Cyber Security Specialists: Skills, Roles & How to Become One

Typically, a technical bachelor’s degree is needed to advance into some of the positions mentioned before. You will have the advantage of advancing your career if you earn a recognized certification or a master’s degree with a technical security focus. Obtaining the appropriate industry certifications and/or clearances is a crucial step in career preparation, as is customary in many other cybersecurity job pathways. As a professional cybersecurity one should be trained and stay updated with all the operating systems and virtual device updates, as it helps to maximize their skills.

  • Even though Systems Programmer wasn’t on the list of roles she imagined herself taking on, growing up in the city of Saab’s headquarters, it was almost written in the stars.
  • Is an advanced technology that stores transactions in a digital ledger distributed across a computer network called blocks.
  • The ability to swiftly connect the dots is critical in any cybersecurity position.

One of the top online resources for cybersecurity job seekers and those interested in pursuing a career in information security is CyberSeek.org. On itsCareer Pathways page, CyberSeek lists Cybersecurity Specialist as an entry-level position (one that pays an average annual salary of $99,652). Traditionally, network operations and IT professionals and teams handled core technology functions. But now that our world has become so heavily dependent on using advanced technology for practically everything, the stakes are higher than ever. Explore training developed by CompTIA with options that fit various learning styles and timelines. Whether you prefer self-study or classroom training, CompTIA has you covered.

Dec Top 30 Cybersecurity Experts You Should Follow in 2022

Proof of a technical education/training or degree as engineer, computer scientist, physicist etc. The CISM certification, geared at management, supports international security standards and recognizes the individual who plans, maintains, monitors and evaluates an organization’s information security. Mitnick Security, is a security consultant to Fortune 500 companies and the governments of many countries globally. In addition, Kevin also helps the FBI close cybersecurity cases with his extraordinary talents and intelligence. AI has unmatched human capabilities that help detect suspicious activities online in a fraction of second that may otherwise have remained unaddressed. As a result, AI is widely used in cybersecurity sectors as it is equipped to address new emerging threats.

  • The Network Security Administrator certification from the EC-Council attests to a network specialist’s proficiency in defending a network against threats.
  • Keep in mind that a pentester’s job isn’t 100% centered around the Hollywood-like thrill of hacking into a seemingly impenetrable infrastructure.
  • However, there is a wide variety of other positions a specialist can advance to as they continue learning and honing their skills.
  • The ideal candidate has an understanding of cybersecurity standards and certifications, extensive knowledge of how cybercriminals work, and determination to never allow them access.
  • Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level.

They must also be able to make decisions in high-stress situations and communicate effectively with other team members. To join our team to work closely with the stakeholders to ensure that cyber security projects meet objectives across our organization. They are responsible for various tasks, including process re-engineering and documentation of activities related to this area.

Mobile Security

Just this month, the International Maritime Organization reported that its shipping and supply chain networks had been thrown into disarray by a cyber attack. CompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications. Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level. Cybersecurity specialist career pathway information was sourced from cyberseek.org in February 2023.

Deep knowledge of operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Amiga OS, Linux, and various virtual devices is an essential skill every cybersecurity professional should have. These companies may hold job fairs, put on conferences and provide resources for connecting with peers and employers. Consider some of the following professional organizations for cybersecurity workers.

Educational Requirements

Give them a ‘LIKE’ or share their content with others you care about or just send them a ‘thank you’ for all they continue to do in helping us stay safe from cybercriminals. As a person, you are self-motivated, creative and persistent and have a genuine interest in the cyber security domain. You are passionate about learning new technology, gaining domain knowledge and are happy to share your knowledge. It will undoubtedly help me to transition into my new chosen field of Cybersecurity. Stay up to date with the latest cyber security news and trends and make sure you are implementing adequate cyber security measures in your organization using suitable hardware and software.

What are 5 things a cybersecurity specialist does in their job?

  • Develop, test, implement and research security systems.
  • Assess and fix software bugs.
  • Combat security threats and find potential vulnerabilities.
  • Create risk prevention measures.
  • Produce security reports for managers and administrators.

The Bureau projects that from 2018 to 2028, those positions will rise by 32%. Cyber Security Specialists are responsible for discovering and safeguarding vulnerabilities. Both companies, organizations, and governments are keen to protect their infrastructure. Currently, a cyber security expert certification is, therefore, a valuable investment.

What Makes This Program Unique?

In a further breakdown, entry-level professionals earned less than $60,060, which is still higher than the national average wage—those in the top 10% made above $163,300 annually. Also known as white hat or ethical hackers, penetration testers hack into software systems legally to pinpoint weaknesses in the security system. Incidence response analysts respond to security breaches and work how to become a security specialist to control the damage. Security trainers educate employees on the best practices in cybersecurity and ways to avoid compromising the organization’s safety. White hat or ethical hacking is the process of hacking organizations lawfully to discover weaknesses in the security before malicious hackers do. Professionals can earn a Certified Ethical Hacker credential from the EC-Council.