Can you keep a secret? How about two? Or 256? If you already know about the power of 256-bit encryption, then you know why industrial security and cybersecurity are so important.
(Spoiler alert: A 256-bit encryption is virtually impossible to break. The current estimate for the time it would take to break a 256-bit encryption with modern computers is billions of years.)
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the need for cybersecurity specialists and the people who can keep our digital information safe has never been greater. Even in our daily lives, trends like the rise of the Internet of Things (like your smart house being connected to your smartphone) have shown us first-hand how the need for cybersecurity has increased exponentially.
What many people don’t realize, however, is that there is a whole other field of security that is just as important: industrial security. Industrial security specialists are responsible for protecting physical infrastructure and industrial facilities from both external and internal threats.
While these career paths are both great jobs for people who can keep a secret (just don’t tell anyone we told you), they are also some of the most important careers for our modern world. We’re breaking down just how valuable they are – and how you can get started – for you today.
Top Secret Security Career Paths To Get Started In Industrial and Cybersecurity
The Responsibilities Of An Industrial Security Specialist
An industrial security specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of industrial facilities, employees, and assets. There are three main roles an industrial security specialist plays:
1. Risk Assessment – An industrial security specialist is responsible for conducting risk assessments of industrial facilities to identify vulnerabilities and threats. They then develop security plans and procedures to mitigate these risks.
2. Security Operations – They are responsible for the day-to-day security operations of industries like manufacturing, information technology, and the military. This includes overseeing security personnel, monitoring security systems, and responding to security incidents.
3. Security Training – They can also be responsible for providing security training to employees of an industrial facility. This training covers topics such as security procedures, emergency procedures, and threat awareness.
What Cybersecurity Specialist Do
Whereas industrial security can be concerned with physical properties, cybersecurity protects electronic information by mitigating security risks.
Specialists in this field work to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities, and then take measures to prevent or mitigate these risks. This involves developing and implementing security policies and procedures, conducting security audits, and managing security incidents.
They typically perform three main roles:
1. Identifying Vulnerabilities – Cybersecurity specialists identify weaknesses in an organization’s digital defenses. They use a variety of tools and techniques to scan systems for vulnerabilities.
2. Developing Countermeasures – Once vulnerabilities have been identified, cybersecurity specialists develop plans and strategies to mitigate them. This may involve improving an organization’s security posture, deploying security controls, or developing incident response plans.
3. Monitoring and Responding to Incidents – Cybersecurity specialists are also responsible for monitoring for security incidents and responding to them. This may involve investigating incidents, containment and eradication of threats, and recovery of systems.
Benefits To Working In The Security Industry
There are many benefits to becoming an industrial security specialist or cybersecurity specialist. Here are three of the most important benefits:
- High-Demand Career – The number of cyber attacks is increasing every year, and businesses are desperately searching for qualified individuals to protect their systems. As a result, industrial security specialists and cybersecurity specialists are some of the most in-demand professionals in the world.
- Well-Compensated – Because of the high demand for their skills, industrial security specialists and cybersecurity specialists can earn high salaries. If you choose this career path, you can expect to earn a comfortable living.
- Work That Makes A Difference – You will help make the world a safer place. By protecting businesses from cyber attacks, you will be playing a vital role in keeping the world safe from both virtual and physical harm. This is a rewarding feeling, and it is one of the best reasons to work in the security industry.
Becoming An Industrial Security Specialist or Cybersecurity Specialist
There are many ways to become an industrial security specialist or cybersecurity specialist. Here are four to get you started:
- Get a degree in computer science or a related field.
- Complete an internship or apprenticeship in the security field.
- Join a professional organization such as the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium or the Information Systems Security Association.
- Stay up to date on the latest security threats and trends.
Get Into The Security Industry With ASEC
While getting into the security industry will put your secret-keeping to the test, the benefits are well worth it. Beyond the impressive career prospects, doing important work to keep our information and important industries safe is a job you’ll be proud of.If you’re interested in a career as an industrial security speciality or cybersecurity specialist, get in touch with us today to find out about joining the ASEC team.