An incident responder is a cybersecurity professional responsible for detecting, investigating, and mitigating cyberattacks. Acting as the "firefighter" of the IT world, they leap into action when security breaches, malware, or data leaks occur to contain the threat, minimize downtime, and restore compromised systems.
In the UK, the median salary for incident responders sits around £60,000. The work can be high-pressure and requires unpredictable hours due to the nature of cyber emergencies, but it remains a highly lucrative and impactful field.
To build a career in incident response, many professionals start by building foundational IT and networking skills, followed by hands-on labs and certifications. Popular entry points and training platforms include