IT Security Specialist Career Path Training, Jobs, Skills & Pay

According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for this occupation is $50,380 in the United States. Compensation varies according to experience, as well as geographical location, so the average salaries for some of the most popular U.S. tech hubs are listed in the chart below. Earning a master’s degree in a related field shows that you have extensive knowledge in the area and have an even more extensive understanding of IT Security. Instead of searching for jobs, candidates create a profile and Whitetruffle matches them with employers. Businesses like Postmates, Venmo, GoPro, and Netflix use Whitetruffle to find tech employees. In all professions, networking offers a reliable pathway to finding job opportunities.

it security specialist

However, cybersecurity specialists usually focus on analyzing, monitoring, and responding to threats, while IT security specialists research, monitor, and install protective software. Although security specialists do not always need certification, most employers prefer certified candidates. Keep in mind that certificate programs and technology bootcamps do not provide certification. Individuals must apply for certification through organizations like (ISC)², Cisco, and CompTIA.

IT Security Specialist Education Requirements

Cybersecurity specialists can anticipate strong employment growth over the coming decade. For example, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 35% projected employment growth rate for information security analysts from 2021 to 2031. This title encompasses roles like cybersecurity analyst and information security specialist. Cisco, CompTIA, CISSP, and CEH are some of the certs that may be required by your employer to be qualified for a role. A major corporation or organization uses a security specialist to protect its software and network security system. A security specialist is a smart career path to take to begin your career in cyber security, as you’ll be the go-to person responsible for the overall safety of your employer’s data.

Given the broad scope of cybersecurity 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. While you don’t need a degree to enjoy a successful career in cybersecurity—eight percent of surveyed professionals only reported a high school diploma—it can help you build a strong foundation [2]. Many of the most prestigious certifications will waive some of the work experience requirements if you’ve earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field. There are numerous opportunities for highly technical roles, like cybersecurity specialists and developers, at cybersecurity companies.

How to Become a Security Specialist

A company also relies on their cybersecurity specialist to educate other employees about practices that will keep their personal and company data secure. In order to plan and implement these company trainings, the IT security specialist must not only have the required technical skills for the position, but also necessary soft skills. Candidates may spend 3-5 years gaining technology experience, often in non-security IT roles. These “cyberenabled” positions focus on technical support, network engineering, or project management, but still require workers to handle minor security issues.

Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects. Security+ provides a global benchmark for best practices in IT network and operational security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. WGU is an accredited online university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degree https://deveducation.com/ programs. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

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