What is a Cyber Security Consultant's Job?

From the Wikileaks scandal to the Stuxnet worm headlines, the term "cyberattack" has become part of the public lexicon. Businesses and governments across the world are taking it seriously. Cybersecurity is a discipline that covers IT security, information assurance, and risk management and defends against electronic or web-based attacks that are targeted at individuals, governments, and organizations. These attacks are difficult to detect to the untrained eye, especially due to advancement in technology.

Due to the increased attacks that occur almost every day, cybersecurity has become a very important industry to consider. Companies, organizations, and governments have made it their top priority to hire top talent that can assist in securing their digital data and infrastructure. Due to the high stakes, only cybersecurity professionals with the latest and greatest skills succeed.

Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Consultant

Depending on your IT department, as a cybersecurity consultant you will help:

• Respond to breaches and other cybersecurity emergencies.
• Determine the most effective ways to protect networks from attacks by conducting ethical hacking.
• Research and prepare for new security risks.
• Assess security risks of a company by performing vulnerability tests, interviewing staff on their security preparedness, and conduct a risk analysis.
• Create cost estimates for the needed security expenses for the management team.
• Define access rights, control resources, and structures.
• Configure and also support important security tools such as anti-virus software, firewalls, and patch management systems among others.
• Perform application and network penetration tests.

Qualifications to Become a Cybersecurity Consultant

The job of a cybersecurity consultant is complex and highly specialized and there are several factors that can qualify you for a cybersecurity consultant job. Some of the most important include your work experience, certification, and educational background. While some cybersecurity jobs may not require a degree, you might need a master’s degree to get the necessary training for this job.

How can a Master’s Degree help you reach your Goals?

In the current technology-based world, cybersecurity consultants are needed to help prevent digital data and computer networks from, being infiltrated, stolen, or corrupted. A master’s degree in cybersecurity should teach you how to become a sophisticated practitioner in this industry as you protect electronic infrastructure and computer networks from attack. The master’s degree program involves investigating key technologies including cryptography, digital forensics, and biometrics.

Your bachelor’s degree has enabled you to acquire practical experience but it’s time to move forward into a more specialized role that can include penetration testing, risk assessment and vulnerability analysis, digital forensics, security architecture, and security compliance auditing. You can do this by pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity.

The key to a better-paying cybersecurity consultant job comes down to having the right skill set and qualification and more importantly keeping up with the ever-changing technology. According to the results of a recent study by the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), over 90 percent of cybersecurity experts that participated in the survey agreed that cybersecurity experts should keep up with their skills because the organizations or businesses they work for are at a significant disadvantage against cyber attackers.

Additionally, 63 percent of the participants agreed that it was difficult to keep up with cybersecurity skills due to their demanding jobs. However, an online master’s degree program can help you balance between work, your personal life, and school.

Benefits of an Online Cybersecurity Master’s Degree

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the cybersecurity field will increase by 28 percent between the year 2016 and 2026. According to Jeff Kauflin in his article “The Fast-Growing Job,” he concludes that there will be a global shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals with over two million unoccupied cybersecurity job vacancies.

With an online master’s degree in cybersecurity, you could qualify for management positions and become a cybersecurity consultant. Additionally, an online master’s degree may help you broaden your skill set through coursework that is focused on data mining, cryptography, machine learning, and biometrics.

Essential Skills and Qualities you need to become a Cybersecurity Consultant

• Meticulous attention to detail, ability to recognize trends and an analytical attitude
• An inquisitive nature
• Creativity
• Ability to work under pressure and be able to meet deadlines
• Patience
• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to use deductive reasoning and logic to identify the weaknesses and strengths of IT systems
• Effective communication skills
• An understanding of how cybercriminals work and the ability to keep up with the cyber-underworld technology

Are you looking to move ahead in your cybersecurity career? If you want to earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, consider ECPI University for the education you need. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity - Master’s

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