There's no question that cybercrime is on the rise, targeting businesses of all sizes, government agencies, financial institutes, and military organizations worldwide. If you are passionate about resolving complex issues, a cybersecurity specialist job role might be for you.
What is a cybersecurity specialist?
Cybersecurity specialists must continually adapt to stay a step ahead of cyber attackers. They must remain current on the latest methods attackers use to infiltrate computer systems and IT security.
Cybersecurity specialists continually analyze risks and develop strategies to prevent breaches. They rely on teamwork because of the broad scope of security measures that need to be applied to protect the integrity of the network.
Other duties include:
- Keeping a close watch on the organization’s networks and making sure there are no security breaches
- Investigating any violations and running defensive protocols
- Protecting sensitive information by installing and using software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs
- Documenting security breaches and the extent of the damage caused by the breaches through extensive reports
- Simulating attacks to look for vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited and write reports based on simulation results
How the cybersecurity specialist job title has changed
It’s important to note that the job title of cybersecurity specialist is vague and applies a general set of skills conducted by IT pros such as the following:
- Security administrators
- Systems administrators
- Security analysts
Cybersecurity job roles have matured since the historic attacks of the mid-2010s. Due to this evolution, employers are using the cybersecurity specialist job title less than they did in the past because cybersecurity job roles have become more specialized.
Although these skills are still widely used in the market, they are listed under different job titles. Today, organizations are more likely to hire security administrators or analysts than cybersecurity specialists. We expect to see fewer job postings for cybersecurity specialists moving forward.
The job role of cybersecurity specialist can be traced back to previous Cisco vendor-specific certifications in security operations.
“Cybersecurity specialists play a key role in securing information systems. By monitoring, detecting, investigating, analyzing and responding to security events, cybersecurity specialists protect systems from cybersecurity risks, threats and vulnerabilities,” Cisco wrote. “Cybersecurity specialists work on IT teams that are dedicated to protecting the integrity of the business’s network and data.”
Roles and responsibilities of a cybersecurity specialist
Before you jump into this job role or any cybersecurity job role, ask yourself if you are prepared to take on the following roles and responsibilities:
- Adapt to constant change
- Continuously educate yourself
- Work well under pressure
- Accept that executives might ignore you
- Accept failure and blame, even when it is not your fault
- Remain calm and do not lose your temper
- Be able to comfortably explain “what went wrong,” including the details
- Expect that sometimes there will be no ideal solution
In general, IT and cybersecurity jobs require humility. The more you work in the field, the more you realize how little you know.
The eight examples above are modifications from a Tech Republic article that still rings true today. You must be able to take rejection. You must understand that you are part of a larger cybersecurity team—a team that may not put your interests first.
How to become a cybersecurity specialist
Cybersecurity specialist skills are highly sought after, providing IT pros with opportunities for various jobs and organizations. Most cybersecurity specialist positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, although that is changing as employers consider experience and certifications.
Cybersecurity certifications, like CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), prove you have the skill set and knowledge to complete the tasks the position demands and can help you get into the cybersecurity field.
CompTIA Security+ covers the latest core skills to mitigate threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities. This requires identifying, analyzing, and responding to security incidents, applying security controls, and troubleshooting problems. A specialist must also understand common threat vectors and attack surfaces and know how to defend and protect the network.
In addition, the certification covers security program management and oversight that applies to all cybersecurity work roles, not just security specialists. This includes summarizing elements of effective security governance, explaining elements of the risk management process, understanding the processes associated with third-party risk assessment and management, explaining the types and purposes of audits and assessments, and implementing security awareness practices.
The details
Salary range
The average advertised salary for a cybersecurity specialist is $106,265 (Source: Cyberseek, 2023).
Job titles related to cybersecurity specialist
- Security administrator
- Security analyst
- Penetration tester
- Vulnerability assessor
- Security Architect
Will your next move be a cybersecurity specialist? If so, check out CompTIA Security+ to get you there.