Information Security Specialist

DESCRIPTION
Information Security Specialists have become an integral part of modem life. Among its most important functions is the security of an organization's information. Information Security Specialists help individuals and organizations share and store information through computer networks and systems, the Internet, and computer databases.

RESPONSIBILITES
Information Security Specialists plan, coordinate, and maintain an organization's information security. These workers education users about computer security, install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, and, in some cases, gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber crime. The responsibilities of computer security specialists have increased in recent years as cyber attacks have become more sophisticated.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Information Security Specialists usually work about 40 hours per week, although some employees work more than that. Some of these workers may be required to be "on call" outside of normal business hours in order to resolve system failures or other problems. As computer networks expand, more of these workers may be able to perform their duties from remote locations, reducing or eliminating the need to travel to the customer's workplace.

EMPLOYMENT
Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average and job prospects should be excellent. The increasing adoption of mobile technologies means that more establishments will use the Internet to conduct business online. Growth will also be driven by the increasing need for information security. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, demand will increase for workers with security skills. More of these workers will be needed to accommodate the increasing amount of data sent over the Internet, as well as the growing number of Internet users.

ADVANCEMENT
Entry-level Information Security Specialists are involved in routine maintenance and monitoring of computer systems. After gaining experience and expertise, Information Security Specialists can advance into supervisory positions, or may move into other occupations, such as computer systems analysts.