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Cyber Security Salary in India: A Complete Guide

By Pavan Vadapalli

Updated on May 27, 2025 | 12 min read | 912.38K+ views

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Did You Know? Cybersecurity is one of the most lucrative career paths today! In India, entry-level Cybersecurity Analysts earn around INR 6L annually, while experienced professionals in roles like Security Architects or CISOs can make over INR 30L per year.

Cyber security is one of the highest-paying IT careers in India in 2025! Entry-level cyber security professionals earn between INR 4–6 LPA, while mid-level experts can make INR 12–20 LPA. 

To earn a higher salary in cyber security, professionals need in-demand skills such as ethical hacking, cloud security, network defense, and certifications like CEH, CISSP, or CompTIA Security+. 

In this blog, you’ll discover salary ranges for different roles, city-wise cyber security trends, skill-based variations, and how to maximize your earning potential in India’s growing cyber security market.

You can build relevant AI and ML skills for advanced cybersecurity requirements with upGrad’s online AI and ML courses. By the end of the program, participants will be equipped with the skills to leverage AI and solve industry-specific cyber security challenges.

Cyber Security Salary in India Based on Experience

Freshers entering the domain with foundational skills and certifications like CEH or CompTIA Security+ can expect a solid starting package. As you move into mid- and senior-level roles, your earning potential increases sharply, especially if you specialize in areas like threat intelligence, cloud security, or governance.

Here’s an overview of the average cybersecurity salary in India based on years of experience:

Experience Level

Average Annual Salary (INR)

0–1 Years (Freshers)

3 LPA – 6 LPA

1–3 Years

4 LPA – 10 LPA

3–5 Years

6 LPA – 15 LPA

5–8 Years

8 LPA – 25 LPA

8–12 Years

13 LPA – 35 LPA

12–15+ Years (Senior Roles)

25 LPA – 76 LPA+ (1 Cr+ for CISOs)

Source: Glassdoor, AmbitionBox

As shown, cyber security salaries scale rapidly with experience. The jump from mid-level to senior leadership roles is particularly steep, reflecting the growing strategic importance of cyber defense in modern organizations.

Upskilling regularly and staying current with certifications, tools, and compliance frameworks is key to unlocking these higher salary brackets.

In 2025, professionals who can use quantum computing and machine learning to improve business security will be in high demand. If you're looking to develop skills in quantum computing, here are some top-rated courses to help you get there:

Cyber Security Salary in India Based on Job Roles

Cyber security roles have become highly specialized, each commanding its own salary band based on technical complexity, business impact, and demand. Some roles focus on proactive defense (like penetration testing), while others deal with incident response or compliance. Your salary will largely depend on your role’s depth of responsibility and your proficiency in relevant tools and certifications.

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Here’s a breakdown of common cyber security job roles and their average annual salaries in India:

Job Role

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Cyber Security Analyst

6 – 12 LPA

Network Security Engineer

5 – 11 LPA

Information Security Analyst

6 – 10 LPA

Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

4.5 – 9 LPA

Ethical Hacker

5 – 12 LPA

Penetration Tester

6 – 15 LPA

Cloud Security Specialist

7 – 18 LPA

Cyber Security Consultant

8 – 20 LPA

Security Architect

18 – 30 LPA

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

35 – 96 LPA

Source: Glassdoor, AmbitionBox

Note: Salaries vary with experience, certifications, and employer scale. For example, a penetration tester with OSCP and 3+ years of experience may earn well above the average.

Tip: High-paying roles like Cloud Security or Security Architecture often require deep expertise in DevSecOps, risk frameworks (like NIST), and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.

If you need a better understanding of securing critical data, upGrad’s free Fundamentals of Cybersecurity course can help you. You will learn key concepts, current challenges, and important terminology to protect systems and data.

Also Read: Top Cyber Security Projects for Students & Professionals

Next, let’s look at the earning potential of cyber security professionals in India based on location.

