Whenever you hear about hackers and the safety of your data, you always hear about “cybersecurity specialists” and what they do behind the scenes to keep companies’ and individuals’ data safe. But who ARE these faceless heroes? And how did they ever get from “computer nerd” to the unsung geniuses they are today?

What they do

In a nutshell, cybersecurity specialists assess security risks and develop strategies to mitigate that risk. Their daily tasks can vary depending on their specialties; some will focus on hardware and software solutions while others focus more on network security than on data protection.

How they can help

Cybersecurity specialists essentially have two sets of clients: their own company and its employees AND the customers their company serves. They ensure the cyberspace their colleagues work in is secure and impervious to hacks which could slow (or halt) their business, but they also ensure the data with which their customers entrust them is locked down.

What tools they can use

Of course, a big brain helps in this career field. Creative problem-solving and collaboration are critical “soft skills”, but most cyber specialists also excel at testing, endpoint management, and navigating network data, logs, etc. Specialists will have (and gain) knowledge of cybersecurity systems and infrastructure, antivirus and malware software, security controls, and firewalls.

How they got there

Most cybersecurity specialists have at least a Bachelor’s degree in a field like computer science or other STEM field, but on-the-job experience or a professional certificate could get you in the door. A recent LinkedIn discussion asked experts how on-line learning can accelerate cybersecurity careers and talent and their input should encourage anyone seeking to enter this field.

Where you can start

Udemy and Coursera and other on-line educators are replete with certification courses that will set you on the path to a career in cybersecurity. Highly coveted certifications include Security +, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Systems Security Certified Practitioner.

In most cases, a certification costs between $250 and $1,000 but can lead a candidate into a job making well over $100,000. A sound investment to prepare you for a life of doing good!