What does a Security Specialist do?

They make sure that the systems perform the way they are supposed to, and that they are safe from attack. The NICCS Education and Training Catalog helps cybersecurity professionals find over 6,000 cybersecurity-related courses. Security specialists use the skills developed in their degree programs when they implement and modify software, and conduct deep computer system analysis.

what does a security specialist do

The highest-paying industry for a cyber security specialist is the technology industry. The education levels that information assurance engineers earn slightly differ from cyber security specialists. In particular, information assurance engineers are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree than a cyber security specialist. We looked at the average cyber security specialist salary and compared it with the wages of an information assurance engineer. Generally speaking, information assurance engineers are paid $4,104 lower than cyber security specialists per year.

The Different Types of Cyber Security Specialists

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. Payscale also reports that in 2023, cybersecurity specialists will be compensated across a wide range, depending on experience, responsibilities, and geography. 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. Qualified cybersecurity specialists need a strong foundation of soft and hard skills to complete their daily tasks.

  • Some employers may require certification in security management or a related field.
  • Cybersecurity consultants also develop and maintain policies and procedures to ensure the security of an organization’s systems and data.
  • A security specialist should also research evolving risks (new methods that cyber criminals employ) and implement changes that take all known risks into account.
  • These professionals also educate co-workers on best practices, as breaches may occur accidentally or deliberately by bad actors within their companies.
  • Otherwise, every software seems like a regular thing for an experienced and skillful computer security smart head.
  • Going through the global need and importance of the computer security specialists’ team will present factful points on why one should hire an outsourced computer system protection team.

Information technology security manager positions earn higher pay than cyber security specialist roles. Information assurance engineers tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,153. In contrast, cyber security specialists make the biggest average salary, $89,538, in the technology industry. Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization’s data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization’s most essential asset.

How do I become a cybersecurity specialist?

In fact, the security assurance from computer system monitoring professionals frees companies from the stress of being trapped in cyber-attacks implemented by Anonymous hackers. Similarly, security professionals are popular for their on-time debugging of different security software that are not working according to asked services. A hired computer security executive can also become your cyber defense software engineer. 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. Digitally, infrastructure security refers to creating and maintaining protected systems from breaches.

Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level. CISA is a national organization that seeks to understand, manage, and reduce risk to cyber and physical infrastructure. They offer industry resources, analyses, and tools to help build cyber communications.

Roles and responsibilities of a cyber security specialist

A software security engineer is responsible for ensuring the safety of software applications by identifying and mitigating security risks. They may also be involved in developing security policies and procedures and conducting security audits. Some experts say the fields of cybersecurity, network security, information security and infrastructure security are all different. Others consider these cybersecurity careers to exist under the same umbrella of computer security. Companies are listing more cybersecurity jobs and paying higher salaries than ever because it is difficult to find strong, qualified talent in this industry.

what does a security specialist do

Computer security assistance can be demanded by every organization and government sector. Likewise, healthcare centers, educational institutes, and law enforcement agencies. Government authorities how to become a security specialist can call for cybersecurity professionals with prime expertise in computer security to find loopholes and stop cyber breaches in their end-point devices and data store networks.

Gain Experience

In conclusion, a cyber security specialist plays a crucial role in protecting organizations from cyber threats. They are responsible for implementing security measures, monitoring networks for any suspicious activities, and responding promptly to any breaches or attacks. With the increasing prevalence of cyber attacks, their expertise and skills are in high demand.

what does a security specialist do

They collaborate across sectors to 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. However, you will also be expected to engage in manual checks and tests to ensure that you don’t miss any issues.