Why Malaysian Employers Should Hire a Cybersecurity Expert Over an IT Generalist to Protect Their Business
In today's increasingly digital landscape, businesses must decide whether to prioritize cybersecurity or overall IT infrastructure management when hiring. The decision often comes down to whether a company should hire a cybersecurity expert, who specializes in protecting the organization's sensitive data, or an IT generalist, who manages a wider range of IT functions.
This article will explore the salary ranges, roles, and skills required for each position, helping Malaysian employers make informed decisions about their hiring needs.
Hire A Cybersecurity Expert
Salary (Malaysia):
- Junior: RM8,000 - RM10,000
- Senior: RM10,000 - RM13,000
- Manager: RM13,000 - RM15,000
Role:
Cybersecurity experts work to protect a company’s digital information. They look for weaknesses, set up security measures, watch for possible attacks, and quickly respond to any issues. Their main goal is to defend the company against cyber threats like viruses, phishing scams, and data leaks.
Skills Needed:
Junior Level:
- Basic understanding of network security
- Knowledge of firewalls and basic security protocols
- Familiarity with common cybersecurity threats
- Strong attention to detail
Senior Level:
- Proficiency in advanced security tools (e.g., intrusion detection systems)
- Expertise in risk management and vulnerability assessment
- Experience with security certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, CISSP)
- Ability to conduct forensic investigations
Manager Level:
- Leadership in managing a cybersecurity team
- Expertise in compliance regulations and governance (GDPR, NIST)
- Strategic planning for long-term security measures
- Coordination of incident response teams
How To Hire An IT Generalist Talent
Salary (Malaysia):
- Junior: RM5,000 - RM6,500
- Senior: RM6,500 - RM8,500
- Manager: RM8,500 - RM10,000
Role:
IT generalists handle a variety of IT functions, from managing networks and systems to troubleshooting hardware and software issues. Unlike a cybersecurity expert, their role is broader but less specialized, ensuring the smooth functioning of a company's IT infrastructure.
Skills Needed:
Junior Level:
- Basic understanding of operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Ability to troubleshoot common hardware and software issues
- General knowledge of networking (LAN, WAN)
- Basic database management skills
Senior Level:
- Strong proficiency in network and system administration
- Experience managing IT infrastructure (servers, storage, backups)
- Advanced troubleshooting and technical support
- Basic cybersecurity principles
Manager Level:
- Team management and leadership experience
- Strategic oversight of IT operations and budgeting
- Familiarity with IT governance frameworks (COBIT, ITIL)
- Long-term IT infrastructure planning
Why Malaysian Employers Need Cybersecurity and IT Generalists for Business Success
Both cybersecurity experts and IT generalists bring valuable skills to an organization, but their contributions differ significantly:
- Cybersecurity Expert: They play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information, preventing data breaches, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Their expertise helps organizations build a robust security framework, ultimately protecting the company’s reputation and financial health.
- IT Generalist: They handle everyday IT tasks, making sure that systems work properly and run smoothly. They are flexible and can fix a variety of technical problems, helping to keep the company’s IT systems up and running
Why Malaysian Employers Are Finding It Difficult to Recruit Skilled Cybersecurity and IT Talent
Finding the right talent in today’s competitive job market poses several challenges for employers:
- High Demand, Low Supply: The need for cybersecurity experts is growing fast, but there aren’t enough qualified people to fill the jobs, creating a talent shortage.
- Changing Skill Requirements: As cyber threats change, so do the skills needed for cybersecurity. Employers find it hard to hire people with the latest skills and experience.
- Assessing Technical Skills: It's difficult for hiring managers, especially those without a cybersecurity background, to properly judge candidates' technical skills.
- Lack of Hiring Strategies: Many employers don’t know effective ways to attract top talent and often rely on traditional job ads, which may not work well.
- Cultural Fit and Communication: Employers need to consider if candidates fit well with the company’s culture and have strong communication skills since cybersecurity experts often need to work with other teams and explain complex ideas.
- Salary Expectations: Because of high demand, cybersecurity professionals often expect higher pay, which can make it harder for employers to negotiate.
- Retention Issues: Keeping cybersecurity experts is just as important as hiring them, as many may look for better opportunities in the competitive job market.
How Seekers Malaysia Can Help
At Seekers Malaysia, we know that hiring in today’s digital world can be complicated. Our headhunting services help connect employers with the right candidates who not only have the necessary skills but also fit well with the company culture. We use our wide network and recruitment experience to find and attract talented candidates who may not be actively looking for a job.
For companies that can't afford to hire full-time employees, hiring freelancers can be a good solution. Freelancers have specialized skills and can work on specific projects at a lower cost. This way, businesses can get the expertise they need without the long-term expense of a full-time salary.
If employers are unsure about how to hire or find the right people, they can always ask for our help. We provide resources and consultations to assist hiring managers and HR professionals in improving their recruitment strategies, helping them stay competitive in finding the best talent.
Conclusion: Which One Is Better?
In the end, the choice between hiring a cybersecurity expert or an IT generalist depends on what the company needs, its budget, and its goals. If the main priority is to protect important data and reduce cyber risks, then hiring a cybersecurity expert is important.
However, if the organization requires a broader range of IT support, an IT generalist may be the right fit. Employers must evaluate their objectives and make informed decisions to enhance their workforce effectively.
Performance-Based Headhunting Service for Specialist IT or Digital Talents
Seekers Malaysia is a headhunting service focused on getting results. We provide career advice, corporate support, and recruitment management to help employers find and hire experts in IT, digital and tech fields.
Our special method uses advanced technology and a large database of over 80,000 top candidates and 500+ IT and digital clients. This helps us quickly find and match highly skilled professionals to meet your business needs.
Learn more about our headhunting services or contact us to discuss your recruitment needs. We look forward to helping you find the right talent to drive your company's growth.
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Are you searching for the best Cybersecurity or IT Generalist for your business? Let Seekers Malaysia handle the search for you. Contact us today to learn more about our headhunting services and discover how we can help you secure top IT and Digital candidates in Malaysia.