5 Cybersecurity Career Paths and How to Get Started

Cybersecurity specialist is a fascinating and multi-faceted position in a dynamic, fast-growing field. In addition to certifications and advanced education, cybersecurity job seekers are well-advised to connect with internship opportunities and do plenty of reading, self-learning and networking. A cybersecurity specialist works on the front lines and behind the scenes to protect digital systems and assets from hackers, threats and vulnerabilities. Career opportunities for current and aspiring cybersecurity specialists have never been more plentiful or lucrative. You are probably already well aware that cybercrime is continually on the rise. In fact, cybercrime is forecasted to amount to $10.5 trillion by 2025 — which is just a few short years away.

  • Cybersecurity specialists can anticipate strong employment growth over the coming decade.
  • Though certification is not required to work in this role, formal credentials can boost your job opportunities and cybersecurity specialist salary.
  • While you don’t necessarily need a degree to get a job in cybersecurity, having some form of structured training might accelerate your path toward a job.
  • A security architect is a vulnerability assessor – the security engineers develop the necessary software structures based on their recommendation.
  • Other major employers include insurance, data processing, telecommunications, and online retail.

To detect and stop any cloud breaches, businesses need people who can handle the security technologies in the cloud. Network security control refers to the various methods used to improve, identify, and confidentiality of network security and is another fundamental how to become a security specialist skill that every cyber security expert should possess. You cannot protect your network unless you know how routers, firewalls, and other devices operate. This guide details the profession’s daily responsibilities, necessary skills, and potential career paths.

How to become a security specialist in 6 steps:

Sometimes, cybersecurity specialists must work overtime to react to security threats or track vulnerabilities found through testing or analytics. Cybersecurity professionals with bachelor’s degrees earn more than those without. It generally doesn’t matter if this is a cyber security degree or one from a related field, such as a degree in computer science. Statistics say that only 23% of IT professionals with a master’s degree or higher feel like their degree helped them obtain a higher salary, so anything above a bachelor’s degree is not a must. Cybersecurity professionals tend to get paid well for their skills, even at the entry level.

  • To become an information security specialist, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer technology, information systems, or a related field.
  • Matt lives in Warrington, Pennsylvania, where he spends his free time watching movies with his family and recording music.
  • Aspiring cybersecurity specialists may also find ample opportunities in companies like CACI International Inc, American Electric Power, and IBM.
  • Threats to online security closely shadow the history and development of the internet itself.
  • An information security specialist has responsibilities that are essential to the security of an organization’s computer system and network.
  • Cybersecurity and data security engineers earn between $91,598 and $99,834.

The average yearly salary for a security engineer depends on what type of engineer they are. Cybersecurity and data security engineers earn between $91,598 and $99,834. Network security engineers generally earn less, at around $79,686 per year. 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. Security analysts, in particular, spend their days studying the devices in use, analyzing network structure, and testing security measures like firewalls and software permissions.

Small & Medium Businesses

The US News report states that an information security analyst’s title is number five on the best technology jobs list. Analysts of this type develop and implement security policies and strategies, ensure they are regularly updated, monitor these policies’ results, and adjust them if necessary. A security analyst might also be tasked with organizing security training for other employees. https://remotemode.net/ The average salary of a cybersecurity specialist is $99,652, according to Cyberseek.org. Learn more about the responsibilities, duties, and daily tasks of security specialists and how they make a difference in their companies. As a security engineer, you’ll use your knowledge of threats and vulnerabilities to build and implement defense systems against a range of security concerns.

how to become it security specialist

The field of incident response involves the next steps after a security incident. As an incident responder, you’ll monitor your company’s network and work to fix vulnerabilities and minimize loss when breaches occur. As a cybersecurity analyst, you can decide to take your career in a few different directions, depending on your interests and goals. Always inquire with a potential employer for their specific job requirements.

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