How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist

how to become a security specialist

Security specialists implement cybersecurity measures that protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Security specialists also secure data networks, intercept security breaches, and make changes to improve security. Read this guide to learn about the professional certifications that can help security specialists secure higher paying jobs and promotions.

how to become a security specialist

Salary and Career Outlook for Security Specialists

Controlling all aspects of cybersecurity for an organization involves the expertise of many trained professionals. Top positions in cybersecurity include security auditor, security software developer, security manager, and security architect. This spans the ability to handle the basics of automated attacks using machine learning, as well as malware analysis and brute-force password attacks. It is the task of the computer security specialist to quantify the difficulty between all these threats at a technical level and calculate what it would take to close down any exposure. Overall, the certification you pursue should be chosen based on your personal career goals and your learning capacity. It’s also important to note that these certifications come at a (sometimes hefty) price, which could also affect which certification you choose.

  1. In a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll learn about secure systems analysis and design, digital forensics and incident response, risk management, technical writing, and web development.
  2. Security specialists use the skills developed in their degree programs when they implement and modify software, and conduct deep computer system analysis.
  3. As the number of threats and attacks increases, it becomes really the topmost priority for companies to ensure that the network, systems and data are indeed secure.
  4. The field of cyber security is constantly evolving, with new threats and technologies emerging all the time.

While many IT jobs are specific to departments within a company, a security consultant’s work typically spans multiple departments because of the enormous amount of data they are responsible for protecting. Security specialists, also known as cybersecurity specialists, develop and implement security measures that protect computer networks and systems. Companies often hire security specialists to secure data networks, prevent security breaches, and make changes to improve security. Due to the industry’s evolving nature, security specialists’ responsibilities are complex and ever-changing.

CAREER PATH AS A CYBER SECURITY SPECIALIST

  1. Cybersecurity analysts are primarily responsible for monitoring and responding to security incidents.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be more than 47,000 new positions in this area over that span.
  3. Advanced degrees are typically not required, but according to Cyberseek, 22% of online job listings for a cybersecurity consultant position request a graduate degree.
  4. NICCS offers comprehensive information on cybersecurity education and careers.
  5. Once you secure a position, you can move up the ladder based on your skills and experience.
  6. Becoming a cyber security specialist requires a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience.
  7. Engaging, state-of-the-art learning modules from various platforms make a career in cybersecurity achievable.

In the early 2000’s the continued growth of internet usage led to a rise in internet crime and a call for further internet security. Now, major breaches, like LinkedIn’s data leak in June 2021, threaten to affect a shocking amount of users. Threats to online security closely shadow the history and development of the internet itself.

Cybersecurity professionals hold one of tech’s most thrilling and rapidly expanding roles. With global career prospects, the demand for these experts surpasses supply, resulting in a lucrative and sought-after role. Specialists tackle tasks such as threat assessment, risk analysis, security architecture, and design. They respond to breaches, manage incidents, and coordinate with legal entities.

As an entry-level cybersecurity professional, certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or Cisco Certified can set you apart. These certifications demonstrate your knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and show employers that you’re prepared for real-world challenges. At Centriq, we help our students prepare for and pass key industry certifications. For example, you may be able to build relevant skills in a cybersecurity boot camp.

To be a leader, innovator, or one who decides the fate of artificial intelligence, take our course for AI Governance Manager. For more information about which certifications we train our students for give us a call. Our Career Services three-phase process is renowned for its high success rate, so you can feel confident that we’ll help you secure your dream role. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.

You protect your home with locks or alarm systems; you protect your car with insurance, and you protect your health by going to the doctor. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Explore Cyber Security Careers

They offer industry resources, analyses, and tools to help build cyber communications. Security analysts, in particular, spend their days studying the devices in use, analyzing network structure, and testing security measures like firewalls and software permissions. On the other hand, cybersecurity is a very vital component that cannot be ignored in this whole era of digital transformation.

