If you’re technically and analytically minded, and have experience or qualifications in IT, organisations are always looking for cyber security (or information security) specialists notably at cyber security brisbane

By its definition, cyber security encompasses a very broad range of areas, and as a result there is a wide variety of opportunities available.

This career path is currently in high demand from employers, so if you are interested, then this is the essential guide on how to become involved.

• What is a Cyber Security Expert
• Why is a Cyber Security Expert Important
• Educational Preparation for Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs
• How to Become a Cybersecurity Expert
• How Much Can You Earn as a Cybersecurity Expert
• How to Boost Your Cybersecurity Salary
• Does Cybersecurity Require Coding?
• How Many Hours a week do Cybersecurity Work?
• Cybersecurity Expert
• Cyber Security Course
• What Skills do I Need to Become a Good Cyber Security Expert?
• Cyber Security Expert Jobs
• How to Become a Cyber Security Specialist Without a Degree
• How to Start a Career in Cyber Security
• How to Become a Cyber Security Expert in India
• How to Become Cyber Security Engineer
• How to Become Cyber Security Expert After 12th
• Cyber Security Education Requirements
• Security Specialist Certification
• Cyber Security Expert Salary
• Cyber Security Salary
• Cyber Security Jobs Salary
• Cyber Security Specialist
• Security Specialist Salary
• Information Security Specialist Salary
• Cyber Security
• Cyber Security Specialist Job Description
• IT Security Specialist Salary
• Cyber Security Companies
• IT Security Experts
• Network Security Experts
• Cyber Systems Operations Salary
• IT Security Specialist Job Description

What is a Cyber Security Expert

Cybersecurity specialists work with organizations to keep their computer information systems secure. They determine who requires access to which information, and then plan, coordinate and implement information security programs. They stay updated with top IT security courses and training.

Read Also: How to Become a Digital Marketing Analyst

Using a multi-layered approach, they use their specialized expertise and up-to-date knowledge to help protect against Web threats that facilitate cyber crime, including malware, phishing, viruses, denial-of-service attacks, information warfare and hacking.

Cybersecurity specialists are experts in all aspects of digital security, including Mobile threat detection and response, and are able to identify and resolve these highly complex issues to keep information secure, allowing business to continue as normal.

Why is a Cyber Security Expert Important

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.

Cybersecurity specialists are responsible for keeping cyber crime at bay by using their proficiency in analysis, forensics and reverse engineering to monitor and diagnose malware events and vulnerability issues.

They then make recommendations for solutions, including hardware and software programs that can help mitigate risk. These professionals typically design firewalls, monitor use of data files, and regulate access to safeguard information and protect the network.

Staying up-to-date on current virus reports and protecting networks from these viruses is a major aspect of a cybersecurity specialist’s job duties. They often train users, promote security awareness, develop policies and procedures, and provide updates and reports to management and executive staff.

Educational Preparation for Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs

Breaking into the cybersecurity field typically requires a combination of up-to-date computer expertise and educational qualifications. Specific educational requirements for cybersecurity specialist jobs will vary according to the position and employer.

• Associate’s Degree: Some entry-level cybersecurity specialist positions may require a two-year associate’s degree in computer science or a related field, plus work experience. You may qualify for advancement through additional experience and education. Most mid-level cybersecurity positions will require at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s Degree: Pursuing a four-year degree can be excellent preparation for a cybersecurity job. Many employers will require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, engineering or a related discipline. Many also require specialized training, industry certifications and/or related work experience.
• Master’s Degree: Mid-level and advanced cybersecurity specialist positions often require an advanced degree, as well as work experience. Employers may show preference to candidates holding a Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. An advanced degree typically takes an additional one to two years beyond the bachelor’s level.

Military and government employers may also require security industry certifications and security clearances. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to help their employees obtain an advanced degree.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Expert

1. Research the Profession

As with all careers, you should conduct thorough and independent research before you make a decision.

Job Description

In a nutshell, a cyber security specialist is a subject matter expert employed by an organisation to protect their data.

They do this through a variety of techniques, such as probing for weaknesses, monitoring systems and networks for attempted breaches, and then dealing with any that are found. This includes repairing and then strengthening the areas where an attack may have occurred.

Specialisms include:

Cyber/Information Security Analyst

Cyber security analysts are the front-line defence of networks, looking for and analyzing potential security risks. They put firewalls and encryption in place to protect against breaches, and constantly monitor and audit systems for any abnormal activities. They detail their findings in technical reports.

Ethical Hackers

Ethical hackers usually hold a CEH certificate, and are given license by their employers to try and penetrate the security of their system.

The idea is that they use the same techniques as malicious black hat hackers to test existing security protocols; if they are successful, upgrades can then be developed and implemented.

Computer Forensics Analysts

Forensics analysts focus on cyber-crime, an ever-growing phenomenon. They work with law enforcement agencies in both public and private sector organisations and are asked to undertake a wide variety of tasks, including:

• Recovering deleted files
• Interpreting data linked to crime
• Analysing mobile phone records
• Pursuing data trails

Computer forensic analysts need to keep highly detailed records of their investigations, and often provide evidence in court.

Due to the differing structures of various networks, your expertise could be employed in one or several areas, such as in cloud computing, laptops, mobile phones and app technologies, as well as the Payment Card Industry (PCI).

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role depends on the specialism, but broadly speaking they are as follows:

• Working with other computer security professionals to implement built-in security measures, often during the development stages of software systems, networks and data centres
• Probing for vulnerabilities and security risks in the organisation’s hardware and software assets
• Figuring out the best way to secure the overall IT infrastructure of an organisation
• Building firewalls into network infrastructures
• Constantly monitoring for attacks and intrusions
• Eliminating the vulnerability in a network or system if/when a potential breach is found
• Identifying the perpetrator and liaising with law enforcement agencies if necessary

Essential Skills and Qualities

• A strong interest and skill base in IT, including knowledge of hardware, software and networks
• Meticulous attention to detail, an analytical aptitude and the ability to recognize trends in data
• Creativity and patience
• An inquisitive nature
• A proactive approach with the confidence to make decisions
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Effective communication skills, and the ability to interact effectively with a range of people
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality, and the law relating to it
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of IT systems
• An understanding of how hackers work and the ability to keep up with developments in the criminal cyber-underworld

Working Hours and Conditions

Most cyber security roles are office based and you will likely work typical office hours of 35-40 hours a week. Most organisations demand 24/7 cover though, so be aware that you will be placed on a rota should an incident or attempted breach take place requiring immediate attention.

