How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist Career Salary Guide

Information technology security managers earn similar levels of education than cyber security specialists in general. They’re 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree. An information technology security manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization’s network systems to prevent unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of information from the database. Information technology security managers resolve technical issues, configure network updates, and upgrade system infrastructures to enhance optimal performance and navigation. They also install applications, inspect security breaches, and fix faulty servers to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. An information technology security manager must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing reports for system findings and design networks according to business requirements.

With the right education and experience, you could be on your way to a career in this in-demand cybersecurity field. In terms of skills, experience, and general mindset, a cybersecurity specialist needs to be like a Swiss Army knife of the digital world. A person in this role needs to be multi-disciplinary and adaptable to a wide variety of situations. Cybersecurity specialists are also responsible for continually monitoring security systems and networks for anomalies and tracking those activities in documents and reports.

Cyber Security Specialist

Cyber security specialists and information technology security managers both require similar skills like “incident response,” “nist,” and “security operations” to carry out their responsibilities. Job opportunities for cybersecurity specialists can be found in both the public and private sectors. Potential employers include government agencies, military contractors, IT services companies, the armed forces, professional services firms, financial institutions and cybersecurity consulting firms. In addition to an encyclopedic knowledge of computers, network infrastructures, and breaches (which you’ll learn about while earning your IT degree), certifications can also help set you apart from other IT security specialists. Cisco, CompTIA, CISSP, and CEH are some of the certs that may be required by your employer to be qualified for a role.

They are responsible for various tasks, including process re-engineering and documentation of activities related to this area. Cyber Security Specialists with more than 20 years of experience may earn more than €75,000 in Ireland. Malicious hackers are turning to technologies like AI to break into networks, so, as smaller startups come up with new techniques to tackle the problem, they become acquisition targets for larger companies looking to stay ahead of the curve. But being a key component of a company’s information technology needs can be a rewarding responsibility.

Develop career skills and credentials to stand out

Generally speaking, information assurance engineers are paid $4,104 lower than cyber security specialists per year. Like most other careers in cybersecurity, it’ll be a great start to earn your degree relating to the cybersecurity specialist category and then get industry certifications, clearances, and practical experience. According to a recent PayScale questionnaire, most employees with the job how to become a security specialist title cybersecurity specialists responded that they have a high level of job satisfaction. Career opportunities for current and aspiring cybersecurity specialists have never been more plentiful or lucrative. You are probably already well aware that cybercrime is continually on the rise. In fact, cybercrime is forecasted to amount to $10.5 trillion by 2025 — which is just a few short years away.

Employees in both cyber security specialist and information assurance engineer positions are skilled in incident response, dod, and rmf. Cyber criminals target financial institutions, businesses of all sizes, government agencies and military organizations across the globe. They have the power to inflict significant damage through interruption of service, intellectual property theft, network viruses, data mining, financial theft and theft of sensitive customer data. Cybersecurity specialists identify and resolve these highly complex issues to keep information secure, allowing business to continue as normal. According to Glassdoor.com, the national average salary for an IT security specialist is $95,689 based on a scale that checks in at $45,000 per year on the low end and up to $102,000 per year at the high end. The pay rate can depend on the industry—for example, companies such as Target pay as much as $155,892 per year for an IT security specialist, while Boeing offers an annual salary of $119,450.