Learn How to Become a Security Specialist Education & Duties

Validate skills in various cybersecurity areas, including offensive operations, cyber defense, cloud security, industrial control systems and more. CompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications. Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level. WGU is an accredited online university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Bridge to Calculus program at Northeastern, where Kevin Tran spent his summer, is one response to that.

The following section explores differences among various subsets of cybersecurity. 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. Cybersecurity bootcamps have focused curriculums on the skills, strategies, and tools that IT Security Specialists will need to protect networks and systems. Many also offer preparation for a variety of certifications that are highly-regarded in this field. Users can search for cybersecurity positions and browse listings from high-profile companies.

Soft Skills for Information Security Professionals

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. Hands-on experience is often the most effective way to prepare for certification exams. Start accumulating work experience with an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst. While you don’t need a degree to enjoy a successful career in cybersecurity—eight percent of surveyed professionals only reported a high school diploma—it can help you build a strong foundation [2]. Many of the most prestigious certifications will waive some of the work experience requirements if you’ve earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field.

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. 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. Always inquire with a potential employer for their specific job requirements. Some companies may accept as little as 1-to-2 years of experience while some may require over five years of IT security experience. If you’re just starting out in the world of cybersecurity, consider an entry-level credential, like the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate.

Start with an entry-level job in IT.

In the most recent Program for International Student Assessment tests in math, or PISA, U.S. students scored lower than their counterparts in 36 other education systems worldwide. Only one in five college-bound American high school students is prepared for college-level courses in STEM, according to the National Science and Technology Council. GIAC also offers the Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) as its entry-level certification for those new to IT. If you’re still gaining experience with networking and information systems, this could be a good place to start. Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, penetration testing, or red team, involves lawfully hacking organizations to try and uncover vulnerabilities before malicious players do.

Payscale reports an average annual cybersecurity salary of around $92,000, and these wages typically increase with experience. Cybersecurity specialists perform crucial work in protecting sensitive digital information and communications. These professionals work with public and private employers of all sizes to ensure the safety of data for customers, government entities and healthcare organizations. IT security specialists defend an organization’s data and information systems.

CYBER SECURITY SPECIALIST JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The 113 participating students were paid $15 an hour, most of it from Boston and its public schools, said the program’s coordinator, Bindu Veetel. The interception is an example of the diligent work CBP agriculture specialists do on a daily basis and which is crucial in preventing foreign pests from becoming established in the U.S. Pests that are not known to occur in the U.S. may be detrimental to the Nation’s agriculture industry. CBP agriculture specialists continue to fulfill CBP’s agriculture mission by excluding harmful pests and diseases from becoming established in the U.S. The University of Pennsylvania offers an Ivy League Master of Computer and Information Technology degree designed especially for students without a computer science background.

• The U.S. Army also offers $4,244 per month for their IT security specialist roles.
• Internships can help security specialist hopefuls gain the experience needed for certification and high-level positions.
• The security specialist role best suits people who enjoy new challenges and want to protect data.
• Some experts say the fields of cybersecurity, network security, information security and infrastructure security are all different.
• However, internships and IT work experience can help recent graduates stand out in the job market.

There’s also the option to go the extra mile and attain a master’s degree in categories such as information technology management. Choosing a reputable online degree program can make earning your bachelor’s or master’s more accessible by granting you freedom and flexibility in managing your course how to become a security specialist load. A security specialist is an excellent way to jump-start your career in cyber security. Whether it is something you are striving for before college, or making a job transition, be prepared by garnering as much knowledge as possible about what companies are looking for in potential employees.

Salary Expectations for an IT Security Specialist

At the app level, infrastructure security professionals develop and deploy effective databases to prevent access by bad actors. For data, this field protects information by building structures for backups and encryption. Regardless of your degree, it is important to constantly educate yourself on new technologies and threats. Sometimes, this may mean taking additional cyber certifications or classes after you are hired.

• Cybersecurity specialists perform similar work to information security specialists but may focus more on hardware.
• Students learned to apply that knowledge in coding, data analysis, robotics and elementary electrical engineering classes.
• Job titles include network defender, incident responder, and security administrator.
• Department of the Navy are also looking to recruit in this sought-after field.