How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity specialist job growth shows no signs of slowing. It’s a rewarding and lucrative position, putting you on a path to a fulfilling career.

What can be unclear, though, is the best way to become a cybersecurity specialist. Or how to pursue related roles in the burgeoning cybersecurity field.

While cybersecurity job descriptions vary, they all hinge on a deep understanding of complex technology and procedures for ensuring an organization’s information is never compromised. Both the systems and the protocols are constantly evolving to keep up with changing risks and the bad actors who aim to exploit them. Cybersecurity specialists need to have skills like:

• Willingness to continually learn in a rapidly changing environment
• Knowledge of relevant regulations
• Communication skills (especially writing skills)

Before jumping into the cybersecurity field, start by considering whether it matches your professional interests and goals.

Why Becoming a Cybersecurity Specialist Might Be the Right Career Path for You

A cyber security career lets you apply your aptitude for technology by defending people, companies, non-profits, and government agencies from harm. You also have the opportunity to do all this while making a comfortable income.

While the competition for these jobs is growing, so is the demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29 percent increase in job outlook for cybersecurity roles such as information security analysts. The 2024 median pay for this role is $124,910 per year.

This need for cybersecurity experts is driven by economic necessity and hackers’ unrelenting attempts to expose and obtain sensitive information. A 2025 IBM report shows that the average data breach costs $4.4 million. In 2024, more than 3,000 data breaches impacted over 1.2 million victims in the United States. The United States experienced nearly 35 percent of those breaches—more than any other country—with 2.2 billion records exposed.

If deterring these attacks and working with cutting-edge technology sounds appealing, you can play a vital role in protecting both a company’s bottom line and the data of people just like you.

What Does a Cybersecurity Specialist Do?

In most cases, cybersecurity specialists spend their time:

• Providing security analysis for networks, data centers, and software systems in development stages and after release
• Searching for vulnerabilities and identifying risks in hardware and software
• Monitoring for attacks and intrusions and leading recovery efforts
• Raising awareness of and reducing security vulnerabilities

Everyday job duties include updating and maintaining firewalls, conducting tests and trainings, configuring security programs and tools, creating credentials and granting access to authorized users, reviewing code for vulnerabilities, and generating regular reports on activities and anomalies.

This work can cover computer networks, cloud servers, mobile devices, and payment software. Cybersecurity specialists serve as the first line of defense against attempts to steal sensitive or private information.

What Job Titles Do Cybersecurity Specialists Have?

The exact duties for cyber security specialists differ, as do the titles for people in this line of work. As some of these jobs are entry level and others require more experience, the responsibilities also vary.

IT Security Specialist or Cybersecurity Specialist

Median Salary: $118,100* These titles are often interchangeable. An IT cybersecurity specialist must understand common and new threats as well as steps to keep computer systems secure. This typically involves daily work like managing security software, training employees (and sometimes customers) on data security protocols, safeguarding the company from network breaches, and handling any and all cyber attacks.

Cybersecurity Incident Response Analysts

Median Salary: $97,200* Sometimes referred to as a cyber incident responder, this role is the first line of defense in identifying, assessing, and resolving security incidents impacting an organization. These can range from a large-scale security breach to smaller incursions. The role requires proficiency in multiple operating systems and cloud platforms, as well as an understanding of network protocols, malware analysis, digital forensics, and other technical skills.

Cloud Security Engineers

Median Salary: $137,000* A cloud security engineer’s job involved implementing, upgrading, and monitoring security systems for cloud computing networks. They evaluate cloud systems proactively for security risks and implement fixes. In addition, they may set organizational policy regarding cloud security protocols and access. The position requires skills in cybersecurity auditing, incident response, risk analysis, and others.

SOC Analyst

Median Salary: $104,200* A security operations center (SOC) analyst’s role chiefly involves watching for, detecting, and responding to security threats. The SOC may be located within an organization or as a third party. They are often the first role to respond to a security incident, and they work with people at the organization on remediation strategies and prevention. SOC analysts are grouped into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 roles, with more senior, experienced analysts in tiers 2 and 3.

Information Security analyst or Cybersecurity Analyst

Median Salary: $105,200* As these titles suggest, this work is more focused on monitoring threats and breaches. The information security analyst (or “cyber security analyst” depending on the company) will investigate systems, vulnerabilities, and breaches. The analyst may work with firewalls, conduct penetration testing, and keep on top of cybersecurity trends and best practices.

Network Administrator or Computer System Administrator

Median Salary: $90,400* Broader than cybersecurity, the network administrator (“computer system administrator” at some companies) oversees a vital piece of technology: the employer’s computer network. The network admin takes full responsibility for day-to-day operations of the network. That can range from installation and support of intranets, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, and other data communication systems.