These can provide valuable hands-on experience and demonstrate your passion for the field. These include a strong understanding of computer networks, knowledge of encryption and decryption methods, and the ability to identify and mitigate threats. Some of the abilities that are important include effective data analysis to identify vulnerabilities and develop fixes that will safeguard the artificial intelligence systems in the execution of the tasks. These certifications prove that you hold the best knowledge of principles and techniques of cyber vigilance, more so when you deal with devices that are based on artificial intelligence.

how to become a security specialist

This is much faster how to become a security specialist than the average for other occupations, which is about 5% among all jobs and 15% for computer occupations. It can be common for those with IT experience to eventually make the transition into cybersecurity. If you do not immediately begin with an entry-level cybersecurity job, consider applying for an internship or a part-time job in desktop support.

Innovative solutions and capable analysts are needed to help slow and prevent attacks. The same BLS data shows that among the most popular industries for information security analysts, the highest median annual wage is in the information industry ($128,970). The lowest paying industry is administrative and support services ($95,270).

Networking can be a great way to learn about job opportunities and gain insights into the industry. Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. Additionally, consider working on personal projects or participating in cyber security competitions.

These “cyberenabled” positions focus on technical support, network engineering, or project management, but still require workers to handle minor security issues. Gaining industry experience in such roles can prepare candidates for core security positions. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for cybersecurity specialists is $132,962. While most make between $111,000 and $150,000, some make as much as $186,000 a year. A cybersecurity specialist works on the front lines and behind the scenes to protect digital systems and assets from hackers, threats and vulnerabilities. Other job titles that you might see in your search include IT Security Specialist, Network Security Specialist and Internet Security Analyst.

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How to Become a Cyber Security Specialist?

how to become a security specialist

On its Career Pathways page, CyberSeek lists Cybersecurity Specialist as an entry-level position (one that pays an average annual salary of $99,652). With the right education, experience, and skills, the role of security consultant can be yours. And full disclosure—the responsibilities of this job can be high pressure, so it’s not for every employee. But because consulting involves protecting everyone and everything, from client to consumer, the rewards are far more likely to outweigh the rigors. While it’s possible to become a cyber security specialist without a degree, having one can certainly give you an edge. Degrees in computer science, information technology, or cyber how to become a security specialist security are all relevant choices.

Job Role and Responsibilities

Specific educational requirements for cybersecurity specialist jobs will vary according to the position and employer. Job opportunities for cybersecurity specialists can be found in both the public and private sectors. Potential employers include government agencies, military contractors, IT services companies, the armed forces, professional services firms, financial institutions and cybersecurity consulting firms. The growing demand for cybersecurity specialists can be seen in national employment projections. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in this category will increase by 28% from 2016 to 2026. That’s much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations in the United States.

how to become a security specialist

Cybersecurity specialists are problem-solvers, analytical thinkers, leaders and cybersecurity experts. Those who don’t have a degree, experience or certifications may need to put several years into becoming a cybersecurity specialist. This includes the time it takes to get a degree, earn certifications and get work experience. Getting their start in cybersecurity may seem overwhelming to a career changer but it is achievable. Becoming a cybersecurity specialist could be a short, long or somewhere-in-the-middle journey. It all depends on what you currently bring to the table in terms of cybersecurity education, skills, work experience and certifications.

  1. You might want to choose a specialization that suits your interests, goals, and strengths.
  2. The cyber security expert also works closely with other IT team members to ensure that all systems are correctly configured and secured.
  3. Candidates for the IT Security Specialist position are expected to have some IT job experience.
  4. You should also familiarize yourself with common security concepts, such as encryption, authentication, firewalls, malware, and vulnerabilities.

A cybersecurity analyst plays a crucial role in safeguarding an organization’s digital assets and maintaining a strong security posture in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Bootcamps, official training materials, cybersecurity degrees, internships and related work experience can help candidates learn the topics covered by their certification exams. Students can attend university job fairs, ask professors about internship opportunities, and join IT security organizations. Groups like the Information Systems Security Association International host conferences and seminars that provide ample networking opportunities. The security specialist role best suits people who enjoy new challenges and want to protect data. It is a set of practices and processes aiming to protect any organization’s critical data.

What Job Titles Would an IT Security Specialist Hold?

