What does a cyber security specialist do?
Cybersecurity Specialists are information technology (IT) professionals who safeguard and protect the company's networks. They ensure that the network infrastructure is secure at all times. They do routine checks to see whether the infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks. Cybersecurity Specialists monitor and respond to security concerns. They launch programs or software to mitigate any attacks that the company's infrastructure may receive. They also look for ways to minimize the network infrastructure's vulnerability to risks, threats, and attacks.
Cyber security specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cyber security specialist resumes:
- Manage and monitor enterprise antivirus and software firewall programs.
- Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
- Scan network infrastructure for insecurities and vulnerabilities using programs such as ACAS and HBSS.
- Work on implementing DISA STIGS.
- Assist in using Nessus to scan local machines.
- Upload audit files to ACAS in preparation for STIG scans.
- Document, support and coordinate vendor support for SIEM software BlackStratus.
- Install, maintain and upgrade defensive tools including FireEye, NetWitness, Splunk and McAfee NSM.
- Conduct site security inspections of transmission substations and power generation facilities using NERC CIP & NIST 800-53 standards.
- Lead the documentation initiative by assigning and documenting SIEM application BlackStratus as part of an implementation and support team.
- Coordinate and perform compliance audits in accordance to the information protection, data asset and threat provisions under DISA and USCYBERCOM.
- Install, maintain and troubleshoot security systems for military weapons.
- Gather and collate security and business data to synthesize ISO security reports.
- Create documentation and training to effectively troubleshoot proxies and resolve customer issues.
- Perform network and systems monitoring and analysis, incident management/remediation and forensics activities.
Cyber security specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Cyber Security Specialists are proficient in Cyber Security, Incident Response, and NIST. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Cyber Security Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cyber Security, 17%
Recorded assessment results, conclusions and justifications, and transmitted documentation as required by the cyber security plan.
- Incident Response, 6%
Utilize Virtual Environments to review and document suspicious files activity in incident response investigations.
- NIST, 5%
Document the Enterprise Log Management Architecture using IAW NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 and NIST SP 800-92.
- Security Operations, 4%
Provide Security Operations and firewall architecture and principles to classified and unclassified networks.
- Forensics, 4%
Utilize Network Intrusion Detection and Forensics to conduct performance analysis of Information Systems security incidents.
- DOD, 3%
Contracted to USMC to work on regional implementation of the DoD Risk Management Framework.
Most cyber security specialists use their skills in "cyber security," "incident response," and "nist" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential cyber security specialist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a cyber security specialist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Cyber security specialists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implement data network security measures. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cyber security specialist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." According to a cyber security specialist resume, here's how cyber security specialists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "perform forensics analysis on hacked systems and provide details of the discovery. "
Problem-solving skills. cyber security specialists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to cyber security specialist responsibilities, because "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." A cyber security specialist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "conduct assured compliance assessment solution (acas) scans; resolves identified vulnerability issues and provide remediation. "
The three companies that hire the most cyber security specialists are:
- MITRE16 cyber security specialists jobs
- Leidos14 cyber security specialists jobs
- Burns & McDonnell12 cyber security specialists jobs
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Compare different cyber security specialists
Cyber security specialist vs. Information assurance engineer
Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization's data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization's most essential asset. Their main role is to guarantee the quality, security, and retrievability of the organization's information. Also, they outline security systems that make certain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data. Additionally, they secure IT infrastructure, maintain hardware and software updated, establish security standards, and monitor threats like breaches.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, cyber security specialist responsibilities require skills like "cyber security," "nist," "security operations," and "forensics." Meanwhile a typical information assurance engineer has skills in areas such as "iam," "assurance support," "linux," and "security engineering." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Information assurance engineers tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,153. In contrast, cyber security specialists make the biggest average salary, $89,538, in the technology industry.The education levels that information assurance engineers earn slightly differ from cyber security specialists. In particular, information assurance engineers are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a cyber security specialist. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cyber security specialist vs. Information technology security manager
An information technology security manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's network systems to prevent unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of information from the database. Information technology security managers resolve technical issues, configure network updates, and upgrade system infrastructures to enhance optimal performance and navigation. They also install applications, inspect security breaches, and fix faulty servers to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. An information technology security manager must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing reports for system findings and design networks according to business requirements.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real cyber security specialist resumes. While cyber security specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "cyber security," "forensics," "rmf," and "ip," information technology security managers use skills like "risk management," "project management," "iso," and "hipaa."
Information technology security managers may earn a higher salary than cyber security specialists, but information technology security managers earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $127,504. On the other hand, cyber security specialists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $89,538.information technology security managers earn similar levels of education than cyber security specialists in general. They're 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cyber security specialist vs. Information systems security officer
An information systems security officer's role is to perform preventive measures to protect a company's data and systems from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the existing security measures to identify any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies, recommending and implementing changes to improve security systems, and developing new strategies and programs for data protection. There are also instances when an information systems security officer must manage and maintain information in databases, train new employees, and create new security policies, all while adhering to the company's vision and mission.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, cyber security specialists are more likely to have skills like "cyber security," "nist," "security operations," and "forensics." But a information systems security officer is more likely to have skills like "security posture," "sci," "linux," and "issm."
Information systems security officers earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $89,615. Comparatively, cyber security specialists have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $89,538.Most information systems security officers achieve a similar degree level compared to cyber security specialists. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cyber security specialist vs. Securities consultant
A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.
Types of cyber security specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
