IT Security Specialist

IT Security Specialists Defend an Organization’s Information Systems.

In today's era of rapidly escalating threats and sophisticated cyber warfare, organizations need to be vigilant in combating attackers and protecting information assets. IT security specialists leverage an in-depth understanding of cyber security threats, technologies and countermeasures to ensure secure computer systems. This often includes tasks like installing and configuring security software to prevent attacks, educating employees on data security, monitoring and protecting against network breaches, and responding to cyber attacks with the appropriate countermeasures.

Workforce demand for computer security specialists is high across all organizational structures and verticals, including corporations, schools, medical practices, and government agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT security specialist job market will grow by 28% from 2016 to 2026, four times faster than the 7% average for all occupations, placing it among the nation's fastest growing career paths.

Accredited universities and private computer schools offer college degrees, courses, and certificates in modern information security tools and technologies. Compare top-reviewed IT security training programs in the U.S., Canada and online.

a.k.a. IT Security Analyst | Information Security Professional | Cyber Security Analyst | Computer Security Specialist

IT Security Training

IT Security Specialist Skills & Responsibilities

Typical day-to-day duties and marketable cyber security skill sets include the following. IT security specialists:

• Develop plans to safeguard computer files against unauthorized modification, destruction or disclosure.
• Choose, implement, monitor and upgrade computer anti-virus and malware protection systems.
• Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information during transmit.
• Implement password authentication to keep unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data files.
• Modify security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, and change user access status.
• Perform risk assessments and tests on running data processing activities and security measures.
• Educate workers about computer security and promote security awareness and security protocols.
• Keep accurate and current backup files of all important data on the shared corporate network.
• IT security pros who specialize in computer forensics gather evidence for prosecuting cyber crimes.
• Computer forensics specialists can set up & operate an investigator’s lab, and process computer crime scenes.

Read this post from information security curriculum designer, Jason Nufryk, for a deeper look at marketable cyber security skills.

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IT Security Specialist Salary

• Average salary for Information Technology Security Specialist (USA): $107,000

Salaries for IT security specialists and related positions by job role, seniority and technological specialization:

• Information Security Consultant: $80,000
• Information Security Analyst: $84,000
• Computer Forensics Investigator: $88,000
• Certified Ethical Hacker: $89,000
• Vulnerability Analyst: $89,000
• Cyber Security Analyst: $98,000
• Cyber Intelligence Analyst: $98,000
• Information Technology Auditor: $99,000
• Firewall Engineer: $100,000
• IT Security Specialist salary: $107,000
• Network Security Engineer: $109,000
• SAP Security Administrator: 115,000
• Lead Digital Forensics Examiner: $115,000
• Director of Information Security: $134,000
• Security Solutions Architect: $150,000

Although this is typically a full-time salaried position, the hourly wage for IT security professionals in the U.S. can range from $35 to $100+ per hour, dependent upon employee location, job-role, certifications and experience level.

Deep dive comparison of information security analyst salaries.

Sources: Indeed.com • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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IT Security Specialist Education Requirements

Hiring managers for IT security specialist positions generally require at least an undergraduate degree (associate or bachelor) in information security, computer information systems, network security, computer science or a related field of study. IT job experience and security-centric certifications will aid candidates in securing IT security specialist positions.

Specific coursework and in-demand skill sets to look for in an IT security specialist education program include networking and network security, operating system administration, business continuity & disaster recovery, intrusion detection, hardware & software configuration, risk management and computer forensics. IT security specialists need strong communication skills, as they are responsible for educating technical and non-technical staffers on computer security protocols and raising information security awareness.

Research and compare top-rated IT security training programs online and in your area.

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IT Security Specialist Training, Certificates & Degrees

Browse the top-reviewed undergrad & graduate degrees, professional certificates, online courses and self-paced training programs matching the IT security specialist education requirements and career path.

