Career Path in Cybersecurity: How to Enter, Key Skills, Salary, and Job Description

06 Oct Career Path in Cybersecurity: How to Enter, Key Skills, Salary, and Job Description

ISAs need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related area. There is a growing trend toward undergraduate degree programs specializing in the information security field, which may become the preferred choice of employers in the future. Some employers, particularly large corporations or organizations, may prefer job candidates with an MBA in information systems.

Many institutions have adopted online learning in the wake of COVID-19, but not all have perfected this teaching method. Check to see whether most courses are asynchronous and are staffed by faculty with experience leading online courses. This need for cybersecurity experts is driven by economic necessity and hackers’ unrelenting attempts to expose and obtain sensitive information. A 2019 IBM report shows that the average data breach costs $3.92 million. In 2018, more than 6,500 data breaches exposed over 5 billion records.

• It’s a logical progression for many employees and consultants in IT and technical roles.
• For those unsure which degree level they want to pursue, the table below looks at the options.
• Incidence response analysts respond to security breaches and work to control the damage.
• The results of the pen-test are then analyzed, and countermeasures are created by the cyber security team.
• All along, you’ll be securing and closing off any vulnerable areas before any attack takes place.

There is no guarantee that you will be earning more if you work for a San Francisco company than one in Denver. Nevertheless, these statistics point to certain patterns that you might take into consideration when choosing the organization you will work for next. Because of Silicon Valley’s undeniable impact on the global technology market, the average tech salary is the highest in the San Francisco area, at $145k per year.

How long does it take to get a degree in cybersecurity?

While they do not directly respond to every cybersecurity incident, they design and implement security-focused tools and services. As a mid-level role, experience is as important as skills/certifications here. Unlike the analyst positions we discussed above, penetration testing is a programming-heavy role. So, before anything, become proficient in one of the popular application programming languages. Post that, gain certification in penetration testing or ethical hacking.

After the test parameters are planned, the specialists audit the system and find out how it should respond to the intrusion. The results of the pen-test are then analyzed, and countermeasures are created by the cyber security team. The ability to look at a problem, understand it, and come up with a viable solution is important across different walks of life and even more so for cyber security. Here, cyber security professionals have to preempt the problems and solve them before they even happen. You wouldn’t want your cyber security team to always react after a breach, would you?

The forensic computer analyst is the detective of the cyber security world. Forensic computer analysts review computer-based information for evidence following a security breach or other incident. Tasks include handling hard drives and other storage devices and employing specialized software programs in order to identify vulnerabilities and recover data from damaged or destroyed devices. Forensic computer analysts must be sensitive to the security concerns of their employers or clients and follow closely all privacy procedures when dealing with financial and personal information.

Why Becoming a Cybersecurity Specialist Might be the Right Career Path For You

As more businesses move online, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is now higher than ever before. If you’re further along in your IT career, the in-depth cybersecurity policy instruction, security design principles, and cryptology experience can help you advance to mid- or senior-level roles. Work experience plus an MSIT in cybersecurity makes you an attractive hire for information security manager and information security officer roles. You can also consider taking electives from the university’s MBA program if you want to pursue an executive career track. On the one hand, just like in any other IT branch, it is possible to land your first security specialist job without a college degree of any kind. All you will need is a set of relevant IT security certifications, perhaps some practical experience, and you’ve got the job.

This figure is slightly higher than other computer professionals make at $91,250. Application security specialists focus on defending applications from threats using a wide range of software and hardware. This is especially true in the ever-changing field of cybersecurity. The ability to swiftly connect the dots is critical in any cybersecurity position. To stay on top of the game, professionals have to be vigilant, follow trends, and learn new techniques. People in cybersecurity typically have to learn emerging skills to stay up to speed.

Salary for Cybersecurity Specialist

A become an it security specialist learning professional needs to have hands-on knowledge of working with every aspect of a wide variety of devices, operating systems, networks, and cloud platforms to protect them. Also, as discussed in the previous point, this knowledge needs to stay up to date for as long as you’re working. To make it big in cybersecurity, be prepared for a life of maintaining IT security systems, troubleshooting flaws, and updating infrastructure to thwart security threats. Continuous network monitoring and studying, and creating and implementing cybersecurity solutions in real time are also a big part of the job. As such, make sure that you’re savvy with IT before you decide to dive into the field.

Your specific salary in the information when you become a cyber security specialist will vary depending on a few different factors. Suppose we add the fact that the average cost of a cyberattack on an organization is $2.4 million. In that case, it is no wonder that companies are investing in cybersecurity like never before. If you’re planning to become one, you should first learn exactly what type of a job this is, in what ways you can advance your career, and how you can get your foot in the computer security industry door. A major corporation or organization uses a security specialist to protect its software and network security system. A security specialist is a smart career path to take to begin your career in cyber security, as you’ll be the go-to person responsible for the overall safety of your employer’s data.

