More advanced cybersecurity roles often call for a bachelor’s degree or graduate education. It stands to reason that you’re not obligated to obtain all of these certifications. As a penetration tester, you’ll seek to identify and exploit system weaknesses to help companies build more secure systems. As an ethical hacker, you can try out even more attack vectors (like social engineering) to reveal security weaknesses.

It’s worth exploring whether your organization has a tuition assistance program that can help pay for your continuing education. Many cybersecurity positions—at least in the United States—require some type of undergraduate degree, at a minimum. For example, the US National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education offers access to a wide range of free or low-cost cybersecurity courses. These resources are ideal for those who may just want a glimpse into what this field entails, as well as those looking to reskill or upskill on a budget. From tech bootcamp to graduate degrees, learn about the wide range of educational opportunities in the world of cybersecurity to help you decide which one is right for you.

Miami Dade College

Security architects design and implement information security systems, policies and procedures. After the research and planning stage, they oversee programming teams during the development phase. Master’s graduates outearned bachelor’s-educated professionals by how to become a security specialist about 18%. The BLS noted unemployment rates of 6.2% for high school graduates, 3.5% for those with a bachelor’s and 2.6% for master’s degree-holders. The best infosec pros have enthusiasm for the field’s overarching purpose as well as its day-to-day tasks.

Cybersecurity experts need specific area knowledge, including programming languages, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and computer operating systems. For many roles, professionals apply their technical expertise to specific business or public policy issues. Aspiring cybersecurity workers can gain this knowledge through bootcamps, academic programs, or self-directed learning. A security specialist is an excellent way to jump-start your career in cyber security. Whether it is something you are striving for before college, or making a job transition, be prepared by garnering as much knowledge as possible about what companies are looking for in potential employees. Major job requirements can widely vary among employers and you might miss the opportunity to build up your work experience and knowledge before making the leap toward a senior or management position.

Management and administration

CSIA focuses on intelligence issues related to cybersecurity, military, and space. CISA is a national organization that seeks to understand, manage, and reduce risk to cyber and physical infrastructure. They offer industry resources, analyses, and tools to help build cyber communications.

Degree-seekers can find on-campus, hybrid and online cybersecurity degrees at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The tech industry is known for valuing skills as highly as education, so is a cybersecurity degree worth it? Explore this page to learn how factors like location, education, and work experience affect the salary and career outlook for security specialists. Specific fallout from security breaches can vary depending on the type of work an organization does.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Start accumulating work experience with an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst. While you don’t need a degree to enjoy a successful career in cybersecurity—eight percent of surveyed professionals only reported a high school diploma—it can help you build a strong foundation [2]. Many of the most prestigious certifications will waive some of the work experience requirements if you’ve earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field.

• Bootcamps, industry certifications, and self-guided education can prepare individuals to pursue roles in the field.
• For students attending a public university, but paying out-of-state tuition the total cybersecurity degree cost average is $100,502.
• IT security specialists can opt for a degree in computer science, cyber security and information assurance, or network operations and security.

This page provides detailed information about how to become a cybersecurity specialist. Read on to learn more about cybersecurity job descriptions and how to launch your security specialist career. The good news is, the job outlook for IT security specialists is exceptionally strong—and only getting better.

Cybersecurity Degrees and Alternatives: Your 2023 Guide

Although security specialists do not always need certification, most employers prefer certified candidates. Keep in mind that certificate programs and technology bootcamps do not provide certification. Individuals must apply for certification through organizations like (ISC)², Cisco, and CompTIA. A cybersecurity engineering job is unlikely to be the first role in your career. First, you should seek entry-level cybersecurity jobs to help you gain experience and build your skills. Cybersecurity specialist can also be a broader term for any cybersecurity position within an organization.

According to Payscale, major companies paying security specialists well above the national average include the Boeing Company, the Walt Disney Company, and American Express Co. Aspiring cybersecurity specialists may also find ample opportunities in companies like CACI International Inc, American Electric Power, and IBM. According to Payscale, security specialists with 10 or more years of experience earned an average annual salary of $98,389 as of September 2021. A mid-level cybersecurity professional, for example, needs a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.

Let’s find out what set of skills you need, whether a college degree is a must, and what certifications will help you kick off your information security career. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the information technology security sector will grow by 31% by the end of 2029 – “much faster than average,” according to their findings. Cybersecurity specialists are few and https://remotemode.net/ far between, and there are plenty of job openings if you wish to become an IT security expert. However, before you do, you might first want to know what education you need to be a Cyber Security Specialist. Cybersecurity specialists are also responsible for continual monitoring security systems and networks for anomalies and tracking those activities in documents and reports.

• You’ve decided you want to get into cybersecurity, and now it’s time to get the credentials that will help you start your cybersecurity career.
• With 10 or more years of experience in this role, senior security engineers can take home close to $120,000 a year.
• Hear from Harvard Extension School alumni about the long-lasting impact of our pragmatic curriculum and how their HES education has helped them advance in their careers.
• English is one of the most universally-understood languages in today’s global economy, and it’s the primary language used in the cyber security industry.
• Explore this page to learn how factors like location, education, and work experience affect the salary and career outlook for security specialists.
• Due to the advanced nature of this engineering role, cybersecurity certifications can serve as a great way to make you a more competitive candidate for available roles.