Become an IT Security Specialist: A 14-Course Learning Path from LinkedIn Learning

Upon completion, you’ll have exclusive access to a job platform with over 150 employees hiring for entry-level cybersecurity roles and other resources that will support you in your job search. Information technology security specialists, a.k.a. cyber security analysts, take home a median annual wage of $103,590, according to the latest salary data from the U.S. A cybersecurity specialist is a professional who is responsible for protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage. They work to prevent cyber attacks, detect security breaches, and respond to security incidents. Cybersecurity specialists need to be comfortable in a world that is constantly moving and shifting.

However, internships and IT work experience can help recent graduates stand out in the job market. Since most businesses store financial, statistical, and customer data online, cybersecurity specialists — also called security specialists — can work in many industries. Entry-level positions often involve developing code, troubleshooting problems, and testing malware. Cybersecurity professionals tend to get paid well for their skills, even at the entry level. As you gain experience and move into more advanced roles, salaries often go up as well. To give you an idea of what’s possible, here’s a look at the average salary of several cybersecurity jobs in the US in October 2022, according to Glassdoor.

I enable clients to minimize business disruptions by building effective, efficient, forward-thinking cybersecurity programs. Contact recruiters directly to double-check that your qualification will be right for the specific job you’re aiming for. If you’re unsure where to start, the basics can be a good place to turn to. Take a look at the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which requires no previous related experience.

As a discipline within network engineering, this field covers protection against breaches for interconnected electronics rather than individual databases or devices. Network security professionals use firewalls, physical hardware and education efforts to safeguard against intrusions and retain lost data. Some experts say the fields of cybersecurity, network security, information security and infrastructure security are all different.

What does an IT security specialist do?

Compare top-rated IT security training programs in the U.S. and online. That often means that continuing education is required — both in the form of formal, industry-recognized certifications —  and in the form of informal learning and tracking industry developments. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a more advanced certification designed for cybersecurity professionals with at least five years of work experience.

Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security. However, cybersecurity focuses exclusively on protecting digital assets, while information security covers digital and physical information across all mediums. With training and experience, candidates can also pursue other security specialties, such as computer forensics, penetration testing, and governance, risk, and compliance.

Become an IT Security Specialist

Keep in mind that certificate programs and technology bootcamps do not provide certification. Individuals must apply for certification through organizations like (ISC)², Cisco, and CompTIA. Several entry-level jobs can lead to top security specialist positions. Many specialists begin as network administrators, computer systems analysts, or network engineers. An undergraduate degree in cybersecurity or general computer science may qualify applicants for some positions.

The LPI Linux Essentials and ITIL® Foundation Certification are central to this program. Included CompTIA certifications are A+, Network+, Security+, and Project+. Find out how different WGU is about personalizing and supporting your education. Working in web development means you’ll be responsible for creating and maintaining websites and phone applications.

Networking, internships, and certifications can help individuals land entry-level security positions. Many cybersecurity experts start out as network engineers, help desk technicians, or systems administrators. Not only do these experts monitor systems against threats and utilize technology to prevent breaches within networks, they also must be able to quickly react when an attack occurs. A company also relies on their IT security specialist to educate other employees about practices that will keep their personal and company data secure.

How long does it take to become an IT security specialist?

But even if you aren’t a forensics specialist, it can be useful to know how to collect… In the twenty-first century, no one doubts the importance of cybersecurity. Malcolm Shore shows how to use the latest tools to discourage and combat hackers, phishers, and snoops attempting to infiltrate your…

Many cybersecurity professionals enter the field as a junior information security analyst after gaining some experience in IT. To be a successful cybersecurity specialist, one should have knowledge and skills in areas such as network security, cryptography, risk management, compliance, incident response, and threat analysis. They must stay up to date with the latest trends and threats in the cybersecurity industry and be able to adapt to evolving security risks. Good communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills are also important for a cybersecurity specialist. Additionally, cybersecurity specialists are often called on in times of crisis or emergency — or when there are issues with networks or data systems. A major corporation or organization uses a security specialist to protect its software and network security system.

