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The modern world depends on cyber security. No company, not even the US government, is invulnerable to cyber-attack. As the Internet of Things evolves, our homes, vehicles, and personal lives are also at risk from cyber-hackers. Staying ahead of cyber-criminals is imperative. A cyber security career involves creating secure software while identifying and preventing potential security issues.
These security professionals require expertise in both computer programming and cyber security. Their workplaces or clients depend on their expertise to keep their data safe and any threat at bay. Cyber security jobs command a good salary because the system relies on their ability to protect it.
Becoming a cyber security developer requires education, but technical skills are paramount. It’s also a career with a high job satisfaction rating. While these jobs come with a good salary, cyber security developers can take great pride in the critical importance of the work they do.
Steps to Become a Cyber Security Software Developer:
Step 1: Earn a Degree
A great first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field. While not every cyber security developer job requires a bachelor’s degree, the majority of them do. If already working in the IT field, you may transition into cyber security over time. Potential cyber security developers must have extensive knowledge of Windows, Linux, and Unix operating systems. You should learn as many relevant programming languages as possible including ASM, C, C++, Java, and PHP. Other necessities include knowledge of relational databases such as SQL and SQL Lite; TCP/IP networking protocols; IP security domains; python in HTML, CSS, KVM; and VMare hypervisors.
Step 2: Gain Experience
There are no entry level jobs in cyber security software development per se. This means that starting at the entry-level in a related IT field and transitioning into cyber security software development is definitely an option. Entry-level positions that can help you get to where you want to be include systems or database administrator, network or computer software engineer, web developer or administrator, and IT technician. A thorough understanding of technology is essential. Learn as much about cyber security software development as possible while working in related fields with the goal of working in software development. The transition to a cyber security software developer role may take about five years, though much depends upon the individual. You can expect to spend up to two years in testing and auditing positions and at least three years in a software developer position before qualifying as a cyber security software developer for most employers.
Step 3: Consider Certifications or Bootcamps
By getting certifications or attending online boot camps, you may be able to enter the software development field and then pursue an education specifically in security. You can do this either via a formal college program or by obtaining more advanced certifications focusing on cyber security software development. As with other jobs in the tech field, your employer may be willing to partially or fully pay for this training. You can also attend conferences either in person or virtually and look into what certifications the top employers require and go about getting them.
You should spend as much of your spare time as possible educating yourself. While education and certifications are important, they do not substitute for the kind of skills you pick up by constantly improving your abilities. Not all security software developers skills are taught in college or via certification. Some you learn via trial and error. You may also want to look into subsets within the field, such as cyber sales and cyber law. The cyber security career path is diverse.
Step 4: Specializations
The next step is to obtain additional training and certifications. Employers often prefer employees with specialization, especially at the management level. One of the best such certifications is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Individuals with this top security certification earn an average of $115,000 annually. The CISSP covers a great deal of content and the exam is rigorous. Other elite security certifications include Certified Encryption Specialist (CEP), ESGIAC Security Expert (GSE) Certification, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, Mile2 Certified Penetration Testing Engineer, and Digital Forensics. Companies place a great value on these certifications. In addition, you may want to attend conferences for both learning and networking purposes.
Step 5: Advancing Your Career
You can advance even further in your career by focusing on project management. This is a necessity for most top-level jobs, as the career trajectory will increasingly concentrate on management of various projects. Certifications needed at this level may include CompTIA Advanced Security Professional (CASP) and other high-level options. Depending on the company, you may need a graduate degree to advance into management or a significant level of experience. Still, most project managers in this field possess a bachelor’s degree and not a master’s degree.
Cyber Security Software Developer Career & Salary
Where Might You Work?
Cyber security developers can work virtually anywhere there are computer systems. Many work for the government at the local, state, or federal level. Government jobs often require a security clearance which can take months to procure. Private companies employ many cyber security developers. While large companies may hire cyber security developers, smaller companies may use the services of cyber security consultants.
Cyber security consultants own their businesses or work for a cyber consulting firm. This is an option for those with an entrepreneurial bent. Tasks will depend on the particular client’s needs.