity Experts
The Government agencies which recruit Cybersecurity Experts are:
- NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation)
- DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation)
- DeitY (Department of Electronics and Information Technology), especially forICERT (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
- IB (Intelligence Bureau)
- DoT (Department of Telecom)
Top Cybersecurity job roles in the Government Sector
- Information risk auditors (Approx 4 – 7 LPA)
- Cyber Forensics Expert (Approx. 7 – 23 LPA)
- Firewall and security device developers (Approx 5 – 8 LPA)
- Security analysts (Approx 5 – 8 LPA)
- Intrusion detection specialists (Approx 6 – 9 LPA)
- Computer security incident responders (Approx 4 – 7 LPA)
- Cryptologists (Approx 4 – 7 LPA)
- Vulnerability assessors (Approx 5 – 8 LPA)
*These figures are an average of data gathered on salaries in 2024.
Roadmap to getting cybersecurity government jobs in India
Here is a roadmap on getting hired by the Indian government for cybersecurity roles-
- Start with the foundation: Begin by understanding the basics of cybersecurity, including the different types of attacks, vulnerabilities, threat modelling, and defence mechanisms. You can do this through online courses or books on the topic.
- Receive training in specialised courses: You can register for specialised cybersecurity certification courses such as the ones offered by DataSpace Academy. We offer multi-level cybersecurity courses for beginner, intermediate, and also advanced levels.
- Attain hands-on experience: You have to attain practical experience to become job-ready for the cybersecurity sector. Participate in security-related projects, or contribute to open-source security tools, and also register for bug bounty programs and/or hackathons.
- Sign up for Global Certifications: GlobalCertifications like C|EHv12, C|PENT, by EC-Council or CompTIA Security+ are highly in demand in the CS domain. These esteemed Certifications boost your credibility and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.
The Indian government has launched a dedicated department called the National Security Database & Indian InfoSec Consortium to train cybersecurity professionals.
Apply for internships or entry-level job roles
Look for entry-level cybersecurity roles or internships to gain more experience and continue learning on the job. DataSpace Academy offers internship opportunities after completion of its cybersecurity training programs.
Networking is essential
Try to establish connections with government officials, particularly those in the Ministry of Home Affairs and security departments. Staying informed about security-related conferences and actively networking with government personnel can increase visibility and opportunities to collaborate with them.
Apply for government job applications
Government organisations post job applications on their official websites. Keep a tab on their websites for upcoming Cybersecurity vacancies in Indian government departments.
Other ways of recruitment for the Government Sector:
Freshers (BE/B.Tech): Through GATE (General Aptitude Test in Engineering)
Pass government exam
To gain government approval, all cybersecurity professionals must pass a specific cybersecurity exam. Whenever there are Government Job Vacancies, notifications are released, and selected candidates undergo training through these government programs before joining the services.
Final words
While private organisations offer high salary jobs for the cybersecurity professionals yet landing up with a government job is a matter of huge honour and pride altogether. Added to high salary, the government jobs will provide you with certain exclusive incentives or benefits that are not available with cybersecurity jobs at private organisations. However, you should also keep in mind that cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field. So, it’s essential to cultivate a mindset of continuous learning to stay updated with the latest cyber security technologies and advancements. Make sure to regularly attend conferences, workshops, and webinars as well as participate in related online forums to stay ahead in the field.
