Before a firewall is installed, thecybersecurity architect is already here. Its role? Design robust environments, choose the right defense mechanisms, anticipate vulnerabilities and guide technical teams. Here’s a closer look at a demanding, strategic profession that’s more in demand than ever.
In a nutshell:
- Level of studies: Master’s degree.
- Employability : excellent.
- Soft Skills: fluency in English, teamwork.
What is a cybersecurity architect?
Its role
A cybersecurity architect designs the protection architecture of an information system. It checks that each choice meets the requirements of security of the company.
Its key missions
In concrete terms, it :
- Risk analysis.
- Model threats.
- Defines standards and patterns (e.g. : Zero Trustencryption, etc.).
- Draw up a safety roadmap.
- Select technologies.
- Collaborate with CISO/CRM, cloud teams, network, DevOpsproduct teams.
The cybersecurity architect doesn’t actually do the day-to-day installation and configuration himself. It’s the engineers and technical teams who actually implement the plans.
What are the differences between a cybersecurity architect and a cybersecurity engineer?
These are two different professions, even if in small structures the two roles can mix:
- The cybersecurity architect designs. It answers the question: “What should we put in place and how should we organize it?”
- Lcybersecurity engineerimplements. It answers the question, “How do you install and operate what has been decided?”
What makes a good cybersecurity architect?
Technical skills
A cybersecurity architect is above all a thinker, who analyzes, plans, designs and makes decisions. That’s not to say he doesn’t have technical skills! He needs to understand in depth what he doesn’t do directly:
1️⃣ System and network architecture :
- Knowledge of IS architectures.
- Network models (TCP/IP, DNS, VPN, firewall, proxy, DMZ, etc.).
- Network segmentation, filtering, isolation, bastioning…
2️⃣ Cloud & SaaS security :
- AWS / Azure / GCP: native service security, IAM, policies, encryption, logs.
- Zero Trust architectures, API access security.
- Knowledge of specific risks: public S3, hard-coded credentials, shadow IT, etc.
3️⃣ Safety controls :
- Encryption.
- IAM.
- Application security.
- SIEM, EDR, logging, threat detection.
- DLP, CASB, data protection.
4️⃣ Standardization :
- Design of secure architecture models.
- Ability to produce technical repositories that teams can understand.
5️⃣ Methods :
- Threat modeling (e.g. STRIDE, MITRE ATT&CK).
- Security frameworks: ISO 27001, NIST, CIS Controls.
- nLPD, RGPD, personal data security.
6️⃣ Issues related toAI and machine learning.
Cross-disciplinary skills
Fluency in English is essential for understanding technical documentation, obtaining recognized certifications, and working with foreign suppliers.
Cybersecurity architects also work in close coordination with multidisciplinary teams (developers, cloud, network, compliance, product): the ability to listen, explain and cooperate is therefore essential to their effectiveness. Appetence for teamwork is important.
Tools to master
A cybersecurity architect needs to master several types of tools:
- Tools for modeling and documentation such as Draw.io, Lucidchart, Visio, Trust, Archimate, Sparx EA.
- Risk risk management such as Ebios Risk Manager, Octave, MEHARI, Threat Dragon, Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool, JIRA, ServiceNow, ARIS.
- Tools for review and audit such as Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS, ScoutSuite, Prowler, Steampipe, Trivy, Checkov.
- Tools for CI/CD and DevSecOps such as GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Snyk, SonarQube, Dependabot.
- Monitoring and governance tools such as MITRE ATT&CK Navigator, CAPEC, CIS Benchmarks, OpenCTI, MISP.
Education and training to become a cybersecurity architect
Diplomas and schools
A Master’s Master’s level is generally required. Some schools offer specializations tailored to the profession.
These include :
- Visit HEG de Genève (Geneva School of Management), which offers a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Information Systems Security Architecture (CAS ASSI) and a Master of Advanced Studies in Information Systems Security Management.
- Visit HEIG-VD (Haute école d’ingénierie et de gestion du canton de Vaud), which offers a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Communication Systems, and whose Y-Security center is a recognized leader.
- Visit HES-SO Valais-Wallis, which offers a CAS HES-SO in Cyber Security and a Master of Science in Engineering.
- L’EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), in collaboration with ETH Zurich, offers a Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science – Cybersecurity.
This list is, of course, purely indicative. There are also engineering schools or university courses in France.
The importance of certifications
Certifications are important for a cybersecurity architect:
- They demonstrate your mastery of international standards,
- They reassure a recruiter or a customer.
- They provide access to communities and tools.
Four of the most popular certifications are listed below.
| Certification name | What it covers | Prerequisites | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISSP | Global Security (8 CBK domains) | 5 years’ experience (or 4 with diploma) | The most widely recognized certification in the world. |
| SABSA | Security architecture aligned with business challenges | Security or architecture experience recommended | Ideal for security architects. |
| TOGAF | Enterprise Architecture Methodology (ADM) | No formal requirements, but useful IS experience | Valuable complement for a security architect. |
| CCSP | Security in cloud environments (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) | 2 years in cybersecurity, including 1 year in the cloud | Solid cloud-security vision. |
We can also mention cloud supplier certifications. Examples:
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty.
- Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500).
- Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer.
They focus on the implementation of security in a given cloud. This is often what companies expect as soon as they enter a cloud environment.
💡 Qim info tip: 1 or 2 well-chosen certifications is very useful. Accumulating lots of certifications without experience makes you not very credible.
Cybersecurity architect salary
Salaries vary depending on experience, location, skills and the type of company in which the cybersecurity architect works.
Switzerland's most promising business sectors
According to Linkedin’s ranking of growing professions in Switzerland in 2025the job of cybersecurity expert is ranked 2ᵉ of the 15 fastest-growing roles over the past three years.
The sectors that are recruiting the most are :
- IT consulting,
- manufacture of transport equipment,
- non-profit organizations.
The most dynamic regions are :
- Zurich,
- Bern,
- Lugano.
Why choose Qim info for your career as a cybersecurity architect?
Are you looking for an environment where your technical choices count, where you are trusted and where your ideas come to life in concrete, varied projects?
Join an ESN that puts people and expertise at the heart of its commitments, in Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Basel or Annecy:
- Projects according to your level of expertise and aspirations.
- A wide range of sectors, including banking, industry, healthcare and transport.
- You continue to learn, certify and train.
- At Qim info, we invest in people, not just profiles.
With over 500 employees and continuing growth, we remain close to our teams.
Why don’t you join us ?
