What does a Security Specialist do? Role & Responsibilities

Many computer careers like database administrator and network administrator involve working in cyber security. For a career fully dedicated to cyber security, you’ll want to become a computer security specialist. For example, you could start out as a security guard and eventually become a security supervisor.

According to Payscale, security specialists with 10 or more years of experience earned an average annual salary of $98,389 as of September 2021. Security specialist salary prospects improve as employees gain more specialized skills in areas like risk management, security information and event management, cybersecurity, and security testing and auditing. Security specialists take responsibility for their organizations’ computer-related security, protecting company data against cyberattacks. Companies hire these professionals to prevent security breaches by analyzing current systems, researching ever-evolving risks, suggesting improvements, and implementing changes.

Are there other names that cybersecurity specialists go by?

There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. While their salaries may differ, one common ground between security specialists and patrol officers are a few of the skills required in each craft. In both careers, employees bring forth skills like patrol, customer service, and public safety.

We are seeking a resourceful personnel security specialist to conduct background checks on job applicants. In this role, you will be reviewing statements of personal history, investigating information provided in interviews, and recommending whether security clearances should be granted. Computer security specialists are IT professionals who use their skills to prevent cyber attacks on corporate information systems.

Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Security Specialist

Security specialists have at least a high school diploma, although additional education and training is preferred. They should have hands-on experience programming and maintaining electronic security systems and related components. Familiarity with IT security practices and effective strategies for safeguarding electronic records is helpful. Public safety officers tend to earn a lower pay than security specialists by about $13,296 per year. Provide guidance and assistance to PBCDF management and personnel on site on physical security matters and site access. Provide technical and operational support on ATFP physical security, and physical security assessments and policy/procedure development. Security specialists average about $23.99 an hour, which makes the security specialist annual salary $49,892.

They have an in-depth understanding of vulnerabilities, management systems, and common security applications. Develop custom systems for specialized security features and procedures for software systems, networks, data centers, and hardware. Conduct threat and risk analysis and analyze the business impact of new and existing systems and technologies to eliminate risk, performance, and capacity issues. They implement vulnerability assessments and configure audits of operating systems, web servers, and databases and detect patterns, insecure features, and malicious activities in the infrastructure. Tech Co. is a large server storage company with locations on both coasts of the United States. We maintain off-site data storage for more than a hundred small and medium sized businesses throughout the United States. We are dedicated to maintaining a small team of highly competent employees who understand the importance of data security.

Training

It’s hard work to become a security specialist, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. A security specialist can be defined as anyone that specializes in the security of people, assets, networks, telecommunications systems, and IT systems. You might be a personal bodyguard, security guard, or computer security analyst. You could choose to specialize in physical security, personal security, or cyber security. As technology becomes more prevalent in the workplace, personnel security specialists will need to learn how to use it to their advantage. This includes using technology to detect breaches in security, monitor employee activity, and track down stolen property. In addition, personnel security specialists will need to be able to assess the accuracy of information provided by job candidates.

• Technical reports and formal papers may need to be written relating to any test findings that you may make.
• In fact, they’re 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
• They have to make sure that the hardening and patching of devices meet the industry standards.
• They search for vulnerabilities in software, hardware, networks, and data centers and design strategies and defensive systems to protect against attacks and threats.

Security specialists can find employment in a broad range of commercial, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations. To qualify for this position, you tend to need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related subject. Even if these extra qualifications aren’t required, they can still give you a leg up when it comes to applying for jobs. If your role involves supporting live production environments then you may be required to carry out periodic vulnerability and penetration testing of your systems from time to time. Analyze all engineering processes and provide support to all firewalls and network for operating systems and scan all network devices and assist in vulnerability mitigation process. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.

Personnel security specialists are responsible for ensuring that government agencies and private companies are operating in accordance with federal laws. They review applications, interview candidates, and conduct background checks to ensure that only qualified individuals are hired into sensitive positions. how to become a security specialist Share your open role with qualified cybersecurity specialists using the world’s largest professional network. The Security Specialist must create final reports and evaluate the incident reports. The professionals should work in collaboration with the analysts to investigate cyber events.

• In terms of seniority, a security architect is typically above a security engineer.
• Security specialists use training and skills to thwart criminals and stop criminal activity.
• They initiate and direct investigations into any security breaches, irregularities, or other issues of concern.
• Determining the employment suitability of applicants who require security clearances.