Salary Prospects

Most UK organisations offer graduate starting salaries of around £25,000, which increases quickly to around £35,000 as you gain experience. As you begin to move into more senior management and consultant roles, you can expect to earn anything between £45,000 and £80,000.

In the US, the average starting salary for an Information Security Analyst is around $40,000, with the potential to go as high as around $105,000.

Work experience

You’ll usually need relevant pre-entry work experience to get a job. However, there are a number of graduate schemes and internships (at student and graduate level) in cyber and information security which don’t require pre-entry experience.

Employers will expect you to demonstrate a passion for, and an understanding of, the cyber/information security field.

If it’s an option on your course, you could undertake a 12-month industrial placement in a cyber security role. You could also contact an organisation which employs cyber security analysts and ask to undertake a period of work experience or shadowing. However, there may be restrictions on what you’re allowed to do and see.

Making connections with those in the industry and attending relevant cyber and information security events could help you to access opportunities, which may not always be advertised.

You can join BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT as a student member for a small fee to access networking opportunities, mentoring and industry information. Other organisations you can join as a student include the Chartered Institute of Information Security.

The Cyber Security Challenge UK, a series of competitions designed to test your cyber security skills, is another source of opportunities including virtual areas designed to support and enhance cyber talents through gamification. This initiative has been set up to try and attract more individuals to this type of work.

2. Get the Qualifications

Although it is technically possible to enter this profession without formal qualifications (such as progressing from a help-desk role, or possessing black hat hacking skills), most cyber security specialists are graduates with an education in an IT or computer science field.

Degrees that are applicable include:

• IT
• Computer Science
• Forensic Computing
• Mathematics, Physics or any other STEM degree
• Network Engineering
• Networks and Security

Some organisations, such as the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), offer schemes where they will accept graduates of any discipline, even it is not related to computers at all.

Additionally, if you are changing career, you can undertake a postgraduate qualification in cyber security, or a related field.

In the US, entry requirements are similar. You would typically need a bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field, while professional industry certification would greatly increase your chances of employment.

3. Land Your First Job

As mentioned previously, cyber security specialists are highly sought after. This is because there is such a wide variety of organisations requiring their services; any company, business or governmental organisation that possesses some form of database is vulnerable to attack. As data becomes increasingly digital, this will only increase.

As a result, you could find yourself working in any industry, but particularly those that are more likely to be targeted such as:

• Banks and financial services institutions
• Government departments
• Intelligence agencies
• IT companies
• Security consultancy services
• Universities
• Network providers
• Airlines

Keep an eye on the following sites for cyber security specific roles:

• Cyber Security Jobsite (UK)
• CW Jobs (UK)

4. Develop Your Career

Due to constantly evolving technologies – as well as increasingly sophisticated black hat tactics – cyber security specialists are advised to keep up to date with developments by enrolling on continual training courses.

There are many industry standard qualifications that can aid in a specialist’s professional development, including the following:

• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) – an entry level certificate aimed at those with little experience
• CompTIA Security+ – suitable for those with more than 2 years of experience
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – A common qualification undertaken after around 4 years that is seen as a prerequisite for serious career development
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – Aimed at those with 5+ years of experience
• Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM) – Similar to the CISA certificate
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – A more general qualification, usually held by people in network management roles
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – Held by specialists in penetration testing or security analytists

Job Outlook

Career prospects are very good for cyber security specialists. As companies put increasing strategic importance in managing and analyzing their data, the need for competent and skilled people to protect it will only grow.

This is backed up in a recent survey by Indeed, which found that only Israel and the Republic of Ireland have a higher demand for cyber security specialists than the UK, while a 2018 report by Tech Cities observed that employer demand in the industry is growing healthily year on year.

In the US, it is a similar story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts job growth estimates at 28 per cent over the next 10 years for cyber security personnel, making it one of the highest predicted growth rates for any job.

How Much Can You Earn as a Cybersecurity Expert

Cybersecurity engineers, analysts, specialists, consultants, and architects are among the jobs that organizations are looking to fill.

Senior leadership in cybersecurity, especially those who work in major cities or specialty fields such as the military, can pull in annual earnings in the six-figure range; this is particularly the case for chief information security officers (CISOs) External link, which are typically the highest-ranking cybersecurity employees in a company. 

Every state now has a CISO External link  or the equivalent to make sure that statewide security management programs are keeping government information protected.   

CISO is not the only position in the field pulling in a competitive wage, though. Other cybersecurity jobs that offer competitive salaries include the following:

Computer network architect. Computer network architects are responsible for designing and building their organization’s data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.

They’re often tasked with upkeep of these networks, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median annual salary for a computer network architect is $109,020.

Computer programmer. There are plenty of cybersecurity jobs that do not require programming, but if you do know how to code, it’s a strength you can bring to any cybersecurity position. 

Source code auditors, for example, go line by line through source code to find vulnerabilities. You’ll need to know the coding language your company uses — be it C, C++, Java, or other languages. BLS data show the annual median salary for a computer programmer in any field is $84,280. 

Information security analyst. Most information security analyst positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field.

Employers — typically in the computer, business, financial, and consulting industries — tend to hire analysts with experience in a related occupation where they’ve learned to plan and carry out security measures that protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.

The median pay for an information security analyst is $98,350 per year, External link  according to the BLS. Those in management level jobs can net more than $120,000.

