A Career in Cyber Security – Discover What’s in IT for You

There are over 300,000 cyber security specialists employed in the United States, according to information provided by the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. The employment prospects for those individuals known as Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects (among others) is better than average for the ten-year period from 2010 to 2020. Another 65,700 jobs are expected to be created in this field at a growth rate of 22 percent (whopping 22%!).

Individuals interested in a career in cyber security can expect to have a position that pays a median income of $75,660, which is 3 percent higher than the median pay for all computer occupations and 124 percent higher than the median income of all occupations. In order to determine if cyber security is a field of interest for you, you should know what the education and training requirements are, the types of jobs available, and what a typical day as a cyber security specialist entails.

Education and Training Requirements for Cyber Security

Attending institutions like those listed by CyberSecurityU can provide you with the training you need to be considered for the many current and planned jobs in cyber security. Depending on the type of position you prefer, anything from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s, master’s, or other advanced degree will do.

Determining the education requirements associated with the career path you choose in cyber security is just part of the challenge. You will also need to understand what prior experience or knowledge base you need to have for the different positions available in cyber security. Many positions in cyber security require one to five years of experience in systems designs, networking, and systems analysis. Individuals with a military background may also be well suited for a career in cyber security.

Types of Jobs in Cyber Security

There is a wide range of jobs available in cyber security. Some of the top positions are Information Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert; System, Network, and/or Web Penetration Tester; Forensic Analyst; Incident Responder; and Security Architect. Each of these positions requires different levels of skill and experience in the field of cyber security.

A Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert is involved in analyzing security breaches to IT systems and networks, usually by reverse engineering the attack. A System, Network, and/or Web Penetration Tester looks for potential vulnerabilities in a system before it is launched or revamped. Forensic Analysts are responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to a cyber attack, while an Incident Responder acts like a police officer at the scene of a cybercrime. Finally, a Security Architect works to build the protection necessary to lessen the vulnerabilities that a hacker exploits and attacks.

ALSO READ: How to Prevent Advanced Persistent Threats On Your Business

What to Expect from a Career in Cyber Security

Imagine being on the frontline of the war against cybercrimes, preventing and exposing large-scale attacks, viruses, and other maladies that effect computer systems in both the private and public sector. This can be the type of work that you do for a living. As more and more of our personal and financial data is subject to compromise and attack, it may be the right time to consider a career in cyber security.

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Olawale Daniel

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Olawale Daniel is a seasoned blockchain technology consultant and digital media entrepreneur with years of experience in digital marketing, real estate, and tech publishing. He has had the chance of working with multinational firms in the field of marketing, branding, publishing and leadership. He loves tech support services!

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