Computer Network Architect

Median Salary: $118,100* Typically a step above a network administrator, the computer network architect creates the vision for the network. This comprises the full design of the network, including LANs, WANs, and intranets for both current and future states. The network architect closely studies and collaborates on the organization’s business plan, working directly with senior IT management and sometimes company executives.

Information Security Manager

Median Salary: $152,300* Instead of direct network and hardware oversight, the information security manager is responsible for protecting an organization’s digital assets against viruses, breaches, and hackers. This cybersecurity role assesses security measures to identify any areas that might make information systems vulnerable to attack.

Information security officer:

Median Salary: $137,100* Rather than focusing on the day-to-day cybersecurity concerns of the organization, the information security officer drives the company’s information and data security efforts and function. The executive responsible for this function is known as the chief information security officer (CISO). This role oversees cybersecurity’s alignment to business goals, security architecture, identity and access management, governance, budgets, investigations and forensics, vendor selection, and ongoing training for the organization and the cybersecurity team.

*Salary information from Lightcast. Actual salary may vary by location, experience, education, and other factors.

The Best Path to a Cybersecurity Career: A Relevant Master’s Degree

Breaking into the cyber security field requires relevant experience and education. It’s a logical progression for many employees and consultants in IT and technical roles.

You can pursue a variety of cybersecurity certificates, which will almost certainly be part of your continuous education as a cyber security professional. To better your chances for career growth, a relevant master’s degree provides the education, learning community, and professional network certificates that less rigorous training options don’t offer.

Besides helping you stand out in the job market with these credentials, earning a master’s in IT or cybersecurity provides the essential mix of foundation, theory, and practical training.

To perform the duties of a cybersecurity specialist, you’ll need to understand underlying technologies, their operations, and interactions with systems across an organization. These include proficiency in:

• Linux, Perl, Python, Shell Scripting (Bash, Powershell), SQL, with further proficiency in Ruby, Rust, Go, PHP, JavaScript as needed
• Security information and event management (SIEM) training
• Anti-malware, anti-virus, and firewalls technologies
• UNIX, Windows, and Linux systems
• Server-side technology such as load balancers, proxy servers, and packet shapers
• Threat modeling, coding practices, and “ethical hacking”

Most universities that house cybersecurity programs offer two basic graduate degrees:

• A master’s in information technology, providing the fundamental IT education. This option will not, however, include advanced cybersecurity training.
• A master’s in cybersecurity, offering deep experience in this specialized field. Because of the narrow focus, this won’t include a well-rounded IT education.

Instead of an “either-or degree,” you can enroll in a graduate program that combines both approaches.

The Academic Requirements and Time Commitment to Earn an MS in Cybersecurity

Many schools require a bachelor’s in IT or a related field to qualify for admission, but an undergraduate degree in a different area of study may be accepted if you can demonstrate relevant work experience or a technical aptitude. Like most master’s programs, an MSIT in cybersecurity can usually be completed in two years while working full time.

Pace’s program, for example, requires students to take 30 credits hours to complete the MSIT-Cybersecurity degree. This translates to:

• Six core courses
• Three specialization courses in the cybersecurity specialization
• One elective
• A capstone project course

Real-world examples and applications are covered in most courses, culminating in the capstone where you explore an area of cybersecurity that interests you most.

For maximum flexibility, consider a program that allows part- and full-time students to complete all coursework online. Check to see whether most courses are asynchronous and are staffed by faculty with experience leading online courses.

Your program should recognize that life sometimes gets in the way of educational pursuits and, accordingly, should allow generous time to complete a degree. Ideally a university will offer up to 10 years to complete the degree requirements.

Which Accreditations Matter for a Cybersecurity Specialist?

Any university you apply to should carry all the proper accreditations. These are often conferred by the state where the university is based or by regional accreditation bodies. A reputable cybersecurity program will have also earned accreditations from the industry.

The most valuable of these include recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). This designation is granted by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Accreditations like these are particularly useful if you’re considering a cybersecurity career with federal agencies like the Homeland Security or the FBI. Top-tier law enforcement agencies at the state and local levels also consider the designation desirable in an applicant’s educational background.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Pace University Online MS in Cybersecurity

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University offers an online Master of Science in Cybersecurity tailored for working professionals. Prepare to lead in the future of cyber defense by applying hands-on learning based on the latest industry practices. Our 30-credit-hour online program can be completed in only one year (full time) or two years (part time).

We offer a general track or a choice of two concentrations: Cyber Operations or Cybersecurity Leadership. Our curriculum features virtual labs and project-based learning to help students develop effective problem-solving strategies. Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), we adhere to the NSA’s rigorous set of standards and equip professionals with in-demand skills to confront constantly evolving cyberthreats. Students also have access to the Pace Cyber Range, which acts as a training environment where students can learn critical hands-on skills, such as responding to attacks against critical infrastructure.

Download a brochure to learn more about the program, or start your application today.

Pace University also offers an on-campus option for the MS in Cybersecurity.