InfoSec Jobs

The field of information security is one of the fastest growing areas in all IT. Entry-level positions are demanding educated and experienced professionals, but those positions are paying high dollar for those demands. Same goes for the high-level job opportunities. Those with may years of experience in combination with education, are commanding large salaries and they are getting paid. This is an exciting and lucrative field to be getting into or advancing a career in.

This article is focused on entry-level information security job requirements and pay. For experienced professionals interested in career advancement and advanced degrees in information security, check out our Information Security Manager article and our Information Security Graduate Degree Resource.

Find Schools Offering Information Security and Related Degrees

Entry-Level Information Security Jobs

Most entry-level positions in information security require a combination of education and experience. Employers do look for those applicants with an IT degree and a security specialization or concentration. A bachelor's degree in an IT related field such as computer science, information security, etc. provides a core foundation of necessary skills and internships or course projects lend real world experience that employers are looking for. Knowledge of intrusion prevention systems (IPS), firewalls, VPN, intrusion detection software, data recovery and network authentication as well as management of these areas is a must for any information security professional. Any additional work experience related to network and computer security is highly valued. Any security certifications such as CISSP, SANS Certification, Security +, operating systems certifications, network/security certifications (Cisco, Checkpoint) provide a well rounded exposure to information security.

Communication skills are critical to information security positions. Employers want IT security professionals with interpersonal skills that can communicate security polices with the non-IT professionals and can balance the needs of these professionals with the security needs of the organization. A bachelor degree in IT will help develop the required technical and communication skills needed to start a career in information security.

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Job Outlook for Information Security Professionals

Increased job growth as companies and professionals in the field develop and implement more sophisticated security technology is projected. Spending in the computer security field by private and government organizations will also increase as cyber security continues to be a high priority, thus creating more opportunities for professionals in these careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the infosec field will generate many new system administrator jobs throughout the next decade. Companies specializing in LAN and WAN have and will continue to be large employers of information security professionals.

Information Security Job Salaries

From 2004 to 2014 the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that a million jobs will be created in the IT industry and information security is projected to lead that growth.. Our research of job postings in April, 2008 found that salaries ranged from $60,000 to $70,000 a year. More experienced professionals will be compensated for that experience. The BLS reported the median salary for information security specialists as $62,130 in 2006 and that the largest employer of these professionals was the wired telecommunications carriers. The Robert Half Technology 2008 Salary Guide predicts that employers will pay IT professionals starting salaries that are 5.3% more than starting salaries in 2007. The average annual salary range for security systems administrators, according to the 2008 Salary Guide, is $73,500 to $103,500. Certification and additional skills can garner higher wages. No degree or certificate program can guarantee a job, but can help develop the needed skills to be successful in the information security field.

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Information Security and Related IT Degrees

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Click Here to request information from all of our IT bachelor degree programs.

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University of Phoenix Online: Take the opportunity to earn one of the most current degrees offered in the IT/IS fields.

BS IT/Information Systems Security
Master's Information Technology

Click Here for info about UOP's programs.

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Colorado Technical University Online:

(BSIT) IT-Security
Master's Information Systems Security

Click Here for information about CTU's IS/IT programs.

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Capella University:

BS IT - Information Security
MS IT - Information Security

Click Here for information about Capella's Info Security programs.

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Utica College Online:

Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Cybercrime Investigations and Forensics
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance
Certificate in Financial Crimes Investigator
Bachelor's in Economic Crime Investigation
MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management

Click Here for information about Utica's programs.

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Villanova University Online:

Certificate in IS Security - CISSP Advanced Security Management
Certificate in IS Security - Essentials of IS Security
Master Certificate - IS Security

Click Here for information about Villanova University's IS Security programs.

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Westwood College:

Bachelor's in Information Systems Security

Click Here for info about Westwood's Information Security programs.

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