Cyber Security Salary in India Based on Location

In India, cyber security salaries vary significantly depending on where you're employed. Metro cities with a dense IT presence, like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, offer some of the highest packages due to the concentration of tech firms, startups, and global IT hubs. On the other hand, tier-2 cities may offer lower salaries but better work-life balance and lower cost of living.

Here’s a table showcasing average annual salaries for cyber security professionals across key Indian cities:

City

Average Salary (0-11 years of experience)

Bangalore

Rs. 5.3 Lakhs

Mumbai

Rs. 4.4 Lakhs

Delhi-NCR

Rs. 6 Lakhs

Hyderabad

Rs. 5.2 Lakhs

Pune

Rs. 6.3 Lakhs

Source: AmbitionBox

Insight: Bangalore remains the top-paying city for cyber security talent due to its large number of global tech firms, R&D centers, and startup ecosystems. Salaries in Mumbai and Delhi–NCR are also competitive, especially in finance and consulting sectors.

Tip: If you're open to relocation, targeting cities with a strong IT or BFSI presence can give you an immediate salary boost—even at early or mid-level positions.

Also Read: Learn Ethical Hacking from Scratch: Skills Needed, Steps to Become an Ethical Hacker 

Now that you have a good understanding of cyber security salary in India based on location, let’s look at how it varies across popular companies.

Cyber Security Salary in India Based on Companies

Salaries for cyber security professionals in India vary significantly across companies, influenced by factors such as company size, industry, and the specific nature of the role. 

Below is a compilation of average annual salaries for cyber security positions at various prominent companies:

Company

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Infosys 9.6L
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) 4L - 7L
Wipro 4.2L
Accenture 6L
HCLTech 4 - 7L
Deloitte 8.2L
PwC 2L - 4L
Capgemini 4.45L
Amazon 20L
Microsoft 6.88L

Source: Glassdoor

Note: These figures represent average salaries and can vary based on experience, specific job roles, and other factors.

Industries Offering Top Cyber Security Salaries

Industries like financial services, IT, and education are redefining career growth in cybersecurity. These sectors offer competitive salaries, driven by their reliance on robust digital infrastructure and data security. The following table lists the salary for an entry-level employee in the field of cybersecurity in India:

Industry

Entry-Level Salary

Financial Services

Rs. 6.1 Lakhs

IT Services and Consulting

Rs. 5.4 Lakhs

Software Products

Rs. 5.5 Lakhs

Education and Training

Rs. 6.2 Lakhs

Hardware and Networking

Rs. 6 Lakhs

Source: AmbitionBox

Also Read: Cybersecurity Research Topics 2025: 180+ Ideas & Tips

Next, let’s look at how the cyber security trends will change in the upcoming years.

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Future Outlook for Cyber Security Salary in India

The future of cyber security salary in India appears bright, entering 2025 and beyond. Due to rapid industrial digitization, ever-growing dependence on cloud technologies, and the complicated landscape of cyber threats, cyber security will become an obligatory profession for every industry. 

This evolution makes cyber security professionals a valuable asset for companies all over the world and takes its demand even further. 

Growing Demand for Experts in Cybersecurity

According to reports, India is facing an acute shortage of cyber security professionals and will require about 1.5 million open positions in cyber security by 2025. Owing to the unprecedented growth of the country's digital economy, companies across sectors are making big investments in cyber security. Hence, this high demand ensures lucrative career prospects and competitive emoluments for the professionals concerned.

For example, an entry-level cyber security analyst in India can earn between Rs.4 Lakhs and Rs.9 Lakhs. With consistent upskilling and experience, these numbers are likely to double in a couple of years. 

Increased Adoption of Emerging Technologies

The future of upcoming technologies in cyber security will continue to be ruled by new, revolutionised inventions of AI, ML, blockchain, and quantum computing. These advancements will empower better prediction and mitigation and bring forth new opportunities for professionals specializing in these latest areas.

