How to Become a Cybersecurity Project Manager

Key takeaways

You can become a cybersecurity project manager with leadership, access management, and teamwork skills.

• A cybersecurity project manager typically has a degree in computer science, IT, or business.

• Earning cybersecurity or project management certifications may help you enhance your technical skills.

• You can pursue an entry-level role, such as a security analyst or security architect, before advancing to the position of a cybersecurity manager.

Learn more about the role of a cybersecurity project manager, how it merges two in-demand skill sets, and how to start on this emerging career path. Afterward, consider enrolling in the Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals Specialization. In as little as three months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics of networking communication, common attack vectors, and malicious activities. Upon completion, you can add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What is a cybersecurity project manager?

A cybersecurity project manager is a cybersecurity professional with the skills and responsibilities for running and delivering information technology (IT) security projects, ensuring they meet security needs and standards. As a cybersecurity project manager, you will most likely work for an organization’s IT department, collaborating closely with cybersecurity professionals like database administrators and cybersecurity specialists.

Duties and responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities of a cybersecurity project manager vary depending on where you work and the project's specifics. In general, a cybersecurity project manager has the following responsibilities:

• Defining the project scope

• Developing project plans to reduce risk and security threats

• Supervising the input of security team members 

• Managing the application of security patches where necessary

• Ensuring the protection of personal information

• Managing the compliance of project work

• Identifying key stakeholders 

• Managing budgets and expenses

How to become a cybersecurity project manager

Becoming a cybersecurity project manager means building skills, knowledge, and experience in cybersecurity and project management. With a skills gap in cybersecurity, it’s vital that you can demonstrate to employers that you have a range of workplace and technical skills, as well as up-to-date knowledge about the field. Here are several steps you can take to begin a career in cybersecurity project management:

Step 1: Get a degree in IT, management, or business.

A great starting point for you to become a cybersecurity project manager is to study for a relevant bachelor’s degree. You might consider majors such as computer science or information technology, with business courses, or a business major with computer science and cybersecurity courses. You might even pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in cybersecurity. Some universities even offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity project management.

While a degree isn’t always essential to enter the field of cybersecurity, it is usually required to become a project manager, as it is a recognized method for cementing knowledge and skills. Becoming a cybersecurity project manager without a degree is possible if you have the right experience, skills, and certifications. According to Zippia, 60 percent of cybersecurity project managers have a bachelor's degree, with 14 percent having an associate degree and 18 percent holding a master’s [1]. 

Step 2: Build technical skills with certifications and training.

Certifications and training for improving your skill set are highly important in the cyber industry. Keeping up with the latest technology trends is essential in such a fast-moving field. 

Certifications, online courses, certificates, and boot camps are all excellent, accepted ways to do this.

Recognized cybersecurity certifications that employers look for include:

• ITIL 4 Foundation

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• GIAC Certified Project Manager (GCPM) 

• CompTIA Security+

Along with cybersecurity certifications, project management certifications can be very useful for you and may be a requirement in some cases. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly regarded.

It’s also possible to find certifications, certificates, and training that are specifically in project management for cybersecurity, such as the Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM) certification.

Read more about certifications for cybersecurity project managers:

• What Is ITIL Certification?

• CISSP Certification: What It Takes and Why It’s Worth It

• Guide to the CompTIA Security+ Certification

• PMP Certification: Eligibility, What's On the Test, and How to Prepare

Step 3: Gain some management and technical experience.

Employers of cybersecurity project managers look for experience in the field. This is especially important if you don’t have a degree. To begin your path to a cybersecurity project manager, you can start working in an entry-level role such as a security analyst, a security architect, or a security auditor. You might also consider finding a mentor from a cybersecurity project manager with extensive experience or even pursuing an internship in an unfamiliar cybersecurity area. Finally, additional options to advance your career are attending conferences, taking specialized courses, and joining professional associations where you can network.

Step 4: Build your cybersecurity project manager resume.

The relevant qualifications, skills, and experience are vital to securing a cybersecurity project manager job. It’s also essential that your resume presents your credentials and abilities effectively to employers. Ensure your resume is tailored to the role you’re applying for and lists your skills, degree, certifications, and experience while highlighting your relevant achievements. 

Cybersecurity project manager salary and job outlook

The cybersecurity industry has an excellent job outlook, and salaries are high. In addition, project management skills are in high demand, making cybersecurity project management a lucrative career option.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for cybersecurity industry positions such as security analysts is 29 percent, which is much higher than average [2]. The Project Management Institute also reports that demand for project management professionals is high, and this trend is set to continue. It’s predicted that roles could increase by 64 percent from 2025 to 2035 [3].

Median annual salaries for project managers and cybersecurity professionals are higher than the average median salary in the US, and the average annual salary for a cybersecurity project manager is no exception. You might seriously consider this as a career choice because the median total salary for a cybersecurity project manager is $163,000, according to Glassdoor [4]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Cybersecurity project management essential skills

Recruitment into the cybersecurity industry heavily relies on your abilities, and recruiters look for a blend of technical and workplace skills. In the role of cybersecurity project manager, project management skills are also vital. Cybersecurity project manager essential skills include:

Technical skills

• Risk management

• People management

• Project management

• Security systems

• Cloud management

• Threat assessments

• Penetration testing

• Access management

• Budget and resource management

Workplace skills

• Organization

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Negotiation

• Leadership

• Time management

• Working under pressure 

• Teamwork

Entry-level cybersecurity project manager jobs to kickstart your career

To gain relevant experience in cybersecurity, you may consider some of these entry-level positions:

• Incident report specialist: $94,000 

• Penetration tester: $154,000

• Systems administrator: $113,000

• IT support specialist: $71,000

• Junior security analyst: $124,000

• Cybersecurity technician: $108,000

• Security auditor: $116,000

• Digital forensic investigator: $121,000

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of April 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

What is the highest-paying position in cybersecurity?

The highest-paying job in cybersecurity, based on available data on Glassdoor, is the chief information security officer (CISO), and in this role, you can earn a total median annual salary of $322,000 [5]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

No-fluff stuff for when you’re stuck

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or if you want to learn more about project management or cybersecurity, check out these free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Should I Get a Degree in Cybersecurity? Here Are the Benefits!

• Take a quiz: Project Management Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Your Role

• Expand your vocab: Cybersecurity Glossary: Essential Terms and Definitions

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