You will likely need to participate in continuing education and renew certifications you may earn after graduation in order to stay current and be eligible for these opportunities. The good news is these numbers show that cybersecurity will offer you great opportunities in the field.

• Cybersecurity specialists with this certification think like hackers and take proactive measures to protect systems.
• You can pursue courses in cybersecurity, beginning with Cisco’s free “Introduction to Cybersecurity.” As you gain more education and earn more certifications, you’ll have more employment and salary opportunities.
• To accomplish this, they typically work with a team of other Cyber Security Specialists and usually work directly with other employees and department leaders as security issues arise.
• Mary Blowers holds an MA in literature and a BA in secondary English education from Central Washington University.

They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy. Cybersecurity specialists defend and improve computer and network systems. They help government agencies, military organizations, and companies of all sizes secure their data. These specialists collaborate with other computer personnel to bolster technology systems. They also meet with executives to suggest ways to improve system security. Cybersecurity specialists usually hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information security, or a related field.

Considering a new exciting career as an Cybersecurity Specialist?

Because of this, they advance in their careers faster than those who do not lead well. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential offered by the Cybersecurity and IT Security Certifications and Training is one of the most recognized certifications in the country. A CISSP credential demonstrates to employers that the holder can create, implement and monitor a cybersecurity program. Today, mobile security is a vast field, as people now rely more on mobile devices than ever. Professionals in mobile security work to protect personal and organizational data stored in mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Threats to these devices include malware, unauthorized access, loss, theft, viruses, and much more.

A good example of the need for cybersecurity experts is one particular massive cyber-attack on the U.S.’ government agencies. As of early 2021, one of these attacks was still being investigated for its breadth and severity. Even worse, the targeted government agencies and intelligence communities believe that Russian hackers carried out the attack. Entire movies have been made about cyber-attacks targeting agencies that work with nuclear materials—imagine the disaster that could ensue if a cyber-attacker successfully got into the computer networks of the U.S. We don’t have to imagine that a hack in this or similar facilities is possible. Working in cybersecurity will allow you to combine your passions for a variety of industries.

Five Tips and Strategies to Avoid Cyber Threats

A bachelor’s degree program will include classes such as advanced computer security and advanced operating systems. Additionally, it might include studies in programming, principles of software engineering, criminal justice, mathematics, technical writing, computer forensics and network security. The list of cyber threats and attack methods changes rapidly as criminals discover new ways to cause harm. The role of the computer security specialist is to monitor and protect systems from vulnerabilities and threats. If you are already a graduate in another field, you can opt to continue your education by earning a master’s degree in a field closely related to cyber security. This will be especially crucial if you want to become a Senior Cyber Security Engineer.

You can gain experience through entry-level jobs or college internships in either computer science or information technology. Some roles that may be open to interns include security administrator, network administrator, or system administrator. Such work experience boosts your resume and allows you to network with professionals, which can be helpful when searching for how to become a security specialist jobs. Cybersecurity specialists with this certification think like hackers and take proactive measures to protect systems. The requirement for the CEH exam is two years of work experience in information security or completing the EC-Council’s official training. Today, daily living is connected with technology more than it has ever been in the history of humankind.

What is the job outlook for cybersecurity specialists?

Cybersecurity specialists in this sub-field often have to design secure application structures, write safe code, and implement rigorous data input validation methods. All of these serve to reduce the risk of unauthorized modification or access to application resources.

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. 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. Security certification is often required for advancement, and can help candidates boost their resumes and stand out in the job market.

CompTIA Learning and Training

The rise in data breaches has increased the demand for cybersecurity experts globally. Big and small companies alike are striving to protect their cyberspace. In this article, we explore cybersecurity, salaries, job outlook, and how to become a cybersecurity specialist. As of May 2017, the average annual salary for the category of professionals that includes cybersecurity specialists was $99,690, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

• Earlier, most companies wouldn’t require a candidate to have such a degree if they are skilled enough, but the rise in competition has led to an increasing number of organizations adopting this requirement.
• Education is a huge part of being qualified for a cyber security job, but it’s important to have other intangible skills that contribute to their qualifications.
• The next role we’re going to look at is the information technology security manager profession.
• This means that there is no better time than today to start training and searching for cybersecurity specialist jobs.
• However, employers typically prefer those with relevant work experience in the IT or computer science fields.