The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computing occupations are expected to grow by 10 percent from 2022 to 2032 [8]. 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) https://remotemode.net/ to reveal security weaknesses. Despite a company’s best security efforts, security incidents still happen. The field of incident response involves the next steps after a security incident. As an incident responder, you’ll monitor your company’s network and work to fix vulnerabilities and minimize loss when breaches occur.

Top-tier law enforcement agencies at the state and local levels also consider the designation desirable in an applicant’s educational background. If deterring these attacks and working with cutting-edge technology sounds appealing, you can play a vital role in protecting both a company’s bottom line and the data of people just like you. It’s a rewarding and lucrative position, putting you on a path to a fulfilling career. The career outlook for a CISSP holder depends on the role since they can qualify for a wide range of IT security positions.

Work Experience

Monali is passionate about implementing creative solutions, building community, advocating for mental health, empowering women, and educating youth. Monali’s goal is to gain more experience in her field, expand her skill set, and do meaningful work that will positively impact the world. They collaborate across sectors to how to become a security specialist inform best practices, research, and funding opportunities for ethical data sharing. Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for CyberDegrees.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Combining your NOVA degree or certificate with industry certifications will increase your marketability. NOVA’s cybersecurity program will also prepare you to continue your studies at a four-year institution. By creating more opportunities for cyber security specialist jobs, companies can protect themselves and their customers. The average company IT department may not be updating company software as quickly as needed, leaving gaps and vulnerabilities in important programs.

Are there other names that cybersecurity specialists go by?

Whatever option you choose, a security specialist role may be a career that offers many opportunities. Cyber security careers are expected to grow much faster than other occupations at a rate of 32%, the BLS reports. The increasing rate of cyber crime necessitates skilled professionals who can come up with solutions to prevent cybersecurity threats. The median salary for information security analysts was $99,730 in 2019, according to the BLS. Actual salaries vary based on location, job experience, education, certification and industry. Depending on your cyber security interests, you can pursue a specialty of your choosing.

• A cyber security career lets you apply your aptitude for technology by defending people, companies, non-profits, and government agencies from harm.
• Your program should recognize that life sometimes gets in the way of educational pursuits and, accordingly, should allow generous time to complete a degree.
• The average yearly salary for a security engineer depends on what type of engineer they are.
• Though computer skills are needed when it comes to cybersecurity, it’s more important to understand there is more to the field.

Working in security at the executive level often means managing operations, policies, and budgets across the company’s security infrastructure. 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]. Finally, holding the position of security specialist might require helping co-workers adopt new technologies and security software as it develops. However, most people are reluctant to change, especially if it requires learning a new operating procedure or workflow.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

This information can be anything from a list of a company’s clients and their contact information to highly sensitive and confidential data on which entire governments depend. A specialist may protect the information directly, but they may also be in charge of protecting entire information systems as well as networks through which that information spreads. Among the many cybersecurity jobs that companies are hiring for across all industries is the position of cybersecurity specialist. The employment of information security analysts, which includes cybersecurity specialists, is predicted to grow 36 percent by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. By studying cybersecurity at NOVA, you’ll be in demand for jobs such as network security specialist or internet security specialist.