A security specialist works both individually and in teams with others within an organization. 30 states require security specialists to have licensure for their work. Another way to advance is to earn your master’s in cybersecurity or a closely related field. If you plan to move into the C-suites, you need to have the skills and knowledge to work as a Chief Information Security Officer . This is another CompTIA certification and may be one of the most valuable you can earn. You’ll cover cryptography, network architecture/design, threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, risk management and identity, and access management. Refer to the salary section below to find out which companies pay particularly well for security specialist roles.

Is a security specialist a high paying IT job?

According to Payscale data from January 2022, security specialists with less than one year of experience earn $56,230 per year on average. The most experienced security specialists — workers with more than 20 years on the job — earned an average salary of $92,990.

Information how to become a security specialist has its own complex language, so it’s important to be able to explain security threats and how serious they can be in the most easily understood way to all. Cybersecurity Analysts work to protect and defend systems and networks, so you’ll need to have basic information technology skills, like system and web application administration. Cybersecurity Ventures reports that there are up to 3.5 million unfulfilled cybersecurity jobs globally. To become a Cybersecurity Analyst, you need to understand information systems and networks, gain hands-on technical experience, and stay up-to-date in cybersecurity training. Becoming a licensed security specialist usually doesn’t require a college degree. However, you don’t need to pass an exam to become a licensed security specialist in most of states. 30 states require security specialists to have license for their work.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Utilizing their coding and programming languages knowledge, software security engineers develop security programs such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. They need to excel at problem-solving, critical thinking, software development, as well as working as part of a team and building good working relationships. In the computer security world, the exact position of a cybersecurity specialist is an entry-level job.

certified ethical

In addition, you’ll create firewalls, making it more difficult for attackers to breach the network infrastructures. It will also be your responsibility to make suggestions to increase or harden security for any data or information.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist?

According toCyberseek, the average salary for this position is $87,735. A security consultant will likely have meetings weekly, if not daily, to discuss anything from current and potential security concerns to the implementation of new equipment, protocols or procedures. By submitting this form I accept the privacy policy and understand that University of San Diego may contact me about educational programs using an automated technology. In all professions, networking offers a reliable pathway to finding job opportunities. In addition to connecting with your coworkers, consider joining a professional organization. Employers add ten jobs per second on Indeed, attracting over 250 million visitors each month.

Threats to online security closely shadow the history and development of the internet itself. Starting as early as the 1990s, simple antivirus software like the Reaper, created by Ray Tomlinson, became necessary to protect user’s online activity. CyberDegrees.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers. Monali Chuatico is a data engineer at Mission Lane and a data analytics captain at the nonprofit COOP Careers. There, Monali helps new grads and young professionals overcome underemployment by teaching them data analytics tools and mentoring them on …

Learn Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Attaining a cybersecurity certificate can also be especially useful if you have no experience. These certificates signal to employers that you have the necessary training and are dedicated to staying up to date on your craft. In the long run, cybersecurity measures end up saving businesses time and money — especially since a security vulnerability could lead to outages that could cost a fortune in lost business. There have been incidences of governmental organizations being breached and citizens losing access to essential services. On an individual level, cyber crime victims have faced identity theft, blackmail, and extortion. The best of these courses will allow you to earn a cybersecurity certificate, which can help you stand out on the job market when applying for a Cybersecurity Analyst job. This is particularly helpful if you don’t have an extensive technical background.

  • Denial-of-service attacks where criminals try to overwhelm servers and a network with bogus traffic that locks out legitimate users.
  • Research can include reading trade journals or attending conferences to gain first-hand knowledge of new types of attacks and the technology developed to address them.
  • Penetration Tester is an official title for what you may know as an ethical hacker or a white hat hacker.
  • These professionals also educate coworkers on best practices, as breaches may occur accidentally or deliberately by bad actors within their companies.
  • A security specialist is one of many in-demand cybersecurity roles to consider.