Cybersecurity is a critical issue in the United States. The number of cyber attacks on businesses and individuals continues to increase, making it more important than ever for firms to be aware of the dangers and take the appropriate steps to protect themselves.

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What Does a Job in Cyber Security Look Like in the United States?

Most cyber security jobs in the United States are engineering roles. Cybersecurity engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining systems that protect organizations from cyber attacks.

They work with a variety of technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. They also develop policies and procedures to prevent attacks, whilst responding to them if they do occur.

Cybersecurity technicians, another popular position in the US, are responsible for installing and maintaining security software, monitoring networks for security breaches, and responding to cyberattacks.

They work in a variety of industries, including information technology, healthcare, financial services, and government.

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What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Cyber Security Engineer?

When looking for a job in the cyber security field there are a few different ways to get your foot in the door. You will often find in cyber job descriptions, over 80%, require professionals to have at least a bachelor’s degree and/or 3+ years of exposure in the field.

Although a bachelors degree is notably the most important qualification, some US firms require you to have a master’s degree. As mentioned earlier you can gain experience within the field but regardless of which route a professional takes, having the appropriate certifications is desirable. There are a handful of certifications that are entry-level and commonly require less than 3 years of experience,  like Security+, Safeguard+ and GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC). 

Then you have additional certifications that are more advanced, requiring 3-5 years of experience, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

With the right education and training, you can become a valuable asset to any organization that needs to protect its information from cyber threats.

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What is The Average Salary for Cyber Professiaonl in The US?

The average salary for a entry-level Cybersecurity engineer in the United States is $92,000 per year. These positions are expected to grow by 28% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

The average salary for a Cybersecurity technician in the United States is $49,000 per year. These positions are expected to grow by 32% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

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The Future of Cybersecurity Engineering Jobs in The United States.

With the increasing number of cyber attacks, the demand for Cybersecurity engineers is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. So if you're interested in a career in this field, now is a great time to get your foot in the door.

There are many different types of firms that are looking for cyber security. The most common type are consulting firms. These firms provide services to their clients to help them protect their information systems from attack.

Other firms that employ cybersecurity engineers include financial services, insurance companies, and government agencies and institutions. No matter the firm, you can be sure that you will play a vital role in protecting the information of their clients or employees. 

So, if you're interested in starting a career in cyber security, a good place to start would be with a bachelor’s degree, with the option of adavnacing to a master’s degree. Then, contact a cyber security staffing agency such as Rutherford to help you find the best fit, entry level opportunities to gain experience and earn valuable certifications. 

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Contact

You can call us to speak to one of our experienced security headhunters to discuss your career and next steps. Our Rutherford consultants are here to help you take, not only the first step towards a rewarding career in cyber security, but we can also advise on your career progression, whether that’s a step up or a lateral move, we have a plethora of jobs available in the cyber security the field. 

Visit our cyber security jobs to see all our live vacancies or contact us to learn more about our cyber security roles.