5 Careers in IT Security You Might Not Have Considered

There is no denying that technology is part of our world. Regardless of what industry you are looking to enter, there is a need for an IT security professional. This means that the demand for people on this career path is growing and is expected to continue growing. However, if you are an IT security professional, exactly what are your choices when looking for a career path?

We want to help you sort through the choices with our list of five careers in  IT security. Below is a list to help you get started – from the expected to the unexpected career paths.

1. Help and Service Desk. One of the most obvious choices for an IT career is the help and service desks. As technology continues to expend, the need for help and support also expands. From learning how to run programs to systems, this field is in constant need of professionals. Often this path is seen as an entry level path into the field, but there are plenty of management positions also available. One of the main benefits of the help and service desk is that you are able to gain invaluable customer service and client facing experience within the IT field. You will learn to multitask, address and elevate issues, and elicit feedback; it provides a solid foundation and instills the intangible skills necessary to advance and excel in the IT field. 

2. Networking and Security. Similar to the help desk path, the network and security path is also in demand. As more and more businesses add computer systems to their operations, network building and security development are essential. Business owners don’t want to feel vulnerable or threatened with their networks, so having the right securities in place is imperative. Networking and security is also one of the segments of the industry that is dynamic and constantly changing. Emerging security and network threats require professionals to stay abreast of the latest threats and anticipate possible vulnerabilities. In addition to job stability and a stable career path, it teaches you to take a look at the big picture and analyze how people interact online and the security threats that take advantage of user behavior.

3. Training. Every field needs trainers, even the IT field. Whether you are interested in training other IT professionals or you want to train organizations on their systems or tools, training is a big part of the IT world and can lead to big things on your career path. Training others is one of the best ways to improve your skills exponentially. When you teach others, they will ask questions and bring unique perspectives that will require you to critically evaluate your methods and processes. This ultimately strengthens your skillset and engenders confidence in your ability to effectively assess, address, and communicate any issues to people at different levels.

4. Marketing and Sales. For some people the transition from IT security professional to marketing and sales can be a difficult one. However, it can also be very rewarding. For many IT professionals, understanding the technology and user requirements is essential in the field. If you happen to have the ability to translate that into how different solutions solve problems for users and organizations, then this path might be right for you. This field blends IT and sales and can lead to lucrative positions such as IT solutions architects. If you are able to apply IT foundations and principles and express them in a way that both technical and non-technical people can understand, you will be able to position yourself into a professionally and financially rewarding career.

5. Recruiter. Every IT profession needs a great recruiter. As the demand for these professionals continue to climb, the need for recruiters in the field also climbs. People who understand the field and the lingo make the best recruiters. If you think you have the ability to spot great talent in the industry, explore the path of a recruiter. You will also have the opportunity to see numerous resumes of people in the industry and get a feel for people’s skills based on their resume and how they interview. Obviously, it is important that you know what skills will make someone successful in a specific position. This position allows you to make a positive impact on the organization and it is a valuable skill to have.

Regardless of your exact career path as an IT security professional, there are a ton of options to choose from. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, the IT world is wide open!