Working in cyber security is exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Cyber security offers a range of opportunities for many education levels, and young professionals can tailor their desired positions to fit their wants and needs. 

Here are a few key things to have in mind before deciding to join the cyber security field. 

 

Cyber Security Job Description

Although every profession changes in daily tasks, focus, and primary concern — cyber security is always there to protect online data from being compromised by cybercriminals.

Many cyber attacks threaten companies every day, some more dangerous than others. A cyber security professional must either prevent or respond quickly to such attacks. These attempts to put an organization’s online data in jeopardy range from the simplest scam emails to sophisticated malware that enters the system almost unnoticeably. 

This is a field in which  you can start by either obtaining an information technology degree or a cyber security one. Both of them are closely related and will open many career doors to students.

The daily duties of someone working in cyber security include safeguarding the organization’s files, installing firewalls, monitoring activities, identifying and fixing a problem in case a breach occurs, etc.

 

Cyber Security Career Path

A degree in cyber security can open many doors for anyone who finishes the program. Not only is this an increasingly in-demand field, but it also offers a range of different industries to work in. 

Given that almost all industries nowadays need protection of their online stored data, no wonder there’s an immense need for cyber security professionals.

Here are just a few jobs someone with a cyber security degree, be that bachelor’s or master’s, can get.

 

Bachelors in cyber security jobs

Even with a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, there are many career options available. Here are a few jobs that await students who major in cyber security.

 

Information Security Manager

An information security manager is a professional responsible for protecting computers, networks, and data from security breaches, hacker attacks, and viruses. They are essential to organizations since they are able to identify weak areas that make an information system vulnerable to outside threats and fix them.

 

IT Security Consultant

IT security consultants are responsible for assessing an organization’s software, networks, and computer systems for vulnerabilities, so they can then design and implement security solutions to fit the organization’s needs. There are many cases where IT security consultants happen to be former hackers who are really good at assessing a company’s weaknesses.

 

Information Security Specialist

Information security specialists are the professionals that develop and implement security measures to help the organization protect their data and computer systems. Their duties include analyzing existing security protocols and measures and suggesting changes to upper management on how to improve them.

 

Information Security Analyst

An information security analyst is an individual responsible for taking measures to protect a company’s most sensitive online data. They have to stay one step ahead of cyber attackers at all given times and come up with new and innovative ideas to protect valuable information from being stolen.

 

Masters in cyber security jobs

Having a master’s degree in cyber security means that you can work in practically any field and position that the cyber world offers. Many interesting jobs are awaiting cyber security graduates—from managing teams to visualizing the problem before it even becomes one.

Including the bachelor’s degree jobs above, here are some additional positions someone can expect to fill after earning their Master of Science in Cyber Security.

 

Chief Information Security Officer

A CISO, although a relatively new position, is arguably the most important position in the field of cyber security to date. They are in charge of everything that encompasses the online security of a certain organization they work at. However, their duties change depending on the company’s size and orientation.

Due to its growth and the job competition for this position, most cyber security professionals will be expected to hold at least a master’s degree in cyber security to do the job.

 

Security Architect

The name security architect almost speaks for itself. These professionals are in charge of protecting an organization’s computer systems and thinking of best security practices, so they can prevent problems before they happen. 

Before a security architect begins their protecting duties, they must first thoroughly analyze and understand the company’s current system and security measures. After that, they can have clear ideas on what needs improvement, both in hardware and software components.

 

Cyber Security Degree Salary

So, does cyber security pay well?

To answer shortly, yes, it does. Cyber security professionals are known for having high salaries, even when it comes to entry-level jobs. Additionally, higher positions often offer triple the average salary.

Here a few of the highest salaries you can get with a cyber security degree.

 

Position	Average salary
Chief Information Security Officer	$180,000
Director of Information Security	$146,000
Information Security Manager	$125,000
Security Architect	$106,000
Cloud Engineer	$105,000
Information Security Consultant	$101,000
Information Security Analyst	$90,000
Risk Manager	$70,000

 

Given that cyber security is an ever-evolving field that takes its shape depending on the outside risk factor, there are many options for aspiring students of the field. 

 

If you find that working in cyber security would be for you, you can start by entering our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program or continue your education with our Master of Science in Cyber Security program!

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us!