Master of Science in Cyber Security: Jobs You Might Find Yourself In

A 2016 study by technology leader IBM surveyed the cybercrime experiences of 383 international businesses. It was discovered that these companies lost an average of $4 million USD per cybercrime incident. The costs of data breaches are high enough to bankrupt smaller operations and seriously damage the potential profits of others.

To combat the ever-increasing number of cyberattacks, businesses rely on employees with cybersecurity knowledge. These technical professionals are paid well because of their importance to the overall health of the business. Those with higher education credentials, like a master's in cybersecurity, have access to even better career options. What are some job titles someone with a master's in cybersecurity might hold?

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts are on the front lines of network defense. Their daily job is to make sure their employer’s systems stay breech and infection-free. Their duties include:

• Monitoring incoming and outgoing network traffic for signs of unauthorized or malicious access.
• Install and maintain software designed to reduce the chance of invasion.
• Prepare reports and maintain records of data safety and security issues.
• Perform preemptive testing to find and correct weak spots before hackers can exploit them.
• Implement safety standards and procedures to reduce unauthorized access.

Beyond protecting the network, analysts are also involved in developing plans for when disasters do happen. After a breach, analysts and other technical staff members work together to repair the damage and recover lost data. This can include creating isolated data back-ups that are separate from the main system. These backups can be used to regain functionality if the system is locked by a ransomware attack.

Penetration Tester

Also known as ethical hackers, penetration testers spend their days testing the limits of a company’s computer network security. They use common and advanced hacking techniques to attempt to breach a company’s defenses. When they are successful, penetration testers then work with other security professionals to strengthen those defenses and close off weak points. The efforts of penetration testers save business millions of dollars in lost revenue, repair costs, and damaged reputation by preventing the majority of attacks.

Network Security Administrator

Security administrators are responsible for the daily safety of network interactions. Their duties include:

• Installing hardware and software to fulfill the safety and privacy needs of the client.
• Maintain, upgrade, and repair systems and security software routinely.
• Create user profiles and grant security permissions.
• Train users on the proper way to use network interfaces, including the construction of adequate passwords and responding to possible scams.
• Investigate issues reported by users or internal analysis.

Network security administrators concentrate on the user end of business networks. They work with laptops, desktops, smartphones, and other devices used to access the network. Part of their duties may include advising authorized buyers on the best equipment to purchase. This means administrators need to stay up-to-date on the latest technology.

Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis

Like ethical hackers, risk assessment professionals stop cybercrimes before they can occur. Instead of attempting breeches, however, risk management and vulnerability analysts use statistics and probability to determine the most likely sources of cyberattacks. They collect information on user habits, historical events, and other bits of data to come up with a plan to reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.

Information Systems Security Engineer

Information systems security engineers are the architects of the cybersecurity world. They build security systems from the ground up based on their client’s needs, preferences, and available resources. Security engineers create a secure digital framework and then suggests hardware and software components to complete it. After the system is installed, security engineers perform testing and documentation.

The Role of Higher Education in Cybersecurity Careers

As business continues to embrace the power of digital communication and storage, the need for experienced cybersecurity professionals will keep pace. A master's degree in cybersecurity gives IT professionals the power to customize their career path. With a master's degree, working professionals can qualify for high-paying management positions like those mentioned above without spending years proving their skills in lower-level jobs. Graduates are able to choose positions based on their own goals and interests, which leads to greater long-term job satisfaction.

Are you ready to move ahead in your career? If you want to earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Degree, ECPI University offers this degree program on an accelerated schedule. For more information, connect with a knowledgeable admissions counselor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity - Master’s

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