Pros and Cons of Hiring Freelance Cyber Security Consultant
Did you know that cyberattacks and breaches affect thousands of businesses every year? Major breaches have affected even large businesses such as Facebook, and Yahoo. As a result, it’s critical to know that your data and computers are safe. If you have an IT team, keep in mind that they don’t always have time to conduct a comprehensive cybersecurity assessment because they are already overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks. Therefore, many businesses hire cybersecurity experts to join their teams and take care of security tasks.
Cybersecurity is a term that refers to the improvement, maintenance and protection of a company’s data, hardware and software. Utilizing their expertise, cyber security experts’ duties include identifying vulnerabilities and malicious activities in businesses’ infrastructure and networks. In addition to carrying out vulnerability assessments, they will implement individualized application security assessments for client-based asset risk and corporate policy compliance. They typically have a good understanding of common networking ports and protocols, traffic flow, system administration, defense-in-depth and other standard security systems.
Software Vulnerabilities and How Hackers Gain Access to Data
By exploiting flaws in the built-in security systems of networks and devices, hackers compromise them. This is done by cybercriminals or malicious hackers, also known as black hat hackers, to gain unauthorized access to personal data.
Cybercriminals harm the privacy and financial security of their victims, and identity theft can have long-term repercussions. Cybercriminals can gain access to computers and systems in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Sending fictitious texts or emails with links to malware
Your device will be infected if you click on the link. This gives hackers access to sensitive data on your computer and allows them to use spyware to monitor you in the background.
- Making use of out-of-date software
Programming refreshes from your specialist co-ops are explicitly intended to address security weaknesses. Hackers can exploit known security flaws to gain entry if your operating system or web browsers are not up to date.
- Using scams involving tech support
You may be contacted by hackers via pop-ups or emails claiming that your computer has been infected with a virus. These messages seem, by all accounts, to be sent from respectable security organizations — persuading you to call the technical support number in the message. The hacker attempts to fix the concocted issue by requesting access to your computer, but instead takes control of your device.
- Gaining access to your Wi-Fi network
Your network is at risk due to weak passwords, out-of-date firmware models, and settings for your router that do not include software updates. Hacking into the Wi-Fi network itself can be all it takes to take control of personal devices that are connected to a weak network.
- Attacks using phishing to get remote access
Phishers send urgent messages via text, phone, or email posing as well-known businesses or government agencies. The target is taken to a fake website when they click on the link in the email, which immediately compromises their device.
The Skills a Cyber Security Expert Should Have
When looking for a freelance cyber security expert offering software security consulting, there are certain key skills to look out for to ensure they can successfully complete certain tasks. Some of these skills include:
- Problem-solving ability
To take on and address complex information security challenges across a variety of existing and emerging technologies and digital environments, cyber security freelance professionals must devise inventive solutions.
- Technical skills
Cybersecurity is a technology-focused field and tasks such as information security system maintenance, upkeep, and troubleshooting are part of the job. Cybersecurity freelance experts have to be tech-savvy and be able to put in place constant monitoring of networks and provide security solutions in real time.
- Effective communication
Freelance security specialists collaborate closely with people in other roles and departments. Therefore, it is essential to be able to effectively convey their findings, concerns, and solutions to others.
- Understanding of security on a variety of platforms
Cybersecurity isn’t just about computers: Experts need to be able to work on a wide range of operating systems, computer systems, cloud networks, mobile devices and wireless networks, and need to keep up with new developments in each of these areas.
- Attention to detail
To effectively identify vulnerabilities and risks and protect an organization from cyberattacks, experts must be extremely vigilant and detail-oriented.
- Understanding of computer forensics
Experts need a solid understanding of what happens if efforts fail and how compromised data is recovered to effectively protect organizations’ digital assets and avoid security breaches. They also need to be proficient in freelance pentesting.
- An understanding of hacking
The majority of cybersecurity professionals are required to learn how to “ethically hack” to protect an organization’s infrastructure and network.
As with any technical field, cybersecurity is changing quickly. Anyone working in the field will always need to learn and self-educate, both on and off the clock. They will also need to be committed to staying up to date on industry trends and best practices such as remote pentesting.
The Top 5 Platforms for Hiring Cyber Security Consultants
If you’re looking to hire an information security analyst remote expert, there are a few online platforms to consult, some of the most popular include:
- Fiverr
This is a great place to look for skilled cybersecurity freelancers. The platform itself is accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live, and it is simple to use. Before hiring a freelancer, you can look through different categories, see what services they offer, and look at their profiles and feedback scores.
