The world is experiencing a digital makeover, and the demand for cybersecurity experts has gone through the roof. Ethical hackers are individuals who assist organizations in finding and resolving any gaps that might cause the breach; hence, they are always in demand. Based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Preeti Agarwal is an Ethical Hacker who successfully negotiated an increase in salary from CAD $85,000 to $130,000. This blog shares an inside view of Preeti’s journey: exactly how she was able to secure such a huge raise in salary and how one can ensure success in the field of Ethical Hacking.
The Role of an Ethical Hacker
Ethical hackers are also variously referred to as penetration testers or white-hat hackers. These individuals play very important roles in cybersecurity. They are hired for the identification and exploitation of vulnerabilities within computer systems, networks, and applications in order to enact improvements in the area of security. This they do through the carrying out of such activities as penetration tests, assessment of the security measures, and giving recommendations that will be able to help the improvement of the general security posture. For Preeti, excelling in this role required a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, hacking techniques, and risk management.
Build Expertise in Ethical Hacking
The building of deep expertise in ethical hacking also helped Preeti obtain an increase in salary. She went on to take advanced training in cybersecurity, certified as a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and later got her Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). She has regularly attended many leading industry conferences on cybersecurity, webinars, and online forums to keep up with the developments in threats and attack techniques. Periodically expanding her knowledge, she could stand among the leaders in this field.
High-Impact Security Assessments: Leading
One of the major ways Preeti gained her salary increase was through leading high-impact security assessments. That means she accepted multifaceted projects which included comprehensive security reviews for large organizations and infrastructures that were critical. The knack that Preeti had for finding and resolving major security gaps enhanced not only the security of her clients but also showed how valuable she was to her employer. Her successful execution of these high-stakes projects played a huge role in her salary increase.
Demonstrating Value and Impact
On her side, Preeti made an effort to show how much value and impact her work was bringing in. She tracked key performance metrics such as the number of identified vulnerabilities, the severity of security issues that have been addressed, and the overall security posture. Preeti prepared detailed reports and presentations that would highlight her contribution and the tangible benefits of her work. By effectively communicating the value that she brought to her organization, Preeti made a solid business case for her increase in salary.
Building a Strong Professional Network
Networking was most important in developing Preeti’s career. She took an active role in the participation With cybersecurity communities through local meetups, online forums, and industry events. In addition, through networking, she was able to extend her professional circle, besides getting valuable insights into the emergent trends and best practices within the profession. Furthermore, she developed contacts with potential clients and employers that helped in her success as an Ethical Hacker.
Preparing for Salary Negotiations
As time came for the negotiation of her salary, Preeti did not come unprepared. She researched the benchmark of the industry in terms of salaries for Ethical Hackers in St John’s and collated information related to achievements such as impact created by her security assessments and value added to her organization. Preeti prepared a detailed presentation, highlighting certifications, successful projects, and the strategic value of her work. Her extensive preparation and confident negotiation ensured that her salary increased from $85,000 to $130,000.
Tips for an Aspiring Ethical Hacker
Some useful advice from the experiences of Preeti to aspiring Ethical Hackers is as follows:
- Build Deep Expertise: Pursue in-depth training and certifications in ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Stay informed of current happenings and threats in your efforts to continue evolving your skills and job prospects.
- Lead Complex, High-Impact Projects: Pursue and deliver challenging, high-impact security assessments that demonstrate one’s skills and substantial value to clients and employers. Successful delivery of such projects may lead to supported requests for a salary increase.
- Added Value: Track key performance metrics and report your contribution and added value from the work delivered. Effective communication of the achievements made will reinforce your claim for a raise.
- Network Actively: Be involved in a cybersecurity community, industry events, and grow your professional network. In networking, one may find value in getting better insights, opening doors to other opportunities, or at least being well-informed about what is going on within the industry.
- Get Ready to Negotiate: Do your homework regarding salary benchmarking and build a case with data regarding your achievements and contributions. Be ready to make a claim for a raise.
Preeti Agarwal’s story, from making $85,000 to $130,000 as an Ethical Hacker in St. John’s, would arguably suggest that ways to fundamentally prove one’s value include expertise development and the delivery of leading high-impact projects. Having focused on her skill development, successful security assessments driven, and preparations well in advance for her salary negotiation, Preeti attained huge career growth along with a pay raise. Her experiences provide useful lessons for other professionals interested in making a name for themselves in ethical hacking and furthering their careers accordingly.
If you are interested in achieving your own career goals and need expert guidance for relocating abroad, Oasis Visa is here to help you navigate the visa process and make your transition as smooth as possible.
