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Operational security specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, operational security specialists don't need a college education. The most common degree for operational security specialists is bachelor's degree with 57% graduates, with only 20% operational security specialist graduates earning associate degree. Operational security specialists who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or American University. Some good skills to have in this position include customer service, security operations and patrol.

Popular operational security specialist certifications include Security 5 Certification, Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS), or Physical Security Certification (PSC). To improve operational security specialist qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in operational security specialist education paths.

What education do you need to become an operational security specialist?

What degree do you need to be an operational security specialist?

The most common degree for operational security specialists is bachelor's degree, with 57% of operational security specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Associate, 20%
  • High School Diploma, 12%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become an operational security specialist?

You should major in business to become an operational security specialist. 31% of operational security specialists major in business. Other common majors for an operational security specialist include criminal justice and finance.

Best majors for operational security specialists

RankMajorPercentages
1Business30.8%
2Criminal Justice20.3%
3Finance8.5%
4Accounting4.9%
5General Studies4.5%

20 best online courses for operational security specialists

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1. Understanding Google Cloud Security and Operations

coursera

This course examines cost management, security, and operations in the cloud. First, it explores how businesses can choose to maintain some or none of their own infrastructure by purchasing IT services from a cloud provider. Next, it explains how the responsibility of data security is shared between the cloud provider and the business, and explores the defense-in-depth security built into Google Cloud. Finally, it covers how IT teams and business leaders need to rethink IT resource management in...

2. Palo Alto Networks Security Operations Fundamentals

coursera

In this Security Operations Fundamentals course you will gain an understanding of Security Pperations (SecOps) and the role it plays in protecting our digital way of life, for businesses and customers. You will focus on continuous improvement processes to collect high-fidelity intelligence, contextual data, and automated prevention workflows that quickly identify and respond to fast-evolving threats. The course also demonstrates how to leverage automation to reduce strain on analysts and...

3. Cybersecurity: Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst NOW!

udemy
4.5
(508)

Jump-start your cybersecurity career from the gateway to success: A Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst...

4. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

udemy
4.5
(656)

Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

5. Advanced System Security Design

coursera

This specialization is intended for intermediate level learners with basic programming skills and basic cybersecurity knowledge. Through this course learner will learn about advanced secure software techniques such as those for cloud computing, TOR, web-based cryptography, and geo-location/context based access control. With these techniques, learners will be better prepared to implement new security and privacy preserving data security features, to perform secure system design and...

6. Cyber Security Operations and Technology Solutions

udemy
4.4
(3,972)

Learn all you need to know to break into the SOC...

7. Security Operations Center - SOC with Splunk & FortiSIEM

udemy
4.1
(942)

Especially made for Non-Techies who can become SOC Analyst's by learning Splunk & Forti SIEM...

8. Build Security Incident Response for GDPR data protection

udemy
4.5
(1,330)

CIPT, CIPM FREE GDPR and Incident Response Templates & Documentation - Practical GDPR and Incident Response Blueprint...

9. Microsoft Security Fundamentals

udemy
4.6
(878)

Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security for the Windows Operating System...

10. Operational Risks Management ORM

udemy
4.3
(1,174)

Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...

11. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

udemy
4.6
(518)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

12. Linux Security and Hardening, The Practical Security Guide.

udemy
4.5
(3,902)

Secure any Linux server from hackers & protect it against hacking. The practical Linux Administration security guide...

13. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

udemy
4.2
(267)

A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...

14. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

udemy
4.4
(684)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

15. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls

udemy
4.5
(770)

Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...

16. Introduction to the CISSP Security Certification

udemy
4.2
(314)

Introduction to the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification for 2021...

17. CCNP SECURITY - CORE SCOR-350-701

udemy
4.9
(323)

Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701)...

18. Automotive Cyber Security

udemy
4.2
(1,627)

A learners Guide: Covers Automotive Security, Concepts of Security and many more...

19. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Anonymous Browsing!

udemy
4.6
(5,475)

Volume 3 : Become a Cyber Security Specialist, Anonymous Browsing, Hide my IP, Tor, Privacy, Proxy Servers and Best VPNs...

20. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

udemy
4.5
(2,165)

Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...

Average operational security specialist salary by education level

Operational security specialists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $54,170 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, operational security specialists earn a median annual income of $47,481 compared to $42,936 for operational security specialists with an Associate degree.
Operational security specialist education levelOperational security specialist salary
Master's Degree$54,170
High School Diploma or Less$40,416
Bachelor's Degree$47,481
Some College/ Associate Degree$42,936

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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