Cybersecurity specialists need to be able to communicate well and be comfortable in team roles. The job often entails coaching and training co-workers on security best practices. Additionally, much of the cybersecurity specialist workforce found employment after completing a related degree (such as computer science, engineering, or mathematics) and/or by having closely related work experience. There are many pathways that people take to become a cybersecurity specialist, but they all involve some combination of education, specialized training, and experience. You may want to take CompTIA A+ if you are preparing for a role such as IT specialist, business analyst, or IT server technician. Or you may choose to take CompTIA A+ to qualify for an entry-level role in IT while you gain experience to qualify for other CompTIA certifications, such as Network+ or Security+.
- In this article, we explore cybersecurity, salaries, job outlook, and how to become a cybersecurity specialist.
- Once you have the education, security clearances, and certifications, you will need real-world experience to ensure you can operate in stressful situations.
- Security specialists, also known as cybersecurity specialists, develop and implement security measures that protect computer networks and systems.
- An IT auditor evaluates an organization’s IT systems, processes, and controls to ensure they are secure, efficient, and compliant with regulations while identifying risks and recommending improvements.
Employers often use a bachelor’s degree as a benchmark to evaluate a candidate’s ability to handle complex technical tasks. A degree signals that the candidate has been exposed to a wide range of topics and has developed both analytical and problem-solving skills—critical traits in cybersecurity. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not continue. Before you begin your application, please review our webinar resources, videos, and reach out to a DSS recruiter to learn about the Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent career and Foreign Service lifestyle. You can connect with a DSS Special Agent at For specific questions on the assessment process, please email Analysts often report to upper administration and may have to present findings and recommendations before management.
Quick Steps to Get Started
Candidates are expected to respond to questions based on their personal background, professional experience, and motivation to become a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent. Please review the Diplomatic Security Service Assessment Guide for full details on the assessment process to include the Foreign Service Dimensions and evaluation. You have six months from the time you submit your application to schedule and take the DSSAT. If you have not taken the DSSAT within six months of submitting the Eligibility Verification Form, you must restart the application process from the beginning. The Special Agent application has three progressive sections to complete and submit before final submission of the entire package. The sections are the Eligibility Verification Form, Application Information, and Personal Narratives and Statement of Interest.
The Quality Assurance Process: The Roles And Responsibilities
- On its Career Pathways page, CyberSeek lists Cybersecurity Specialist as an entry-level position (one that pays an average annual salary of $99,652).
- They collaborate across sectors to inform best practices, research, and funding opportunities for ethical data sharing.
- Purdue University Global offers an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity / CISSP Certification Preparation.
- Cybersecurity specialists handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data.
- Information security shares some overlap with cybersecurity—in fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security.
Depending on your skill set, five common cybersecurity career paths to consider include engineering and architecture, incident response, management and administration, consulting, and testing and hacking. To be a successful cybersecurity specialist, one should have knowledge and skills in areas such as network security, cryptography, risk management, compliance, incident response, and threat analysis. They must stay up to date with the latest trends and threats in the cybersecurity industry and be able to adapt to evolving security risks.
You will receive your results immediately following the DSSAT, however, the Department of State only reviews applications quarterly. Applications submitted will be reviewed by cohort at the end of each quarter as detailed below. Depending on when you submit your application, it can take up to four months from your test date to receive email communication from the Department.
This approach trains future professionals to analyze problems methodically — a crucial ability when conducting forensic investigations, performing threat modeling, or leading incident response. The Interactive Cybersecurity Career Map shows thousands of open federal job opportunities across the country and around the world. When you’re ready to start your career in cyber, use the Career Map to narrow down your search by location, salary, and job type including telework and remote options. If you’re interested in how to get into security management, start by identifying which aspect of the field excites you most—managing people, preventing cyber threats, or working on the ground in physical security roles. For those interested in moving into digital or information security roles, certifications can be valuable. While not always required, they can show a commitment to the field and help build credibility.
Continuing education and professional certifications play a significant role in career advancement. In the next section, we’ll discuss the importance of networking and professional development in your cybersecurity career. Now that we have a fundamental understanding of cybersecurity, let’s explore the skills and qualifications necessary to embark on a successful career in this exciting field. While CISSP is known for its breadth, it’s not the right starting point for beginners. Entry-level certifications like CompTIA Security+ focus on foundational knowledge and basic threat response, making them ideal for professionals just entering the field.
Some experts say the fields of cybersecurity, network security, information security and infrastructure security are all different. Others consider these cybersecurity careers to exist under the same umbrella of computer security. The following section explores differences among various subsets of cybersecurity. Payscale reports an average annual cybersecurity salary of around $97,000, and these wages typically increase with experience. Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths.