Cloud security is one of the most important features in the modern cyber security space, and it is seeing a huge boom because of the sudden swing to hybrid and remote models. With businesses moving onto cloud platforms, demand has gone through the roof. Reports suggest that the average salary growth for this industry could be 15% by 2031, making it one of India's most lucrative career options in IT security India.

Similarly, blockchain security experts will also see high demand, particularly in the BFSI industry. The average starting compensation for blockchain professionals could range from Rs.4 Lakhs to Rs.7 Lakhs, while senior roles may command Rs.8 Lakhs to Rs.25 Lakhs or higher. 

Government and Regulatory Push for Cybersecurity

Government initiatives like the National Cyber Security Strategy and Digital India further underpin why cyber security has become so important in India. Such policies, aimed at strengthening the country's digital infrastructure, have recently created a huge surge in government cyber security jobs. Professionals in public-sector roles like information security analysts or incident response managers can expect their salaries to increase as government bodies set increasingly larger budgets for cyber security efforts. 

Remote Work and Global Opportunities

Another reason for the good salary prospects of cyber security jobs in India is the trend of remote work. Professionals are being hired by international firms to work from India, earning in foreign currencies while staying in India. This has boosted the earnings for cyber security roles to a whole new level.

More Emphasis On Upskilling for Cyber Security Salary Growth

Continuous learning and acquiring new skills are very important in growing your salary in cyber security. Candidates who gain these certifications, such as CISSP, CEH, or even a more advanced program like the UpGrad Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security, can really see their salaries soar. These training programs will actually benefit workers by equipping them with the latest technical skills, positioning them among leaders in their fields.

Also Read: Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: How AI Protects Your Data

How Can upGrad Help You Prepare for a Career in Cyber Security?

India has excellent career scopes in cybersecurity, and it is the right time at present to enter this field. As different sectors become digitized, this will provide an essential position for cybersecurity professionals and data protection with systematic procedures. You might perhaps see a rocketing rate at the fresher's level or while entering senior leadership as of 2025 or beyond.

Platforms like upGrad offer customized programs that help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. upGrad offers Practical training coupled with internationally recognized certifications to make your dreams come true.

Along with the courses covered in the blog, here are some additional courses that can complement your portfolio:

If you're unsure where to begin or which area to focus on, upGrad’s expert career counselors can guide you based on your goals. You can also visit a nearby upGrad offline center to explore course options, get hands-on experience, and speak directly with mentors! 

Boost your career with our popular Software Engineering courses, offering hands-on training and expert guidance to turn you into a skilled software developer.

Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.

Stay informed with our widely-read Software Development articles, covering everything from coding techniques to the latest advancements in software engineering.

References:
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/network-security-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/information-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/security-operations-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/ethical-hackers-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/penetration-tester-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/penetration-tester-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/cloud-security-specialist-salary 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/compliance-manager-salary?experience=8 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/chief-information-security-officer-salary 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/cyber-threat-intelligence-analyst-salary
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/security-architect-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/cyber-security-salary 
https://pg-p.ctme.caltech.edu/blog/cloud-computing/cloud-computing-salary-guide-trends-and-predictions 
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/india-to-have-over-15-m-unfulfilled-job-vacancies-in-cybersecurity-by-2025-report/article34332585.ece 
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/cyber-security-salary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do cyber security salaries differ between product and service-based companies in India?

2. Which Indian cities offer the highest-paying cyber security jobs in 2025?

3. How does having a CEH or CISSP certification impact salary in India?

4. What’s the salary difference between cyber security and data science in India?

5. Can freelancers in cyber security earn as much as full-time professionals?

6. What salary can I expect in government cyber security jobs in India?

7. Are cyber security salaries in startups competitive in India?

8. Is there a gender pay gap in cyber security jobs in India?

9. How fast can cyber security professionals double their salary in India?

10. What’s the ROI of a cyber security course in terms of salary boost?

Pavan Vadapalli

900 articles published

Director of Engineering @ upGrad. Motivated to leverage technology to solve problems. Seasoned leader for startups and fast moving orgs. Working on solving problems of scale and long term technology s...

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