How to Boost Your Cybersecurity Salary

Cybersecurity is a relatively new profession, and those in the field have varied school and professional backgrounds. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science is often a requirement (but not always), and a master’s degree in cybersecurity can boost a job applicant’s appeal factor.

Classes cover topics such as cybersecurity leadership, cryptology, government and national security, network security, privacy engineering, and problem-solving skills. 

Companies are also looking for employees with project management experience; analytics and data science backgrounds; technical writing skills; and expertise in law, policy, and physical security such as law enforcement and military experience, says Pete Metzger, a recruiter of C-suite cybersecurity professionals with consulting firm DHR International, to CNBC.com.

Metzger started his career in the Marine Corps and later served as a Central Intelligence Agency foreign intelligence officer. Organizations are seeking people with leadership skills who can problem solve and help them “reshape” how they think about security,  he said.

And even if you don’t have a cybersecurity degree, it’s never too late to advance your education so you gain a competitive edge in the job market. 

Does Cybersecurity Require Coding?

When many people get started on their cybersecurity career journey, they begin to assess which skills will be needed, and undoubtedly consider whether those skills are ones that they can learn, or even want to learn.  

A not-so-common but very relevant question is about the need for programming and whether programming skills are mandatory for someone getting started in cybersecurity.

So, does cybersecurity require coding?  The majority of entry-level cybersecurity jobs do not require coding skills.  

However, being able to write and understand code may be necessary for some mid-level and upper-level cybersecurity positions that you will become qualified for after you’ve built a few years of experience.

In other words, we don’t believe that coding is a skill that everyone needs to worry about or focus on while they are getting started in the field, but it is a skill that is going to determine how far you advance in your career and what opportunities are available to you down the road.

And even with that said, there are many advanced and very successful cybersecurity professionals who are not strong in programming.

What is the best approach to learning to code for beginners?

Given that coding is not a critical skill that is going to prohibit you from getting started in cybersecurity, we recommend a two-phase approach to learning how to code, which is to 1) develop programming awareness, and then while you’re building some career experience, 2) develop programming proficiency. You will notice that neither of these phases requires programming mastery.

Programming mastery and high-level coding is not necessary for most cybersecurity positions and is best left to the dedicated programmers who code day in and day out and are creating applications or software solutions.

So, to beef up your programming ability, follow the two-phase plan outlined below.

Phase #1:  Develop programming awareness

As you get started on your career journey in cybersecurity, take a look at the entry-level job postings in your area. You’ll probably notice that very few entry-level technical jobs list programming as a core required skill and that almost all do not have a cybersecurity-sounding job title.  

When you are in this initial phase, keep in mind that security is a part of almost all technical positions now and that many employers still use general job titles for positions that are security-related. The security of computer systems has been around well before cybersecurity became a common term.

The best approach to getting your cybersecurity career started quickly is to start working in a more general technical support or information technology position, because when you’re getting started your skills are more general anyway, and hands-on experience in any related technical position is the best way to learn fast.

Also, the likelihood of someone coming out of college with no experience and jumping right into a job with a title like “Senior Security Analyst” is limited.

Consider that at this beginning phase, we don’t have the skill or proven experience to be able to handle a high level of technical responsibility just yet. It is during this initial phase of your career that you want to build your programming awareness.  

What is programming awareness? Programming awareness means that you can identify programming code, you understand basic programming constructs and components, such as if/then statements and loops and can read code and understand in general what the code is trying to do.

The best way to build your programming awareness is to get some structured practice, which means that you are learning programming by actually creating code and that you are introducing new programming concepts step by step as you go.

A great way to get structured practice is by taking an introductory programming course, either at a college or online. Online classes will probably be cheaper or possibly even free, and many are on-demand, which means you can sign up and start at any time at your convenience.

College classes are probably more structured and costly but are likely to have an instructor available to assist when you get stuck or your code doesn’t work.

Look for courses that are introductory programming courses or courses that are focused on the basics of the Python programming language. The Python language is very prevalent in cybersecurity positions that require coding and is a relatively easy language to learn.

While we always recommend face-to-face classes for cybersecurity topics such as penetration testing, learning programming in an online class, whether through a college or not, is not an issue for most learners since programming coursework is easy to communicate via the internet and home computers can be used to code without a lot of software installation and configuration or security concerns.

Feel free to take an online class so long as you have the discipline to get the work done. Regardless of which learning method you pursue, make sure that your programming class has practical exercises that you can complete so that you can actually do the coding because the best way to learn code is to create code yourself.

Phase #2:  Develop programming proficiency

Our second phase of programming knowledge is to develop programming proficiency.  As mentioned above, programming proficiency does not mean that we are a fully qualified coder or that we are an expert in any given programming language.  

What programming proficiency means is that we can develop our own code with confidence, while using available resources such as textbooks or online examples, and we can troubleshoot code created by us or others.

A common example of a programming proficiency in the cybersecurity world is when a Cybersecurity Analyst creates a script in Python to automate repetitive tasks. 

When someone creates a script in an example like this, note that this is a one-time effort and not something that they do all day long.

So, how do we go about developing our programming proficiency?  We want to take the same approach as we did in the first phase where we learned programming awareness, but take it to the next level.

Here we want to continue our programming education and develop our programming practice, and to do this a great path would be to enroll in an intermediate-level programming course. 

Again, your options would include a college course or an online program, but now we want to make sure the course is not just teaching concepts but is focusing on the application of programming concepts to create solutions.

To determine if a class qualifies, take a look at the list of labs or projects contained in a course to verify that you’ll actually be building something.  

The good news about following this two-phase process is that by the time you’re ready to start on phase #2 and develop your programming proficiency, you have already been working in the field for a year or more and have had the opportunity to meet other professionals and get a feel for the different areas of specialization in cybersecurity.  

You also will probably have a greater understanding of which of those areas are of interest to you, and if they require a heavy amount of programming knowledge.

