Nowadays, in every company, one of the most important roles is that of a cyber security expert. In simpler terms, a cyber security professional protects the systems, computers, data, etc., of an organization or business from unauthorized digital access by third parties.
As technology is improving, digitization is increasing, and every company is integrating technology into their daily processes, cyber-attacks are also increasing. That is why there has been a surge in the demand for cyber security experts. If you are interested in a cyber security career, we will guide you about that in detail in this article.
Educational Requirements:
If you are looking for entry-level jobs in cyber security, then an associate degree in cyber security, IT, or computer science, will help you land an entry-level job. You will need some on-the-job training, though. For mid-level jobs, you need a bachelor’s degree in cyber security. Depending on the organization, they might also demand at least three years of working experience in the field of cyber security.
If you have already been working in cyber security and want to take your skills to another level and land advanced-level jobs in the field, then you will need a master’s in cyber security. It is comparatively more convenient for working professionals to obtain their master’s in cyber security online through distance education programs offered by renowned institutions. That way, they can carry on working while also attaining advanced education, thus no need to sacrifice one for the other. You can also gain some extra certifications and pass clearance exams to increase your value even more.
Types of Jobs:
The field of cyber security is so vast; there is a wide range of jobs you can choose from in this field. Here are four of them.
- Cyber security Specialist:
A cyber security specialist offers their expertise in monitoring the organization or company’s current security measures. They look out for potential security and data breaches. This is an advanced-level job that requires advanced-level skills, too, because the cyber security specialist must be able to respond to cyberattacks in real time by using the appropriate security measures. They can also make small changes to the security systems to keep information, or data, safe, repel attacks, and improve overall security.
2. Malware Analyst:
As a malware analyst, you will identify and examine cyber threats. To avoid a threat, you must first be able to understand its nature to take appropriate measures. This makes it an important and also an exciting job. Malware analysts examine cyber threats like viruses, trojans, bots, and worms. After understanding their nature, they develop malware protection tools, and they also document the methods that can help in avoiding malware threats. Other than obtaining the relevant degree, you must also have some additional skills to become a malware analyst. These include knowledge of Windows, UNIX, and Linux operating systems, being able to use tools like RegShot, OllyDbg, TCP, and IDA Pro, etc., strong knowledge of C and C++, and strong presentation and communication skills.
3. Cyber Security Architect:
A cyber security architect is one of the key positions in any business or organization. Because a cyber security architect designs applies, watches, and directs every aspect of a company’s cyber security strategy. Thus, a cyber security architect builds up the cyber security system for the company according to their needs. They also perform vulnerability tests on the security system and provide technical assistance to security team members. As a cyber security architect, you do everything from developing procedures and policies to managing security technologies. To be a successful cyber security architect, you will need knowledge of business along with knowledge of technology.
4. Network Security Engineer:
As the name suggests, network security engineers help in implementing security measures regarding connections to the network and how a device, like a computer, can protect its information on the internet. They focus on how computers and devices connect by using the internet. A lot of cyber attacks on an organization can take place through the network that the organization is using. A network security engineer thus monitors the network for potential breaches. They make and apply strategies that allow access and information protection within the business. Their basic duties include: maintaining network monitoring tools, firewalls, routers, VPNs, and switches, improving automation, identifying vulnerabilities, etc.
Scope:
A lot of different factors represent the scope of a field or a degree. Like the number of skilled professionals in the field, the increasing demand by employers, high salaries, the number of jobs created, future growth projections, etc. In today’s job market, a cyber security career has a much wider scope because every company is in dire need to protect its systems, data, and information from cyber-attacks.
This is not the end of the story. Instead, it is the beginning. Because as technology advances, like it is currently doing at a higher rate, cyber attacks also become advanced. Thus as time passes and technology develops even more, companies will find it harder to protect themselves from malware, security threats, data breaches, etc. So not only are cyber security experts in high demand today, but their demand will keep increasing in the future.
If you have the skills, knowledge, and expertise, then there is no shortage of opportunities for you. All this indicates that there are unlimited opportunities and positive future growth in this field. Plus, this goes without saying that cyber security experts are needed in every industry, from medicine to writing. And in every sector, whether public or private.
Conclusion:
The world of cyber security is vast; it’s understandable if you get confused about the career possibilities and details. In this article, we discuss in detail what qualifications you need to land entry-level, mid-level, and advance level jobs in cyber security. We also discuss different types of jobs in this field and the scope of a career in cyber security. Since technology is developing rapidly, the world is witnessing a huge rise in the demand for cyber security experts. If you opt for a cyber security career, rest assured you will enjoy a stable and high-paying job with high growth potential.