6 Cybersecurity Careers to Secure Your Future | Bismarck State College

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6 Cybersecurity Careers to Secure Your Future

Posted: May 09 2020
In the fall of 2019, BSC Cybersecurity student Riley Mueller took part in a nationwide Cybersecurity competition hosted by Palo Alto Networks, a global leader in the Cybersecurity industry. In the end, Riley earned a ranking in the top 10, beating out hundreds of competitors and winning a coveted internship at Palo Alto Networks. His Bismarck State College education and hard work paid off. And it will pay off for you too.
 
The BSC degree program is not only highly affordable, it gives you hands-on experience in Cybersecurity and information technology skills, the kind of knowledge you just can’t get from textbooks. Another advantage of getting your degree at BSC is we partner with the industry to ensure the education you get is always up-to-date with evolving technology and trends.
 
With our 4-year BAS in Cybersecurity and Information Technology, you’ll learn the best practices used to process, store and transmit data. And you’ll gain experience securing network systems, managing cloud-based resources, and performing other security-related IT tasks. Arming you with the skills needed to be more marketable—and successful.
 
As the world becomes more and more connected, the threat of cyberattacks continues to increase at an alarming rate. As a result, the career opportunities will continue to increase to meet the challenge, with a job sector growth potential of 30% per year through 2028. Keeping our world safe from attacks will call for highly skilled, well-educated professionals.
 
If you’re interested in Cybersecurity, there’s no better time to join the industry; a nationwide survey shows that close to two million jobs go unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. It’s common for graduates with Cybersecurity degrees to get their start as Security Analysts. Read on to find out more.
 
Unlock the knowledge to become a Security Analyst.
 
A Security Analyst serves as a kind of technology “security guard” and is responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of data to prevent unauthorized access. They maintain knowledge of every aspect of information security within a company and continuously analyze effectiveness of those efforts. They recommend changes that will enhance and improve security and implement staff training on proper security measures.
 
Aside from having a vast knowledge of information technology, the most successful Security Analysts are detail-oriented and have an analytical mind. Communication skills are essential in order to proficiently explain complex policies and protocols in simple and accessible terms.
 
Many titles, many roles.
 
The roles and job titles in Cybersecurity often involve overlapping responsibilities and can be broad or specialized depending on a company’s size and needs. Along with Security Analyst, common job titles include Security Engineer, Security Administrator, Security Architect, Security Specialist and Security Consultant.
 
To better describe the scope of those positions, employers often use terms like “cyber”, “information”, “computer”, “network”, “IT”, and “applications”. This results in more robust job titles such as Information Security Analyst, Network Security Administrator, IT Security Consultant, etc.
 
Some security jobs are even more specialized, such as Computer Forensics Expert, Computer Security Incident Responder, Ethical Hacker and Intrusion Detection Specialist, just to name a few.
Here’s a broad overview of the roles and responsibilities involved with those positions.
 
Computer Forensics Expert
 
Computer Forensics Experts act as digital detectives, accessing and analyzing evidential information from computers, networks, and data storage devices. On a daily basis, this role involves conducting security incident investigations, recovering and examining data from devices, compiling evidence for legal cases, and advising law enforcement on the credibility of acquired data. These experts are often employed by large corporations, law enforcement agencies, legal firms, private consulting firms and government offices.
 
Computer Security Incident Responder
 
A Computer Security Incident Responder’s job is to quickly address security threats and incidents within a company. This involves using a variety of forensics tools to uncover the root cause of a problem, limit damage and prevent future occurrences.
 
Ongoing education and prevention are essential; this consists of actively monitoring systems and networks for attacks, identifying security vulnerabilities, performing malware analysis and reverse engineering, and establishing practices for communication within an organization and with law enforcement during a security incident.
 
Ethical Hacker
 
Ethical Hackers protect networks and information systems from criminal hackers who attack to access private and sensitive information. Though they possess technical skills like those of a cybercriminal, an Ethical Hacker applies these skills for protection and good. Using advanced software, they attempt to penetrate information systems to identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
 
Ethical Hackers assess risk and implement proactive measures to control vulnerable areas. As a critical component of the security team, they ensure systems are firewalled, security protocols are in place and sensitive files are encrypted. They work diligently to make sure no information that could damage the reputation or finances of an organization or its clients can be disrupted or stolen by cybercriminals.
 
Intrusion Detection Specialist
An Intrusion Detection specialist monitors networks, computers, and applications in real-time, searching for threats and addressing breaches immediately. They also assess damages resulting from breaches, identify how they occurred, and recommend safeguards to prevent future attacks.
Opportunities for Systems Administrators
 
Just as the demand grows for Security Analysts and Administrators to protect digital networks, there’s an ongoing and critical need for educated professionals to manage the day-to-day network operations of companies, large and small.
 
This is where System Administrators come in.
 
But the question you may be asking is, just what exactly does a Systems Administrator do? A System Administrator—or “Sysadmin”—is responsible for organizing, installing, and supporting computer systems. They also determine which system works best to satisfy users’ needs and within budget. A System Administrator’s responsibilities often include:
 
• Anticipating network and computer systems needs
 
• Installing network hardware and software
 
• Making upgrades and repairs in a timely manner
 
• Maintaining network and computer system security
 
• Understanding and solving problems as they occur
 
• Collecting data to evaluate and optimize performance
 
• Managing user access and network permissions
 
• Hardware and software user training
 
 
It’s quite of list of things you need to know to become a Systems Administrator. But here’s the good news: a BAS in Cybersecurity and Information Technology from BSC will prepare you with the thorough, real-world knowledge you need to step into any one of these exciting career fields.
 
Learn your way to higher pay.
 
The world’s reliance on technology and computer networks will only continue to grow, and the information stored and transmitted will require trained professionals to manage and protect it. Luckily, a degree from Bismarck State College will equip you with the training and skills to secure a well-paying career in the field of Cybersecurity and Information Technology.