Professional skills like these help cybersecurity specialists prevent and mitigate security breaches by effectively leading cybersecurity teams and protecting IT infrastructures. A computer science degree provides a foundation in information technology (IT), including understanding TCP/IP protocols that are at the core of all networking. Further educational certification may help professionals get a job in cybersecurity. The CCNA Cyber Ops certification program provides practical, relevant, and job-ready curricula that aligns closely with the specific tasks expected of cybersecurity professionals. However, the qualifications required for a cybersecurity job can vary from employer to employer.

In general, cybersecurity specialists are often required to have several years of experience in a cybersecurity-focused job. More experience is required for advanced roles and less is needed for early-career roles. Having industry credentials and higher-level degrees could shorten the experience requirements some potential employers have. Instead of (or in addition to) a degree, cybersecurity certifications help qualify an IT professional for a cybersecurity specialist role. So does membership in professional organizations for cybersecurity professionals.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Cybersecurity Specialist?

Some smaller companies combine the role of Security Engineer and Security Analyst and this would be a simple way to move into this position without making a big leap. The education necessary for these roles is similar and will transfer into other roles as you gain experience. According to Cyberseek, the average advertised salary for a cybersecurity specialist is $106,265. However, check beforehand whether an employer does want you to have a cyber security certificate, and which specific one they have in mind. After all, you don’t want to waste your time, effort, and money on a qualification you don’t need or that won’t come in handy for your chosen career path.

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.

IT Security Foundations: Operating System Security

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.

• Professional skills like these help cybersecurity specialists prevent and mitigate security breaches by effectively leading cybersecurity teams and protecting IT infrastructures.
• They are experts at detecting cyber threats and implementing data-saving security measures.
• If you’re wondering how to get into cybersecurity, read on to explore salaries, job outlooks and available certifications in the field.

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.

Typical Qualifications to 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.

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.

Your Career Path in Cybersecurity

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.

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.

How To Become a Cybersecurity Specialist

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 cybersecurity specialist program 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 you might expect, IT security specialists require extensive technical skills and knowledge to effectively do their jobs. Cybersecurity specialists are IT professionals that are responsible for protecting the data and complete IT infrastructure of organizations. They are experts at detecting cyber threats and implementing data-saving security measures. These technicians also create and enforce security policies, carry out threat and risk analyses and perform vulnerability assessments. Once you’ve gained a security specialist position, you can then start to think about the rest of your career development. If your career goals include obtaining a more senior role in a cyber security team, then you’ll need to deepen your knowledge and refine your skills.

All of these will help you to identify weaknesses in a system, ideally before a cyber criminal finds them. A security specialist, also known as an IT security specialist or a cyber security specialist, is responsible for developing and implementing security measures for an organization. As a security specialist, your overarching goal is to analyze current security procedures and suggest changes to upper management for improving efficiency and overall security. These companies may hold job fairs, put on conferences and provide resources for connecting with peers and employers.