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Unit Group (L4) • 2531

2531 — Database and Network Security Professionals

2 PROFESSIONALS› 25 Information and Communications Technology Professionals› 253 Information Communication Technology Security Professionals› 2531 Database and Network Security Professionals

Explore overview, tasks, skills, education, work context, earnings, and pathways for this Unit Group.

L4 CODE: 2531
Job summary
  • Database and Network Security Professionals (KeSCO 2531) supports outcomes in the Information & Communication Technology sector by applying job-specific knowledge
  • standards
  • and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer
  • work setting
  • and seniority level
  • but the occupation generally requires reliability
  • competence
  • and continuous learning.
Minimum entry requirement summary
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
  • Future trends such as digital transformation
  • automation
  • climate resilience
  • and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy
  • quality standards
  • safety
  • customer service
  • and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors and industries
Information & Communication TechnologyProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Employment prospects (narrative)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Key tasks (structured)
  • Gather and analyse user requirements and translate into specifications
  • Design system components, data flows, and integrations
  • Develop, test, and deploy software/features or configuration changes
  • Maintain systems, troubleshoot issues, and resolve incidents
  • Implement security controls and good practices (access, backups, patching)
  • Monitor performance, reliability, and availability; optimise where needed
  • Document technical work, user guides, and operational procedures
  • Support users through training, helpdesk, and troubleshooting
  • Collaborate using version control, code reviews, and agile workflows
  • Ensure data protection, privacy, and compliance requirements
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical / occupational skills
  • Computer applications and productivity tools
  • Systems analysis and design
  • Programming/software development fundamentals
  • Database concepts (SQL/NoSQL basics)
  • Networking fundamentals
  • Cybersecurity basics (access control, safe coding, patching)
  • Testing/QA and debugging
  • Version control and collaboration workflows
  • API/integration concepts
  • Cloud fundamentals and deployment basics
  • Data analysis fundamentals
  • Documentation and technical writing
Transferable / soft skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Skills & competencies (general description)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Certifications, licenses & registration
  • Vendor-neutral cybersecurity/networking certifications (role dependent)
  • Cloud platform fundamentals certifications (role dependent)
  • Database certifications (role dependent)
  • Software testing/QA certifications (optional)
  • Secure coding and application security training (optional)
Education & training pathways (narrative)
  • Diploma or Degree in ICT/Computer Science/Software Engineering
  • Portfolio projects + internships/junior roles
  • Role-aligned certifications (networking/cloud/security) to specialise
  • Progression: junior → mid → senior → lead/architect/manager
  • Continuous learning to keep up with technology changes
Education pathways (structured)
  • Diploma or Degree in ICT/Computer Science/Software Engineering
  • Portfolio projects + internships/junior roles
  • Role-aligned certifications (networking/cloud/security) to specialise
  • Progression: junior → mid → senior → lead/architect/manager
  • Continuous learning to keep up with technology changes
Minimum entry requirements
  • Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Relevant courses to consider
  • Certificate/Diploma/Degree in Information Technology
  • Computer Science / Software Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Data Science / Statistics fundamentals
  • Networking (CCNA-aligned content)
  • Cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Database Administration
  • Cloud Computing fundamentals
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Web and Mobile Development
  • DevOps fundamentals
  • AI/ML fundamentals
  • UI/UX Design fundamentals
Institutions where to learn
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Work environment & conditions (narrative)
  • Workplace policies
  • Team collaboration
  • Quality standards
  • Office/remote
  • Computer-based
  • Project delivery
  • Incident response
  • Documentation
Typical employers / places of work
  • ICT companies
  • public and private organisations
  • start-ups
  • innovation hubs and outsourcing firms.
Work setting
Not specified.
Work schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Salary ranges
Entry
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Senior
KES 250,000+
Earnings, wages & prospects (narrative)
  • Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000
  • Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000
  • Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+
  • Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
  • Complete a degree in the relevant discipline
  • undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
  • Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
  • Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
  • Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related & alternative occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2531-14 — Database Security Specialist/Analyst
2531-12 — Digital forensic specialist
2531-11 — Digital Miner
2531-16 — Network Security Specialist/Engineer
2531-15 — Public Key Infrastructure Specialist
2531-13 — Security specialist (ICT)