What Types of Jobs Require a Security+ Certification?
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When you're aiming for jobs in information technology (IT) or cybersecurity, getting certified can give your resume a boost.
Certifications like Security+ show that you have a good grasp of essential security skills, making you more credible in the industry.
Getting this certification can open up more job options, chances for career advancement, and the potential to earn more.
The Security+ certification focuses on fundamental security practices and functions.
Recommended by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), this credential is often considered one of the first security certifications that IT experts should attain.
Considering this certification to be a good stepping stone to many professional IT roles, we will discuss the kinds of jobs that require a Security+ certification.
Certifications like Security+ show that you have a good grasp of essential security skills, making you more credible in the industry.
Getting this certification can open up more job options, chances for career advancement, and the potential to earn more.
The Security+ certification focuses on fundamental security practices and functions.
Recommended by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), this credential is often considered one of the first security certifications that IT experts should attain.
Considering this certification to be a good stepping stone to many professional IT roles, we will discuss the kinds of jobs that require a Security+ certification.
How Will Security+ Certification Boost Your Career?
This certification will expand your job prospects, showcasing expertise to employers seeking skilled IT professionals for managing security requirements.
It will help you signify your capacity to:
It will help you signify your capacity to:
- Understand and clarify the security functions of common network devices and technologies used in any type of system.
- Apply secure principles for network administration in various settings.
- Safely set up and manage wireless networks, including those with Internet-of-Things devices.
- Quickly identify security threats and take steps to reduce potential harm.
- Interpret and adhere to IT security policies, laws, and global regulations, minimizing compliance fines.
- Utilize environmental controls to enhance security measures.
- Ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Thriving Career Opportunities for Security+ Certified Professionals
The job outlook for individuals holding a Security+ certification is highly promising as the field of cybersecurity is experiencing remarkable growth.
According to cybersecurity research, the worldwide demand for cybersecurity professionals has surged dramatically, expanding by 350 percent from one million vacancies in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.
While the count of unoccupied positions stabilized in 2022, it has persisted at 3.5 million throughout 2023, including over 750,000 roles within the United States.
According to cybersecurity research, the worldwide demand for cybersecurity professionals has surged dramatically, expanding by 350 percent from one million vacancies in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.
While the count of unoccupied positions stabilized in 2022, it has persisted at 3.5 million throughout 2023, including over 750,000 roles within the United States.
Jobs That Require a Security+ Certification
Here are the cybersecurity roles that frequently demand the Security+ certification and often explicitly include it in their job descriptions.
1. Security Administrator
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Average Base Salary: $89,173
Security administrators play a pivotal role in safeguarding the overall security of organizations' networks.
They strategize and execute protective measures to fortify data and systems against unauthorized intrusion and theft.
They are the ones who usually respond to incidents and monitor networks for security breaches.
As a security administrator, your responsibilities encompass various tasks, including:
Security administrators play a pivotal role in safeguarding the overall security of organizations' networks.
They strategize and execute protective measures to fortify data and systems against unauthorized intrusion and theft.
They are the ones who usually respond to incidents and monitor networks for security breaches.
As a security administrator, your responsibilities encompass various tasks, including:
- Formulating and enforcing network-specific security protocols.
- Conducting comprehensive security audits and formulating a list of policy recommendations.
- Offering training and expert counsel to colleagues, fostering a culture of strategic awareness.
2. Systems Integration Specialist
Average base salary: $91,204
The role of a systems integration specialist revolves around orchestrating seamless communication among diverse elements of an organization's computer network.
This includes helping with moving files, connecting different applications, and ensuring everything works together well.
Here are some specific duties frequently associated with a system integration specialist:
The role of a systems integration specialist revolves around orchestrating seamless communication among diverse elements of an organization's computer network.
This includes helping with moving files, connecting different applications, and ensuring everything works together well.
Here are some specific duties frequently associated with a system integration specialist:
- Collaborate closely with business users and analysts to thoroughly grasp and assess business requirements.
- Offer technical support to identify and fix integration problems.
- Create and manage the services utilized in application integrations.
- Develop integration solutions and adequately document the designs following industry best practices.
