Understanding the Role of a Cybersecurity Specialist in the AI World

Everything is going AI today. We already live in a highly interconnected world where various kinds of cyberthreats are looming all around. Today, the threat of cyberattacks is not a matter of if but when. Be it a multinational company or a government agency, or a startup, everyone faces a risk to their digital infrastructure and data. Not just organizations, but individuals using flawed digital products are also at risk of attacks.

This is why cybersecurity specialists are becoming highly important today in protecting the infrastructure, users, and data of organizations from emerging and evolving threats.

These expert cybersecurity professionals prevent data breaches, safeguard against threats, and ensure secure digital operations. If you are looking to grow in your cybersecurity career, then this is one role you must aim for.

In the US, Cybersecurity Specialists earn an average salary of $105,375 per annum, with top salaries going as high as $169,991 per annum. (Source: Indeed)

In this article, we will discuss what does cybersecurity specialist does, how rewarding this cybersecurity job role is, and how you can become one.

WHAT DOES A CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST DO?

Not just fixing problems, cybersecurity specialists proactively build and maintain strong cybersecurity strategies to protect their organization’s digital assets.

Here are some of the key responsibilities of these skilled cybersecurity professionals:

1.Risk Assessment and Threat Analysis

Identifying risks in an organization’s infrastructure is one of the most important tasks of cybersecurity specialists. They evaluate their infrastructure, including networks, applications, databases, endpoints, etc., to detect vulnerabilities and eliminate them before they are exploited.

They also conduct risk assessments and threat modeling to understand what could lead to potential attacks and prioritize risks to mitigate. Today, when the use of AI in hacking and threats is increasing, these professionals need to have constant vigilance and upskill to adapt to these evolving threats.

2.Designing, Implementing, and Upgrading Security Systems

After detecting vulnerabilities, cybersecurity specialists must design and implement necessary security measures such as installing firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, anti-virus tools, EDR/XDR, encryption, etc.

They design customized solutions according to specific environments and needs and at the same time, considering the latest threat vectors.

3.Monitoring and Incident Detection

Cybersecurity specialists also continuously monitor systems through Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms, threat detection and response, and behavior analytics to detect anomalies. It helps them identify whether the traffic is malicious, whether there are malware infections, or unauthorized access attempts occurred.

4.Incident Response and Investigation

They lead if there is any event of security breach or incident occurring in their organizations and support with incident response processes. This step involves containment, eradication, recovery, and forensic investigation to determine how the attack happened and how to prevent such future incidents. They communicate with cybersecurity teams, executives, legal, and other professionals to coordinate effective incident response.

5.Vulnerability Management

Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning is another core element of their everyday tasks. In some organizations, they work closely with ethical hackers and penetration testers to simulate attacks and identify vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. They do ethical hacking in a controlled environment and with proper permission to uncover weak points and report recommendation strategies.

Apart from these core tasks, they can also be found leading other tasks like:

• Reviewing and updating the organization’s security and access control policies and ensure compliance with leading security frameworks and regulations
• Training and mentoring other employees both in cybersecurity as well as other departments, and spreading awareness about the latest threat vectors and best security practices
• Generating detailed reports on system health, vulnerability findings, audit trails, etc. and communicating them to executives and decision makers.
• Continuous learning to remain updated about the latest cybersecurity tools, technologies, and strategies through top cybersecurity certifications and courses.

These are the core responsibilities that cybersecurity specialists have in their organizations from time to time.

TOP SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

So, if you want to succeed in this cybersecurity career path, then you must be proficient in these core technical cybersecurity skills and soft skills:

1.Technical – Threat hunting, network security, firewalls, penetration testing, incident response, encryption, programming languages, cybersecurity tools like SIEM/TDR/EDR, cloud and IoT security.

2.Soft – Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, teamwork, project management, etc.

It is highly recommended to pursue top cybersecurity certifications like the Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS™) by USCSI®, CISSP, CISM, and other senior-level certifications to advance to the role of cybersecurity specialist by enhancing your skills, credibility, and employability.

Cybersecurity Specialists have a strategic role in organizations.

With the number and cost of cybercrimes growing and affecting digital systems and data across all industries, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is non-negotiable. Cybersecurity specialists ensure their organization is protected, smooth and uninterrupted operation of business processes, and compliance with security regulations to avoid legal liabilities. As we advance to the future, the role of these skilled and senior cybersecurity professionals will become increasingly important. So, check out top certifications, gain relevant skills, and ace this cybersecurity job role.