IT Security Specialist Career Path Training, Jobs, Skills & Pay

A security specialist should also research evolving risks (new methods that cyber criminals employ) and implement changes that take all known risks into account. With the ubiquity of internet-connected devices, companies have access to unprecedented amounts of data on their customers, services, and other business factors. And though data isn’t a traditional IT specialization, the increase in demand for data skills makes it a solid career option for those looking for IT-related work.

After all, the knowledge and skills you gain will benefit your career and, in turn, the organization. It might be easy to assume that working in information technology (IT) means working in a tech office in a big city. Burning Glass Technologies found that over 90 percent of IT skills and jobs are housed outside of the tech sector in the US. Non-tech IT jobs are also growing faster than tech-sector IT jobs by over 50 percent—meaning that that gap is on trend to widen [1]. Plus, IT skills are needed in places like hospitals, local governments, banks, and universities in smaller cities across the country.

Cybersecurity specialists protect sensitive data and analyze vulnerable spots in company networks. These professionals detect and analyze potential threats, evaluate risks, and respond to security incidents. Job titles include network defender, incident responder, and security administrator. Applicants should explore which certifications match their skills and desired career path. Some cybersecurity certifications cater to entry-level candidates while others prepare workers for advanced positions.

Learning SSL/TLS

You’ll do this by playing the part of the intruder, trying to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. Companies hire security consultants to test their computer and network systems for any vulnerabilities or security risks. In this role, you get to practice cybersecurity offense and defense by testing systems for vulnerabilities and making recommendations on how to strengthen those systems. 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. You may advance to become a security architect, responsible for your organization’s entire security infrastructure. Computing and Internet security are everyone’s business, but it’s especially critical for information technology specialists.

IT security specialists defend an organization’s data and information systems. According to a recent PayScale questionnaire, most employees with the job title cybersecurity specialists responded that they have a high level of job satisfaction. 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.

Job Description for an IT Security Specialist

Security specialists can find employment in a broad range of commercial, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations. To qualify for this position, you tend to need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related subject. However, employers may also ask for the attainment of certain certificates. Even if these extra qualifications aren’t required, they can still give you a leg up when it comes to applying for jobs. Cybersecurity specialists inhabit an interesting role in the companies and organizations where they are employed. People in this role are often hired as much for their soft skills as their technical ability.

These cyber security experts use their in-depth understanding of security threats, technologies, and countermeasures to ensure that an organization has robust computer security systems. A security specialist will https://trading-market.org/become-an-it-security-specialist-learning-path/ run regular checks on network and computer systems and suggest improvements where necessary. This makes them responsible for staying up to date with existing best practices and responses to novel threats.

Instead of searching for jobs, candidates create a profile and Whitetruffle matches them with employers. Businesses like Postmates, Venmo, GoPro, and Netflix use Whitetruffle to find tech employees. Employers add ten jobs per second on Indeed, attracting over 250 million visitors each month.

• Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks.
• Candidates with a college degree may enjoy higher pay and more advancement potential.
• Set a rock solid foundation for your network, users, and data by learning about the basics of cybersecurity.
• For this reason, security specialists are necessary to maintain the overall operations and credibility of a company.

From there, it’s possible to specialize in a narrower field like cybersecurity or networks, or continue in computer support to become a senior or manager. 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. There are a number of network-oriented professional cybersecurity organizations and groups that are specifically designed to alert members about job openings and professional development opportunities.

Do I Need Certifications For IT Security?

As mentioned in the list of daily responsibilities, you might be expected to carry out penetration testing. Software that can assist you in this task includes Kali Linux, nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and John the Ripper. All of these will help you to identify weaknesses in a system, ideally before a cyber criminal finds them. Many in the beginning phases of their IT career work in computer support roles that support many different aspects of computer operations.

A simple way of thinking about a cybersecurity specialist is as someone who keeps tabs on a company’s or organization’s security while also helping other employees and teammates stay current on best practices. In addition to creating structures to protect interconnected devices, professionals in this sector safeguard sensitive assets for applications and data. 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. If you enjoy problem-solving, working with various networks, and mastering the latest technology, becoming a security specialist may not be hard.

But it’s only a matter a time before a vulnerability or misconfiguration leads to a newsworthy… Though technology changes rapidly, the need to assure the confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and accountability of information does not. You protect your home with locks or alarm systems; you protect your car with insurance, and you protect your health by going to the doctor.

Skills for specialists

Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks. They provide ongoing oversight for organizations’ cybersecurity efforts through several methods. IT security specialists and cybersecurity specialists perform similar jobs. However, cybersecurity specialists usually focus on analyzing, monitoring, and responding to threats, while IT security specialists research, monitor, and install protective software. Candidates may spend 3-5 years gaining technology experience, often in non-security IT roles. These “cyberenabled” positions focus on technical support, network engineering, or project management, but still require workers to handle minor security issues.

WGU is an accredited online university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. One thing’s for sure—with this job description you’ll never be bored! But being a key component of a company’s information technology needs can be a rewarding responsibility. Another area of incident response involves digital forensics and cybercrime. Digital forensic investigators work with law enforcement to retrieve data from digital devices and investigate cybercrimes. Security engineering and architecture could be a good fit if you enjoy tinkering with technology and like to take a big picture approach to cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity specialist career pathway information was sourced from cyberseek.org in February 2023. Discover whether the security specialist profession fits your strengths and interests by exploring daily tasks and responsibilities. According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for this occupation is $50,380 in the United States.

Like the job title implies, cybersecurity specialists are expected to have a certain level of training and expertise that allows them to give advice and training on the latest digital best practices. Browse the top-reviewed undergrad & graduate degrees, professional certificates, online courses and self-paced training programs matching the IT security specialist education requirements and career path. 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. Given the broad scope of cybersecurity specialist work, not all employers require significant professional experience when hiring. Some organizations employ these specialists in entry-level roles, allowing them to develop on-the-job experience.

In addition, security specialists are also responsible for making sure that other co-workers are kept up-to-date on security best practices, which means they might take on the role of a trainer or an advisor. Cybersecurity specialists create and implement security audits across computer hardware and software systems. They make sure that the systems perform the way they are supposed to, and that they are safe from attack. Security+ is a CompTIA certification that is considered a basic cert among cybersecurity professionals. It makes sense to start thinking about what kinds of certifications are required by an employer, or what kinds of certifications make job applicants competitive within the field. Internships can help security specialist hopefuls gain the experience needed for certification and high-level positions.

Before you apply for your first cybersecurity role, take some time to develop core IT skills, including programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing. 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. If you’re new to cybersecurity, you may start out in an entry-level IT role, such as a help desk technician, network administrator, or software developer.

If you have any uncertainties about the education, experience, knowledge, or skills you need for a security specialist role, be sure to get in touch with the recruiter directly. They will be able to clarify which items a company deems necessary, preferred, or desirable. In terms of skills, experience, and general mindset, a cybersecurity specialist needs to be like a Swiss Army knife of the digital world.