IT Security Experts Job Overview

Securing data within the business environment is one of the top priorities of any business. Clients and contacts’ data are very important and classified for business and sharing them could ruin not only the business itself but also the persons and companies if their sensitive information is stolen.

Computer attacks are common nowadays and if businesses will never actively implement security measures in their IT environment, they are opening their doors to identity thieves, spywares, malwares and different types of viruses that could destroy the system.

To ensure this will never happen, IT Security Experts are being hired by businesses to implement the proper security measure within the business’ IT environment.

IT security experts will evaluate the network infrastructure and see if they are optimized for security. Their knowledge with LAN and WAN protocols will help them identify if there are any potential breach in security.

They are also in charge of implementing different network security measures such as properly installing firewalls and other security related applications. IT professionals are always on guard in case an attack happens.

These professionals are also in charge of implementing basic security policies in the business environment. They also update users with the latest type of attacks in order for the company to be warned and vigilant against possible attacks.

IT Security Experts Education Requirement

The educational requirement for IT security experts is almost the same with other IT professionals. They may be required to have a degree in Computer Sciences or Information Technology.

IT security is well discussed in these courses and aspiring IT Security experts could just concentrate on these subjects and increase their knowledge in Security.

But what makes these IT professionals different from other careers is the required certification. To be easily accepted as an IT security expert, the candidate may be required of different network security certification.

The following are some of the popular security certification an aspiring candidate should have:

• Symantec Certified Security Practitioner
• Checkpoint Certified Security Expert
• Cisco Certified Security Professional
• Cisco Certified Network Associate
• IronPort Certified Security Professional
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional

The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professionals) are usually required for candidates in the IT Security position. Other certifications may be used to boost the chances of being hired.

It is ideal to have CISSP with a degree in IT related courses. However, there are professionals today who may have been lacking in proper training and certification. Even though they lack the proper papers, they have with them experience which is often required by companies.

IT Security Experts Qualification:

• Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology
• Certification Related to Network Security

IT Security Skills

IT Security Experts should be adaptive to any situation. As the company implements a new security measure and blocks another possible attack, another version of an attack is being developed to overcome that security.

The IT Security Expert should have ability to determine the next type of attack and make the necessary precautions.

Viruses, malwares and spywares changes almost everyday and it is up to the IT Security Experts to evaluate the present system and determine if it has done enough to secure the environment.

Being analytical should be one of the key skills. In IT Security, this skill is very important since the IT security expert will have to inspect the whole system to determine where the security breach started and how it could be stopped.

The ability to handle pressure is also a must for IT Security Experts since they will be required to work not only to be productive in a short amount of time.

Lastly, the ability to communicate to the upper management is a must which means IT Security Experts should have great communication skills. IT Security Experts will also be working with a lot of people as they ensure data and network security is implemented within the business environment.

IT Security Experts Expected Salary

• Beginner: $5000
• Mid Level: $5500
• Expert: $8500