Security Researcher – the people holding all of our data in their hands
The critical role in the war for information security
A Security Researcher is a critical role in today’s dynamic technological world, where cyber threats are constantly intensifying. The job of a cyber researcher (Security Researcher) is one of the most important and complex positions in the field of information security.
This role includes research, identification, and prevention of security vulnerabilities in a wide range of technological systems – from websites and applications to advanced hardware.
Cyber researchers, often considered the “war brains” of the cyber world, don’t just react to existing threats. They take proactive actions to discover weaknesses and fix them before they are exploited.
Explanation of the graph
The graph shows the increase in the percentage of cyber breaches over the years alongside technological advancement. As technology develops and becomes more sophisticated, cyber threats and security vulnerabilities also evolve, leading to a much faster rise in the number of attacks.
These data highlight the growing importance of investing in information security and advanced methods for discovering vulnerabilities in various systems, especially in light of the significant increase in cyber incidents. The graph emphasizes the central role of security researchers, who focus on identifying and detecting such vulnerabilities and responding to the sophisticated threats of the modern era.
What is a Security Researcher and what does the job include?
A Security Researcher is an expert who performs in-depth analysis of technological systems to identify vulnerabilities. They operate in the “grey zone” between well-intentioned hackers (ethical hackers) and malicious attackers.
Security researchers examine software, hardware components, operating systems, applications, and networking equipment to discover weaknesses – whether in low-level OS internals or in the security of complex applications.
Their role is to deeply understand the weak spots and then design and define effective defenses accordingly.
Why is Security Researcher such a high-demand role?
As technology advances and systems become more complex, attack techniques become more sophisticated as well.
The business sector, government institutions, and private companies now fully understand that information security is critical to their survival. Security breaches can lead to:
- Massive financial losses
- Severe damage to brand and reputation
- Even risks to public safety
Because of this, Security Researchers are in high demand not only in tech companies (apps, operating systems, cloud, SaaS), but also in:
- Banking and fintech
- Healthcare
- Defense industries
- Critical infrastructure
and more.
Main specializations of Security Researchers (Vulnerability Researchers)
1. Web Security
Focus: discovering security vulnerabilities in websites and web applications.
Web security researchers analyze sites and apps to identify and prevent common attacks such as:
- SQL Injection
- XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
- CSRF
Learning platforms like Udemy offer professional courses in web security that provide practical tools for identifying and analyzing such vulnerabilities.
2. Application Security
Here, researchers focus on preventing vulnerabilities in applications – mobile, desktop, and cloud-based.
Application-level attacks are a major challenge due to the complexity and sensitivity of these systems.
Platforms like Offensive Security (OffSec) offer in-depth courses such as OSCP, which focus on advanced exploitation techniques and hands-on practice.
3. Hardware Security
In the era of IoT (Internet of Things) and connected devices, hardware security researchers play a key role in identifying vulnerabilities in:
- Chips
- Sensors
- Electronic components
This field requires a deep understanding of the interactions between hardware and software, and often includes:
- Analyzing microcode
- Identifying hardware-level vulnerabilities
- Testing IoT devices and embedded systems
4. Operating System Security
Operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS are prime targets for attackers and require ongoing, deep research of their internal security mechanisms.
OS security researchers:
- Investigate kernel-level exploits
- Protect sensitive data stores
- Strengthen built-in security features and mitigations
5. Network Security
Researchers in this domain focus on vulnerabilities in communication systems and internal networks.
They:
- Analyze communication protocols such as TCP/IP
- Identify weaknesses in security protocols like WPA2
- Design and improve defense mechanisms for internal and external networks
6. Cloud Security
As more organizations move to the cloud, cloud security has become a core discipline.
Cloud security researchers protect platforms like:
- AWS
- Azure
- Google Cloud
They need strong knowledge in:
- Cloud IAM (Identity and Access Management)
- Data protection and encryption
- Network segmentation and security groups
- Cloud-native security tools and monitoring
The different teams in the cyber world
Red Team
Simulates the activity of external attackers and challenges the organization’s systems to uncover real-world weaknesses. Their goal:
- Find ways to bypass defenses
- Demonstrate realistic attack paths
Blue Team
Responsible for defending the systems.
They:
- Monitor and analyze network activity in real-time
- Detect suspicious behavior and attacks
- Respond and contain incidents
Purple Team
Combines Red and Blue.
They work together to:
- Share knowledge
- Improve detection
- Strengthen defenses faster and more effectively
Recommended courses and certifications for Security Researchers
To become a skilled and credible Security Researcher, the following are considered highly valuable:
- CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
- OSCP – Offensive Security Certified Professional
Plus, dedicated courses via platforms like:
- Udemy
- Offensive Security (OffSec)
- Cybrary
Salary ranges for Security Researchers (Israel, gross per month)
- Entry level: 20,000–25,000 ₪
- 3–5 years’ experience: 30,000–55,000 ₪
- Senior/Lead/Management: 55,000 ₪ and up
Looking for your next Security Researcher role – or need one in your organization?
- If you are an experienced Security Researcher looking for your next challenge – we’d be happy to receive your CV and help you find a role that truly matches your skill set.
- Employers: if you’re looking for an expert vulnerability researcher to join your team and protect your critical systems – get in touch with us, and we’ll help you find the exact expert you need.