Security Specialist Career Overview I Cyberdegrees org

As an security specialist you will work to identify and mitigate against any security threats, weaknesses, bugs or exploits impacting on your organisations cyber security. This work could include software and hardware modifications and other changes such at educating your systems users in best practice methodologies with regard to data and IT Security. They manage any potential attacks or intrusions that may occur during this time period to make sure the client’s information isn’t compromised. Cyber Security Specialists ensure that a company’s systems are safe from attack.

  • Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or math.
  • Penetration testing also allows IT personnel to experience the effects of a real cyber attack, and like a fire drill can give themthe real-life experience they need to deal with the stress from similar threats.
  • Facilitate external third party assurance reviews to assess networks (internal, external, wireless, etc.).
  • The Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for supporting, creating, and implementing of security architectures and secure application designs for information systems.

A Security Specialist could be responsible for all aspects of IT Security at an organisation. It is really a job description covering many of the tasks within many and varied entry to intermediate level IT Security job roles. Unique to WGU’s program is the incorporation of a Udacity Nanodegree—a highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science. But being a key component of a company’s information technology needs can be a rewarding responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Specialists

You’ll familiarize yourself with viruses and other forms of cyber attacks to learn how to counter, prevent, and fix common damages. The Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for information cyber security analysis & response with the mission of protecting Company from data loss risks and common threat actors. The bad news (at least from a business owner’s perspective) is that there will be a corresponding widening skill gap regarding cyber security professionals. Of course, the above numbers can fluctuate depending on the demand in your part of the world. But regardless of the range, a cyber security engineer can earn some serious pay.

And while it’s important to have fluency in programming languages and experience with UNIX-, Linux-, and Windows-based systems, it’s even more important to have a bachelor’s degree to be qualified for this job. The infrastructure of a network is complex and requires a lot of focus and maintenance. Having an understanding of routing and switching as well as network security protocols is very helpful for IT security specialists, as it will let them see the footprint a hacker makes when accessing resources. MyComputerCareer is an accredited IT career college that provides degree program training, certification preparation, and job placement services for anyone who is looking to enter the IT industry. Also, we are there to help security professionals seeking additional knowledge and skill sets to help them advance in the field. If you are interested in enrolling in our CSS program (either online or on-campus), feel free to reach out to us for more information. Becoming a cybersecurity specialist is a great way to jumpstart your career in the IT domain.

What Do Information Security Specialists Do?

Top 5 computer security specialist interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates. https://remotemode.net/ Traditionally, network operations and IT professionals and teams handled core technology functions.

There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. Most information security analysts work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

What is the Pay by Experience Level for Information Security Specialists?

Top 5 security administrator interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates. CSIA offers an environment for an exchange of ideas between national security thought leaders. CSIA focuses on intelligence issues related to cybersecurity, military, and space.

  • Often, a cybersecurity engineer’s position is called something else, like data security engineer, IT security engineer, or Web security engineer.
  • IT security specialists can opt for a degree in computer science, cyber security and information assurance, or network operations and security.
  • Many large corporations are also setting up their own cybersecurity taskforces and are increasingly hiring cybersecurity specialists.
  • In the role you will operate independently and as part of a team to ensure our client’s software, hardware, and related components are protected from cyber-attacks.
  • Candidates should have strong IT skills and a deep understanding of cyber hacker methodology.
  • WGU is an accredited online university offering onlinebachelor’sandmaster’sdegree programs.

This program prepares graduates to become employed as IT security specialists, firewall and VPN specialists, and data assurance specialists. Additionally, the program concentrates on industry-specific requirements in the health care and financial areas, as well as other institutions that currently use electronic commerce.

Start Your Career Journey Now!

Cybersecurity specialists generally must have these hard skills because they allow them to work with software to create better cyber security measures. Their average annual salary is similar to that of a cybersecurity specialist at $76,410. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an information security analyst’s salary as $99,730 per year or $47.95 per hour. In the computer security world, the exact position of a cybersecurity specialist is an entry-level job.

This skill set is similar to Ethical Hacking, but the core focus is finding and exploiting weaknesses in applications. All applications, whether it’s the operating system of a network switch or a productivity software like Microsoft Office, can be compromised. Penetration testing uses hacker-designed tools to run every known exploit against a piece of software, and when it finds a weakness the IT security specialist can address it. Penetration testing also allows IT personnel to experience the effects of a real cyber attack, and like a fire drill can give themthe real-life experience they need to deal with the stress from similar threats. Ethical hacking trains security specialists to think like a hacker when it comes to their company network.

What Are Some Other Top Cybersecurity Careers?

Information security analysts may advance to become chief security officers or another type of computer and information systems manager. Information security analysts also may advance within the occupation as they gain experience. For example, they may lead a team of other information security analysts or become an expert in a particular area of information security. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have information security certification.

There are a number of network-oriented professional cybersecurity organizations and groups that are specifically designed to alert members about job openings and professional development opportunities. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional is a more advanced certification designed for cybersecurity professionals with at least five years of work experience. The certification covers topics such as architecture, engineering, and management. Employment of IT security specialists is expected to increase by thirty-three percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the 8% average for all U.S. occupations. Security will remain a top concern for IT hiring managers as the frequency and impact of cyber attacks continues to rise. The increasing adoption of cloud services by small and medium-sized businesses and a rise in cybersecurity threats will create demand for information security analysts throughout the decade. Information security analysts study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine improvements for security policies and protocols.

There are hundreds of free and paid course options online that might not lead to a desirable certification, but that will provide you with more theoretical and practical knowledge. In terms of experience, your salary’s size is also directly proportional to how much experience you have. Senior-level positions earn more than junior level ones, even if their job titles are the same on paper . While this type of job is engaging and unpredictable, it can also take up a lot of time. Security analysts work long hours and are often called in from their free time to take care of a security incident. There are cybercrimes units in law enforcement, but a computer forensics analyst doesn’t necessarily have to be employed there. They can be independent security consultants hired to determine an organization’s weaknesses to prevent future cyberattacks.

it security specialist

Malcolm Shore Cybersecurity Consultant Daniel Lachance Consultant, Trainer, Author, Editor at Lachance IT Consulting Inc. Jungwoo Ryoo Chancellor & CAO, Penn State DuBois | Making Connections and Bringing Clarity! Director of Security Operations at Fastly | Cyber Security Evangelist | Speaker Adam Shostack Leading expert in threat modeling/secure design.

Tell us about your thoughtsWrite message

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to Top
Close Zoom
Context Menu is disabled by theme settings.