Sometimes both a degree and cybersecurity certifications are required for cybersecurity specialists – but that’s not always the case. Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand right now and employers are realizing that they need to be open to alternative paths to knowledge and experience in order to fill these positions. Relevant certifications can give job seekers a competitive advantage and help them prove to employers that they have in-demand information security skills. In general, cybersecurity specialists are often required to have several years of experience in a cybersecurity-focused job.

• Given the broad scope of cybersecurity specialist work, not all employers require significant professional experience when hiring.
• Workers in this specialty area may spearhead organizational efforts to create stronger passwords or limit web browsing to trusted sites.
• This role is critical because oftentimes data breaches come from inside the organization, either intentionally or accidentally.
• A cybersecurity specialist is a professional who is responsible for protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.

Keep in mind that most certification exams require significant preparation, and some include experience requirements. Second, the growing sophistication of cyberattacks means that organizations need more skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect themselves. Third, the global shortage of cybersecurity workers is expected to continue, which will drive up wages and salaries for cybersecurity specialists.

Information Security

Cybersecurity specialists are also known as information technology specialists, operations specialists, information security specialists and security specialists. The term applies to a skill set that a variety of cybersecurity professionals use to prevent cyberattacks and mitigate data breaches. Some of these roles include but are not limited to security administrator, systems administrator and security analyst.

Additional terms that can be used interchangeably with cybersecurity specialist are information security specialist, security specialist, information technology specialist and operations specialist. A Cyber Security Specialist is an expert in the field of information technology security. They work to make sure that networks are safe from external threats like hackers or crackers who want access for malicious purposes. With CompTIA, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your cybersecurity career. Whether you want to be a network engineer, security analyst or CISO, CompTIA can help you get there.

How do I become a cybersecurity specialist?

Instead of (or in addition to) a degree, cybersecurity certifications help qualify an IT professional for a cybersecurity specialist role. So does membership in professional organizations for cybersecurity professionals. Though certification is not required to work in this role, formal credentials can boost your job opportunities and cybersecurity specialist salary. Certifications demonstrate expertise in cybersecurity to potential employers, and they indicate a dedication to the field.

The 10-year projected growth for cybersecurity specialists is 242% above the national rate per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce 2023 and Lightcast. 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.

Job Outlook and Salaries for Cybersecurity Specialists

Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security. However, cybersecurity focuses exclusively on protecting digital assets, while information security covers digital and physical information across all mediums. The demand for these IT pros is unlikely to change due to the fast growth of the IoT (Internet of Things) and because the rate of digital transformation is increasing. Where you choose to get your degree is totally up to you and based on your needs. If you are a career changer and already working a full-time job that’s not in the tech sphere, an online degree could work best as it will be the most flexible option.

Cybersecurity specialists are IT professionals who are trained to detect threats and protect an organization’s sensitive information by implementing security measures. Cybersecurity specialists work to oversee organizations’ data security operations and keep the entire IT infrastructure, including software systems, networks and data centers, secure. At the same time, they ensure other cybersecurity team members and internal employees adhere to current security policies.

Gain Experience

This guide offers information on how to become a cybersecurity analyst, along with details on other cybersecurity roles such as information security specialist. If you’re wondering how to get into cybersecurity, read on to explore salaries, job outlooks and available certifications in the field. Payscale also reports that in 2024, cybersecurity specialists will be compensated across a wide range, depending on experience, responsibilities, and geography. They are responsible for making sure that networks and computer systems are up-to-date and not vulnerable to software bugs.

This title encompasses roles like cybersecurity analyst and information security specialist. 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.

What Education and Qualifications Are Required?

More experience is required for advanced roles and less is needed for early-career roles. Having industry credentials and higher-level degrees could shorten the experience requirements some potential employers have. It’s not uncommon for cybersecurity specialist job descriptions to call for cybersecurity specialist program several years of experience[MOU4] . Interested candidates shouldn’t let this discourage them if they have less experience. Employers may be willing to lower their experience requirements for job candidates with cybersecurity-focused degrees and/or in-demand cybersecurity certifications.

Certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), PenTest+ and Project+ can prove you have the skills to take your cybersecurity career to the next level. The outlook for both Cyber Security Analysts and Cyber Security Specialists is positive, with job growth expected to be much faster than average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 31 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Other cybersecurity certifications to consider include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Validate skills in various cybersecurity areas, including offensive operations, cyber defense, cloud security, industrial control systems and more.

These are just a few examples of the dozens of cybersecurity certifications available. When looking at job opportunities in the cybersecurity industry, it’s a good idea to keep notes about what kinds of certifications employers are looking for. If you are starting from scratch, becoming a cybersecurity specialist will take longer. Shorten the journey by completing a cybersecurity internship during school and working an entry-level cybersecurity or help-desk job if time allows. If you consistently network on LinkedIn, you may find that job opportunities will present themselves to you as you complete a degree program, earn industry certifications and get experience. With CompTIA Security+, you’ll gain knowledge and skills related to cyberattacks, threats and vulnerabilities, as well as operations and incident response.