What areas of cybersecurity require coding?

Even though you’re probably a few steps away from a job that requires programming knowledge, having an idea of what is out there on the horizon is not a bad idea.

The areas of cybersecurity that most often require coding knowledge are generally higher-level jobs that focus on some sort of software engineering or analysis or penetration testing.  

Any job title that has the word engineer or developer in it would be a tip-off, but many other job titles may request programming skills as well.

In addition to those jobs, some other cybersecurity positions will use programming, specifically Python, for generating scripts for automation.  Of course, which positions specifically require programming skills will be on a case-by-case basis and will change over the years as the cybersecurity field continues to develop.

How Many Hours a week do Cybersecurity Work?

Working hours are typically 35 to 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. You may need to work outside of 9am until 5pm depending on projects and the specific nature of the work.

Some companies may require you to work on a shift basis, which can include evenings, nights and weekends. You may need to work as part of a 24/7 call-out rota, to allow for quick responses to cyber security incidents.

Job sharing and part-time work are not common. However, some companies offer flexible working arrangements.

Short-term contract work is possible, particularly through recruitment agencies or if you work on a self-employed basis as a consultant.

What to expect

• Work is likely to be office-based and you’ll typically be using a computer for extended periods of time. However, if you are a consultant then you may need to travel to meet with clients.
• Self-employment is an option for experienced analysts. You could set up your own cyber security company or work as an independent cyber security consultant. You could also work as a contractor through an agency.
• Some roles will require you to have security clearance, particularly if they’re for a government agency or private organisation which handles highly-sensitive information. You may also be restricted in terms of what you can say about your work.
• There are a higher proportion of roles in major cities, with many roles based in the South East of England (including London). In Scotland, many roles are found in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In Wales, roles are typically found in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. However, as a consultant working for a company you’ll have to travel within the UK and possibly internationally. Independent consultants can be based anywhere and travel to meet clients.
• Women and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented in the profession. However, there are organisations which aim to promote greater workforce diversification, such as the Cyber Challenge Foundation. Other examples of initiatives aimed at attracting women into the industry include WISE (Women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), WeAreTechWomen and Women in International Security (WIIS).

Cybersecurity Expert

Cybersecurity expert is one who protects information from unauthorized access, illegal duplication, and theft. He analyzes where the risks are and then devises a strategy to prevent breaches.

He fights against cybercriminals and those who use hacking methods and the internet to steal private or sensitive information from the internet.

Cyber Security Course

The certifications offered by Global Tech Council in the cybersecurity domain are Certified Cybersecurity Professional, Certified Network Security Engineer, Certified Information Security Executive, Certified White Hat Hacker, and Certified Wireless Security Auditor.

You can choose the course that will best suit your needs. Out of these certifications, let us now understand the concepts you will learn by enrolling in a Certified Cybersecurity Professional certification.

This course will offer you a clear understanding of the elements of cybersecurity, cryptography, network security, application security, endpoint security, social engineering, Kali Linux, web application firewall, and much more.

What Skills do I Need to Become a Good Cyber Security Expert?

1. Outstanding Computer and IT Skills

• Understanding of network safety protocols.
• Familiarity with computer security systems.
• Ability to configure, run, monitor, and maintain security programs.

2. Excellent Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

• Understanding the necessary procedures for solving problems and implementing protocols.
• Identifying problems or breaches in security software.

3. Strong Decision-Making Skills

• Reacting properly when breaches occur.
• Developing the best solutions and understanding test results.
• A logical and analytical approach to problem-solving.
• Assessing situations and deciding on the best course of action

4. Routine Tasks of a Cybersecurity Expert

• Testing for and correcting possible openings or weaknesses.
• Analyzing the security measures taken to protect information.
• Configuring security programs and tools.
• Protecting information from unauthorized access, duplication, modification, or destruction.
• Granting access and credentials to authorized users.
• Updating defensive protocols and systems and running vulnerability tests.
• Monitoring all access to information.
• Writing regular reports on system status.

Cyber Security Expert Jobs

While some jobs will require a graduate degree in computer science or information security, it is possible to land an entry-level position within the field of cybersecurity. Entry-level security professionals can expect to handle lower-level security matters such as log monitoring, maintaining backups, and managing updates.

There is such a high demand for workers with cybersecurity expertise, that many of the professors teaching in cybersecurity associate’s degree programs report that many of their students already have jobs waiting when they graduate.

An increasingly popular way to join the cybersecurity workforce, especially for people with a background in a related field like computer science or information technology is participate in a cybersecurity boot camp or graduate certification program.

Cybersecurity boot camps are designed as intensive training experiences broken up over several weeks or months. The boot camp training and coursework can be offered by a private boot camp company or training service. Increasingly, and in an effort to help close the cybersecurity skills gap, boot camp credentials are also being offered by some of the nation’s top universities.

Top universities with well-established cybersecurity programs are also offering graduate certificate programs. These programs are designed for experienced students that are looking for a deeper dive into a specific cybersecurity topic area.

Usually several courses long, the cybersecurity graduate certificate programs can help make job applicants look more competitive, or help prepare certification participants for more advanced roles within the profession.

How to Become a Cyber Security Specialist Without a Degree

You can get an entry-level job in cybersecurity without a degree. The question comes up all the time on Reddit and Quora, and there’s always plenty of people who can testify that they have a successful cybersecurity career without a college degree. 

Follow these three steps to land a job in cybersecurity without a degree.

1. Get certified. While you don’t need a degree to start a career in cybersecurity, relevant certifications, such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker will help. These show you’re interested enough in cybersecurity to have made the investment in time and money, and that you have some basic knowledge.
2. Look for ways to demonstrate your competence. I know, I know—how do you get a job without any experience? There are ways. Volunteer, develop your own projects, and take part in competitions. 
3. Be prepared to start at the bottom. Even with certifications, accept that your first cybersecurity position will be an entry-level job and you might have to work nights or weekends. Entry-level jobs include IT technician, network engineer, information security analyst, junior penetration tester, or systems administrator.

