Cybersecurity professionals tend to get paid well for their skills, even at the entry level. As you gain experience and move into more advanced roles, salaries often go up as well. To give you an idea of what’s possible, here’s a look at the average total pay of several cybersecurity jobs in the US in October 2023, according to Glassdoor. 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.
As organizations continue to invest in cybersecurity to protect their data and systems, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is expected to continue to increase in the years to come. Other companies may stipulate that they seek cybersecurity specialists with a specific amount of professional experience. Candidates can accrue experience in other cybersecurity roles or through internships while still pursuing their degrees to meet this requirement. If you want to stand out in the cybersecurity field, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is for you. It is designed for cybersecurity professionals who monitor security and deal with incident detection, prevention and response. The skills you’ll learn with CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) include security operations, incident response and management, vulnerability management and reporting and communication.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist?
Companies hire security consultants to test their computer and network systems for any vulnerabilities or security risks. In this role, you get to practice cybersecurity offense and defense by testing systems for vulnerabilities and making recommendations on how to strengthen those systems. These days, employers are increasingly seeing the benefits of a larger and more inclusive talent pipeline that include alternative pathways into technology jobs. That often means that continuing education is required — both in the form of formal, industry-recognized certifications — and the form of informal learning and tracking industry developments. This list of the top 50 cybersecurity networking groups and professional organizations from Digital Guardian is a good place to start.
Network security professionals use firewalls, physical hardware and education efforts to safeguard against intrusions and retain lost data. Other cybersecurity certifications to consider include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). CompTIA Security+ is chosen by more corporations and defense organizations than any other certification on the market to validate baseline security skills.
Information security specialist
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. Cybersecurity specialists earn a median annual salary of $112,000 – this is 142% higher than the median national wage for all occupations. If you’re interested in starting a career in cybersecurity, consider the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate on Coursera.
- Cybersecurity specialists test for areas of potential exposure in interconnected computer networks, document their findings and provide solutions for vulnerabilities.
- Getting their start in cybersecurity may seem overwhelming to a career changer but it is achievable.
- Hiring managers are looking for candidates with a fighter mentality who care about keeping people safe “because that cuts across everything,” Anand says.
- If you’re interested in starting a career in cybersecurity, consider the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate on Coursera.
- In the context of cybersecurity, entry-level positions can be a bit of a misnomer.
Ready to develop both technical and workplace skills for a career in cybersecurity? Upon completion, you’ll have exclusive access to career resources like resume review and interview prep that will support you in your job search. All you’ll need to do is earn relevant cybersecurity certifications and get work experience in data security to land a job as a cybersecurity specialist. A cybersecurity specialist might wear many hats depending on the size and shape of his or her company or organization.
Types of Cybersecurity
You can choose to get an undergraduate or graduate degree in cybersecurity or a related field like computer science, but you can also get an industry certification instead—or even go the self-taught route. It often begins with seeking a degree in a computer-related field if you don’t already have one – but that’s not always the case. Additional terms that can be used interchangeably with cybersecurity specialist are information security specialist, security specialist, information technology specialist and operations specialist. As a cybersecurity analyst, you can decide to take your career in a few different directions, depending on your interests and goals. According to Cyberseek, the average advertised salary for a cybersecurity specialist is $106,265. The need for cybersecurity talent is growing as organizations struggle to find balance in the post-COVID business landscape.
Earning CompTIA Network+ in combination with two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus ensures candidates are prepared to earn CompTIA Security+. Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects. It can be overwhelming to determine what area of cybersecurity to specialize in. First, the increasing reliance on technology in all aspects of our lives has created more opportunities for cybercriminals to attack. This can take the form of other, related work experience, or it can take the form of a structured internship or other formal hands-on learning.
How To Become A Cybersecurity Specialist
As the job title implies, cybersecurity specialists are expected to have a certain level of training and expertise that allows them to give advice and training on the latest digital best practices. Given the broad scope of cybersecurity specialist work, not all employers require significant professional experience when hiring. Some organizations employ these specialists in entry-level roles, allowing them to develop on-the-job experience.
Increasingly, though, universities are integrating either industry certification or internships into their programs. Essentially, it is the practice of being protected against the unauthorized use of electronic data. As a penetration tester, you’ll seek to identify and exploit system weaknesses to help companies build more secure systems. As an ethical hacker, you can try out even more attack vectors (like social engineering) to reveal security weaknesses.
How to get a job in cybersecurity
Getting their start in cybersecurity may seem overwhelming to a career changer but it is achievable. The employment of information security analysts, which includes cybersecurity specialists, is predicted to grow 32 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, cybersecurity specialists are often called on in times of crisis or emergency — or when there are issues with networks or data systems. A cybersecurity specialist works on the front lines and behind the scenes to protect digital systems and assets from hackers, threats and vulnerabilities. Most cybersecurity professionals enter the field after gaining experience in an entry-level IT role.
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. To be a successful cybersecurity specialist, one should have knowledge and skills in areas such as network security, cryptography, risk management, compliance, incident response, and threat analysis. They must stay up to date with the latest trends and threats in the cybersecurity industry and be able to adapt to evolving security risks. Good communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills are also important for a cybersecurity specialist. Though certification is not required to work in this role, formal credentials can boost your job opportunities and cybersecurity specialist salary.
Incident response
Regardless of your degree, it is important to constantly educate yourself on new technologies and threats. Sometimes, this may mean taking additional cyber certifications or classes after you cybersecurity specialist program are hired. Cybersecurity specialists are problem-solvers, analytical thinkers, leaders and cybersecurity experts. With CompTIA, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your cybersecurity career.
