If you have a deep-rooted interest in cybersecurity and forensics, an ethical mindset in relation to data privacy and cyber practices, a knack for solving problems, and excellent attention to detail skills, you might want to consider a career as a cybersecurity expert.
And you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know on how to become a cyber security, as well as the ins and outs of the profession — including typical duties and responsibilities, work schedules, and salary prospects.
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What is a cybersecurity expert?
A cybersecurity expert, also known as a cybersecurity specialist or an IT security specialist, is a tech professional who specializes in protecting digital systems, networks and data from unauthorized access, theft or damage.
They work both on the frontlines and behind the scenes to safeguard a company’s informatics against any hacks, malware attacks, data breaches and other vulnerabilities before, during and after any such violations occur.
What does a cybersecurity expert do?
While no day looks the same, the typical duties and responsibilities of a cybersecurity expert include:
- Identifying and analyzing potential security threats to systems, networks and data
- Monitoring networks and systems for unusual activity or vulnerabilities
- Investigating, mitigating and documenting security breaches or attacks
- Developing strategies to minimize cybersecurity risks and ensure business continuity
- Creating and enforcing security policies, standards and best practices
- Configuring firewalls, encryption and other protective measures to safeguard systems
- Educating employees on cybersecurity risks and safe online practices
- Ensuring systems meet legal, regulatory and industry security standards
What is the work environment like?
Cybersecurity experts work in a variety of environments, depending on their specific roles as well as their industries.
For the most part, though, they work in an office setting. That said, what with the rise of cloud technologies, many cybersecurity experts work fully remotely or in a hybrid setup.
Meanwhile, they can be employed by a vast array of employers, including tech companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations and consulting firms. They may also work for government agencies, like the FBI and the NSA, to protect national security.
How many hours do cybersecurity experts work?
Most full-time cybersecurity experts work 40-hour workweeks. However, overtime is sometimes expected, especially during urgent security incidents or to deploy critical updates and perform maintenance during off-peak hours — including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Some roles, meanwhile, require cybersecurity experts to be on call 24/7, particularly in security operation centers or in incident response, which may involve shift work.
What are the occupational hazards of cybersecurity experts?
While the job of a cybersecurity expert isn’t as active or dangerous as that of, say, a firefighter or a chemical technician, it does involve its own set of occupational hazards.
Indeed, due to the high-pressure nature of the job, cybersecurity experts often report high levels of workplace stress and burnout. This is partly due to the need to keeping up to date with constantly evolving threats, and long hours which can affect their personal relationships and overall work–life balance.
Meanwhile, while cybersecurity experts are responsible for protecting their company’s assets, they themselves can be targets of cybercriminals, too.
How much do cybersecurity experts earn?
Cybersecurity experts have one of the highest-paying jobs in the tech industry. Indeed, on average, they earn $124,740 a year (or about $59.97 an hour)!
Of course, salaries vary depending on a variety factors, including level of experience, industry and location. Typically, salaries start at the $69,210 mark, with more than 10% of cybersecurity experts earning at least $182,370, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Meanwhile, the five top-paying states in the US are:
|
State |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean yearly wage |
|
Washington |
$71.20 |
$148,090 |
|
Iowa |
$69.21 |
$143,960 |
|
New York |
$67.68 |
$140,770 |
|
California |
$67.66 |
$140,730 |
|
New Hampshire |
$66.85 |
$139,050 |
What is the job outlook?
One of the most future-proof careers is that of a cybersecurity expert.
Indeed, due to the increasing number of cyber threats, these tech professionals are in high demand, with the BLS forecasting a 32.7% job growth between 2023 and 2033 — equating to 17,300 new jobs becoming available every year.
Meanwhile, what with cybersecurity being a global priority for companies and governments alike, the industry offers professionals a vast array of career opportunities across the world.
What are the entry requirements?
So, what do you need to become a cybersecurity expert? Let’s take a look at the typical requirements below:
Education
Most employers typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity or a related subject. While a master’s degree isn’t normally a prerequisite for cybersecurity specialist jobs, it can improve your employability.
Certifications
Industry certifications — like the CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Information Systems Security Professional — can prove valuable to your career in cybersecurity. They can serve as evidence of your expertise in addition to a degree or in lieu of one.
Experience
Real-world experience of about one to two years is a common requirement for entry-level positions. Completing an internship program can be immensely helpful in this regard, as it will introduce you to the world of cybersecurity while gaining valuable skills and knowledge of the industry.
Skills
In order to succeed as a cybersecurity expert, you will need to develop a well-rounded skill set which should comprise a proficiency in networking, programming, cryptography and vulnerability assessment tools. You should also have excellent communication, adaptability, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
How to become a cybersecurity expert
Ready to build a career in cybersecurity from scratch? Here’s how:
Step 1: Understand the basics of cybersecurity
If you’re certain you want to become a cybersecurity expert, one of the first things you should do is to learn as much as you can about the foundational concepts of cybersecurity — including how networks and operating systems work, and the threats they face.
You’ll be able to find many free online courses for this, too!
Step 2: Pursue a relevant education
As previously mentioned, obtaining a relevant degree will be immensely helpful in helping you prepare for a career in cybersecurity.
That said, some employers may accept equivalent experience or certifications. Still, though, a bachelor’s or an associate degree will make you more employable.
Step 3: Gain IT and networking experience
A good thing to do while pursuing a career in cybersecurity is to build practical experience through an entry-level role within IT, such as system administrator or help desk technician. This will introduce you to network architecture and troubleshooting, which is essential for identifying vulnerabilities.
Step 4: Learn programming and scripting
It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with programming languages like Python and JavaScript to gain a better understanding of software vulnerabilities and experience in writing scripts for automation and testing.
Step 5: Earn cybersecurity certifications
Industry certifications essentially validate your knowledge and expertise, while they also improve your job prospects. You can start with entry-level certifications (like CompTIA Security+) and gradually work your way to more advanced certifications (such as Certified Information Security Manager).
Step 6: Specialize in a cybersecurity domain
Cybersecurity is a broad field and features many specialties, like cloud security, ethical hacking and threat intelligence. While you can work across all these areas, specializing in one or two areas can enhance your marketability and employability.
Step 7: Build hands-on skills
Both at the start and throughout your journey to becoming a cybersecurity expert, take the time to build and practice your skills with tools like Wireshark and Metasploit through your own home lab. It’s also a good idea to participate in cybersecurity challenges and competitions to further enhance your skill set.
Step 8: Gain work experience
Gaining practical experience is incredibly important to breaking into the industry, and you can achieve this through internships or entry-level roles like SOC analyst or security analyst. Meanwhile, consider contributing to open-source security projects or volunteering for small organizations.
Step 9: Develop relevant soft skills
An important aspect of the job of a cybersecurity specialist is the comprehensive skill set they bring to the table. These including problem-solving, attention to detail and communication, which are all essential for explaining issues to non-technical stakeholders and working effectively in a team.
Step 10: Stay updated and continue learning
Cybersecurity is a fast-changing and ever-evolving field, meaning that you need to keep with the times. This means staying on top of trends, reading industry news, following expert blogs, attending workshops and seminars, and pursuing ongoing certifications. This ensures you stay relevant.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re exploring your options or you’ve decided to pursue a career in cybersecurity, it’s important to first determine whether it’s really the right career choice for you before committing to the required educational journey (and ensuing student debt).
In order to do this, consider where your interests, strengths and values truly lie, which will allow you to make a more informed decision. Even networking with successful cybersecurity experts (who will be able to share their experiences and advice with you) and taking a career assessment (like our very own CareerHunter) will be useful here.
Got a question? Let us know in the comments section below.