What do Cyber Security Specialists do?
Cyber security is “how individuals and organisations reduce the risk of cyber-attack”. Cyber security protection involves all types of digital devices: smartphones, laptops, tablets, computers, webcams, and routers, as well as smart home technology such as TVs, sound systems and home monitoring devices. It also involves industrial systems used in the operating systems of cars, planes and road and rail infrastructure.
A key function of cyber security is to prevent unauthorised access to data stored on any of these devices or online. Successful cyber-attacks can yield vast value to a whole range of bad organisations, from lone petty criminals to nation state-owned entities. Cyber-attacks can also create an enormous amount of disruption to everyday life.
Typical responsibilities of a cyber security specialist may include: analysing systems to ensure networks are not susceptible to threats, producing threat assessment reports and recommending actions, using simulations to test security software, monitoring new threats and assessing their impact, installing and keeping programs up to date to reduce security risks, using computer forensics to identify attackers and their methods, developing relationships with other organisations and sharing security knowledge, and recovering data and systems in the event of a breach.
Cyber Security is a particularly broad field and a cyber security specialist can have a diverse range of responsibilities. With experience, you could become a specialised cyber security lead and then head of cyber security. You could also work as a freelance security contractor.
What can I expect to earn?
Starting salaries are usually around £20,000 to £25,000, the average in the UK is between £40,000 and £50,000. Experienced cyber security specialists can earn over £70,000, and those in high-level positions more than £100,000.
What subjects should I study?
Employers will look for you to have studied qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
How can I start my career?
You can get into this job through a university course, an apprenticeship, or working and training at the same time.
You could start work with an IT security firm, for example as a support technician after doing GCSEs or A levels, then work your way up while studying for further qualifications on the job.
You could also do an apprenticeship, for example Cyber Security Technician Level 3, Cyber Security Technologist Level 4, Cyber Intrusion Analyst Level 4, or Cyber Security Technical Professional Level 6.
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in information technology, computer science, computer or cyber security, mathematics, forensic computing, or network engineering and security. You could take a postgraduate course in computing or cyber security if your first degree is not in a related subject, or if you have a lot of industry experience.
To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a cyber security specialist, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.
Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.
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