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. Students can attend university job fairs, ask professors about internship opportunities, and join IT security organizations. Groups like the Information Systems Security Association International host conferences and seminars that provide ample networking opportunities.

We have compiled all the relevant information about the security specialist role, so you can decide whether this is the ideal career path for you. We reveal the essential aspects of the position, how to get hired, data on salary expectations, and the best companies that are hiring. One of the primary responsibilities https://trading-market.org/become-an-it-security-specialist-learning-path/ of a cybersecurity specialist is to keep tabs on the systems employed by their organization and report any issues to management. They are also responsible for anticipating future threats and advising on how to deal with them. Network security professionals work within a narrower scope than cybersecurity workers.

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Often times the job of a cybersecurity specialist can be somewhat routine. They are responsible for making sure that networks and computer systems are up-to-date and not vulnerable to software bugs. These are just a few examples of the dozens of cybersecurity certifications available.

Cybersecurity specialists need to be able to communicate well and be comfortable in team roles. The job often entails coaching and training of co-workers on security best practices. Cybersecurity specialists are also responsible for continual monitoring security systems and networks for anomalies and tracking those activities in documents and reports. There are many pathways that people take to become a cybersecurity specialist, but they all involve some combination of education, specialized training, and experience. Cybersecurity workers and information security specialists both protect valuable information and data. However, cybersecurity prevents access by bad actors, and information security considers aspects like the availability and confidentiality of data.

Gaining industry experience in such roles can prepare candidates for core security positions. The actual job description of a security specialist can be hard to pin down, because these specialists may have varying duties based on their actual position. But typically these specialists are expected to install, configure, and maintain security software designed to prevent outside attacks on the company’s internal network. IT security professionals are also be expected to monitor the company network for any breaches or vulnerabilities, devising plans for further safeguarding as needed. The more a security specialist can guard against attacks, the more a business is able to function at full technological throttle.

Others consider these cybersecurity careers to exist under the same umbrella of computer security. The following section explores differences among various subsets of cybersecurity. Before investing in higher education or certifications, explore salaries in cybersecurity and learn about the projected career outlook for the coming decade. Users can search for cybersecurity positions and browse listings from high-profile companies. The security specialist role best suits people who enjoy new challenges and want to protect data. Professionals in this industry also need strong problem-solving skills.

• Take a look at the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which requires no previous related experience.
• 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 protect sensitive data and analyze vulnerable spots in company networks.
• According to a 2021 CompTIA job report, information security analyst positions were in the top ten for the most remote job listings — with about 4,400 postings.

To get hired as a security specialist, you always want to develop your skills and knowledge as much as possible, and certificates help you to do exactly that. In today’s era of ever-escalating cyber attacks, organizations need to have security measures in place that will protect their sensitive data and systems. The fact that more and more businesses are relying on cloud computing, technology, and remote work presents further reasons to prioritize security infrastructure. Working in cybersecurity means protecting computer systems, devices, and sensitive information from malware, unauthorized access, damage, and data breaches. Cybersecurity is one of two fields in IT expected to see the most demand, according to Global Knowledge, an IT professional development company (the other being cloud computing).

Workers in this specialty area may spearhead organizational efforts to create stronger passwords or limit web browsing to trusted sites. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

After all, you don’t want to waste your time, effort, and money on a qualification you don’t need or that won’t come in handy for your chosen career path. A security specialist, also known as an IT security specialist or a cyber security specialist, is responsible for developing and implementing security measures for an organization. As a security specialist, your overarching goal is to analyze current security procedures and suggest changes to upper management for improving efficiency and overall security. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career and earn a credential from Meta. Network IT professionals work with network-related tasks or hardware, and systems professionals work among servers and computer systems. They may have overlapping roles, particularly at smaller companies where you’re more likely to have to wear many hats.