- Partner with development teams to plan, design, and execute application integrations.
3. Security Operations Center Analyst
Average base salary: $92,404
A SOC Analyst is considered a popular starting point in the world of cybersecurity.
It's a role you can usually get into after a few years of experience, and it's more about cybersecurity than just regular IT work.
As a Security Operations Center Analyst, your main job is to watch over the network and know how to spot cyber threats.
Here are some things you'll be doing in this role:
A SOC Analyst is considered a popular starting point in the world of cybersecurity.
It's a role you can usually get into after a few years of experience, and it's more about cybersecurity than just regular IT work.
As a Security Operations Center Analyst, your main job is to watch over the network and know how to spot cyber threats.
Here are some things you'll be doing in this role:
- Keeping up to date with the latest security trends and ways to research problems.
- Taking a close look at things like firewalls, operating systems, and web servers to make sure everything is safe.
- Look into potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Investigate, write down, and talk about any problems with information security (InfoSec).
- Analyze and advise on new problems with computer systems.
4. Cybersecurity Engineer
Average Base Salary: $114,810
As a cybersecurity engineer, your primary focus is improving your organization's security by reviewing and fixing software vulnerabilities.
As a cybersecurity engineer, you should understand the fundamental structure of a secure system and be skilled in spotting weaknesses and suggesting solutions.
Here are some tasks you'll handle as a cybersecurity engineer:
As a cybersecurity engineer, your primary focus is improving your organization's security by reviewing and fixing software vulnerabilities.
As a cybersecurity engineer, you should understand the fundamental structure of a secure system and be skilled in spotting weaknesses and suggesting solutions.
Here are some tasks you'll handle as a cybersecurity engineer:
- Collaborating to assess threats, analyze vulnerabilities, evaluate risks, and minimize risks in systems and networks.
- Seeking approval for network and system changes and deploying major software updates while following proper procedures.
- Keeping an eye on system performance and spotting trends that impact the security of networks and systems.
- Contribute significantly to the formulation of comprehensive disaster recovery plans. This eventually helps the IT department to continue functioning following significant emergencies such as natural disasters or acts of terrorism.
5. IT Auditor
Average Base Salary: $110,956
As an IT auditor, you will analyze and evaluate a company's technological infrastructure.
Your aim is to ensure that its operations are not only accurate and efficient but also securely aligned with regulatory standards.
A significant aspect of your role involves identifying any IT-related concerns, especially those pertaining to security and risk management.
Your expertise lies in proposing effective solutions to address these issues.
Other tasks include:
As an IT auditor, you will analyze and evaluate a company's technological infrastructure.
Your aim is to ensure that its operations are not only accurate and efficient but also securely aligned with regulatory standards.
A significant aspect of your role involves identifying any IT-related concerns, especially those pertaining to security and risk management.
Your expertise lies in proposing effective solutions to address these issues.
Other tasks include:
- Developing, testing, and evaluating audit procedures within established IT standards.
- Conducting IT and IT-related audit projects, covering areas like networks, software, security systems, and communication.
- Safeguarding the organization from potential internal and external threats by evaluating internal controls and processes.
6. Cybersecurity Incident Responder
Average Base Salary: $128,870
The computer security incident responder is central to an organization's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).
This role is comparable to that of a primary responder in emergencies.
Within the CSIRT, these individuals are the initial point of action when it comes to addressing a cybersecurity incident.
Security+certification is necessary for this job role, along with some prior experience.
As an incident responder, your responsibilities include:
The computer security incident responder is central to an organization's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).
This role is comparable to that of a primary responder in emergencies.
Within the CSIRT, these individuals are the initial point of action when it comes to addressing a cybersecurity incident.
Security+certification is necessary for this job role, along with some prior experience.
As an incident responder, your responsibilities include:
- Keeping an eye on system performance, spotting trends, and reporting incidents that affect the security status of supported systems and networks.
- Investigating and implementing measures to prevent or block unauthorized computer usage.
- Circulating instructions, metric reports, as well as advisories on vulnerabilities and threats.
7. Penetration Tester
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Average Base Salary: $118,826
A penetration tester, often referred to as an ethical hacker, is a professional who intentionally initiates cyberattacks on an organization's computer network.
