There is a high demand for network security professionals. According to ISC2, there are 145% fewer workers than the current 2.8 million in the cybersecurity industry. Governments and companies tasked with safeguarding their data assets face a significant security risk due to this skills gap.
With the increasing number of cyber-attacks and data breaches, organizations are scrambling to find qualified professionals to fill these roles. As a result, wages for network security professionals have skyrocketed, making it an attractive field for those with the technical knowledge and expertise to fill the gap.
Several industries will need network security engineers who understand how to protect data as cybercriminals are becoming more advanced.
What are network engineering and security?
A network engineer develops and manages an organization's network security systems to protect against cyber threats and hackers. The network engineer is responsible for designing firewalls and other security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to the network and protect against malicious software. They also monitor the network for suspicious activity and deploy countermeasures against potential attacks.
Online Network Engineering and Security Degree
There is a high demand for security engineers and network engineers. With WGU's online bachelor's degree in network engineering and security, you'll get the skills, certifications, and knowledge you need to get a job in the field. With a B.S. in Network Engineering and Security degree, you'll get more job security, earning potential, and advancement opportunities.
An online degree in network engineering and security provides students with the technical skills and knowledge needed to enter the field. These skills include networking, security protocols, compliance standards, and more specialized topics such as cryptography, malware analysis, and risk management. With this degree, students can get the certifications necessary to become a security engineer or network engineer, leading to greater job security, higher earning potential, and more advancement opportunities.
Here's what you'll learn:
- Network engineering
- Network operations
- Security management skills
The bachelor's program in network engineering and security at WGU is the only program of its kind in the industry that is competency-based. You can choose between two tracks in the program to achieve your career goals, either specializing in Cisco technologies and obtaining Cisco certifications or generalizing and obtaining CompTIA certifications that are agnostic to vendors.
B.S. Network Engineering and Security offers hands-on experience in a virtual environment through an all-online program. During each six-month term, you'll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units with faculty support and instruction. Each course usually consists of three or four units.
Job outlook with Network Engineering and Security
Network and security systems are in high demand due to the growing digital transformation of business functions. WGU's network engineering bachelor's program will teach you unique technical skills. These skills are essential for organizations that must protect their systems and data from cyber threats while also ensuring they can take advantage of the opportunities that come with digital transformation. With this program, you'll gain the skills to design and manage secure networks, develop security strategies, and understand how to secure data. Graduates from this program will have valuable skills, several industry certifications, and a résumé-boosting bachelor's degree.
Graduates with Network Engineering and Security degree program are qualified to hold the:
- Network Engineer
- Network Security Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Network Administrator
- Network Security Analyst
- Computer Network Architect
What Does a Network Security team do?
Network security is about creating systems that allow for safe data movement between people and platforms. A network security professional will study the organization's entire network and try to resolve any vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.
Network security jobs can range from technicians responsible for day-to-day tasks, including reporting and system maintenance, to architects who design the organization's network security infrastructure.
Network security infrastructure management:
Implementing security software and hardware to help combat cyber threats, such as firewalls, antivirus programs, and threat detection systems—this help to protect networks from unauthorized access, malicious software, and other cyberattacks. Firewalls prevent unauthorized access, antivirus programs detect and remove malicious software, and threat detection systems monitor networks for suspicious activity.
Access control:
Keeping sensitive data secure requires access control systems that prevent unauthorized transactions. Network security professionals assist with setting these systems up. Access control systems use encryption to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data. Network security professionals are trained in the best practices for setting up and maintaining these systems to ensure that data remains secure.
Physical security:
The network security team will implement physical security measures, including biometric checks, so hackers cannot use employee devices. This will help ensure that only authorized personnel can access the company's networks and data. It also helps prevent hackers from stealing devices that could be used to gain access to the network.
Data encryption:
A secure network will oversee encryption processes to ensure data integrity while reducing the risk of data interceptions. Data encryption works by scrambling the data so that it is unreadable to anyone who does not have the encryption key. This means that even if someone were to intercept the data, they would not be able to access it as it would be encrypted.
User support:
User behavior is critical to network security. The network security team can provide training materials, answer questions, and update users. Network security is only as strong as the users who access it. If users need to become more familiar with security policies, they are more likely to make mistakes that could put the network at risk. The network security team can help ensure that users are familiar with security policies and procedures by providing training materials, answering their questions, and keeping them up-to-date on the latest security updates.
Incident response:
Ideally, network security will help identify a successful breach and assist in identifying the damage caused. They will deploy patches, updates, and other countermeasures to prevent further attacks if necessary. Network security systems use various techniques to detect malicious activity, such as intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and malware analysis. Once a breach has been identified, they will assess the damage and take steps to mitigate the risk. This may involve deploying patches, updates, and other countermeasures to prevent future attacks.
Is the Network Security field good?
Companies require skilled professionals to maintain the security of their corporate networks. There currently needs to be more security talent, with over 3.5 million positions needing to be fulfilled. Network security jobs are in high demand, so plenty of work is always available. As a result, having the appropriate skills and knowledge to work in network security can be very lucrative and provide a stable career path.
This is because a significant part of a company's success depends on the security of its networks. Without adequate security measures, a company can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other malicious activities that cost them time, money, and reputation. As a result, companies are investing heavily in securing their networks, which has resulted in a shortage of security talent and an increased demand for skilled professionals.
The average salary for network security professionals is:
- Network security system analyst: USD 92,006
- Network security engineer: USD 93,506
- Network security architect: USD 128,883
The Final Words
To ensure the safety of data and networks, organizations will need experienced security professionals who can identify and protect against these threats - making security engineering a career path with immense potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, network security engineering careers are expected to grow by 32 percent. As more people realize how important data security is, the field is growing in response to large-scale data breaches, mobile malware attacks, and ransomware threats.
This growth is due to the increasing number of businesses and organizations that must protect their data and systems from malicious attacks. As the threat landscape evolves and data becomes more valuable, network security engineers are in greater demand than ever.