Once you’ve gained some experience, your cybersecurity career will be on its way, and you can start looking for your next job in this lucrative field. If you need help in this process, look no further than Springboard’s cybersecurity bootcamp with a job guarantee. 

How to Start a Career in Cyber Security

To get started with cybersecurity, one must understand Cyber Security prerequisites: 

In general, Cyber Security  prerequisites are: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of firewalls and various forms of endpoint security.
• Knowledge of languages/tools such as C++, Java, Node, Python, Ruby, Go, or Power Shell is an added advantage. 
• The ability to often work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess the right eye for detail and outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Up to date knowledge of the latest Cyber Security trends and hacker tactics.

How to Become a Cyber Security Expert in India

Cyber Security in India can be learned at many stages like at Graduation (engineering & non-engineering), Post Graduation, Diploma, or through the certification programs too. So, let’s see one by one in-depth and understand all the courses.

A student who is willing to get into this career should preferably qualify in B.Tech with Information and Technology as the main subject in your graduation. Or if you’re graduated from a computer science stream then you can also move towards this field, because while studying graduation you’ll study about TCP/IP Protocols which are important in networking.

So, little about how to join B.tech; you must have atleast 55% of marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry stream. Then you would be eligible to write entrance examination conducted by central and state governments.

IIT JEE mains, AIEEE, EAMCET, are some of the prominent entrance exams which could lead you into B.Tech graduation.

Below are some of the graduations courses which can be done after the 12^th to get into the Cybersecurity space.

• B.Tech (Information Technology)
• B.Tech ( Information Science and Engineering)
• B.E (Information Technology)
• Diploma in Cyber Security
• B.Tech ( Cyber Security and Forensics)
• B.Sc in Cyber Security

Specializations for Cybersecurity:

Students during their graduation can also get into various specialization courses which are excluding from their graduation syllabus to get qualification certification too.

1. IT Management & Cyber Security
2. Computer science with Cybersecurity and quick heal
3. Information security with IBM
4. Computer science with Cyber expert investigator
5. Computer science with networking and Cybersecurity

These are the few specializations which you can do to attain certificate, which can be a plus point in your resume.

How to Become Cyber Security Engineer

For starters, you should have a bachelor’s degree in a field relating to Cyber Security. That includes computer engineering, computer programming, computer science, engineering, information security, or software engineering, to name a few.

Once upon a time, companies didn’t care if a candidate didn’t have a degree, but an increasing number of organizations are adopting that requirement. So, step one: have your formal education squared away.

Optionally, a cyber-engineering candidate can then continue his or her education by earning a master’s degree, once again focusing on fields that closely relate to Cyber Security. That master’s degree will be especially crucial if you want to become a Senior Cyber Security Engineer.

Then, you should get some work experience under your belt. Conventional wisdom says that an aspiring Cyber Security engineer should get three years of professional experience before making an official move. This figure can vary depending on the level and quality of work experience that the prospective candidate has managed to accumulate.

At last, there’s the final step: certification. Certification does two things for you; first of all, it gives you additional skills and knowledge that will come in handy down the road. Secondly, it provides verifiable evidence to the hiring party that you are well-trained for the position they’re interviewing for.

If you’re looking for certification, there are many resources available to you, practically an embarrassment of riches. There may be TOO many resources out there, but no worries, we’ll discuss a great option in just a little bit.

There are many different appropriate certifications that you can try for. There’s no reason you can’t go for more than one of them. The more tools you have at your disposal, the better your chances of getting the position you want. Among the certifications you should consider:

• CCNP Security: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security
• CEH v10: Certified Ethical Hacker
• CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor
• GIAC: Web Application Penetration Tester
• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• GSEC / GCIH / GCIA: GIAC Security Certifications

There are plenty of others, but the above list represents some of the more popular ones.

How to Become Cyber Security Expert After 12th

If you are an IT fresher and want to get into Cybersecurity field, then below are some tips that may help you:

Learn absolute Cyber security fundamentals like what it is, why it’s required, etc.

You can learn TCP/IP, programming, coding, markup languages like Python, Scipting and other technologies.

Take in-depth knowledge of tools and learn how to use them effectively.

There is a bright career in Cybersecurity and a lot of job opportunities in India. Cybersecurity jobs fall in the category of Security Analyst, Network Engineer,Computer Specialist, Information Technology Officer, Information Technology Specialist, Assistant Chief Security Officer, etc.

Some of these positions will only require a minimal amount of training such as a Professional Certification or an Associate Degree. Others will require a Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate in Cyber Security.

Cyber Security Education Requirements

Earn a bachelor’s degree: While it’s possible to find certain entry-level cyber security positions with an associate’s degree, most jobs require a four-year bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field such as information technology or computer science.

Coursework in programming and statistics combined with classes in ethics and computer forensics prepare students with the technical and analytical skills required for successful careers in cyber security.

In an environment where data breaches are becoming the norm, more cyber security degree programs are being added every year. Before choosing a cyber security degree, prospective students should make sure that it is not only accredited, but also aligns with their career goals.

Some employers will require candidates to hold an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in cyber security. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to meet this goal.

A master’s degree takes an additional one to two years to complete after the bachelor’s degree-level and provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack.

Students learn the ethics, practices, policies and procedures of cyber security as they study how to tackle network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Cyber security professionals can also earn certification to boost their skills while working full-time to gain hands-on experience.

Security Specialist Certification

While most cybersecurity professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, many companies prefer candidates who also have a certification to validate knowledge of best practices. There are literally hundreds of certifications available, from general to vendor-specific, entry-level to advanced. 

Before you spend your money and time on a certification, It’s important to find one that will give you a competitive advantage in your career. 

We performed a search for more than 300 different cybersecurity certifications on three popular job boards, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Simply Hired. These 10 certifications appeared in the greatest number of total job listings in the United States (as of June 2021), suggesting that these are the certifications companies are actively hiring for.

