AN INTRODUCTION TO JOBS IN CYBERSECURITY

We’re living in a digital era, with technology surrounding us in every aspect of our lives. From secret service agencies to hospitals, educational institutions, and retail establishments, businesses and organizations are hiring cybersecurity specialists to protect their valuable information and customer data. Most stored data is at risk of a possible cyber-attack. According to a report published by Burning Glass Technologies, job openings in cybersecurity have grown three times faster than those for generic IT jobs overall. Cybersecurity experts are earning 9 percent more than any other IT specialists. In this article, I’ll explain some different job options in the field of cybersecurity and the type of education required to secure these jobs.

A Little About the Required Education

In all IT and technical roles, it is beneficial to have an Associates' or Bachelors's degree, but it is important to note degrees are not always required. IT is one industry you can go pretty far in without a degree. Either way, with or without a degree you will want to showcase your abilities with industry-relevant certifications and continued education.

For many hiring managers, certifications showcase you know the information the way the vendor or association requires, and continuing your education is proof that you are advancing and staying current in your skills.

For this article, I will focus on what certifications will help you get into each role.

1.       Security Specialist

A security specialist is an entry to mid-level employee whose primary responsibility is to protect an organization’s software, client data, and network security system.

Job responsibilities

·        Know the latest security updates and improvements

·        Monitor the overall security administration and plan

·        Protect the system against any damage, changes or prohibited access

·        Ensure that security tools are running accurately, including anti-virus software and firewalls

·        Implement training to recruits and interns

·        Develop particular security requirements as per your company’s needs

Suggested Certifications

Having certifications in cybersecurity disciplines like CompTIA Security + or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) will help you set yourself apart in the job search.

2.    Incident responder

Think of incident responders like the firefighters of the cyber world. Whenever there is a cyber breach or a system security threat in an organization, incident responders are the ones that address the security incidents and prevent attacks from happening in the future.

Job responsibilities

·        Identify any errors or possible exposures in the network or system

·        Develop a system of actions to take in case of any emergency including communication patterns within the organization and law enforcement

·        Supervise the network system for any suspicious activity

·        Work in partnership with other cybersecurity team members

·        Run risk analysis and security assessments

·        Provide detailed incident reports to higher-level management

Suggested Certifications

You will need to prove your continued education with several security-oriented certifications such as CISSP, CISA, or CompTIA CySA+ to name a few.

3.       Penetration Tester

Also termed an “Ethical Hacker,” a penetration tester is an individual who attempts to hack into an organization’s computer system to test its’ security. As a penetration tester, you need to know how to write code as well as detailed technical reports to demonstrate the results of your findings.

Job responsibilities

·        Create and perform formal penetration tests

 Conduct physical security assessments of servers, systems, and network devices via social engineering to discover any security flaws

·        Write detailed technical reports for your team members that demonstrate potential losses in terms of work hours, recovery time, loss of intellectual property, and other disruptions after finding a system breach

·        Incorporate business considerations into your company’s security policies

Suggested Certifications

Polish your hacking and coding skills as much as you can and consider the EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker certification or the CompTIA PenTest+ certification.

4.    Security Consultant

A security consultant is an individual who helps different businesses and organizations implement the best security solutions according to their needs by assessing any risks and possible problems. The person may work with a consulting firm or as an independent contractor offering physical security consultancy or IT-related consultancy.

Job responsibilities

A security consultant’s job responsibilities may depend on the terms of the contract with their employer but are not limited to:

·        Offer solutions based on the most effective ways to protect the company’s hardware and software including computers, networks, software, data, and information systems against any potential cyber-attacks

·        Work in partnership with the company’s IT and cybersecurity team

·        Perform vulnerability testing and risk analyses

·        Test different security solutions and determine the best possible ones

·        Respond to any emergencies within the organization

·        Develop personalized security systems that incorporate the company’s business policies

Suggested Certifications

Earning specialized certifications can also help your career as a security consultant such as a Certified Security Consultant (CSC), Certified Protection Professional or a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification also consider the Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) certification. Training under a senior security consultant can provide you with valuable information and experience that’ll benefit you in your career.

5.       Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

A Chief Information Security Officer is the highest in rank in the chain of command in an organization’s cybersecurity team. They’re experts in their respective fields and are considered as the leading strategists that help an enterprise avoid any cybercrime. A lot of people tend to confuse a CISO with a CIO, but there is a significant difference between these two jobs. A CIO’s primary responsibilities include solving general technical issues of a business such as installing new hardware or upgrading the software and overseeing the IT department. A CISO, on the other hand, is concerned with only one thing that is the company’s digital security which may include managing all of the hardware purchases in the context of system security and making sure that network upgrades without damaging the necessary security software. Both CIO and CISO need to work hand-in-hand to maximize the company’s security protocols.

Job responsibilities

·    Recruit and guide a team of security experts

 ·  Create strategic plans and policies for the arrangement of information security technologies and programs

·   Develop corporate security policies

·   Monitor any security liabilities

Suggested Certifications

Being the highest-ranking cybersecurity job in most organizations, many organizations now hire CISO’s having numerous IT and business certifications. This role should have knowledge of business practices and cybersecurity.  A few to consider, that can help you stand out, include the CISSP, PMI: PMP, the IIBA CBAP.  

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