IT security specialist.

There are both internal and external factors that influence the salary you have as an IT security specialist. It's not only pure IT companies that hire IT security specialists, but the role is needed in many different companies, organisations and industries. This is one of the factors that can affect what your salary will look like as an IT security specialist. 

The general salary level is better in certain industries, but also the size of the company, whether it is a company or organisation operating abroad, or working in a global market, can also affect the salary. 

Basically, IT security specialist is a job that requires broad technical competence, good computer skills and a basic knowledge of IT security. At the same time, IT security specialists can have different roles, among other things depending on their personal experience and competence. Those who have longer experience in IT security work and broader competence can handle more complex roles and take on more responsibility, which also means that the chances of getting a higher salary are better. 

Some IT security specialists also choose to specialise in certain areas and can then take on more specific roles, which in turn gives a better negotiating position.

If you are an IT security specialist focusing on IT and network security, you will design and develop security systems that cannot be hacked. Basically, your job is to protect computer systems from attacks. Your job is to find the vulnerabilities in the system and build protection for them. That’s why you need to carry out regular security checks to ensure that IT security meets the required standard.

An IT security specialist with a focus on the administrative part of the job works more with installing security solutions and also troubleshoots the security programs if any problems arise. It is an important job for the implementation of the security systems.

A security analyst is responsible for checking, analysing and following up on the security system in place at the company. The purpose is also to keep an eye on potential threats and how well the security system is adapted to handle these threats. You need to set up security plans and security regulations, as well as follow up on suspicious activities around the computer systems.

A security inspector works with evaluating security systems used online. You determine if improvements to IT security are needed, and check that the protection is sufficiently effective against possible intrusions.

The specific tasks you have in the role as IT Security Specialist depend on which industry you work in, and which company or organisation is your employer. But some of the more common tasks are: 

• Assist with security solutions during the development phase: As an IT security specialist, your job is to check various software and hardware to see if there are any risks in the systems. During the development stage, you should identify potential threats and issues, and build firewalls in the network system to strengthen protection.
• Check and protect systems against suspicious activities: When you are an IT security specialist, you will design various defence systems that send a notification when there is an attempt at intrusion or when a security threat arises in the system. For example, you create an authorisation protocol to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to the data that is sensitive in the systems. If someone without authorisation tries to access the system, you receive a notification and can step in to protect the system immediately.
• Reporting security incidents: An important part of the job as an IT Security Specialist is to monitor the systems and report any incidents as soon as a security threat arises. You should also recommend strategies to reduce the risk of future security threats. It is important to continuously document updates in the security systems and introduce new defence systems as well as keep records to be able to track changes in the system.
• Evaluate security systems: Many who pose a security threat online are innovative and try to find new ways to break into various computer systems. They are also becoming increasingly difficult to track, which means constant evaluations of internal security systems are needed to ensure there are no security threats that could cause harm. You need to carry out thorough checks of the systems and also conduct evaluations to identify potential improvements in IT security. You also need to check the effectiveness of the defence systems and write reports covering your findings and your recommendations for improvements.
• Create and implement security policies: Once you have identified security vulnerabilities in the computer systems, you need to create new security policies and implement them in the company. It is also your job to raise awareness within the company about the existing security risks, as well as to be involved in the implementation of new security systems and security regulations to ensure that everything is managed according to plan.

An IT security specialist can work in a range of different industries, as long as it is an industry that relies on technology and computer systems. And in today’s modern job market, almost all industries do. You can either work at a specific company and handle IT security for that company, or work for an IT company that hires out consultants. You deliver security to various clients. No matter how you work, as an IT Security Specialist you will mainly work in an office environment and the computer will be your main and most important work tool. If you work at an IT company, you might also be at the client’s site to help with IT security on location.

For IT security specialists, it's usually regular office hours, but this isn't a typical job with fixed working hours. Since security threats can arise at any time of day or week, someone working as an IT security specialist may need to work overtime or at inconvenient times when a problem occurs. 

As an IT security specialist, it’s common to work as a full-time employee, either at an IT company or directly at a company in various industries. There are also IT security specialists who are self-employed and working as a subcontractor at different companies, or working on individual projects. It’s not common to travel in the role of IT Security Specialist, unless it’s to meet clients or work on site at the client’s location when needed.

As a result of digitalisation, IT security specialists and other similar roles are in demand on the job market. It’s not only dedicated IT companies that need to employ IT security specialists to manage security, but there are companies and organisations in many industries that need IT security specialists to ensure their internal computer systems are not exposed to security risks. This means there are many career paths to take as an IT security specialist. In addition, developments are moving in a direction that requires more IT security specialists and more work on network security in different ways, as the number of security threats keeps increasing. Some IT security specialists specialise even further to become experts in a specific area of IT security, which is a good way to develop further in your career.

There are many advantages to finding an open position as an IT Security Specialist through Randstad. 

• Various development and career opportunities
• An experienced contact person who can assist you when needed
• many open jobs in your area
• Full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment 

Do you want a permanent position as an IT security specialist? A temporary or substitute job as an IT security specialist is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has gone through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.

An IT security specialist is basically a problem solver, who needs to identify potential security issues and find solutions to these problems. Solving different problems is a daily task as an IT security specialist and you need a creative problem-solving ability to handle the many complex security threats that can arise in the digital environment.

Having good computer skills and being technically knowledgeable is essential for succeeding as an IT Security Specialist. This is important for several reasons, but above all to be able to make changes in the systems designed for security, where good computer skills also make it easier for you to detect problems. As an IT Security Specialist, you also provide direct answers to security questions that arise.

You need to be alert and detail-oriented when you work as an IT security specialist, in order to spot even the smallest security threats or vulnerabilities in the systems. A good eye for detail therefore makes it easier to find the weaknesses in the computer systems’ security and defence programmes, which also makes it easier to detect intrusions in the systems.

You have to be proactive and dare to find solutions to problems when working as a product owner. Having the courage and ability to take initiative is therefore an important part of the job. It also motivates the production team and makes the whole process more efficient for everyone involved. As an IT security specialist, you will work closely with many other colleagues when security issues need to be solved. You need good communication skills to be able to explain your findings and give insight into security threats without sounding too technical in your way of speaking. Good communication skills are also important when you need to develop new security processes for the employer or the client.

An IT security specialist is responsible for IT security in a company or an organisation. Either you work as a consultant at an IT company and help several clients, or you work internally at a specific company protecting the network and computer systems.

There are courses both at university level and at the vocational college for those who want to train as an IT security specialist. It is a profession that requires a lot of technical know-how and high competence in the field of IT security, which means that practical experience is important for an IT security specialist.

It's easy to apply for a job as an IT security specialist. Search among our open positions in your area. Then send in your CV or your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn. 

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