Certification	LinkedIn	Indeed	Simply Hired	Total
CISSP	48,711	13,499	9,333	71,543
CISA	12,466	6,138	3,859	22,463
CISM	8,860	4,064	2,806	15,730
Security+	5,371	3,583	2,698	11,652
CEH	5,894	2,401	1,697	9,992
GSEC	3,633	2,515	1,897	8,045
SSCP	3,682	2,442	1,859	7,983
CASP	2,918	2,052	1,500	6,470
GCIH	2,872	1,902	1,279	6,053
OSCP	2,798	1,948	949	5,695

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – A Certified Ethical Hacker is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system(s).

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) – CRISC is the only certification that prepares and enables IT professionals for the unique challenges of IT and enterprise risk management, and positions them to become strategic partners to the enterprise.

Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) – Backed by ANSI/ISO accreditation, a CIPP/US credential delivers higher earning potential and increased promotion opportunities because it shows you have a strong understanding of U.S. privacy laws and regulations.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) – CISM means higher earning potential and career advancement. Recent independent studies consistently rank CISM as one of the highest paying and sought after IT certifications.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – Enhance your career by earning CISA—world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor and assess information technology and business systems.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – Accelerate your cybersecurity career with the CISSP certification. Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA) – With a CCNA Security certification, a network professional demonstrates the skills required to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats.

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP) – This certification is aligned to the job role of the Cisco Network Security Engineer responsible for security in routers, switches, networking devices and appliances, as well as choosing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting firewalls, VPNS, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments.

CompTIA Security+ – CompTIA Security+ is the first security certification IT professionals should earn. It establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs.

Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (C|HFI) – Computer investigation techniques are being used by police, government and corporate entities globally and many of them turn to EC-Council for their Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI Certification Program.

Cyber Security Expert Salary

The average Cyber Security expert salary is around $74K a year, according to this article in careerexplorer. Senior-level engineers earn an average of $96K annually, while beginners can look forward to $59K a year. Nice work if you can get it!

In India, a Cyber Security expert’s salary averages ₹525,652 a year, while a similar engineer in Australia earns A$130K and an engineer in the UK can make £47,926 annually.

Of course, the above numbers can fluctuate depending on the demand in your particular part of the world. But regardless of the range, a Cyber Security expert can earn some serious pay.

Cyber Security Salary

The average annual pay for a Cyber Security in the United States is $112,974 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $54.31 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,173/week or $9,414/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $304,500 and as low as $40,500, the majority of Cyber Security salaries currently range between $60,000 (25th percentile) to $145,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $185,500 annually across the United States.

The average pay range for a Cyber Security varies greatly (by as much as $85,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Cyber Security Jobs Salary

Here’s a look at the six highest-paid cybersecurity jobs and their average salary ranges, so you have the salary insights you need to hire the expert talent you lack.

Information Security Manager

According to our 2019 Tech & Digital Marketing Salary Guide, this role tops the list of highest-paid cybersecurity jobs with an average salary range of $125,000 to $215,000. Information Security

Managers play a key role in avoiding security disasters by identifying any areas that might make your information systems vulnerable. These are the professionals who are tasked with assessing current security measures and mitigating future attacks against your company’s computers, networks, and data.

Cybersecurity Engineer

The Cybersecurity Engineer position also nets one of the highest salaries in the security industry, with average cybersecurity salaries ranging from $120,000 to $200,000. 

Companies invest in these professionals for their skill sets and experience as they are primarily responsible for multiple security engineer functions, including designing, developing, and implementing secure network solutions to defend against advanced cyberattacks, hacking attempts, and persistent threats.

Application Security Engineer

Another one of the highest-paid cybersecurity jobs, Application Security Engineers, make on average between $120,000 to $180,000. If your company uses software solutions provided or hosted by third party organizations like AWS or Microsoft’s Azure or even if you custom build your own solutions, hiring an Application security engineer is crucial.

These professionals will be tasked with securing all software and business applications used throughout your workforce and ensuring that all privacy and compliance constraints are built into the software and followed.

Cybersecurity Analyst

The average cybersecurity salary for this position falls between $90,000 and $160,000, and they are worth every penny. These security professionals help create, plan, and carry out security measures to keep your infrastructure secure.

They have the knowledge and experience to work with Penetration Testers and Information Security Managers to mitigate and avoid cyberattacks that could cripple your bottom line and are especially equipped to identify vulnerabilities before hackers have a chance. 

Penetration Tester 

Penetration Testers, commonly called Pen Testers or Ethical Hackers, on average, make between $80,000 to $130,000. A McAfee survey showed that security managers believe hiring ethical hackers offers a company a valuable understanding of logic used by hackers and skills critical to cybersecurity.

Does your company conduct quarterly, monthly, or daily security tests? If so, then these are the professionals you need to invest in attracting and retaining. Penetration Testers complete various, in-depth tests across your computer systems, networks, and even web applications to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Network Security Engineer

Rounding out this list of the highest-paid cybersecurity jobs, the average salary for the Network Security Engineer role now ranges between $125,000 to $185,000.

Much like the Cybersecurity Engineer position, this is a multifaceted position; tasked with maintaining your LAN, WAN and server architecture while also maintaining and monitoring virtual networks, firewalls, email security and web protocols, security, and programs.

When it comes to a business’s computer network, you can never be too secure, and this role helps guarantee your company’s network is safe and secure.

Cyber Security Specialist

Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for providing security during the development stages of software systems, networks and data centers. The professionals have to search for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software.

They manage and monitor any attacks and intrusions. The Security Specialist has to recognize the potential threat or attempted breach by closing off the security vulnerability. They build firewalls into network infrastructures.

The professional should suggest security measures for any information. They must design various strategies and defensive systems against intruders. The Cyber Security Specialist monitors systems for any unusual activities.  

