These professionals also educate co-workers on best practices, as breaches may occur accidentally or deliberately by bad actors within their companies. Cybersecurity specialists must remain up to date with changes in the field by researching emerging threats and fixes. Cybersecurity specialists play an interesting role in the companies and organizations where they are employed. People in this role are often hired as much for their soft skills as their technical ability. They are responsible for making sure that networks and computer systems are up-to-date and not vulnerable to software bugs. These are just a few examples of the dozens of cybersecurity certifications available.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT security specialist job market will grow by 32% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations, placing it among the nation’s fastest-growing career paths. If the above description of a security specialist’s role and skill set appeals to you, what steps should you take to get started on this career path? Below is a five-stage process that will take you from a point of being inexperienced in cyber security to getting hired as a security specialist.
IT Security Specialist Career
This can take the form of other, related work experience, or it can take the form of a structured internship or other formal hands-on learning. CASP+ is an advanced certification that validates critical thinking and judgment across a spectrum of security disciplines in complex environments. Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) applies behavioral analytics to the IT security field to improve the overall state of IT security.
- Plus, demand for this role continues to be exceptionally high with no signs of slowing.
- To qualify for this position, you tend to need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related subject.
- Without them, there would be an increased risk of cyberattacks, which can lead to the loss of consumer confidence, leaks of private information, network failures, stalled production, and compliance violations.
They will be able to clarify which items a company deems necessary, preferred, or desirable. As a security specialist, you will spend your days studying the devices in use and testing security measures like firewalls and other software. This role also involves reporting to more senior members of the IT team and presenting any findings and recommendations. Security specialists also collaborate with other departments to ensure that colleagues are aware of how to practice good IT security. A security specialist, also known as an IT security specialist or a cyber security specialist, is responsible for developing and implementing security measures for an organization.
IT Security Specialist Education Requirements
Over the next few years, you can continue your education, such as by studying for an online Master’s degree in cyber security or one or more of the above certificates. Cybersecurity specialists handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data. Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks. They provide ongoing oversight for organizations’ cybersecurity efforts through several methods. A cybersecurity specialist is a professional who is responsible for protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage. They work to prevent cyber attacks, detect security breaches, and respond to security incidents.
Infrastructure security covers the protection of physical and digital assets through the architecture itself. This specialty may focus on safeguarding sensitive items using structures like generators, security systems and locks. Digitally, infrastructure security refers to creating and maintaining protected systems from breaches.
IT Security Specialist Salaries
When looking at job opportunities in the cybersecurity industry, it’s a good idea to keep notes about what kinds of certifications employers are looking for. According to Glassdoor.com, the national average salary for an IT security specialist is $95,689 based on a scale that checks in at $45,000 per year on the low end and up to $102,000 per year at the high end. The pay rate can depend on the industry—for example, companies such as Target pay as much as $155,892 per year for an IT security specialist, while Boeing offers an annual salary of $119,450. Fortunately, being an adept security specialist makes you a prime candidate for roles in computer forensics, penetration testing, security consulting, security management, and security architecture. Security specialists will also use a range of tools to assess the level of security in an organization’s computer and network systems. As mentioned in the list of daily responsibilities, you might be expected to carry out penetration testing.
They make sure that the systems perform the way they are supposed to, and that they are safe from attack. This list of the top 50 cybersecurity networking groups and professional organizations from Digital Guardian is a good place to start. It makes sense to start thinking about what kinds of certifications are required by an employer, or what kinds of certifications make job applicants competitive within the field. “Security is the only area of certified IT skills that has never had a negative quarter throughout this recession,” says David Foote, CEO and Chief Research Officer of leading research firm Foote Partners. “We’ve never had three months with a loss or decline in premiums for IT security specialists.” Adding certifications like CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) can validate your skills in the cybersecurity field and prepare you for a more advanced role within your organization.
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
We are looking for a Cyber Security Specialist to join our team to work closely with the stakeholders to ensure that cyber security projects meet objectives across our organization. They are responsible for various tasks, including process re-engineering and documentation of activities related to this area. The median annual wage for IT security specialists is $112,000, according to the latest data from the U.S. Both Master’s degrees and certificates can often be completed fully online, in the evenings, on the weekends, or on a part-time basis. This level of convenience and flexibility means many students manage to complete their studies while holding down a full-time job.
In all professions, networking offers a reliable pathway to finding job opportunities. In addition to connecting with your co-workers, consider joining a professional organization. Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security. However, cybersecurity focuses exclusively on protecting digital assets, while information security covers digital and physical information across all mediums. That often means that continuing education is required — both in the form of formal, industry-recognized certifications — and the form of informal learning and tracking industry developments.
Explore Technology Topics
Most IT security jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a related field; these programs typically take four years to complete as a full-time student. Employment of IT security specialists will increase by 32% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the 3% average for all U.S. occupations. Security remains a top concern for IT hiring managers as the frequency and devastation of cyber attacks rise. The good news is, the job outlook for IT security specialists is exceptionally strong—and only getting better. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in this sector is projected to grow 31% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
First, the increasing reliance on technology in all aspects of our lives has created more opportunities for cybercriminals to attack. Research and compare top-rated information security degree programs online and in your area. Security+ provides a global benchmark for best practices in IT network and operational security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. Network+ certifies the essential skills needed to confidently design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. Workers in this specialty area may spearhead organizational efforts to create stronger passwords or limit web browsing to trusted sites.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a more advanced certification designed for cybersecurity professionals with at least five years of work experience. A simple way of thinking about a cybersecurity specialist is someone who keeps tabs on a company’s or organization’s security while also helping other employees and teammates stay current on best practices. Refer to the salary section cybersecurity specialist program below to find out which companies pay particularly well for security specialist roles. Organizations hire security specialists to prevent security breaches, which involves identifying any system weaknesses that a cyber criminal might exploit. A security specialist should also research evolving risks (new methods that cyber criminals employ) and implement changes that take all known risks into account.
