by Do you want to know what it takes to become a cyber security specialist? Do you have a passion for learning about cybersecurity and want to make it your career? These are popular questions that many people ask themselves when they are considering this career path. If you want to be a cybersecurity specialist, here’s what it takes.
How To become a cyber security specialist
Learn the basics of computer programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, or Ruby. You need these skills to understand how computers work and what they are capable of doing.
Study information technology at an accredited university program. Cybersecurity specialists usually have degrees in IT security or computing with courses especially related to cyber threats and defenses.
You will need to have a college degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering. Cyber security is a growing field. Many are looking to math majors for the knowledge they possess to solve these issues. Math has been pivotal in solving complex problems such as cybersecurity, so any student wishing to go into this exciting career path should major in mathematics.
Learn the Basics of Cyber Security
Several online courses are available that can teach you everything from how hackers work, what types of attacks exist, and more complex things like cryptography. Understanding these concepts will help make sure your future career in cyber security is a successful one.
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Get Certified in Cyber Security
After you have learned the basics of cyber security, getting certified will be an important step on your journey to becoming a specialist.
There are several different certifications available from companies known for their high standards, such as CEH (certified ethical hacker), GIAC (SANS Institute), OSCP (offensive security penetration testing certification), and CISSP.
These certifications will show your future employers that you are committed to the field of cyber security, making it more likely they will hire you for jobs like a cyber security specialist.
Get Familiar with Security Tools & Systems Used by Cyber Security Specialists
You will need the tools and knowledge to help companies protect their networks, computers, users, applications, and data from threats that may exist online.
These include firewalls (both hardware-based and software), anti-virus and anti-malware programs, encryption tools (SSL), patch management software, etc.
Gain Experience by Doing Cyber Security Work for Free or Cheap
After you have learned the basics of cyber security and gotten familiar with some of the tools used in this field, gaining experience is your next step to becoming a specialist.
You can do this by working for free or very cheap. This will allow you to gain the experience necessary for your resume and show future employers with real-world knowledge of cyber security.
Participate in Cyber Security Communities Online & Stay Up-to-Date on Threats
Another way to get more experience is by participating in cyber security communities online. You will be able to stay up-to-date on the latest threats and interact with other cyber security professionals who may know which companies are hiring or where the best opportunities exist. This can help you find jobs and get your resume noticed more quickly than applying to companies.
Follow Companies that Hire Cyber Security Specialists on Social Media & Apply for Open Positions When They Are Announced
Researching is a great way to find cyber security jobs online, especially if you don’t have much experience or education in this field yet. One thing you can do is follow companies that hire cyber security specialists on social media, such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
When employers post a job opening you are interested in, you can apply immediately instead of waiting until the application deadline. This will ensure your resume gets noticed quickly due to multiple applicants are competing for each position.
Get Educated in Cyber Security at a University
Another great way to become more educated and experienced in cyber security is by getting an education from a university.
You will learn about cryptography, network security, malware analysis, and more while surrounded by other students who share your interests.
You can also have practical experience by participating in internships or working as a teaching assistant during your studies.
Get an Offer for a Cyber Security Specialist Job Before Graduating from College
One way to make sure you have a job waiting on you after college is to get an offer from a company that hires cyber security specialists before you graduate.
This will ensure your first job out of school is in cyber security and allow you to have real-world experience straight away instead of taking an entry-level position where you have to learn everything from scratch.
Keep Learning New Things & Developing Your Skills as a Cyber Security Specialist
Even after becoming a cyber security specialist, it’s important to learn new things and develop your skills. With the demand and high rate at which technology changes these days, your knowledge will quickly become outdated and useless if you don’t continue growing in this field.
This includes taking advantage of training programs offered by your employer or even taking classes online to keep learning and growing.
Use Your Cyber Security Specialist Skills for Good by Providing Expert Testimony in Court Cases & Helping Law Enforcement Catch Criminals Online
You can put your cyber security skills to good use by providing expert testimony as an expert witness in court cases.
For Instance, you can help that criminals are prosecuted, and victims of crimes receive the justice they deserve. You will also be helping law enforcement catch more people online than ever before.
What is Cyber security specialist?
Cybersecurity specialists, also known as IT security specialists, network security specialists and other related jobs, play a central role in securing information systems of companies and other organizations.
Security specialists are entry-level positions into the wider world of cybersecurity positions, but you can get started quickly if you work up the ladder to a management role.
Experience in professions such as system administrator, security administrator, and network administrator can help in the transition to a cybersecurity specialist role, and motivated individuals can pursue additional avenues.
To become a cyber security professional, you must first understand how the internet works and be comfortable working on a computer and utilizing a programming language such as Java.
