Network security specialist vs specialist

The differences between network security specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a network security specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a network security specialist has an average salary of $82,206, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for a network security specialist include network security, incident response and IDS. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Network security specialist vs specialist overview

	Network Security Specialist	Specialist
Yearly salary	$82,206	$58,013
Hourly rate	$39.52	$27.89
Growth rate	32%	10%
Number of jobs	82,646	358,433
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	2

What does a network security specialist do?

A Network Security Specialist is a person who oversees computer networks to find security threats or unauthorized users. Their responsibilities include: identifying compromised machines, creating briefs of security measures taken, identifying possible security risks, determining the proper procedure to address the risks, assessing software that security aid, and researching security devices to get proper information on installation, audit-related information, and disaster recovery plans.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Network security specialist vs specialist salary

Network security specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Security Specialist	Specialist
Average salary	$82,206	$58,013
Salary range	Between $60,000 And $112,000	Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Jersey City, NJ
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between network security specialist and specialist education

There are a few differences between a network security specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:

	Network Security Specialist	Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Network security specialist vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between network security specialists' and specialists' demographics:

	Network Security Specialist	Specialist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	11%

Differences between network security specialist and specialist duties and responsibilities

Network security specialist example responsibilities.

Achieve a reputation as a security and technology leader in the LINUX world, interview profiled by several LINUX publications.
Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
Install new firewalls, switches and routers contingent on management schedule.
Create encryption policy and technical solutions to protect company mobile computing devices including laptops and smart phones.
Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
Coordinate efforts in moving data from Novell servers to Microsoft server with total overhaul of file and security group structure.

Specialist example responsibilities.

Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).

Network security specialist vs specialist skills

Common network security specialist skills

Network Security, 12%
Incident Response, 6%
IDS, 5%
Firewall, 5%
Switches, 4%
Intrusion Detection, 4%

Common specialist skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 11%
Work Ethic, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Exceptional Client, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

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Network Security Specialist
Network Security Specialist vs Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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