5 Cybersecurity Career Paths and How to Get Started

On the other hand, if you already have relevant experience working in a cyber security team, then you will stand a much better chance of getting hired as a security specialist. To be a successful cybersecurity specialist, one should have knowledge and skills in areas such as network security, cryptography, risk management, compliance, incident response, and threat analysis. They must stay up to date with the latest trends and threats in the cybersecurity industry and be able to adapt to evolving security risks.

As you gain experience and move into more advanced roles, salaries often go up as well. To give you an idea of what’s possible, here’s a look at the average total pay of several cybersecurity jobs in the US in October 2023, according to Glassdoor. There are also a few certifications that an IT security specialist could choose to obtain. Some employers prefer to hire those who are certified, as it proves they have the necessary knowledge and experience required. The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is particularly popular, as are those that focus on specific areas of work such as systems auditing or penetration testing.

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As more and more companies realize the risk their network systems are experience every day, they begin looking for people like you to help them tighten their defenses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth rate of 32% between 2018 and 2028. And, as you look for a position, keep studying and maintain your high grades—your future career relies heavily on this. You may start searching for certifications that apply to the field or fields you may be interested in at this point.

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How to Become a Security Specialist

Cybersecurity managers oversee an organization’s network and computer security systems. In this role, you might manage security teams, coordinate between how to become a security specialist teams, and ensure security compliance. Typically, the highest security role in an organization is that of chief information security officer (CISO).

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. For this reason, security specialists are necessary to maintain the overall operations and credibility of a company. In today’s era of ever-escalating cyber attacks, organizations need to have security measures in place that will protect their sensitive data and systems.

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Start your journey to becoming a security specialist by earning one of these certifications. A 2019 Burning Glass Technologies report notes that most cybersecurity jobs (65%) require a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate majors like cybersecurity, computer science, and computer forensics can provide candidates with the skills to pursue security specialist jobs.

• You’ll do this by playing the part of the intruder, trying to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.
• As an incident responder, you’ll monitor your company’s network and work to fix vulnerabilities and minimize loss when breaches occur.
• 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.
• The LPI Linux Essentials and ITIL® Foundation Certification are central to this program.
• Software that can assist you in this task includes Kali Linux, nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and John the Ripper.
• Even worse, the targeted government agencies and intelligence communities believe that Russian hackers carried out the attack.

Others attend technology bootcamps, and many pursue a college degree in cybersecurity. The outlook for cybersecurity specialists is very positive due to the increasing reliance on technology and the growing threat of cyber attacks. As organizations continue to invest in cybersecurity to protect their data and systems, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is expected to continue to increase in the years to come.

IT security specialists continuously test each of the steps listed in the plan to ensure that it is fit for purpose. IT security specialists are responsible for putting security measures in place to ensure that computer systems and networks of the organization are protected. Their role changes very often as there are more cyberattacks and more sophisticated methods of cybercrime. Cybersecurity specialists perform similar work to information security specialists but may focus more on hardware. As experts in cybersecurity, these specialists help to create, analyze and deploy organizational security systems. Cybersecurity specialists test for areas of potential exposure in interconnected computer networks, document their findings and provide solutions for vulnerabilities.