Given the necessity to protect sensitive and personal information from hackers and other cyber criminals, Cyber Security Specialists are highly sought after. For most entry-level jobs, applicants are required to possess a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Systems Engineering. 

Companies may require applicants to have one or two years of experience working with computer systems and networks. Some companies may also require certification from an organization such as the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2.

Being that they work with sensitive or private information, Cyber Security Specialists are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and restrain themselves from discussing the information they work with outside of their work environment. Some of the information may even be classified; hence, aspiring Cyber Security Specialists will have to go through background checks and possess a clean criminal record in order to obtain a job.

What is required to become a Cyber Security Specialist
Being a Cyber Security Specialist requires individuals to have certain skills in order to be successful. Some of these include:

• Outstanding analytical skills 

Cyber Security Specialists need to be able to identify security risks and vulnerabilities. Analytical skills are necessary to understand complex technical information and data sets and identify patterns and trends. These skills allow them to assess the potential impact of security threats and develop plans to mitigate them.

• Strong decision-making skills

Having a logical and analytical approach to problem-solving and the ability to assess situations and decide on the best course of action requires strong decision-making skills. Cyber Security Specialists must be able to react promptly when breaches occur.

• Excellent project management skills 

Project management skills are important for Cyber Security Specialists as they need to plan and implement security measures effectively. They also need to coordinate with other teams, such as IT, to ensure that all security measures are in place and functioning properly.