Find Information Security Schools

Select a Subject: Computer Forensics DNS Domain Name System Hacking and Ethical Hacking Information Assurance Information Systems Security Intrusion Detection SCNP Security Certified Network Professional SMS Systems Management Server SSCP Systems Security Certified Practitioner CDE Cardholder Data Environment Cisco Security CISSP Certified Professional Information Systems Analyst Information Technology Computers and Technology Basic Computer Skills and IT Fundamentals Computer Applications Mobile Development Computer Science Degrees Computer Programming Software Engineering Software Development .NET Programming AJAX Programming ASP Active Server Page C and C++ and C Sharp Cascading Style Sheets CSS Certified Internet Webmaster CIW ColdFusion Training Computer Game Programming HTML Training Java Programming JavaScript Programming PHP Training Microsoft Visual Studio VB Visual Basic Web Design Training Web Development WebSphere Training XML eXtensible Markup Language Networking Network Administration Network Management Network Applications Network Design and Development Network Technology Wireless Networks Proxy Server Internet Systems Communications Technology Telecommunications Technology Information Systems Database Administration Database Design and Development Database Technology IBM DB2 Databases Microsoft SQL Server Oracle SQL SQL Technical Support and Repair Hardware Support and Repair Technical Support Administration - Management MCDST Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Computer Systems Analyst IT Administration and Management Information Systems Management Technical Support Administration and Management Technical Writing Call Center Management Information Technology Project Management Project Management Microsoft Project CompTIA Project+ Systems Analyst Android App Development Apple iOS App Development Objective-C and C++ Programming Java Programming Health Information Technology Healthcare Informatics Medical Insurance - Billing and Coding Medical Records - Health IT Administration Medical Transcription Bioinformatics Check Point Certification CCSA Checkpoint Certified Security Administrator CCSE Checkpoint Certified security expert CCDA Cisco Certified Design Associate CCDP Cisco Certified Design Professional CCIE Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNP Cisco Certified Network Professional CCSP Cisco Certified Security Professional CCVP Cisco Certified Voice Professional Cisco ICND I - Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Cisco ICND II - Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Cisco Security CompTIA A+ CompTIA CDIA+ Certified Document Imaging Architect CompTIA CTT+ Certified Technical Trainer CompTIA Project+ CompTIA Linux+ CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ CompTIA Server+ CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Citrix Certification CCA Citrix Certified Administrator CCEA Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator Oracle Certification Oracle Associate OCP - Oracle Certified Professional Oracle DBA Database Administrator Oracle Developer Oracle Master Sun Certification SCJP Sun Certified Java Programmer SCSA Sun Certified System Administrator Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Maya CRM Customer Relationship Management Crystal Reports Intuit QuickBooks Lotus Applications SAP Systems Applications and Products Microsoft BizTalk Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Excel Microsoft FrontPage Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Visual Studio Adobe Applications Adobe Acrobat Adobe Director Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Fireworks Adobe Flash Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Corel Draw Quark Publishing Microsoft FrontPage Microsoft PowerPoint Graphic Design Computer Animation Computer Graphics Game Art and Design Multimedia Design Visual Effects Engineering and Architecture CAD CADD Computer Aided Drafting Design AutoCAD Training Architecture General Engineering Engineering Technology Industrial Technology Quality Control Technology Robotics Training Six Sigma Programs Surveying Courses Aerospace Engineering Architectural Engineering Automotive Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biotechnology Engineering Civil Engineering Construction Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Alternative Power Generation Technology Construction Management Electrician Training Accounting Programs Business Administration Communications and Media Criminal Justice, Legal and Safety Culinary Arts Education and Teaching Entrepreneurship Finance Training Health, Healthcare and Nursing High School and GED Programs Liberal Arts Programs Marketing and Advertising Math and Science Project Management Psychology Degrees Vocational and Trade

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IT Security Specialist Certifications

Highly desirable certifications for information security specialists:

• CompTIA - Security+
• (ISC)2 - Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• EC-Council - Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• ISACA - Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate - Security (CCNA Security)
• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
• GIAC - Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

IT Security Certification Prep

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IT Security Specialist Job Outlook

Employment of IT security specialists is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all U.S. occupations. Security will remain a top concern for IT hiring managers as the frequency, scope and complexity of cyber attacks continues to rise.

Aggressive government mandates are helping to drive demand for IT security specialists, for instance the DoD 8570 initiative, which requires Department of Defense (DoD) employees, military personnel, homeland security officers, and private contractors with access to sensitive data to get trained and certified in information security topics relevant to their access and position.

"Security is the only area of certified IT skills that has never had a negative quarter throughout this recession," says David Foote, CEO and Chief Research Officer of leading research firm, Foote Partners. "We've never had a three-month period with a loss or decline in premiums for IT security specialists."

Sources: Foote Partners IT Labor Report, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook

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IT Security Specialist Jobs

Your specialized IT security training, experience and certifications qualify you for a range of positions including:

• IT Security Specialist: Find IT security specialist jobs
• Network Security Jobs: Find network security jobs
• IT Security Consultant: Find IT security consultant jobs
• Ethical Hacker Jobs: Find ethical hacking job openings
• Penetration Tester: Find penetration testing jobs
• IT Auditor: Find information systems auditor jobs
• Computer Forensics Analyst: Find digital forensics jobs
• Security Engineer Jobs: Find IT security engineering jobs
• Homeland Security Jobs: Find jobs in homeland security
• Information Security Analyst: Find security analyst jobs

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Related Careers

• Systems Analyst
• Network Administrator
• Database Administrator
• Software Engineer
• Help Desk Technician
• Health Information Technician

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