Security Specialist Job Description

There are many pathways that people take to become a cybersecurity specialist, but they all involve some combination of education, specialized training, and experience. People can take different paths to a cybersecurity specialist career. Discover the steps to become a security specialist, including education and work experience.

• Security analysts sometimes work with multiple departments to ensure their colleagues understand the organization’s best practices for information security.
• CASP+ is an advanced certification that validates critical thinking and judgment across a spectrum of security disciplines in complex environments.
• A security specialist is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization’s database, ensuring that it’s free from cyber threats and unusual activities.
• Regardless of your degree, it is important to constantly educate yourself on new technologies and threats.
• A security specialist must have a strong command of programming languages and system codes, as well as broad experience with technical expertise.

A security specialist’s exact duties may vary by company, but they can expect to complete the following tasks in the course of their work. Analysts often report to upper administration and may have to present findings and recommendations before management. Security analysts sometimes work with multiple departments to ensure their colleagues understand the organization’s best practices for information security. Security analysts, in particular, spend their days studying the devices in use, analyzing network structure, and testing security measures like firewalls and software permissions. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

A Day in the Life of a Security Specialist

Physical security specialists in entry-level positions make the least in the field, averaging $40,000 per year. Entry-level positions provide many of the necessary skills needed for higher-level positions, which is why mid-level positions get a significant salary increase. Mid-level physical security specialists make an average of $70,000 per year. Given the broad scope of cybersecurity https://remotemode.net/become-a-security-specialist/ specialist work, not all employers require significant professional experience when hiring. Some organizations employ these specialists in entry-level roles, allowing them to develop on-the-job experience. A cybersecurity specialist is a professional who is responsible for protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.

A tech-forward state, Virginia boasts the country’s highest concentration of tech workers. Other states employing cybersecurity specialists, like Texas and California, also nurture bustling tech economies. Metropolitan areas known for their tech industries, like Washington, D.C., and Newark, New Jersey, provide work for thousands of security specialists.

Advanced Security Specialist

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.

CyberDegrees.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers. First, the increasing reliance on technology in all aspects of our lives has created more opportunities for cybercriminals to attack. Many certification programs offer self-study options or evening and weekend training to fit around your work schedule. Look for study programs to help you understand key concepts and practice exams to prepare you for certification tests.

Responsibilities for this Position

They diagnose security threats and defend systems from viruses and cyberattacks. Department of Commerce Security Specialists (series 0080) continuously seek training and development opportunities for individual and organizational growth. The 0080 Security Administration / Specialist Training Framework (Feb 2017) is a training and development guide for Department security professionals. The framework defines a competency matrix that focuses on early-career, mid-career and senior-career development in the areas of technical, general and leadership competencies.

The best way to become a physical security specialist is to have a background in law enforcement or military service. If you plan to be a bodyguard, these occupations can teach you some of the basic skills you need, such as first aid, self-defense, defensive driving, and situational awareness. Alternatively, you can take classes or obtain certification through ASIS International. For personal security, you want to obtain the Physical Security Professional certification, which requires you to pass a written and practical exam. However, higher education degrees often affect salary and promotions. Candidates with a college degree may enjoy higher pay and more advancement potential.

Explore the necessary certifications for security specialists and learn more about the educational requirements for this profession. Start your journey to becoming a security specialist by earning one of these certifications. This page provides an overview of the security specialist profession. Review professional https://remotemode.net/ expectations, median salaries, typical responsibilities, and required skills for security specialists. Networking is another critical part of how to become a cybersecurity specialist. Joining professional organizations, college groups, and online communities can help jumpstart a security specialist career.