Security
Employment of Computer Security Specialists is expected to increase by 27 percent by 2016, which is much
faster than the average for all occupations. Computer networks have become an integral part of business,
and demand for computer security jobs will increase as firms continue to invest in more security for
their networks and data. The wide use of electronic commerce and the increasing adoption of mobile
technologies mean that more establishments will use the Internet to conduct business online. This growth
translates into a need for security specialists who can help organizations protect the technology that is
used to communicate with employees, clients, and consumers.
The demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in “cyber security,” protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. The information security field is expected to generate many new computer security jobs over the next decade as firms across all industries place a higher priority on safeguarding their data and systems.
Click on the “More Information” buttons below to view job descriptions, education/credential requirements, and salary ranges for the Computer Security area of the Information Technology industry!
Job growth among computer security specialists reflects the rapid evolution of the security technology field. As computers and software become more complex, security specialists will be needed to provide increased security to better protect a company’s network and data. The adoption of new mobile technologies, such as the wireless Internet, will continue to create a need for these workers to secure and educate computer users against attacks. Consulting jobs for computer security specialists also should continue to increase as businesses seek help building a secure environment for their employees and customers.
When starting your career in Computer Security, there are essentially four levels of career advancement: Level 1- Computer Security Specialist or Security Technician. Level 2 of your Security career will require at least one to two years of experience in the Computer Network Security field, whereby you can advance to: Network Security Specialist or Network Security Consultant. Level 3- Senior Security Engineer or Network Security Manager; requiring three to six years of experience. The final Level in the Computer Network Security field is Level 4. With six or more years of experience, you may progress into upper management as a Chief Security Officer (CSO) or a VP of Security Services - and this is only a portion of what your IT career could consist of. As you continue to advance in your technology career, the paths available to you begin to branch out and your career in IT can become limitless. (You can see the wide range of IT job titles in our Career Growth section.)
Click on the “More Information” buttons below to view job descriptions, education/credential requirements, and salary ranges for the Computer Security area of the Information Technology industry!
An Information Security Specialist, also known as an Information Security Engineer or Security Administrator, is an IT professional who designs and manages an organization’s security infrastructure. This includes choosing the network hardware and network operating systems, locking down those systems, and staying focused on possible weaknesses in those systems and hardening them as appropriate.
In some organizations, Computer Security Specialists may plan, coordinate, and implement the organization’s information security. These workers educate users about computer security, install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, and, in some cases, gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber crime. The responsibilities of Computer Security Specialists have increased in recent years as cyber attacks have become more common. This and other growing specialty occupations reflect an increasing emphasis on client-server applications, the expansion of internet and intranet applications, and the demand for more end-user support.
Click on the “More Information” buttons below to view job descriptions, education/credential requirements, and salary ranges for the Computer Security area of the Information Technology industry!
Once you begin your IT career, you will find that your increased knowledge in Information Technology is priceless, highly respected, and rewarding. It will enable you to choose from an enormous amount of positions in high demand. Once you start to advance in your security career, you may decide you want to be involved in other areas of the Information Technology industry, such as: Network Administration, Database Administration, Web Design and Development, or Programming.