They conduct counteractive protocols and report incidents. The professionals will examine and evaluate security strategies and defenses. It is the responsibility of the Cyber Security Specialist to create new defensive systems and protocols.

The Security Specialist will develop new layers of protection and update the security systems. The professional has to grant permissions and privileges to authorized users. The specialist will examine the defensive systems and provide reports based on test results.

It is the Cyber Security Specialist who is responsible for running a diagnostic on any changes in the information to verify any undetected breaches.

The professional must keep themselves updated with the new trends and procedures. They are responsible for analyzing new methods of intrusion. The Security Specialist prevents any attacks to access information without proper credentials.

They make a note of any breakthrough firewalls and other security applications. It is the Cyber Security Specialist who develops and implements information security standards, guidelines, and procedures.

Security Specialist Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the Cyber Security Specialist salary is $107,433 per year in the United States. As per Glassdoor, for this position, the professionals earn about $67,620 per year.

The Indeed salary estimate states that the Cyber Security Specialist salary is $113,483 per year in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the wage of Cyber Security Specialist, is $90,120 per year.

Information Security Specialist Salary

The average annual pay for an Information Security Specialist in the United States is $106,578 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $51.24 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,050/week or $8,882/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $160,000 and as low as $39,000, the majority of Information Security Specialist salaries currently range between $87,000 (25th percentile) to $123,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $146,500 annually across the United States.

The average pay range for an Information Security Specialist varies greatly (by as much as $36,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Cyber Security

Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It’s also known as information technology security or electronic information security. The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.

• Network security is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.
• Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data its designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.
• Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.
• Operational security includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fall under this umbrella.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity define how an organization responds to a cyber-security incident or any other event that causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery policies dictate how the organization restores its operations and information to return to the same operating capacity as before the event. Business continuity is the plan the organization falls back on while trying to operate without certain resources.
• End-user education addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: people. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure system by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.

Cyber Security Specialist Job Description

There is increased potential for career progression, especially in larger organizations and financial service providers. There is also scope for experienced security professionals to go into business for themselves as consultants.

Typical job description include:

• seeking to build in security during the development stages of software systems, networks and data centres
• looking for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software
• finding the best way to secure the IT infrastructure of an organization
• building firewalls into network infrastructures
• constantly monitoring for attacks and intrusions
• when the cyber security specialist finds a potential threat or attempted breach, closing off the security vulnerability
• identifying the perpetrator and liaising with the police if necessary

IT Security Specialist Salary

The average annual pay for a IT Security Specialist in the United States is $111,052 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $53.39 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,136/week or $9,254/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $200,000 and as low as $29,500, the majority of IT Security Specialist salaries currently range between $82,000 (25th percentile) to $128,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $160,000 annually across the United States.

The average pay range for a IT Security Specialist varies greatly (by as much as $46,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Cyber Security Companies

To help you navigate this growing marketplace, we provide our recommendations for the world’s leading cybersecurity technology providers, based on user reviews, product features and benefits, analyst reports, independent security tests, and use cases. Between high-profile ransomware attacks and mergers, it is a time of high stakes and great change for the industry.

1. Fortinet

Fortinet has been steadily building a reputation as one of the top security companies around. Its revenues are increasing at a fast clip, it comes up repeatedly in eSecurity Planet top vendor lists, has high customer satisfaction ratings and does well in analyst ratings. Gartner gave it top place in unified threat management (UTM), and it was named a Leader in next-gen firewalls (NGFW).

2. KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is on a rocket ride. A startup getting to Unicorn status (valued at a billion or more) on the back of security training is quite a feat. But constant breaches of organizations large and small, and a trail of victims to ransomware and phishing opened a massive opportunity. This company has risen from Niche Player a couple of years back to being number one in security training, according to Gartner.

3. CrowdStrike Falcon

CrowdStrike Falcon is popular with analysts and users alike. Falcon is near the top in raw security scores, but when factoring in the product’s advanced features, it wound up with an overall Detection score well above any other vendor on this list. It also scored high in Response, Management, Ease of Use, and Support. Users score it high in capabilities, implementation, cloud-based management, and Linux and technical support, among other areas.

4. Malwarebytes

Among Malwarebytes’ suite of cybersecurity products, their EDR solution has grown significantly in terms of feature offerings. Brute Force Protection focusses on Windows machine weaknesses created by the increasing number of remote employees at most enterprises. Their cloud solution receives positive reviews from users, and the platform works well alongside other security tools.

5. Cisco

Cisco’s roots are in networking but by necessity it has expanded into security and storage. Over the years, it has built up a wide range of security products, including firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), UTM, malware protection and cloud protection.

6. Splunk

Splunk is the darling of the IT Service Management (ITSM) market. But it has expanded from ITSM into security and operations management. The Splunk platform is used by many to perform security analytics and for SIEM.

7. Microsoft

Microsoft has quietly built up a large security portfolio. This includes Active Directory for identity and access management, Windows Defender, Azure cloud security services such as Security Center, Key Vault, Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Information Protection and Application Gateway for protecting Web applications.

8. IBM

IBM offers plenty of cybersecurity solutions, including Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), orchestration and incident response platform, cloud security and lots more. It isn’t the fastest in adding updates, and customer ratings aren’t great; but it is well rated by analysts (Gartner Leader in access management and managed security services), graded high by Cybersecurity Ventures and comes up continually in eSecurity Planet top product lists.

9. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto may not have the revenue totals of some of the big boys, but like Fortinet, it is very much on the rise. It offers firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud access and more. It boasts 50,000 customers, including more than 85 of the Fortune 100.

10. McAfee

McAfee has been a major player in security for a long time. It doesn’t seem to dominate any particular slice of the market, but it offers a lot of products that do consistently well in diverse areas. This includes antivirus, identity protection, SIEM (where Gartner names it a Leader), endpoint protection (graded a Visionary by Gartner) and secure web gateways (Gartner Challenger).

