Network Security Specialist Careers Information
Network security specialists are hired to prevent such attacks by making our computer networks more secure. Through the use of proper coding, firewalls, and the implementation of secure user procedures, security specialists make sure our data is easy to access by those who are cleared to see it and impossible to breach by those who aren’t.
Network Security Specialist Careers & Degrees
- Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
- B.S. in Information Technology - Network Management
- Master of Science in Information Technology - Network Management
American Intercontinental University: Online
Network security specialists begin their task by working with network administrators who design information networks. They make sure the system itself is buffered against cyber attacks that would try to exploit holes in the network.
Network security specialists educate those who use the networks on proper security methods. These include instructions on how to create secure passwords and the creation of a standard protocol for releasing secure information.
Network security specialists also lend a hand to law enforcement professionals who seek to catch cyber thieves. By collecting and analyzing network data, security specialist can spot the telltale signs of a cyber attack and translate their findings into information that will be useful for capturing and eventually prosecuting the criminal.
Network Security Specialist Careers Path
Network security specialists need to have at least an Associate’s degree, if not a Bachelor’s degree, in a computer related field. Coursework typically involves computer programming, mathematics, computer science, and computer engineering.
English and/or communications courses are also common. Network security specialists may begin by working under more experienced network professionals before they are able to work alone.
Network Security Specialist Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Highly analytic, excellent oral and written communication skills, problem solver, trustworthy, works well with others, multi-tasker, project oriented, technologically savvy.
Network Security Specialist Careers: Salary Expectations
As a type of network systems administrator, network security specialists earn an average salary of $66,310 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $51,690 and $84,110.
With more experience, security specialists may be able to work with larger companies with more complex networks in order to earn more money.
Network Security Specialist Careers: Job Outlook
Due to the growing importance of technology in our lives and ever-increasing complexity of computer systems networks, demand for network security specialists will grow. As more businesses transfer our sensitive data online,social security numbers, credit histories, and medical records,criminals will be drawn to attack our systems with more sophisticated methods.
Network security specialists will be needed not only to defend against such attacks, but also to gather the information that will be used to prosecute them once caught. Those with higher levels of education and experience working with large and complex systems will be the most likely to land the best jobs.
Slightly off the Footpath
- Computer Scientist
- Computer Software Engineer
- Network Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Webmaster
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos305.htm (visited August 10, 2011).
