If this sounds like an interesting career option, we suggest checking out Udacity’s Introduction to Cybersecurity Course. Before we dive into the specifics of this role, let’s first talk about the cybersecurity field cybersecurity specialist courses itself. Your role as the cybersecurity expert is to protect that information against unauthorized third parties. You should have a high level of integrity to deliver your best irrespective of the environment.

Security+ is a CompTIA certification that is considered a basic cert among cybersecurity professionals. One of the 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. On a basic level, a cybersecurity specialist secures computer networks and responds to threats to that security. Security specialists use the skills developed in their degree programs when they implement and modify software, and conduct deep computer system analysis.

What is A Cybersecurity Specialist?

Career opportunities for current and aspiring cybersecurity specialists have never been more plentiful or lucrative. You are probably already well aware that cybercrime is continually on the rise. In fact, cybercrime is forecasted to amount to $10.5 trillion by 2025 — which is just a few short years away. Combine this upward growth in the industry with the zero percent unemployment rate, and the result is a white-hot job market that features six-figure salaries.

Networking is the skill of understanding how data is sent, transported, and received among connected devices which make up a network. You must be familiar with the various OSI and TCP models of routing protocols. They may not be directly employed by law enforcement, but they closely collaborate with them, as well as different law firms that depend on the expert’s detailed security reports. Cybercrimes are punishable by law, and those who are skilled in identifying the culprits are highly valued in the IT security industry. Cybersecurity organizations are a great way for those in the industry to keep up with current happenings, collaborate with like-minded individuals and more. Cybersecurity specialist career pathway information was sourced from cyberseek.org in February 2023.

Types of Cybersecurity

Additionally, banks, financial institutions, and healthcare institutions will need to increase their immunity against cybercriminals. As such, they’ll employ more security analysts to create innovative methods to stop cybercrime in its tracks. Cybersecurity professionals often work in the utility sector, such as electricity, power, and water.

The role of a cybersecurity specialist is a dynamic one, ideal for those who thrive on challenge, enjoy a fast-paced environment, and find the idea of protecting a company inspiring. A security specialist needs to be an expert in data collection and analysis skills. Familiarity with various data-acquiring methods allows these professionals to derive insightful data and help them combat any form of attack or intrusion on a network.

Step 3: Use Your Theoretical Knowledge For Experience And Work

This can be anything from encrypting personal information on social media so no one can harvest it to making sure entire information systems are malware-, virus-, and hacker-proof. According to MIT’s Technology Review, by 2021, approximately 3.5 million jobs in the cybersecurity industry will be vacant. Out of all the candidates that apply for these positions, fewer than one in four are qualified.

• The ideal cybersecurity specialist should have a strong sense of ethics.
• A security architect’s main task is to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the client’s systems.
• There are over 45 different clubs and organizations available for students.
• You should, therefore, be an open-minded person with incredible interactive skills.

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a more advanced certification designed for cybersecurity professionals with at least five years of work experience. The certification covers topics such as architecture, engineering, and management. PenTest+ is for intermediate level cybersecurity professionals who are tasked with penetration testing to manage vulnerabilities on a network. Companies are listing more cybersecurity jobs and paying higher salaries than ever because it is difficult to find strong, qualified talent in this industry. Overall employment of cybersecurity specialists is expected to increase by 35% from 2021 to 2031 according to the BLS. Tech companies and information services are some of the highest paying industries for cybersecurity specialists.