Security specialist career guide: Finding a security specialist job

If you’re not yet qualified to be a Security Engineer, you can aim for a Security Analyst position. Security Analysts identify cybersecurity weaknesses and should become proficient in building firewalls, creating intrusion detection systems, educating non-technical staff, and designing security systems as a whole, to upskill into a Security Engineer role. Moving up to the position of Security Engineer will most likely result in a raise for a Security Analyst.

If you enjoy the challenge of keeping bad actors at bay, network security specialist may be a good next step for you. Most entry-level IT security jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, information assurance, or a related field of study; these programs typically take 4 years to complete as a full-time student. IT security specialists need strong communication skills, as they are responsible for educating technical and non-technical staffers on computer security protocols and raising information security awareness. In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. Cyber Security Specialists are responsible for providing security for an organization’s overall IT systems. They search for vulnerabilities in software, hardware, networks, and data centers and design strategies and defensive systems to protect against attacks and threats.

Cyber Security Specialist

For a career fully dedicated to cyber security, you’ll want to become a computer security specialist. A networking security specialist, also known as an information security analyst, is responsible for devising and implementing security measures to safeguard computer networks and systems against cyber threats and viruses. They play a crucial role in protecting organizations’ valuable data and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of information. Cybersecurity specialist is a fascinating and multi-faceted position in a dynamic, fast-growing field.

NICCS offers comprehensive information on cybersecurity education and careers. The NICCS Education and Training Catalog helps cybersecurity professionals find over 6,000 cybersecurity-related courses. Security specialists use the skills developed in their degree programs when they implement and modify software, and conduct deep computer system analysis. They need a deep understanding of computer and network infrastructure to identify and effectively solve any breaches that occur. The demand for security specialists who can develop effective cybersecurity solutions continues to grow. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ransomware attacks occur about every 11 seconds in 2021, up from every 39 seconds in 2019.

What skills does a computer programmer need?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in this sector is projected to grow 31% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Plus, demand for this role continues to be exceptionally high with no signs of slowing. Important and high-profile individuals count on personal security specialists to keep them safe every day. You might work to protect a famous star from disgruntled fans or a politician from assassination attempts. As a security specialist in this field, you’ll need to keep aware of your surroundings at all time. You can also find plenty of vacancies for security specialist roles on the major job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter, as well as on more niche job sites, such as CyberSecJobs.com.

You might want to pursue a police or military background before getting involved in personal security. Many of you can learn useful skills in those fields that you can later apply to personal security. The education and training requirements vary heavily, since the needs of employers can differ from one to the next. Since a security specialist is essentially an entry-level position in the large world of cyber security, there are positions you can start out in at first and then, you can work your way up the ladder into a management role.

IT Security Specialist Training Programs

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between how to become a security specialists and patrol officer. According to Payscale, security specialists with 10 or more years of experience earned an average annual salary of $98,389 as of September 2021. Security specialist salary prospects improve as employees gain more specialized skills in areas like risk management, security information and event management, cybersecurity, and security testing and auditing. The actual job description of a security specialist can be hard to pin down, because these specialists may have varying duties based on their actual position. But typically these specialists are expected to install, configure, and maintain security software designed to prevent outside attacks on the company’s internal network. IT security professionals are also be expected to monitor the company network for any breaches or vulnerabilities, devising plans for further safeguarding as needed.