Network Security Jobs | How To Start A Career In Network Security.

Network Security Jobs such as Cybersecurity are one of the highly paid and in-demand careers in the Information Technology sector today. Interested? Consider enrolling into any of these network security programs.

Most times we tend to overlook security when it doesn’t involve our physical safety. This article will tell you all you need to know about network security, why you need network security, and network security jobs you can build a career from.

Meaning of Network Security.

Network security refers to the process of protecting corporate and official networks or infrastructures from breaches and intrusion. Network security is a preventive method that involves the use of technological methods to avoid the destruction, misuse, or disclosure of corporate information and property.

Importance of Network Security.

Implementing network security is very important if your work or business involves using the internet no matter how big or small it is. This is to ensure that confidential information and other client data are kept safe.

A network security system reduces the risk of corporate sabotage and information or data theft.

Network security protects systems and workstations from dangerous spyware. It helps to keep all corporate data secure. It also breaks down information into different parts and encrypts every part individually to transmit the information through independent channels. This helps to prevent cases such as MiM attacks and eavesdropping.

Having security can protect your network from hacking and vandalism. Hacking or vandalism can result in a great loss in your business because a lot of wrong information can be spread with your profile which will lead to you losing your credibility.

Network security also helps to protect your system’s hardware like hard disks, PC’s and even laptops from the attack of Trojan horses, viruses, worms, etc., which can corrupt and completely damage your system and delete all the data stored in it.

How To Secure Your Network System

Using strong passwords for login and access to your network system is one of the many ways to protect your system. A strong password should be a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using birth dates or names as passwords because they can be easily cracked. It is also important to configure your security.

Another way to protect your system is by installing antivirus software that helps to filter files, fix bugs, attack viruses, etc on your systems, phones, and laptops. It is also very important to update your antivirus software as often as possible.

Always ensure that all removable devices such as hard drives, flash drives, and data cards are always scanned when connected to the system. It is also advisable that you limit the usage of such devices.

Always monitor people who use the system to ensure that they do not export anything from the system.

To keep your network and systems safe, avoid visiting random sites and be careful about the sites where you download your data from. Avoid clicking links and ads that keep popping up on the page anytime you use the internet because you can download viruses that can disrupt your network.

Although these are excellent methods of implementing network security, sometimes things might go wrong. It is important to always backup all your data in case of such situations to enable you to retrieve them.

Types of Network Security.

There are many types of network security systems that you can use. Some of them include;

Antivirus Security Software

This security software protects your system from viruses and Trojan horses. When a file is sent into your system, it scans it and checks for any problems. If any defect is found in the file, it automatically fixes it or rejects it.

Email security

This security scans through every email that is sent to your system and filters the emails to avoid any virus that might come with it. It also helps to control and sort out the emails that leave your system to prevent the leaking of confidential information.

Mobile security

This type of security is a mobile antivirus application that alerts you when you are downloading information or application from a suspicious or unreliable source. It also prevents hackers from breaching your accounts.

Firewalls.

Firewalls are a set of rules that hinder unauthorized access into your network system. There are two major types of firewalls; hardware and software firewalls.

Data Loss Prevention.

Data Loss Prevention is a security system in big organizations and companies. It is used to keep the organization’s information confidential and prevents leakage of information by blocking all channels that can be used to forward or print any information.

Access Control.

This type of security system features the use of passwords, user IDs, authentication processes, and other user information methods to allow access to the network.

Network Segmentation Security.

Network segmentation security is network security that separates corporate data into two or three parts and saves them in different locations in the system. Other network security systems include endpoint security, web security, virtual private network, etc.

Network Security Job Description.

A network security professional can be referred to as a network security engineer. Network security engineers are responsible for creating and designing security systems for the networks of organizations or companies.

They are also responsible for securing networks and systems from issues like viruses, cyber threats, hacking, bugs, vandalism, etc. If by any chance the network security is breached, it is their job to solve the situation and retrieve what they can.

Network Security Jobs and How to Start a Career in Network Security.

There are some educational and skill requirements you will have to meet to get network security jobs.

The first educational qualification is earning a high school diploma or GED and going further to earn a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer programming, or in a related field. Y

ou will learn about firewalls, endpoint security, system languages, and tools like Java, C++, Node, Ruby, Power Shell, etc. A bachelor’s degree will enable you to secure entry level network security jobs.

Obtaining a master’s degree is the next qualification. Although it is not mandatory, earning a master’s degree gives you better chances of landing a network security job. Obtaining a master’s degree allows you to explore courses such as Database principles, User interface design, Software architecture, System hacking and forensics, Data structures, etc.

When you have acquired the necessary educational requirements, it is important to gain experience in the field. Most employers would rather employ candidates who have worked with network security systems before over those who have no experience. You can volunteer to intern in security companies while in school or after you graduate to gain experience and improve your knowledge.

Network security jobs require you to possess some skills to help you do better in the job. Some of these skills include; logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Sometimes your system might get hacked or attacked by a virus, it is your duty as a security engineer to think it through and handle the situation professionally.

It is also important to pay attention to details. This will enable you to identify problems like unauthorized disruptions, bugs, viruses, etc. You must also familiarize yourself with programming skills, security methods, and tools and also be open to learn new things.

A network security engineer should be able to work fast even under pressure. This will go a long way in helping to save the system in situations of hacking, virus attacks, etc.

Network Security Engineer Jobs.

There are quite many network security jobs that can serve as the right footing to start a career in network security. These includes:

Security Engineers.
Access Management Engineers.
Penetration Testers.
Security Architects.
Network Security Trainer.

Security Engineers.

Security Engineers are professionals who manage the network security systems of companies such as firewalls, endpoints, VPNs, etc.

Access Management Engineers

Access management Engineers are responsible for monitoring every staff of the organization and making sure that only authorized persons can gain access to the systems and networks.

Penetration Testers.

Penetration testers are professional hackers who have legal permission to hack into the system. This is to help them discover the loopholes and vulnerabilities in the network security system.

Security Architects.

These are responsible for designing, structuring, and developing the network and computer security system for a company.

Network Security Trainer.

A network security trainer is a professional that is responsible for training other network security engineers. Most network security trainers have many years of experience and in-depth knowledge about network security.

Network Security Jobs Salary.

The average salary of network security engineer jobs is approximately $34.30 an hour, $9,111 per week which is $111,739 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Here are the network security jobs one can get with a degree in network security

Security architect.
Penetration tester (or ethical hacker)
Cryptography.
Chief Infosec Officer.
Security engineer.
Security auditor (or forensic expert)
Incident responder.
Vulnerability assessor.