Contact recruiters directly to double-check that your qualification will be right for the specific job you’re aiming for. Matt Whittle has experience writing and editing accessible education-related content in health, technology, nursing and business subjects. Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects.
As a result, cyber security jobs have only grown in importance and demand—especially with the growth of ransomware attacks and data breaches that expose sensitive information. Most of their experience should come from working a cybersecurity-related job. Sometimes, IT professionals work in IT networking, systems engineering, security intelligence and financial and risk analysis prior to moving into a cybersecurity specialist role.
What skills are required to become a security specialist?
Over the next few years, you can continue your education, such as by studying for an online Master’s degree in cyber security or one or more of the above certificates. Without much experience working in the cyber security field, you’ll probably need to apply for entry-level IT or cyber security positions. These will give you the relevant experience you need before you can be considered for a security specialist job.
- The education necessary for these roles is similar and will transfer into other roles as you gain experience.
- So does membership in professional organizations for cybersecurity professionals.
- The term applies to a skill set that a variety of cybersecurity professionals use to prevent cyberattacks and mitigate data breaches.
- Instead of (or in addition to) a degree, cybersecurity certifications help qualify an IT professional for a cybersecurity specialist role.
- We reveal the essential aspects of the position, how to get hired, data on salary expectations, and the best companies that are hiring.
Even if these extra qualifications aren’t required, they can still give you a leg up when it comes to applying for jobs. Network security professionals work within a narrower scope than cybersecurity workers. Cybersecurity defends against attacks on hardware, software, networks and users. In contrast, network security focuses on vulnerabilities in the connections between devices. Some experts say the fields of cybersecurity, network security, information security and infrastructure security are all different.
Get a Computer-Related Degree (If Necessary)
Others consider these cybersecurity careers to exist under the same umbrella of computer security. The following section explores differences among various subsets of cybersecurity. According to Glassdoor.com, the national average salary for an IT security specialist is $95,689 based on a scale that checks in at $45,000 per year on the low end and up to $102,000 per year at the high end.
Security specialists also collaborate with other departments to ensure that colleagues are aware of how to practice good IT security. Cybersecurity workers and information security specialists both protect valuable information and data. However, cybersecurity prevents access by bad actors, and information security considers aspects like the availability and confidentiality of data. Information security specialists may handle aspects like multifactor authentication and access to physical information storage areas. Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations.
Certification
Organizations hire security specialists to prevent security breaches, which involves identifying any system weaknesses that a cyber criminal might exploit. A security specialist should also research evolving risks (new methods that cyber criminals employ) and implement changes that take all known risks into account. Infrastructure security covers the protection of physical and digital assets through the architecture itself. This specialty may focus on safeguarding sensitive items using structures like generators, security systems and locks.
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. Though certification is not required to work in this role, formal credentials can boost your job opportunities and cybersecurity specialist salary. Certifications demonstrate expertise in cybersecurity to potential employers, and they indicate a dedication to the field. Keep in mind that most certification exams require significant preparation, and some include experience requirements.
Become an IT Security Specialist
But increasingly, the success of a business relies on the success and capability of its network. As a result, employees dedicated full time to cybersecurity have gone from being a luxury to a necessity. The need for cybersecurity specialists will continue to grow, reaching about 234,000 by 2033. The 10-year projected growth for cybersecurity specialists is 242% above the national rate per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce 2023 and Lightcast. A cybersecurity specialist is trained in spotting suspicious patterns in computer systems.
Many IT professionals have an IT degree of some sort and experience working at the help desk. Getting their foot in the door to an entry-level cybersecurity specialist job role can be as easy as earning CompTIA Security+. The more cybersecurity certifications they earn, the more job opportunities cybersecurity specialist program will open to them. Other companies may stipulate that they seek cybersecurity specialists with a specific amount of professional experience. Candidates can accrue experience in other cybersecurity roles or through internships while still pursuing their degrees to meet this requirement.
Deepen your knowledge, refine your skills
Other topics that are covered include implementation and governance, risk and compliance. If you are part of an existing IT team, make sure you’re aware of the internal recruitment process and any openings for security specialist roles. We recommend that you align these goals with your personality, interests, and values, as this will ensure your career choice will be rewarding and fulfilling. 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. 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.
How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist
Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level. Both Master’s degrees and certificates can often be completed fully online, in the evenings, on the weekends, or on a part-time basis. This level of convenience and flexibility means many students manage to complete their studies while holding down a full-time job. Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security. However, cybersecurity focuses exclusively on protecting digital assets, while information security covers digital and physical information across all mediums. Validate skills in various cybersecurity areas, including offensive operations, cyber defense, cloud security, industrial control systems and more.