The CASP+ is designed for cybersecurity professionals who demonstrate advanced skills but want to continue working in technology (as opposed to management). The exam covers advanced topics like enterprise security domain, risk analysis, software vulnerability, securing cloud and virtualization technologies, and cryptographic techniques. 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. 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 summer, he studied calculus five hours a day with other high schoolers in a program at Northeastern University. On Sept. 17, 2023, agriculture specialists at the Rio Grande City International Bridge import lot inspected a tractor trailer hauling a shipment of coconuts. During the examination of the trailer floor, agriculture specialists intercepted a pest that was later identified as Hapigia sp. This was determined to be a first in port interception according to USDA’s Pest ID Database. The OSCP from Offensive Security has become one of the most sought-after certifications for penetration testers.

IT Security Foundations: Core Concepts

Consider some of the following professional organizations for cybersecurity workers. As a discipline within network engineering, this field covers protection against breaches for interconnected electronics rather than individual databases or devices. Network security professionals use firewalls, physical hardware and education efforts to safeguard against intrusions and retain lost data. If you how to become a security specialist enjoy problem-solving, working with various networks, and mastering the latest technology, becoming a security specialist may not be hard. However, to become an expert in the field, you may need certification and years of experience. Before investing in higher education or certifications, explore salaries in cybersecurity and learn about the projected career outlook for the coming decade.

Digitally, infrastructure security refers to creating and maintaining protected systems from breaches. I enable clients to minimize business disruptions by building effective, efficient, forward-thinking cybersecurity programs. 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.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Back in class, the students fielded Howland’s questions about polynomial functions. Not everyone is convinced that a lack of math skills is holding America back. “It’s the only subject I can truly understand, because most of the time it has only one answer,” said St. Louis-Severe, who hopes to be a mechanical or chemical engineer. In Massachusetts, employers are anticipating a shortage over the next five years of 11,000 workers in the life sciences alone.

• Adding certifications like CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) can validate your skills in the cybersecurity field and prepare you for a more advanced role within your organization.
• Browse the top-reviewed undergrad & graduate degrees, professional certificates, online courses and self-paced training programs matching the IT security specialist education requirements and career path.
• Not only do these experts monitor systems against threats and utilize technology to prevent breaches within networks, they also must be able to quickly react when an attack occurs.
• The CISSP certification from the cybersecurity professional organization (ISC)² ranks among the most sought-after credentials in the industry.
• Cisco, CompTIA, CISSP, and CEH are some of the certs that may be required by your employer to be qualified for a role.
• There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

Businesses like Postmates, Venmo, GoPro, and Netflix use Whitetruffle to find tech employees. Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects. But being a key component of a company’s information technology needs can be a rewarding responsibility. Students learned to apply that knowledge in coding, data analysis, robotics and elementary electrical engineering classes.

IT Security Specialist Career Guide

Gaining industry experience in such roles can prepare candidates for core security positions. Several entry-level jobs can lead to top security specialist positions. Many specialists begin as network administrators, computer systems analysts, or network engineers. An undergraduate degree in cybersecurity or general computer science may qualify applicants for some positions. However, internships and IT work experience can help recent graduates stand out in the job market.