However, most people are reluctant to change, especially if it requires learning a new operating procedure or workflow. So the ability to articulate the reason for the change and the ability to relate to co-workers’ needs and objections is also important. Cybersecurity specialists create and implement security audits across computer hardware and software systems. They make sure that the systems perform the way they are supposed to, and that they are safe from attack. A simple way of thinking about a cybersecurity specialist is someone who keeps tabs on a company’s or organization’s security while also helping other employees and teammates stay current on best practices. Becoming a CISO is generally considered the final destination of one’s cybersecurity career path.
CAREER PATH AS A CYBER SECURITY SPECIALIST
Whether you’re crafting internal tools or reviewing code for vulnerabilities, programming gives you a deeper, more agile role in securing systems. New DSS Special Agent Candidates begin their careers with a six-week orientation program at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, VA. The Bureau of Medical Services of the Department of State determines a candidate’s medical fitness and ability to serve overseas. Many Foreign Service posts are in remote areas with extremely limited medical support. Each candidate, therefore, must meet the minimum medical qualifications. The assessors will consider candidates’ expressed motivation and experience to join the Foreign Service.
Cybersecurity specialists perform crucial work in protecting sensitive digital information and communications. These professionals work with public and private employers of all sizes to ensure the safety of data for customers, government entities and healthcare organizations. Payscale also reports that in 2025, cybersecurity specialists will be compensated across a wide range, depending on experience, responsibilities, and geography. According to a recent PayScale questionnaire, most employees with the job title cybersecurity specialists responded that they have a high level of job satisfaction. Security+ is a CompTIA certification that is considered a basic cert among cybersecurity professionals. CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification that validates your knowledge of the core technologies that support IT careers, including hardware, networking, cybersecurity, and IT best practices.
How Do I Become a Cybersecurity Specialist?
This includes developing robust security measures, implementing effective strategies, and responding promptly to any security incidents. In this article, we will explore the fascinating field of cybersecurity and guide you on how to become a cybersecurity specialist. The short answer is “yes,” but the path typically requires more effort in building a portfolio of skills, projects, and certifications to prove your capabilities. Entry-level professionals without a degree often start with CompTIA Security+, gain hands-on experience through cybersecurity bootcamps, or demonstrate expertise via Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions and GitHub projects. Most cybersecurity roles—particularly those at the analyst, engineer, or architect level—expect candidates to demonstrate a solid grasp of networking, systems, software, and security principles. A bachelor’s program in computer science, cybersecurity, or information systems typically delivers this comprehensive coverage, equipping students with the theoretical knowledge and practical mindset required to succeed.
How to get into cybersecurity without a degree
In terms of skills, experience, and general mindset, a cybersecurity specialist needs to be like a Swiss Army knife of the digital world. A person in this role needs to be multi-disciplinary and adaptable to a wide variety of situations. Another aspect of a cybersecurity specialist’s job is the design of firewalls and other security measures to make sure that information and proprietary networks are compliant with the most recent security standards. There are several network-oriented professional cybersecurity organizations and groups that are specifically designed to alert members about job openings and professional development opportunities. The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate demonstrates your knowledge of the skills you’ll need to be successful as a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity specialists plan, implement, upgrade, and monitor security measures to protect computer networks and information.
Aspiring cybersecurity specialists may also find ample opportunities in companies like CACI International Inc, American Electric Power, and IBM. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in security management, gaining real world experience, and earning relevant certifications can help students move from foundational roles toward positions of greater responsibility. Each step taken can help lay the groundwork for a career in security management, depending on the individual’s goals and the opportunities available. Hard or technical skills are necessary to perform the duties of a cybersecurity specialist. In contrast, soft skills like leadership ability can help professionals grow in the field. However, the most important requirements are previous experience, technical knowledge, and cybersecurity certifications.
Security specialists should begin by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related area, such as computer science. Specific fallout from security breaches can vary depending on the type of work an organization does. Controlling all aspects of cybersecurity for an organization involves the expertise of many trained professionals. Top how to become a security specialist positions in cybersecurity include security auditor, security software developer, security manager, and security architect. As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity managers—sometimes referred to as information security managers, play a huge role in protecting sensitive data and systems.
To embark on a successful career in cybersecurity, it is important to acquire the necessary technical knowledge through education, certifications, and practical experience. A solid understanding of networking principles, programming languages, and operating systems is essential, along with gaining hands-on experience using security tools and practicing ethical hacking techniques. The demand for cybersecurity specialists and information security analysts, in general, is expected to skyrocket. Cybercrimes have seen an unprecedented increase over the last couple of years. More professionals will be needed to stop cybercriminals from stealing valuable data.