This role is essential for uncovering vulnerabilities and devising strategies to enhance security.
Key Responsibilities Include:
A penetration tester, often referred to as an ethical hacker, is a professional who intentionally initiates cyberattacks on an organization's computer network.
This role is essential for uncovering vulnerabilities and devising strategies to enhance security.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Conducting penetration tests on computer networks, systems, and applications to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Innovating new testing techniques to pinpoint weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
- Evaluating physical security measures for systems, servers, and network devices to identify areas requiring enhanced protection.
- Identifying potential entry points and methods attackers might exploit to target vulnerabilities.
- Scrutinizing software, web applications, and proprietary systems for weaknesses.
- Researching, documenting, and sharing findings with IT teams and management.
- Offering feedback on security enhancements and fixes.
- Enhancing existing security services, encompassing hardware, software, policies, and protocols.
8. Computer Forensic Investigator
Average Base Salary: $81,478
Computer forensic investigators are crucial in extracting information from computers and digital storage devices.
This retrieved data is valuable for criminal investigations and serves as evidence in cybercrime cases.
This profession sits at the crossroads of cybersecurity and law enforcement.
The specific duties of a digital forensic investigator can vary based on the organization, agency, and industry.
Here are some common tasks you might undertake (drawn from actual job descriptions):
Computer forensic investigators are crucial in extracting information from computers and digital storage devices.
This retrieved data is valuable for criminal investigations and serves as evidence in cybercrime cases.
This profession sits at the crossroads of cybersecurity and law enforcement.
The specific duties of a digital forensic investigator can vary based on the organization, agency, and industry.
Here are some common tasks you might undertake (drawn from actual job descriptions):
- Recover data from both virtual and physical devices.
- Gather and analyze evidence of malicious network activities and intrusion artifacts.
- Reconstruct the sequence of events leading to a security breach or compromise.
- Process, collect, analyze, and safeguard digital evidence in criminal proceedings.
- Extract and scrutinize metadata for insights.
9. Independent Contractor
Average Base Salary: $93,519
There is a specialized market catering to the establishment of security solutions tailored for small businesses and individuals who prefer not to rely on large corporations for addressing their security concerns. Some may seek the convenience of having a dedicated professional available during a cyber attack.
The CompTIA Security+ certification equips you with the essential skills to venture into this arena, potentially paving the way for you to initiate your own security business.
This niche is vital in areas where individuals need more digital education to navigate cybersecurity challenges.
By tapping into this demand, you have the opportunity to build a thriving business and contribute to the greater good by safeguarding these vulnerable entities against prevailing online threats.
There is a specialized market catering to the establishment of security solutions tailored for small businesses and individuals who prefer not to rely on large corporations for addressing their security concerns. Some may seek the convenience of having a dedicated professional available during a cyber attack.
The CompTIA Security+ certification equips you with the essential skills to venture into this arena, potentially paving the way for you to initiate your own security business.
This niche is vital in areas where individuals need more digital education to navigate cybersecurity challenges.
By tapping into this demand, you have the opportunity to build a thriving business and contribute to the greater good by safeguarding these vulnerable entities against prevailing online threats.
10. Security Software Developer
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Average Base Salary: $105,047
Security software developers are professionals who collaborate closely with software development teams to ensure the creation of secure software components.
They design, test, and specify software elements to enhance their security, actively communicating with developers and engineers.
Some tasks and responsibilities include:
Security+ certification and prior experience in software security are essential qualifications for individuals pursuing roles in security software development.
Security software developers are professionals who collaborate closely with software development teams to ensure the creation of secure software components.
They design, test, and specify software elements to enhance their security, actively communicating with developers and engineers.
Some tasks and responsibilities include:
- Utilizing creativity and analytical thinking to envision various scenarios and potential threats.
- Engage in red team exercises to analyze defenses and countermeasures, contributing to the robustness of the software product.
- Possess in-depth knowledge of attack vectors and potential attack surfaces.
Security+ certification and prior experience in software security are essential qualifications for individuals pursuing roles in security software development.
