Here are a few of the most common entry-level jobs within the bigger world of cybersecurity. The best cybersecurity specialists are constantly tracking IT trends and threats and possess strong professional skills. If you have these attributes, a cybersecurity specialist career could be right for you.
Cybersecurity specialist is a fascinating and multi-faceted position in a dynamic, fast-growing field. In addition to certifications and advanced education, cybersecurity job seekers are well-advised to connect with internship opportunities and do plenty of reading, self-learning and networking. Other job titles that you might see in your search include IT Security Specialist, Network Security Specialist and Internet Security Analyst.
Cybersecurity specialist skills and experience
The best candidate for this certification has at least four years of experience in information security plus CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+. If you’re new to cybersecurity, you may start out in an entry-level IT role, such as a help desk technician, network administrator, or software developer. Many cybersecurity professionals enter the field as a junior information security analyst after gaining some experience in IT.
Cybersecurity specialists work on IT teams that are dedicated to protecting the integrity of the business’s network and data. Traditionally, network operations and IT technology supplemented the core business. 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.
Four key steps to becoming a cybersecurity specialist
There are no specific certifications that all employers require cybersecurity specialists to have. However, it is beneficial to those seeking a career as a cybersecurity specialist to have cybersecurity-focused certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+). Some cybersecurity specialist job descriptions require cybersecurity specialist program a college degree in computer science, cybersecurity or database management. Systems administration, telecommunications and network design are other degree specializations that would be useful to a cybersecurity specialist. As you gain experience in cybersecurity, you may choose to advance toward a leadership position within your organization.
Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) applies behavioral analytics to the IT security field to improve the overall state of IT security. Certifications like ITF+, CompTIA A+ and Network+ give you the background you need if you don’t already have it, and CompTIA Security+ is recommended to begin your career as a Cybersecurity Professional.
How to get a job in cybersecurity
They can be attained through industry certifications, degree programs, internships and work experience. Though there are many cybersecurity positions where a master’s degree is not required, it is increasingly common to see an advanced degree listed as “required” or “preferred” in listings for top jobs. According to CyberSeek’s breakdown of the cybersecurity specialist position, 63% of employers require a bachelor’s degree and 20% require a master’s degree. It’s important for current and prospective cybersecurity specialists to earn cybersecurity certifications that will get the attention of hiring managers.
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is designed to introduce the skills and knowledge you’ll need for an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst. Pursuing a career in cybersecurity means joining a booming industry where available jobs outnumber qualified candidates. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 32 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1]. Companies are listing more cybersecurity jobs and paying higher salaries than ever because it is difficult to find strong, qualified talent in this industry.
Demonstrate you’re a critical thinker
Hiring managers are looking for candidates with a fighter mentality who care about keeping people safe “because that cuts across everything,” Anand says. Even those people who aren’t trained in cybersecurity have a shot at a job if they demonstrate motivation to learn. Where you choose to get your degree is totally up to you and based on your needs. If you are a career changer and already working a full-time job that’s not in the tech sphere, an online degree could work best as it will be the most flexible option.
Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact… Workers in this specialty area may spearhead organizational efforts to create stronger passwords or limit web browsing to trusted sites.
How to become a cybersecurity specialist
Among them are intrusion detection, malware analysis and mitigation, programming knowledge and cloud security analysis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a trusted source of information about countless job categories and includes listings packed with data about the future job outlook for a wide variety of occupations. At the present time, one of the few cybersecurity positions it tracks is also one of the most common — information security analyst.
This title encompasses roles like cybersecurity analyst and information security 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.
Examples include incident response analyst or security operations center (SOC) analyst. It’s never too late to get a degree that will support you in your pursuit of a cybersecurity specialist career. Majors that would benefit a cybersecurity specialist include computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, database management and network administration. Payscale also reports that in 2024, cybersecurity specialists will be 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 handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a trusted source of information about countless job categories and includes listings packed with data about the future job outlook for a wide variety of occupations.
- This includes the time it takes to get a degree, earn certifications and get work experience.
- Those who don’t have a degree, experience or certifications may need to put several years into becoming a cybersecurity specialist.
