Information security remains one of the most popular specialties within the information technology (IT) sector, and many aspiring IT professionals investigate the requirements to become a data network security administrator. Technology undoubtedly helps to accelerate business processes and operations, but the same innovations enable cyber criminals to cause a lot of damage to businesses and their customers. Large, cash rich corporations that have the resources to provide the best in data security are not even immune to attacks by bold hackers. The high demand for cyber security professionals has served to enhance the career field mainly through the introduction of advanced levels of education, training and other professional resources to the IT community. Here are some steps that IT professionals can take to enter the challenging career field of data security.
Education and Training
Traditionally, a general undergraduate degree in computer science or computer engineering was the first step on the educational path to become a network security administrator. This type of degree included course topics on software development, hardware configuration and network engineering. Today’s students have an advantage; the increasing importance of cyber security has prompted some of the top universities to address network security topics in more depth. Many universities now have separate network engineering degree programs that emphasize learning topics pertaining to the design of secure networks. Other schools have degree programs that allow students to concentrate in network security or information assurance while still receiving the advantages of a general major in computer science or computer engineering. The career field is so important to government agencies like the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense that these agencies work with universities to create centers of excellence based upon their unique network requirements. Since these agencies conduct preferred hiring within these centers, students who want to work for these organizations or ones that are similar to them usually choose to attend university programs that have been recognized as centers of excellence.
Certifications
The field of information security is not one that will allow practitioners to rest on their academic laurels and still maintain professional success. Aspiring data network security administrators require formal and informal professional development activities to land jobs of increasing responsibility and higher wages. Savvy network administrators obtain certifications like the Cisco Cybersecurity Specialist, Global Information Assurance Certification Security Essentials and Certified Information Security Manager. Modern hiring managers use the certification process to efficiently sort through competing network security administrator candidates to fill available positions with IT professionals with verifiable skills.
Professional Organization Memberships
After IT professionals gain and demonstrate the requisite skills via education, training and certification activities, it is a good idea for them to advertise their skills to a wide audience. Online venues like LinkedIn are great ways to communicate professional skills to potential employers, but the in person networking opportunities that take place at conferences that are sponsored by professional organizations are often better. Professional organizations like the Information Systems Security Association also give IT professionals access to valuable industry publications that help them to keep abreast of the most pressing challenges that they will likely face in their careers as data network security administrators.
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Conclusion
While there are still some very talented, self taught IT professionals who can adequately conduct network security functions, most network security administrators are formally trained and certified. This type of professional preparation has become increasingly necessary as cyber crimes become more sophisticated. An excellent foundational education, continuous training and exposure to the latest industry issues are the general requirements to become a data network security administrator within an established private company or a government agency.
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