What Does An IT Security Specialist Do?

Job titles include network defender, incident responder, and security administrator. Candidates may spend 3-5 years gaining technology experience, often in non-security IT roles. These “cyberenabled” positions focus on technical support, network engineering, or project management, but still require workers https://remotemode.net/ to handle minor security issues. Gaining industry experience in such roles can prepare candidates for core security positions. Since most businesses store financial, statistical, and customer data online, cybersecurity specialists — also called security specialists — can work in many industries.

Explore the necessary certifications for security specialists and learn more about the educational requirements for this profession. Start your journey to becoming a security specialist by earning one of these certifications. Review professional expectations, median salaries, typical responsibilities, and required skills for security specialists. Network security professionals work within a narrower scope than cybersecurity workers. Cybersecurity defends against attacks on hardware, software, networks and users. In contrast, network security focuses on vulnerabilities in the connections between devices.

California Polytechnical Extended Education

Entry-level positions often involve developing code, troubleshooting problems, and testing malware. Given the broad scope of cybersecurity specialist work, not all employers require significant professional experience when hiring. Some organizations how to become a security specialist employ these specialists in entry-level roles, allowing them to develop on-the-job experience. With the number of online attacks increasing, companies large and small are concerned about cybersecurity, hacking and network vulnerability.

• Keep in mind that most certification exams require significant preparation, and some include experience requirements.
• Cybersecurity specialists perform similar work to information security specialists but may focus more on hardware.

However, cybersecurity focuses exclusively on protecting digital assets, while information security covers digital and physical information across all mediums. According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for this occupation is $50,380 in the United States. Compensation varies according to experience, as well as geographical location, so the average salaries for some of the most popular U.S. tech hubs are listed in the chart below. Earning a master’s degree in a related field shows that you have extensive knowledge in the area and have an even more extensive understanding of IT Security. Working closely with IT professionals, world-class trainers, and hiring managers since 2005 has given him unique insight into the information technology job market and the skills and credentials IT pros need to succeed.

UC Irvine Continuing Education

With training and experience, candidates can also pursue other security specialties, such as computer forensics, penetration testing, and governance, risk, and compliance. In all professions, networking offers a reliable pathway to finding job opportunities. In addition to connecting with your coworkers, consider joining a professional organization. Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security.

The LPI Linux Essentials and ITIL® Foundation Certification are central to this program. Find out how different WGU is about personalizing and supporting your education. The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance. See “Who May Apply” in the “Qualifications” section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Georgia Tech

These companies may hold job fairs, put on conferences and provide resources for connecting with peers and employers. Consider some of the following professional organizations for cybersecurity workers. Another aspect of a cybersecurity specialist’s job is the design of firewalls and other security measures to make sure that information and proprietary networks are compliant with the most recent security standards. These are just a few examples of the dozens of cybersecurity certifications available.

• SNHU provides affordable online cybersecurity degrees respected by employers and universities nationwide.
• This article will focus on managed security services, which are an integral part of a broader managed services approach.
• Like most other careers in cybersecurity, it’ll be a great start to earn your degree relating to the cybersecurity specialist category and then get industry certifications, clearances, and practical experience.
• The median annual wage for IT security specialists is $112,000, according to the latest data from the U.S.

These professionals work with public and private employers of all sizes to ensure the safety of data for customers, government entities and healthcare organizations. Payscale also reports that in 2023, cybersecurity specialists will be compensated across a wide range, depending on experience, responsibilities, and geography. US Radiology is a large private radiology group that provides managed services for many of its partner companies, including the Windsong Radiology Group, which has six facilities across Western New York. US Radiology failed to quickly update its firewall to protect itself and its partner companies’ networks from cyber threats. In December 2021, a threat actor gained access to US Radiology’s network and stole the personal and health information of 198,260 patients, including the data of 92,540 New Yorkers. Candidates with a college degree may enjoy higher pay and more advancement potential.