As per ISC2, CISSP® certification is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual’s knowledge in the field of information security. It was the first certification in the field of information security to meet the stringent requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17024. Traditionally, network operations and IT professionals and teams handled core technology functions. But now that our world has become so heavily dependent on using advanced technology for practically everything, the stakes are higher than ever. Let me take you through the step-by-step breakdown of how to become a cybersecurity expert in 2024 through this article. CompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications.

The terms “information security analyst” and “cybersecurity analyst” are often used interchangeably. However, there can be some subtle differences in their focuses depending on the job posting and organization. That often means that continuing education is required — both in the form of formal, industry-recognized certifications —  and in the form of informal learning and tracking industry developments. Finally, holding the position of security specialist might require helping co-workers adopt new technologies and security software as it develops. However, most people are reluctant to change, especially if it requires learning a new operating procedure or workflow. So the ability to articulate the reason for the change and the ability to relate to co-workers’ needs and objections is also important.

When you have the opportunity to build hands-on experience, this helps you carve out a competitive advantage. Internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level IT jobs provide exposure to the industry, allowing you to develop real-life skills. These hands-on experiences are critical in learning how to respond to real-time threats. For example, when you complete cybersecurity courses at Per Scholas, you kickstart one of the hottest careers without needing formal degrees. Many employers are looking for qualifications outside of these traditional degrees, so seeking specialized certifications like those offered at Per Scholas is critical. If you are wondering how to become an IT cybersecurity specialist, it’s important to understand your role.

Educational background in computer science, cybersecurity, or related field

The demand for security specialists who can develop effective cybersecurity solutions continues to grow. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ransomware attacks occur about every 11 seconds in 2021, up from every 39 seconds in 2019. AI Security professionals must either be network security experts or CAISP, with the required skills to enable them to use their troubleshooting skills whenever a threat to the data security of AI occurs. A good resume should highlight a strong technical background as well as experience with managing security systems.

Because technology is always changing, continuing education can play an important role in giving your resume a boost. Being a security support specialist requires understanding new advancements in security which means there are always more experiences you can gain. The average salary for a security support specialist is around $53,000 annually with the potential for growth depending on the location, the company, and the scope of the actual role. Security support specialists have several requirements to meet before they are hired in their roles.

Cybersecurity specialists work in conjunction with the IT teams of the organization to protect the firm from threats and vulnerabilities. Data monitoring and threat assessment a regular intervals are one of their duties. They design network and data pathways using the latest security techniques and available tools. Staying up-to-date on current virus reports and protecting networks from these viruses is a major aspect of a cybersecurity specialist’s job duties. They often train users, promote security awareness, develop policies and procedures, and provide updates and reports to management and executive staff.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the security workforce, keep reading to learn more. In general, the demand for security and cybersecurity jobs remains high, with experts projecting 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021. A security or cybersecurity consultant could work directly for an organization, or, as the name suggests, work for client organizations that provide consulting services.

  1. Security specialists implement cybersecurity measures that protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
  2. IT Security Specialists will interact with both non-technical and technical staff and should be good communicators.
  3. Now is the time to join cybersecurity professional organizations for networking and career advancement opportunities.
  4. Joining professional organizations, college groups, and online communities can help jumpstart a security specialist career.
  5. An advanced degree can help you stand out against the competition, and in some cases, they may be preferred or required by certain employers.
  6. The 10-year projected growth for cybersecurity specialists is 242% above the national rate per the U.S.

This person is typically someone who assesses the security and risk of a business or organization and ultimately provides solutions and recommendations on security measures and protection. While exact salaries could depend on each individual’s experience, location, and specific company, the average salary outcomes for information security analysts are higher than other occupations. There are many free resources designed to help you acquire whichever cybersecurity certification you choose. Ultimately you need a very strong foundation in computer science basics such as programming languages, familiarity with operating systems such as Linux, and network security.

Before pursuing CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), IT professionals should have CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+, plus at least 4 years of hands-on experience working in an information security role. Examples include incident response analyst or security operations center (SOC) analyst. These days, employers are increasingly seeing the benefits of a larger and more inclusive talent pipeline that include alternative pathways into technology jobs. Before investing in higher education or certifications, explore salaries in cybersecurity and learn about the projected career outlook for the coming decade. Users can search for cybersecurity positions and browse listings from high-profile companies.

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