Cybersecurity Specialist

Alternate Titles

Information security analyst and cybersecurity engineer.

Brief Job Description

Cybersecurity specialists protect marine energy companies and systems from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.

Education and Training Level Description

Cybersecurity specialists generally need a bachelor’s or associate's degree in computer science, computer engineering, network engineering, or information security and at least 1–5 years of related work experience. Work experience could include work in an information technology (IT) department assessing network vulnerabilities, helping to implement security measures and software, and/or monitoring network compliance with security standards and regulations.

Information security certifications are preferred by many employers. These certifications exist for both entry-level workers (such as through Security+) and experienced workers (such as through Certified Information Systems Security Professional). Cybersecurity specialists can advance to become chief security officers, IT managers, or senior researchers in the marine energy industry.

Job Profile

Cybersecurity is an important consideration in marine energy systems as they are managed remotely through internet and network-connected devices such as supervisory control and data acquisition systems. Cyberattacks on marine energy systems could disrupt the ability of an array to provide reliable energy to a client or even cause physical damage to assets.

Cybersecurity specialists in the marine energy industry design, plan, and implement security measures to protect arrays and marine energy companies from cybersecurity threats. Marine energy cybersecurity specialists work for research and development institutions assessing weaknesses in existing network-connected devices and designing devices and software that reduce those weaknesses and the risk of external users gaining access to array control systems. They work closely with other component manufacturers in the marine energy industry to ensure their software can be integrated with marine energy components.

Cybersecurity specialists are also involved in creating procedures that marine energy operators or other workers managing network-connected devices follow in case of a cyberattack. These procedures are often referred to as a disaster recovery plan. Disaster recovery plans include preventative measures, such as regularly saving data to secure locations, as well as measures to restore operations after a disaster. Cybersecurity specialists routinely test their recovery plans.

Cybersecurity specialists must stay up to date on the latest methods that cyberattackers use to infiltrate network-connected systems as well as the most up-to-date hardware and software needed to prevent potential cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity specialists typically:

• Develop new hardware and software that reduce the risk of cyberattacks
• Monitor their organization’s networks for security breaches and investigate when one occurs
• Use and maintain software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information
• Check for vulnerabilities in computer and network systems
• Research the latest IT security trends
• Prepare reports that document general metrics, attempted attacks, and security breaches
• Develop security standards and best practices for their organization
• Recommend security enhancements to management or senior IT staff
• Help computer users when they need to install or learn about new security products and procedures.

Job Skills

Cybersecurity specialists typically need:

• Analytical skills. Information security analysts study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine improvements for security policies and protocols.
• Communication skills. Information security analysts must be able to explain information security needs and potential threats to system operators, managers, and other staff that work with network-connected devices within their organizations.
• Creative skills. Information security analysts must anticipate information security risks and implement new ways to protect their organization’s computer systems and networks.
• To be detail oriented. Because cyberattacks may be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.
• Problem-solving skills. Information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on cybersecurity specialist jobs, see: 

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: information Security Analysts 

Resources

• Energy Central: IT Cybersecurity Specialist
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts