Duties and responsibilities
- To guarantee all personal, financial and sensitive data is protected and only available to authorized personnel and account holders
- To create security systems that guard against any potential exposures or attacks.
- To ensure that all critical information is protected from being edited, copied or deleted by unauthorized personnel.
- Analyzing data to solve any security issues or breaches.
- Testing security systems to check for vulnerabilities.
- To aid in solving any security issues that may arise.
- Keeping up to date with current research and trends for coding and applications.
- Analyze existing encryption systems to identify weakness and vulnerabilities
Qualifications
Employers will typically look for college bachelor’s degrees in computer science or mathematics for cryptographer roles. Sometimes employers will even have a preference for candidates with masters or doctoral degrees.
This is because degree level coursework develops the foundational knowledge and skills in mathematics, computer and information technology systems, and programming languages that is required to be successful as a cryptographer.
As cryptographers advance in their career, they often complete certificates to open more career paths, advancements and earning potentials. These include: Certified encryption specialist or the certified information security systems professional, which both require years of experience.
Skills and relevant work experience
As encrypting data requires a lot of skill and knowledge, employers often look for at least five years of relevant experience in computer and information technology and security-based roles.
There aren?t entry-level cryptographer roles available. Entry-level positions that allow for progression to cryptographer roles include software programmers, information security analysts or computer system analysts build familiarity with information technology security hardware and software.
As well as relevant work experience, employers also look for strong mathematical skills, as cryptographers have to use complicated algorithms and understand data structures to solve complicated security issues. They will also look for extensive knowledge of computer system, networks and databased architecture.
Cryptographers will also need to possess a critical thinking perspective to analyze and interpret security problems. They also need to have strong verbal and nonverbal communication as they will work as part of a team and will have to clearly and concisely relay their findings and recommendations to management teams.
Cryptographers tend to use:
- Python, Java and C++
- Operating systems including Microsoft and UNOX
- Encryption algorithms based on symmetric and asymmetric key-block ciphers, which include riple data encryption algorithm (Triple DES) and Rivest-Shamir-Adelman (RAS).
Hours
Typically, cryptographer’s work the typical 9-5 pattern. However, like most cybersecurity professionals, they may have to be on call or sometimes work outside of typical business hours.
Cryptographer?s typically work as part of teams for the government or technological and financial entities.
Salary
According to PayScale, the average salary for a Cryptographer is $73,000.
Progression
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the estimated growth of cryptographer jobs is 12% between 2018 and 2028. Often, entry-level positions such as software programmers, information security analysts or computer system analyst progress into cryptographer roles.