Cyber-espionage — hacking into an organization’s internal databases and networks from outside the company with the intention of stealing proprietary information — is a constant threat in the 21st century. It may be true that for every new technology firewall there’s a hacker who can breach it, but it’s also true that for every hacker there’s an information security expert devising the next safety measure. Information security network and systems specialists are responsible for designing and implementing technology that helps protect the electronic infrastructure of businesses and government agencies. If you’re a computer technician looking for a new challenge, the information security niche may provide you with new network and database management skills and new opportunities for advancement and higher pay. Forty-three percent of CIOs (Chief Information Officers) surveyed in April 2009 said they would be making substantial investments in information security over the next year.

No particular certification is required for the information security field. As computer network and system protection has taken on greater importance, however, tech schools, career education schools, community colleges, software vendors, hardware vendors, and professional organizations have increased their associate degree and certification programs focused specifically on information security. In such programs, you’ll concentrate on how to protect information systems from disruption, modification, unauthorized access, and violation of confidentiality, and how to install security software, monitor networks, and teach users about security measures. You’ll also learn how to react quickly to the appearance of a threat and to minimize damage in crisis situations, create incidence response reports, and disaster recovery plans.

If you’re just starting college, consider a pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in information security to accelerate your path to management and supervisory positions.

Information Security Related Careers

With a degree or certificate in IT/Information Security, you can take your career in any one of several directions. You may become a senior-level database administrator tasked with keeping your company’s database running smoothly, a network administrator responsible for protecting your organization’s network(s), or a telecommunications specialist focused on the interaction of your business’s network(s) with the Internet. Or, you may work as a cyber-crime specialist for a law enforcement agency, insurance agency, or justice system, applying your IT and information security expertise to cracking computer systems to determine how they were hacked and what may have stolen.

What’s the Job Outlook?

As businesses and government agencies continue to invest in cyber-security, employment for information security specialists is rapidly increasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates nearly 400,000 job openings for network administrators between 2006 and 2016. College graduates have the best job prospects in information security, particularly those with a degree and information security expertise.

How much does it pay?

According to Robert Half Technology, an IT recruiting agency, starting salaries for systems administrators in 2007 ranged from $50,000 to $75,750. Your salary may depend on the region of the country you’re in and your degree, experience, and level of responsibility.

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