Vulnerability Mitigation
With the increase in cybercrime, the need for more cybersecurity rises. Cybercrimes not only risk individuals from criminals accessing their bank accounts and other private information but they also risk large institutions. There have been previous reports of major governmental and non-governmental organizations losing finances and private information to hackers. As such, cybersecurity is one of the factors that risk the economy of a nation. The only way to combat cybercrime is to employ cyber security experts who explore our systems and prevent unauthorized access of these systems (Hsu & Marinucci, 2012). To understand cyber security and cybercrime, it is necessary to comprehend some essential terms which make up this topic as defined herein.
Information security (Infosec) is the process of preventing unauthorized modification, infection, use of access to any information considered to be private. The primary role of cybersecurity professional is to maintain infosec (Von Solms and Van Niekerk, 2013). Cybersecurity defines the technologies, programs, and computers which safeguard information from unauthorized access. Overall security in the technological domain aims at protecting both physical security and cyber security (Von Solms and Van Niekerk, 2013). The primary role of maintaining information security and cyber security is to serve as a law enforcement. Through law enforcement, the society can act in an organized manner while adhering to the already enacted law. By breaching these laws as depicted from hackers who are people who use computer knowledge to gain unauthorized access, the offenders can be punished due to violation of the rules and norms of cyber security (Hsu & Marinucci, 2012). Criminal investigators are used in identifying offenders in cases of cyber crime. Criminal investigators engage in activities such as searching, interviewing, interrogating criminals and preserving evidence based on the investigations.
Based on ISACA which is a nonprofit security group, there is a prediction of a shortage of about two million cyber security experts by 2019 (Kauflin, 2017). Based on statistics given by this group few cyber security professionals click on job links on job boards such as indeed.com. It is stated one out of seven people who see these links click on them. As such, few cyber security professionals opt to apply for these jobs. This shows a reason as to why these jobs are in high demand. Hsu and Marinucci (2012) assert that cyber breaches can affect both small and large companies. Therefore, there is a need to increase the number of cybersecurity professionals due to the high demand from all organizations in need of this expertise. One of the cyber security professionals who are highly demanded for their expertise are security analysts. The purpose of cyber security analysts is to work on prevention and reduce on cyber breaches that may affect organizations of interest (Von Solms and Van Niekerk, 2013). Some of the statistics given which depict the increase in demand of security analysts’ include the shift in demand seen in the year 2012 and 2015. In 2012, the security analysts’ jobs in the US were at 72,670 (Kauflin, 2017). This number shifted to 88, 880 in 2015 with each analyst making at least $90, 120 from the previous annual salary of $86, 170 (Kauflin, 2017). This shows the opportunity which lies within cyber security domain. Another profession which is considered to have many opportunities within cyber security field is security management. Security managers are tasked with the role of developing and implementing processes to maintain information as private. Security managers are paid up to $400, 000 annually (Kauflin, 2017). Most of the graduates in IT field fail to secure such jobs due to insufficient knowledge on where to seek the jobs and some due to resumes lacking elements looked for by employers. Academic qualifications and experience are some of the elements which hinder graduate to secure such job opportunities. The main requirements needed in most job listings include knowledge and expertise in specialized areas, experience and basic skills such as communication and customer relations. Below is a table with some of the opportunities within cyber security and IT security.
Table 1
Cybersecurity and IT security professionals
| Job | Qualifications | Pay Scale | Location | Web Link to the Position |
| IT specialist | Attention to detail, communication skills, problem-solving, customer service, Senior level knowledge of advanced information technology (IT) and experience in either private or public sector. | $94,610 to $122,991 per year | Downers Grove, Illinois
| https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474741700 |
| Cyber Security Specialist | Bachelor of Science in Computer science, business or mathematics, knowledge of IA, 0-5 years’ experience and DoD security clearance.
| $90, 000 to $100, 000 per year | North Charleston | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=3c79846a076de613&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll0k6e60kep56n&from=web |
| Senior information systems security engineer
| 5-14 year experience, bachelor degree in Computer Science. | $130,000 to $150, 000 per year | Thousand Oaks Ca
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/JGX4DP6RSKBJGWYP2PX?ipath=JRG19&searchid=ae3c7aee-639c-4238-b69d-e11a18dc720b&siteid=ns_us_g |
| Supervisory IT Specialist | One year specialized experience, oral communication, problem-solving, SCI clearance and U.S citizen | $112,021 to $145,629 | Arlington, VA | https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474615400 |
| Deputy Director, Cyber Threat Detection, and Analysis | Leadership experience, five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and gained above GS-15 grade level in federal service | $124,406 to $187,000 | Arlington, Virginia
| https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474926900 |
| Cyber Security Consultant
| Six years of experience, DoD clearance, and experience with security controls | $65.00 – $110.00 per hour
| Dallas, TX
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/JHM0S0622GVFVJC2M9M?ipath=JRG46&searchid=15044afc-3889-4ea3-987c-e65841913f7c&siteid=ns_us_g |
