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A strong foundation of education, combined with internships and professional experience, set candidates up for success. They are responsible for making sure that networks and computer systems are up-to-date and not vulnerable to software bugs. One of the how to become a security specialist primary responsibilities of a cybersecurity specialist is to keep tabs on the systems employed by their organization and report any issues to management. They are also responsible for anticipating future threats and advising on how to deal with them.
- The average security specialist salary in the US ranges from $69,123 to $76,336 per year.
- They collaborate across sectors to inform best practices, research, and funding opportunities for ethical data sharing.
- The main goal of all IT professionals who become cyber security specialists is to protect information.
- Matt Whittle is a freelance writer and editor who holds a BA in English from Penn State University.
- They need a deep understanding of computer and network infrastructure to identify and effectively solve any breaches that occur.
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. Input your desired job title and location and explore hundreds of tech positions. It’s a good idea to let your employer know about your plans to study, as they might be willing to help with the funding. After all, the knowledge and skills you gain will benefit your career and, in turn, the organization.
Develop career skills and credentials to stand out
This level of convenience and flexibility means many students manage to complete their studies while holding down a full-time job. The Online Security Guard Registry allows employers to determine the qualification of a security guard applicant in order to comply with their due diligence requirements pursuant to 19 NYCRR §174.6. In India, the income of a Cyber Security specialist averages around 525,652 a year, while a comparable engineer earns A$130K in Australia, and an engineer in the UK will make £ 47,926 annually. Of course, depending on the market in your specific part of the world, the above figures will fluctuate.
In terms of experience, your salary’s size is also directly proportional to how much experience you have. 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. The Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is designed to introduce the skills and knowledge you’ll need for an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst. That often means that continuing education is required — both in the form of formal, industry-recognized certifications — and in the form of informal learning and tracking industry developments.
Gain Experience
Below is a five-stage process that will take you from a point of being inexperienced in cyber security to getting hired as a security specialist. 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.
A security analyst might also be tasked with organizing security training for other employees. 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. Finally, holding the position of security specialist might require helping co-workers adopt new technologies and security software as it develops.
How to become an IT security specialist in 2023
Requirements to enter the field vary by job and employer, but cybersecurity professionals usually need extensive knowledge and certifications. Others attend technology bootcamps, and many pursue a college degree in cybersecurity. As cloud storage and business dependency on technology rise, security specialists are becoming more critical.
Internships can help security specialist hopefuls gain the experience needed for certification and high-level positions. Professionals pursuing higher-level positions may opt for a master’s or doctoral degree. People seeking a career change into the cybersecurity field and computer scientists looking to specialize can also earn a graduate degree in IT security. As a security specialist, you will spend your days studying the devices in use and testing security measures like firewalls and other software. This role also involves reporting to more senior members of the IT team and presenting any findings and recommendations.
This specialty may focus on safeguarding sensitive items using structures like generators, security systems and locks. Digitally, infrastructure security refers to creating and maintaining protected systems from breaches. Users can search for cybersecurity positions and browse listings from high-profile companies. The security specialist role best suits people who enjoy new challenges and want to protect data.