Some organizations prefer candidates with prior and relevant work experience and a master’s degree or a particular specialization. Conduct threat and risk analysis and analyze the business impact of new and existing systems and technologies to eliminate risk, performance, and capacity issues. They implement vulnerability assessments and configure audits of operating systems, web servers, and databases and detect patterns, insecure features, and malicious activities in the infrastructure. They should be able to assess a situation and take action accordingly, such as contacting the proper authorities or relaying information to other security staff members. It’s also important for security specialists to know how to handle an active threat so they can protect people from harm. Security specialists often communicate with clients, employees and other security personnel.

• Salaries will of course vary depending on your experience, qualifications, the organisation and sector plus whether you are employed on a full-time, short-term Contractor or Consultant basis.
• But now that our world has become so heavily dependent on using advanced technology for practically everything, the stakes are higher than ever.
• If you have any uncertainties about the education, experience, knowledge, or skills you need for a security specialist role, be sure to get in touch with the recruiter directly.

Manage the pay-per-click system from threats and identify and manage incidents to mitigate risks. Discover why there’s never been a better time to pursue a degree in cybersecurity. Sonya Krakoff is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Champlain College Online, where she is the voice behind the CCO blog and helps tell the school’s story across multiple digital platforms. Sonya has extensive experience in writing, content marketing, and editing for mission-driven businesses and non-profit organizations, and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Lawrence University. Cybersecurity is an in-demand, fast-growing field with a need for qualified employees, offering high median salaries, job opportunities in a variety of sectors, and a challenging, fast-paced work environment. Unique to WGU’s program is the incorporation of a Udacity Nanodegree—a highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science.

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This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Develop and implement information security standards, guidelines, and procedures. Perform research, testing, evaluation, and deployment of security technology and procedures. Security protocols are the rules and regulations that dictate how a security team should respond to different situations. For example, if an alarm is triggered, protocol may require security personnel to first check if anyone was physically harmed before taking action. Having knowledge of common protocols can help you develop effective strategies for handling emergency situations.

These skills will show where there are security flaws, not only with the technology but also with the users and how they access their files and resources. According to IBM in their Global Analysis of the cost of data breaches, the cost of stolen records and datacan range from $154 to $350.

Typical Qualifications to Become a IT Security Specialist

In the role you will operate independently and as part of a team to ensure our client’s software, hardware, and related components are protected from cyber-attacks. The job description will include developing security systems, analyzing current systems for vulnerabilities, and handling any and all cyber-attacks in an efficient and effective manner. Candidates should have strong IT skills and a deep understanding of cyber hacker methodology. Cybersecurity specialists find work maintaining the security of networks and data for companies and organizations. Without much experience working in the cyber security field, you’ll probably need to apply for entry-level IT or cyber security positions.

In today’s era of ever-escalating cyber attacks, organizations need to have security measures in place that will protect their sensitive data and systems. The fact that more and more businesses are relying on cloud computing, technology, and remote work presents further reasons to prioritize security infrastructure. Both are great examples of employees with 10+ years experience and advanced degrees. However, this resume highlights the job seeker’s ability to work well within an organization. They highlight excellent technical skills, but also their ability to train employees within the company on new security threats. As an applicant with 10+ years of relevant experience, this job seeker is right to focus more on their impressive job experience, letting the skill box become secondary.

What is a IT Security Specialist?

Controlling all aspects of cybersecurity for an organization involves the expertise of many trained professionals. Top positions in cybersecurity include security auditor, security software developer, how to become a security specialist security manager, and security architect. According to ZipRecruiter, the cyber security specialist annual base salary is $111,052 in the US, and Glassdoor lists the annual salary as $103,746 per year.

We’ll learn how attackers can exploit application vulnerabilities through the improper handling user-controlled data… Provide mission planning, preparation and execution of mobile protective security operations in support of US State Department personnel. Responded to emergency situations in accordance with established Bureau of Diplomatic Security protective security policies, standards, and procedures.