Professionals who worked in information took the most considerable average wage at $107,310. Those in finance and insurance earned $106,430, while their counterparts in administrative and support services earned an average of $99,860. Cryptographers encrypt sensitive organizational and personal data to enhance corporate privacy. Network + is also offered by CompTIA this certification focuses on networking infrastructure and operations. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Cyber Security Job Outlook

Cybersecurity specialists will most likely work with other tech experts. You will need to interact with other team members, share opinions on the best solutions for problems, and resolve any disagreements with others. Cybersecurity experts often have to write technical reports on the status of the organization’s security.

In addition to your degree, you may also want to consider getting a certificate in an area of cybersecurity that interests you. You’ll write and test computer code that helps computer applications and software to run correctly. You should have a bachelor’s degree for this position and you will plan and coordinate most computer-related activities within a company.

Traditionally, cybersecurity analysts worked in niche industries, but as consumer companies and everyday brands need to protect client data the roles are becoming more mainstream. Most of the time, a cybersecurity analyst is looking for flaws in computer and information networks to protect a company’s programs, applications, security systems, personal information, and more. They also do a lot of research and reporting given how often hacking and cybersecurity change. Working as a cybersecurity specialist entails protecting your organization’s software and network security systems. In most organizations, you’ll need to take an exhaustive approach to achieve this, including vulnerability testing, internal and external security audits, security assessments, and risk analysis.

The best way to become an expert is to start with basic training and then continue learning as new threats and technologies emerge. Stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments in the cyber security world, and join professional organizations and forums where you can exchange information with other experts. With dedication and a willingness to learn, you can become a highly sought-after cyber security expert. The demand for cybersecurity specialists and information security analysts, in general, is expected to skyrocket. Cybercrimes have seen an unprecedented increase over the last couple of years.

In-depth knowledge of cross-platform cybersecurity (and hacking)

Real-world examples and applications are covered in most courses, culminating in the capstone where you explore an area of cybersecurity that interests you most. 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. In order to stand out amongst other job applicants, you’ll need to know about the latest technologies and strategies to prevent cyber attacks.

With proper cybersecurity measures in place, employees can work efficiently on computer equipment that runs free of viruses, Adware, and Ransomware. Viruses can slow down computers and cause interruptions in business operations. If a significant breach occurs, it can be costly to bring in outside services and experts to deal with the consequences. It is now projected that damage from cybercrime will exceed $6 trillion, making cybersecurity more important now than ever. Cyber criminals are also becoming more innovative in their tactics, making cybersecurity critically important.

The Academic Requirements And Time Commitment To Earn An Msit In Cybersecurity

Keep in mind that after a point, this can become tedious for those who lack a genuine passion for information technology. Having the right skill-set goes a long way toward landing the job you desire in the cybersecurity space and the right salary as well. Let’s take a look at the five key skills required to thrive in the cybersecurity domain. Once you land a relevant job, take the time to work on the core skills required to mark the cybersecurity domain. A healthy tendency to question everything, dig for the truth, and communicate clearly are some of the most important traits required in this space. In the event of a breach or similar security incident, a forensic investigator works with the cybersecurity team to analyze the causes, ascertain the methodology, and discover the perpetrators.

The average security specialist salary in the US ranges from $69,123 to $76,336 per year. Always inquire with a potential employer for their specific job requirements. Some companies may accept as little as 1-to-2 years of experience while some may require over five years of IT security experience.

Read this article, and you will be equipped with all there is to know about beginning your cyber security journey. One of the best career path diagrams for security professionals has been developed by Information Systems Security Association International. Called the Cyber Security Career Lifecycle , the five-step model helps aspiring and professional security experts chart what education, experience and certifications they will need to progress. Flatiron School offers cybersecurity engineering that you can complete in as little as 15 weeks.

https://trading-market.org/ing is another critical part of how to become a cybersecurity specialist. Joining professional organizations, college groups, and online communities can help jumpstart a security specialist career. However, higher education degrees often affect salary and promotions.

The type of jobs you pursue plays a considerable role in determining the certificate or combination of certificates best for you. Below are some of the leading cybersecurity specialist certifications available. Payscale also reports that in 2023, cybersecurity specialists are compensated across a wide range, depending on experience, responsibilities, and geography. According to a recent PayScale questionnaire, most employees with the job title cybersecurity specialists responded that they have a high level of job satisfaction. Cybersecurity specialists inhabit an interesting role in the companies and organizations where they are employed. People in this role are often hired as much for their soft skills as their technical ability.

Most organizations require a team of efficient professionals working together. The size of the team depends on the size of the organization and their data needs. Any kind of friction between team members can lead to the overall subpar performance of the team, and this can be dangerous. However, keep in mind that the best way to thrive in a cyber security career is to acquire certifications. Once step one is out of the way it is time to dive headfirst into cybersecurity learning.