IT Security Experts

Here are our picks for the top 10 cyber security experts you should be following

1. Jeff Barr 

As if he needs an intro, Jeff is a core member of the team that developed AWS, and is now the VP and chief evangelist at AWS. He’s committed to continuing education from both sides of the desk. He blogs at the AWS blog and Medium, and has an active Twitter feed.

2. Lydia Leong

With 23 years of experience in the IT industry, 16 of those at Gartner, Lydia is a guru of cloud computing and infrastructure. She spearheads valuable original research on a broad range of issues connected to cloud computing. If you want to be among the first to know about changing trends and newest research in the world of cloud computing, follow Lydia on Twitter. 

3. David Linthicum

David’s role as chief cloud strategy officer at Deloitte Consulting is just the tip of the iceberg. He’s a cloud computing thought leader who’s written more than 13 books and 5,000 articles, been named the #1 cloud influencer by Apollo Research, appeared on TV and radio, and served as the CTO and CEO of various companies.. You can mine David’s experience and perspective through his courses at Lynda.com, blog posts at InfoWorld, or Twitter.

4. Graham Cluley 

British cyber security expert Graham Cluley has been blogging, writing, tweeting, and podcasting against cybercrime since the 1990s. He’s the author of the first “Dr. Solomon’s Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows” and is a member of the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame. Graham shares wisdom and the latest industry news about malware and social media hoaxes on his Twitter feed, his personal blog, his Smashing Security podcast, and at cyber security conferences. 

5. Melissa Elliott 

Melissa is both an “Infosec supervillain” and a fantasy fiction writer. She works as the application security researcher at Veracode and is a prolific tweeter about anything that catches her attention, like fiction and fantasy, gaming, queer history, art, cyber security, and more. 

6. Katie Moussouris

Named one of the Top Women in IT in 2014, Katie is the former Chief Policy Officer at HackerOne, the founder of Luta Security, and an industry leader on hacking, bug bounty and vulnerability disclosure. She created Microsoft’s Bug Bounty program, and shares her experience through Twitter. 

7. Runa Sandvik

Runa is a former developer at the TOR project and currently runs the New York Times’ Information Security newsroom. She serves as technical advisor for the Freedom of the Press Foundation and the TrueCrypt Audit project, as well as advising media outlets on how to improve their cyber security profile. Follow her on Twitter and read her blogs on Medium to discover the convergence of tech, law, and policy. 

8. Jeremiah Grossman

With a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a resume that includes ISO at Yahoo, founder of WhiteHat Security, founder member of the Web Application Security Consortium (WASC), and chief of Security Strategy at SentinelOne, Jeremiah is an expert on physical defense and cyber security. Keep up with him on Twitter, YouTube, and JeremiahGrossman.com. 

9. Mikko Hypponen

One of the most followed industry leaders, Mikko was named in PC Magazine’s list of 50 Most Influential People. He currently serves as the Chief Research Officer at F-Secure, is a prolific writer and international speaker, and works as an information security consultant to several governments. Follow his insightful views on Twitter, Ted.com, and MikkoHypponen. 

10. Paul Asadoorian

Paul is the CEO and founder of Security Weekly, a weekly podcast that covers topics in the field of information security and hacking, and should be part of your regular listening routine. Paul is an expert hacker and codes Python projects for fun. Follow him on Twitter too.

Network Security Experts

LinkedIn	Title	Company	Twitter	Location
Chuck Brooks	President	Brooks Consulting	@ChuckDBrooks	Baltimore, Md.
Dr. Anton Chuvakin	Security Strategy – Chronicle	Google Cloud	@anton_chuvakin	Sunnyvale, Calif.
Dr. Eric Cole	Founder & CEO	Secure Anchor Consulting	@drericcole	Ashburn, Va.
Bob Carver	Principal Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence & Analytics	Verizon	@cybersecboardrm	Dallas
Magda CHELLY, Ph.D	Managing Director	Cyber Pte. Ltd.	@m49D4ch3lly	Singapore
Graham Cluley	Cybersecurity Expert	Grahamcluley.com	@gcluley	Oxford, UK
John E. Dunn	Freelance Journalist	Naked Security	@JohnEDunn	London
Jane Frankland	Founder	IN Security Movement	@JaneFrankland	Forest Green, UK
Mark Goodman	Author	Future Crimes	@FutureCrimes	Silicon Valley
Roger Grimes	Data-Driven Defense Evangelist	KnowBe4	@rogeragrimes	Tampa, Fla.

Cyber Systems Operations Salary

The average annual pay for a Cyber Systems Operations Specialist in the United States is $86,680 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $41.67 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,667/week or $7,223/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $173,500 and as low as $25,000, the majority of Cyber Systems Operations Specialist salaries currently range between $54,000 (25th percentile) to $102,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $148,000 annually across the United States.

Read Also: Make Money Online – Become An Online Tutor

The average pay range for a Cyber Systems Operations Specialist varies greatly (by as much as $48,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

IT Security Specialist Job Description

Typical day-to-day duties and marketable cyber security skill sets include the following. IT security specialists:

• Develop plans to safeguard computer files against unauthorized modification, destruction or disclosure.
• Choose, implement, monitor and upgrade computer anti-virus and malware protection systems.
• Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information during transmit.
• Implement password authentication to keep unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data files.
• Modify security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, and change user access status.
• Perform risk assessments and tests on running data processing activities and security measures.
• Educate workers about computer security and promote security awareness and security protocols.
• Keep accurate and current backup files of all important data on the shared corporate network.
• IT security pros who specialize in computer forensics gather evidence for prosecuting cyber crimes.
• Computer forensics specialists can set up & operate an investigator’s lab, and process computer crime scenes.

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Conclusion

Cybersecurity jobs are among the fastest-growing roles in information technology as organizations are setting up security operations centers (SOCs) and establishing IT security teams to monitor and respond to global security incidents.

With many large corporations setting up their own cybersecurity taskforces, now is the perfect time for you to hop on to the cybersecurity bandwagon.