Experts describe the cybersecurity job landscape as a seller’s market with zero percent unemployment. Cybercrime is increasing at a rapid rate. Millions of personal records are stolen, and billions of dollars are lost to online criminals in ransom payments and recovery processes. The impact and scale of cybercrime have made the cybersecurity job market one of the hottest career paths in IT today.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has a longstanding commitment to cybersecurity. What brings people to work at the DoD is not often the salary, but the mission. It’s people who like challenges and want to have an opportunity to defend the country against some of the most lethal cyber-attacks. Whether you’re in it for the money or the mission, here are a few things to know if you want to have a career in cybersecurity with the DoD.
To qualify for a job in cybersecurity with the US Department of Defense, you must at least have certifications in cybersecurity, information security, and/or network security. Some foundational certifications proven to be the most valuable of options for entry-level and senior cybersecurity professionals alike include CompTIA Security+, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals, and (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
As we discussed in last week’s post, the CompTIA Security+ is one of the key entry-level certification requirements to qualify for a cybersecurity role within the DoD. Having this under your belt will open doors to positions such as security administrator, network engineer, DevOps developer, and IT project manager.
If you are in the military, or looking to enlist, being a Cybersecurity Specialist may be a good option for you. Cybersecurity Specialists protect, defend, and safeguard the network, data, and other information systems by enacting appropriate security controls and measures. They are responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to suspicious activities in the cyberspace domain. Tasks include testing and maintaining software and hardware to ensure the security of DoD networks. Moreover, they perform deliberate actions for vulnerability assessments, strengthen networks and information systems, and respond to incidents.
If you think you are capable of performing all these operations, you can apply for cybersecurity jobs in the U.S Department of Defense. Other helpful attributes may include the ability to communicate effectively, interest in problem-solving, ability to understand and apply logical concepts, and interest in work requiring attention to detail and accuracy. If you have these soft skills, acquiring a cybersecurity position in the DoD will become easier for you. The department has a persistent training environment and plans a virtual space to train individuals. This is the scope of the cyber mission force, and duties and goals of cyber teams described by the DoD officials.
The US Department of Defense offers a wide range of cybersecurity job opportunities supporting the acquisition, design, and configuration of network, data, and systems. If you are interested in exploring different opportunities in cybersecurity or want to be a cyber and information technology professional in the DoD, you can see current openings at USA JOBS or use job exploration tools at DOD Civilian Careers to explore the career path that is right for you.
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