| IT specialist | IT related experience, onsite incident response capability and qualified at GS- 11 level | $66,510 – $123,234 | Pensacola, FL | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=7b9c1a3931618dd8&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll0k6e60kep56n&from=web |
| Information technology specialist | Male applicant, secret security clearance, US citizenship, experience and IT degree | $56,226 – $73,098 | Redstone Arsenal, AL | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8dcc89bae61ad371&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll8nsfc0kep165&from=web |
| Security manager | Three years of experience, CISSP Certification, and leadership experience | $120k to $145k | Houston, TX
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3F82171G13CGSBWXYY?ipath=JRG80&searchid=0570f2f8-d277-428d-b175-48afb83b030a&siteid=ns_us_g |
| IT specialist | US citizen, GS-11 grade level, must be determined suitable by federal employment and one year experience | $72,168 – $93,821 | Naval Base, VA | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ae94c59e5539b57e&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll90usm0kep4ik&from=web |
| IT security specialist | Bachelor degree in computer science, three years of experience, knowledge in computer hardware and ability to travel extensively | $48,170 – $93,831 | New Orleans | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=eec1198eb74e28c3&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll9fda30kep7s9&from=web |
| Cyber Security Documentation Specialist | One year experience and bachelor degree in related area | $31,888 – $73,719 | Raleigh, NC | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=df9009d99e68372f&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll9fda30kep7s9&from=web |
| Sail Point Developer | Knowledge in IAM, JavaScript, SQL, JSP, XML, Java, Sailpoint, Linux, MySQL, and LDAP, good software developer abilities, | $70, 000 – $110, 000
| Atlanta, GA
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3H6KS6QDXCRYQGDFJP?ipath=JRG106&searchid=186ac910-aaa5-4b1e-a1f9-da207d8567f4&siteid=ns_us_g |
| IT specialist | Clearance with DoD, customers service experience, good communication skills, part time and volunteer experience | $66,447 – $103,541 | Naval Air Station San Diego, CA | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=a5d40413586a945c&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bll9fda30kep7s9&from=web |
| Information technology specialist | US citizen, top security clearance, pass background investigation, implement security requirements and IT related experience | $99,785 to $129,723 | Pensacola, Florida
| https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474430400 |
| IT audit manager | More than seven years of experience in auditing, knowledge in SAP and master in IT or accounting | $130,000.00 to $140,000.00 | Troy, MI
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3H5MF6L4V2GSW3GKYQ?ipath=JRG112&searchid=186ac910-aaa5-4b1e-a1f9-da207d8567f4&siteid=ns_us_g |
| Compliance risk analyst, cyber security | Knowledge and experience in Cyber Security and Risk Compliance, expertise in Critical Infrastructure Protection and Bachelor in computer science or IT security | $70,000.00 – $100,000.00 | Salt Lake City, UT
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3K7TG6Q0JKDNY7HKK0?ipath=JRG123&searchid=186ac910-aaa5-4b1e-a1f9-da207d8567f4&siteid=ns_us_g |
| Senior network engineer | More than seven years of experience in designing networks, knowledge, and expertise in Expertise in Cisco switches, routers, and ASA firewalls, more than one year experience in F5 load balancer and experience with network discover, auditing syslogs, IPS alerts, and SEIM | $120,000.00 – $140,000.00 | Westlake Village, CA
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3J4ZN5XCPL7XPG1BXZ?ipath=JRG124&searchid=186ac910-aaa5-4b1e-a1f9-da207d8567f4&siteid=ns_us_g |
| IT systems engineer | 3-5 years of experience, Bachelor degree in computer engineering, DoD clearance, excellent leadership and communication skills | $70,000 – $75,000 a year | Panama City, FL | https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=a8b4c44aebda4e20&q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&tk=1bllc2cbr0kep00g&from=web |
| Security Analyst | Security risk management skills, expertise in email filtering system, Enterprise anti-virus, Application white listing technologies, good understanding in Network Access Control (NAC) system | 0$- $85, 0000 per year | Kansas City, MO
| http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3J4D6681TWQV30S426?ipath=JRG135&searchid=e9b344b2-8c7e-46f2-9e09-f687b2f0e72f&siteid=ns_us_g |
In comparison with strictly law-enforcement types of positions, cybersecurity jobs need more experience. Unlike law enforcement type positions, previous experience in a similar organization or reputable organization is mandatory in most cases to secure top notch jobs. However, the two share similarity in that applicants must be fully screened to gain trust. In most of the job applications, a (Department of Defence) DoD clearance is necessary.
References
Cybersecurity And It Security Professionals Jobs | CareerBuilder. (2017). CareerBuilder. Retrieved 22 July 2017, from http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-cybersecurity-and-it-security-professionals?page_number=6
Hsu, D. F., & Marinucci, D. (Eds.). (2012). Advances in cyber security: technology, operations, and experiences. London: Oxford University Press.
Indeed. (2017). Cybersecurity IT Security Professionals Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com. Indeed.com. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=cybersecurity+and+IT+security+professionals&start=60&pp=ADwAAAFdagoZKAAAAAEVFed0AQEBFwFngDASL2mQkqvT04xApcv-wZQtImNRSgY6MKguhVWp7NeG7Q6iXH7bv-HDEZeAg8YyC8DA7Efb2vviIs7F0fGnB3FAiiPxI40kdqiDO2sc30UqtEvLSycLjpd0RCXEFG3dN9K7uDSONg2E9HAuZVpFGa8
Kauflin, J. (2017). Forbes Welcome. Forbes.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2017/03/16/the-fast-growing-job-with-a-huge-skills-gap-cyber-security/#5af71015163a
USAJOBS – Search. (2017). Usajobs.gov. Retrieved from https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/?k=cybersecurity+professionals+&p=1
Von Solms, R., & Van Niekerk, J. (2013). From information security to cyber security. computers & security, 38(1), 97-102.