- UpWork
Upwork comes with its own benefits. It’s a great platform for long-term projects because the platform makes it easy to keep track of hours worked. This makes it much more convenient for both the client and the person hiring to pay bills and invoices.
- Freelancer.com
Many large companies use Freelancer.com. It’s a great platform for big businesses looking for talented freelancers. Signing up for the platform as a business owner, posting job requirements, and waiting for freelancers to bid on the project are all you need to do.
- PeoplePerHour
Although PeoplePerHour isn’t as big as some of the other platforms for freelancers, it does have more than 3 million freelancers on its site. As a result, there is a sizable pool of talent available for a wide range of tasks, including programming and graphics design.
- Mobilunity
This is a leading Ukrainian-based outsourcing company specializing in sourcing expert freelancers, including cyber security and website security consultant experts, to be placed with businesses around the world. The process of working with Mobilunity is highly efficient and very affordable.
Freelance vs Outstaffing for Finding Cybersecurity Experts
When looking to hire cybersecurity experts, it’s important to note that there are many different hiring methods to choose from. Two of the most popular methods are outstaffing and hiring freelancers. Let’s explore the differences:
| Outstaffing | Hiring Freelancers | |
| What it is | Outstaffing is the indirect, long-term employment of staff by a third party. | When you hire freelancers, you only hire workers when they are needed for a project. |
| How long it takes | Outstaffing organizations can commonly find up-and-comers immediately, fit to be recruited. | Finding the best freelancers can take a lot of time. |
| Cost involved | Outstaffing companies typically charge candidates fixed fees. | Rates for freelancers can vary by country and level of experience. |
| Dedication | The majority of outstaffing workers are devoted to a single project at a time. | Freelancers frequently work on multiple projects simultaneously. |
The Cost of Hiring Cybersecurity Experts
When looking to hire cybersecurity experts, it’s important to think about how much it will cost. The freelance cyber security salary per country and the level of experience are highly variable. We look at the average hourly salary of freelance cybersecurity experts in five countries to give you an idea of what to expect:
| Junior | Mid-level | Senior | |
| USA | $35 | $44.9 | $59 |
| UK | $44 | $55 | $67 |
| Germany | $32 | $46 | $58 |
| Netherlands | $30 | $41 | $52 |
| Ukraine | $25* | $35* | $55* |
*Ukrainian salaries are provided based on Mobilunity’s Recruitment Team research on the local job markets. All salaries are net and do not include the service fee (in case of hiring on a dedicated team model). The salaries are provided for comparison purposes and could be not entirely accurate. Contact us to know the exact cost of hiring a developer corresponding to the required parameters.
This data demonstrates that hiring freelance cyber security consultant candidates is significantly less expensive in some countries than in others. For example, the cost of hiring experts from Ukraine is significantly lower than the cost of hiring the same experts from the United States or the United Kingdom. This is because Ukraine has a much lower typical cost for most everyday items, even though its workforce is exceptionally talented and experienced.
Mobilunity: a Reliable Provider of Skilled Cybersecurity Experts
Mobilunity is a leading outsourcing company that has been in business for more than ten years. We provide businesses all over the world with skilled workers, including cyber security consultants and freelance cyber security developers. Mobilunity has access to a large number of gifted workers that can team up with a wide range of companies in various industries. When evaluating the pros and cons of hiring a freelance cyber security consultant, it’s worth considering the comprehensive expertise offered by software house services, as well as the option to hire a headhunter for a specialized recruitment process.
Mobilunity makes hiring employees quick and easy. You can hire part-time cybersecurity experts from us and only pay for the hours worked. This saves you money while giving you access to top talent when you need it.
Mobilunity’s team has worked with a variety of top businesses in a lot of different industries. A few of our customers include 42Matters, Codename, Paidy, Qrates, and ServIT.
We are chosen by our customers due to our rapid and effective hiring process. The following steps are included in our strategy:
- Determining and verifying your specific needs
- Finding and interviewing qualified candidates
- Assisting with onboarding and ongoing support
If you want a freelance cyber security expert to join your team, talk to the professionals at Mobilunity. Find the best talent effortlessly!
All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate NET numbers based on the research done by our in-house Recruitment Team. Please use these numbers as a guide for comparison purposes only and feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.