Also, you should be familiar with information systems and networking technologies that are used in the private, public, and academic sectors.
The growth of the information technology sector will provide you with growth in jobs. According to Forbes magazine, the private sector is an excellent place to find cyber security specialist jobs. The majority of jobs are in the government sector. This industry will provide you this job growth.
The technology used in the private sector is mainly for communication and information transmission from one network to another.
Cyber security specialist private, public, and academic career sectors
Next, you should decide where you want to work: public sector, private sector, or academia. To combat cyber attacks, you have to be knowledgeable about computer and communication technology. You will need this knowledge when working in the cyber security field.
The public and academic sectors of the information technology industry deal primarily with research and development. The educational sector is responsible for creating new technologies that are used by both the public and private sectors.
Cyber security specialists work closely with many other IT professionals such as networking technicians, software engineers, computer engineers, computer programmers, and network administrators.
Masters of Science in Cybersecurity
It is an online graduate-level program that provides cybersecurity professionals with the necessary technical, managerial, and leadership skills to excel in a challenging, fast-paced industry.”
The MSCS program at Georgia Tech requires approximately 12-18 months to complete. The curriculum outline includes 42 credit hours of education as well as internship hours.
To complete the degree, a student must earn at least 120 graduate credit hours with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. The program is directed and taught by faculty and industry experts who help students handle current cyber threats.
Students can join the internship program. Each semester allows for project-based learning, internships, and networking opportunities. There is a minimum of 8 courses required for the program.
The course list includes:
· 2 core courses- Network Security and GRC
· 7 elective courses
· 1 course in both professional cybersecurity and management
Once a week, students participate in a lecture by industry experts from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on global security issues.
This lecture covers hacking, compliance, intelligence research, electronic surveillance, and personal privacy.
This internship allows students to gain valuable experience in the industry while receiving pay and doing something they enjoy. Another option for 12 credit hours is attending the Distinguished Speaker Series.
The program culminates with a capstone project or thesis paper that provides students with real-world skills and experiences dealing with real-world issues. Students will showcase their knowledge and skills to use by writing a technical paper.
Professional cybersecurity Certification Security
Security+ is an entry-level certification for the information security industry. It demonstrates competency in risk management, communications and network security, cryptography, access control, and identity management.
This certification is not specific to cyber security but a good starting point for entering the cyber security field. You need to be familiar with computer systems to be able to work in the cyber security field.
The ACSC seeks to certify that participants have a basic knowledge of computer networking and file systems, digital forensics, operating systems, networks, and security administration, along with the ability to evaluate and troubleshoot computer network problems.
The ACSC certification includes five exams: Introductory Security+ (ISEC), Network Security (NSEC), Application Security (APSEC), Database Security (DSEC), and Cryptography.
To register for exams, you must complete a security questionnaire. You can also pay the exam fees and schedule the exams online.
A CSA certification is widely accepted as a prerequisite to obtaining employment in the cyber field. The ISACA certification has over 14,000 participants worldwide.
The exam can be taken online and includes:
- A written exam (42 questions)
- Two mandatory exams (44 questions each)
- Five elective exams (28 questions each)
The exam, w can be done at a Pearson VUE testing facility.
This course has opened the cyber field to a wide range of people. The certification seals are placed in the certificate of completion. When a person is found to be eligible for this certification, any employer can verify whether or not a person is eligible for a position as a certified security analyst (CSA).
The cyber field has expanded into many different sectors. It has grown from being an IT-related profession to an information security professional who can be called upon by all industries.
How much does a cyber security specialist make?
Cyber security specialists make around $90,000 a year.
The salary of a cyber security specialist may not seem like much. It is pretty competitive in the industry where highly skilled professionals protect our information online.
Cybercriminals are looking for sensitive data such as bank account numbers. They can quickly steal them because these specialists aren’t trained to be good with computers or technology devices.
Many people are striving to become cyber security specialists. The threats are getting real each day, and the need for cyber security specialists is growing rapidly. The world is quickly becoming a more cyber-centric place.
In Conclusion
If you want to become a cyber security specialist, it’s important that you start by understanding the basics. Cybersecurity is not just about preventing breaches and attacks; instead, one of its key aims is protection from unauthorized access or use of information technology systems. This could lead to positions such as digital forensics analyst or network intrusion detection engineer.
Check Out Our Latest Post Bachelor’s In Information Security (Is It Worth It?) – College-My Degree (collegemydegree.com)
Sources
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-cyber-security-specialist
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cheat-sheet-how-to-become-a-cybersecurity-pro/
https://cybersecurityguide.org/careers/security-specialist/
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