Individuals who find themselves drawn to the world of computers or technology may be interested in pursuing a career as a network security specialist. If you find this vocational path exciting, your first step in cultivating a successful career will be to learn as much about it as possible. By reading the short outline provided below, you can gain a basic understanding of what network security specialists do. Once you review the information, you will be better prepared to determine whether this career sector is right for you.
Network Security Specialists – A Brief Overview
Although defined broadly, the term "network security specialists" is generally used to reference individuals who utilize analysis techniques and software programs for the purpose of assessing data networks and subsequently determining the most appropriate ways to prevent or manage security threats. By carefully monitoring software, network security specialists are able to stay on top of the kind of usage that is transpiring on the enterprise security network systems. These days, more and more businesses are reliant on client-server applications. As a result of this reliance, as well as the need for secure business intranet systems, there is a great need for network security specialists.
Roles and Responsibilities
There are a variety of roles and responsibilities that a network security specialist might have, and some of them include:
- Protecting the system by defining access privileges and resources
- Recognizing problems by identifying any existing abnormalities
- Reporting violations
- Maintaining quality service by adhering to organizational standards
Educational Requirements
According to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), 88% of the individuals who work as network security specialists hold post-secondary degrees. More specifically, 65% of them have bachelor's degrees while 23% of them have completed graduate-level work. Additionally, 11 of the 12% who have not completed a bachelor's degree have completed some university work. A formal education is obviously an important step in the process of career development within this sector. To obtain a relevant degree, consider subjects such as CIS, information technology, and computer science.
