Cybersecurity Job Description: What to Expect

For data, this field protects information by building structures for backups and encryption. Network security professionals work within a narrower scope than cybersecurity workers. Cybersecurity defends against attacks on hardware, software, networks and users.

While certificates are awarded to individuals who have completed a course of study, certifications indicate the holder has passed a particular exam. Analysts often work closely with cybersecurity engineers, who develop technical cybersecurity solutions, by providing feedback and insight into how systems can be improved. Their work can be focused on hardware, software, or any other system that cybercriminals may wish to infiltrate, bypass, or steal. Common course topics include professional research theory, advanced computer security and managing cybersecurity risk. Some schools may categorize cybersecurity as a specialization within a broader information technology or computer science program.

Partner Certifications

Cybersecurity professionals may work with government organizations to safeguard military communications or with businesses to keep malicious actors from accessing financial records. Healthcare companies also use cybersecurity workers to protect their sensitive patient data. Large retailers shield customers’ credit card data with cybersecurity measures as well. Real-world experience working on cybersecurity projects is one of the best ways to learn and represent your abilities to prospective employers.

• Despite the need to work together with other technology professionals, cybersecurity employees tend to focus on different issues than IT workers.
• However, cybersecurity jobs usually focus on protecting digital information.
• That’s why there continues to be a high demand for cybersecurity professionals.
• If you enjoy planning and building, you may choose to pursue security engineering and architecture.
• Information security is a broader term that refers to the protection of data.
• Cybersecurity matters for everyone, even people who don’t think they use technology directly.

Here’s a sample of cybersecurity roles and responsibilities that a professional in this field can expect to handle. Cybersecurity is the profession of protecting digital information, devices, and networks from unauthorized users. People in this profession also ensure the integrity, security, and accessibility of information for authorized users.

What Is a Cybersecurity Specialist?

A cybersecurity specialist is an expert in the field of information technology security. Cybersecurity managers are responsible for overseeing an organization’s security infrastructure. At the same time, you’ll need to lead risk mitigation efforts, source cybersecurity tools, and ensure your organization complies with proper rules and regulations. Cybersecurity professionals assess security risks, design security strategies, and implement security technologies to protect organizations from cyber attacks.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2022 through 2032. That’s much faster than the average for all jobs, which is 3 percent [3]. The Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is designed to introduce the skills and knowledge you’ll need for an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst.

CompTIA Certifications

Cybersecurity specialists handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data. Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks. They provide ongoing oversight for organizations’ cybersecurity efforts through several methods. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she’s primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.

After a breach, you should change your password — but recent research shows that few people actually update their passwords. The site Have I Been Pwned lets users check whether their accounts may have been compromised. It’s the only way to maintain unique, hard-to-guess credentials for every secure site you and your team access daily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Careers in Cybersecurity

The following section explores differences among various subsets of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity specialists can anticipate strong employment growth over the coming decade. For example, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 32% projected employment growth rate for information security analysts from 2022 to 2032. This title encompasses roles like cybersecurity analyst and information security specialist.

While it’s totally possible to teach yourself through books, blogs, podcasts, and other resources, you may find a course helpful in giving structure and context to what you’re learning. Maybe you’ll want to move cybersecurity specialist program toward security engineering and architecture. You could build leadership skills to move into IT security management, or take an offensive approach to security with a job as a penetration tester or ethical hacker.

You may advance to become a security architect, responsible for your organization’s entire security infrastructure. The field of cybersecurity has its own set of jargon, tools, and best practices. It can help to get an overview of it all by taking some introductory courses in cybersecurity.

IBM’s Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks course describes key cybersecurity concepts, best practices, and tools. While the use of artificial intelligence is exploding worldwide, one of the best applications of this powerful technology is applying AI in cybersecurity. This blog will show how AI cybersecurity works, its benefits, the skills needed, and more. Our comprehensive guide explores the essentials of Identity and Access Management (IAM), covering its role in cybersecurity, components, benefits, and more. CompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications. An insider threat has the potential to cause significant damages, because many cybersecurity practices focus only on external threats.

Careers In Cybersecurity: Which One Is Right For You?

As experts in cybersecurity, these specialists help to create, analyze and deploy organizational security systems. Cybersecurity specialists test for areas of potential exposure in interconnected computer networks, document their findings and provide solutions for vulnerabilities. Bootcamps’ rigorous curricula equip students to launch their cybersecurity careers. Cybersecurity bootcamps typically cover topics like computer forensics, network security and defense, risk management and cryptography. Many bootcamps prepare students to take cybersecurity certification exams.