11. Project Manager (IT)
Average Base Salary: $98,918
An IT project manager is a specialist who aids organizations in accomplishing their IT objectives through project planning and execution. Their role encompasses guiding projects aimed at implementing new software solutions, expanding IT processes, or transitioning to different cloud providers. In certain instances, IT project managers may oversee software development initiatives.
Their projects span diverse areas such as:
An IT project manager is a specialist who aids organizations in accomplishing their IT objectives through project planning and execution. Their role encompasses guiding projects aimed at implementing new software solutions, expanding IT processes, or transitioning to different cloud providers. In certain instances, IT project managers may oversee software development initiatives.
Their projects span diverse areas such as:
- Development of software and applications
- Installation of hardware
- Upgrades to network infrastructure
- Implementation of cloud computing and virtualization strategies
- Initiatives related to business analytics and data management
- Miscellaneous IT services
Do These Career Options Hold Value and Potential?
Absolutely, these roles offer a compelling blend of challenge and excitement, coupled with attractive compensation.
Even at the entry-level, security positions often surpass the appeal of other typical starting jobs.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg – the broader Information Technology sector is progressively recognizing the demand for adept cybersecurity professionals, signaling a promising future for highly skilled individuals in this field.
Even at the entry-level, security positions often surpass the appeal of other typical starting jobs.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg – the broader Information Technology sector is progressively recognizing the demand for adept cybersecurity professionals, signaling a promising future for highly skilled individuals in this field.
Will I Be Able to Get All These Jobs With Just Security+ Certification?
Security+ certification provides a foundational understanding of essential cybersecurity concepts, making it a valuable starting point for securing and assessing various computer setups.
However, for certain career paths, additional expertise, such as proficiency in programming languages, specialized certifications, and knowledge of specific proprietary systems, becomes necessary to ensure comprehensive system security.
While Security+ serves as a gateway to entry-level positions and a diverse range of jobs, it marks the initial stage in a continuous journey of grasping the intricacies of cybersecurity.
The majority of businesses anticipate that you will grasp the benefits of this certification and that each unique system and career path requires additional education and training.
But if you don't start at Security+, you'll never reach those careers, and many employers will gladly choose a security professional over someone without it.
However, for certain career paths, additional expertise, such as proficiency in programming languages, specialized certifications, and knowledge of specific proprietary systems, becomes necessary to ensure comprehensive system security.
While Security+ serves as a gateway to entry-level positions and a diverse range of jobs, it marks the initial stage in a continuous journey of grasping the intricacies of cybersecurity.
The majority of businesses anticipate that you will grasp the benefits of this certification and that each unique system and career path requires additional education and training.
But if you don't start at Security+, you'll never reach those careers, and many employers will gladly choose a security professional over someone without it.
What is the Duration of a Security+ Certification?
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In the domain of Information technology, where change is a constant, staying up-to-date with the new information is pivotal.
Technological progress unfolds rapidly, shaping the landscape that influences both our professional and personal lives.
The validity of a Security+ certification spans three years.
Should your certification approach its expiration, you have the option to seek renewal for an additional three-year term.
Technological progress unfolds rapidly, shaping the landscape that influences both our professional and personal lives.
The validity of a Security+ certification spans three years.
Should your certification approach its expiration, you have the option to seek renewal for an additional three-year term.
Bottom Line
There is an overwhelming demand for cybersecurity professionals, as seen by the volume and variety of employment opportunities that are currently accessible.
Due to the ongoing development of new cybersecurity threats, people must possess the knowledge and abilities necessary to defend against those threats.
Security+ certification is your gateway to an array of dynamic IT roles.
From security engineer to cybersecurity consultant, this credential validates your proficiency in handling security challenges, ensuring a lucrative, challenging, and ever-evolving career path.
Due to the ongoing development of new cybersecurity threats, people must possess the knowledge and abilities necessary to defend against those threats.
Security+ certification is your gateway to an array of dynamic IT roles.
From security engineer to cybersecurity consultant, this credential validates your proficiency in handling security challenges, ensuring a lucrative, challenging, and ever-evolving career path.
Have the Security+? Considering CISSP certification? Contact us right away.