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Computer Security Professionals plan, coordinate and implement security measures for information systems to regulate access to computer data files and to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification or disclosure. They may also be known as Information Technology Specialists, or Computer Security Specialists. They generally work in businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Computer Security Professionals may:

Develop and write policies and procedures for the computer security department

Coordinate implementations of vendor-issued security software updates

Enter commands into the computer in an attempt to circumvent the new security measures in order to test the system

Modify security data files to incorporate new software into the firms security software

Review employee violations of computer security procedures recorded by the computer

Test security program

Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems

Report employee violations to user department managers

Talk with employee violators to make sure broken rules are not repeated

Assign computer passwords to employees

Design a system of response to information emergencies

Confer and share with law enforcement agencies information about intrusions by hackers into the company's computer system

Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

033.162-014 DATA RECOVERY PLANNERS work in the financial, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. They develop, coordinate implementation of, and test plans to continue a firm's data processing activities at off-site locations in case of emergencies, such as fires at the main site.

033.362-010 COMPUTER SECURITY SPECIALISTS work in the financial and pharmaceutical industries. They regulate access to computer data files, monitor data file usage, and update computer security files.

033.162-010 COMPUTER SECURITY COORDINATORS

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Computer Security Professionals work in well lighted, air-conditioned offices. They may be lead workers or work independently and usually report to managers in the data processing, the computer security, or the security department. They meet with departmental managers and other computer personnel and systems users. Most of their time is spent sitting at computer terminals. They must enter computer rooms containing mainframes where temperatures and humidity are strictly monitored and carefully controlled.

Computer Security Professionals usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Evening and weekend work may sometimes be necessary to finish projects or during emergencies such as fires. Many computer installations operate 24 hours a day, and employees work in shifts. They may also work holidays.

Computer Security Professionals may belong to professional associations such as the International Association of Computer Crime Investigators or Information Systems Security Association. Members of associations must pay periodic membership dues or fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities concerned with the communication of idea

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically

• Make decisions based on regulations/personal experience/own opinion

• Work well under pressure and use time effectively

• Read and understand regulations which are to be enforced

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A certain company as 80 employees and records show that 10 have been caught bootlegging the company's computer programs. What is the probability that if the company buys a new program it will get bootlegged?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Double space frees space on hard and floppy disks by compressing the data that is on them. Double space is easy to set up and use.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining what security measures you took and how to operate them.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a given computer set-up and then decide the best security measures to take.

Many employers prefer applicants with Bachelor's Degree in business administration, data processing, or computer science. In addition, work experience should include knowledge of computer operations, systems analysis, or programming.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP PORT UNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS, 0900 COMMUNICATIONS, 1000 COMPUTERS, 2200 MATH, 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this   Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

215 COMPUTER SCIENCE

Programs in Computer Science provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed in a wide variety of jobs dealing with the programming, analyzing, and operation of computers and other electronic and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Computer Science at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

                 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this   Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

The military services use computers to store and process data on personnel, weather, finances, and many other areas, as well as to operate sophisticated equipment during combat and peace time maneuvers.

What They Do

• Computer systems specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties: Collect, enter and process information using computers

• Program information into languages that computers can read

• Determine and analyze computer systems requirements

• Identify computer user problems and coordinate to resolve them

• Develop, test and debug computer programs

• Install, configure, and monitor local and wide area networks, hardware, and software

• Compile, enter, and process information

• Provide customer and network administration services, such as passwords, electronic mail accounts, security, and troubleshooting

Helpful Attributes

• Helpful school subjects include typing and computer science. Helpful attributes include:

1. Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail     Interest in solving problems

•     Ability to understand and apply math concepts

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Interest in working with computer equipment

Training Provided

Job training consists of 7 to 13 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses in specific computer systems and languages. Course content typically includes:

• Use of computer consoles and peripheral equipment

• Computer systems concepts

• Planning, designing, and testing computer systems

• Program structuring, coding and debugging

• Use of current programming languages

• Computer security issues

• Network Management

Work Environment

Computer systems specialists in the military work in offices or at computer sites on military bases or aboard ships.

Physical Demands

Computer systems specialists may sit and key information for long periods.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian computer systems specialists work anywhere that computer systems are used. They may be employed as network support technicians for large companies or as data processing technicians in  local banks or schools. Those who specialize in computer systems specialist are highly transferable to the civilian workforce. 

Opportunities

The services have about 24,000 computer systems specialists. Each year, they need specialists to meet the changing demands in the field. After training, computer systems specialists work under the direction of experienced computer systems officers.  With experience they may manage other computer systems specialists. 

   E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Opportunities for experience may be found in summer or part-time work with businesses, computer hardware manufacturers, computer software firms, or government agencies. Opportunities may also be found in internships, postsecondary computer science programs, and in the military services.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Computer Security Professional employer

internships

volunteer work with a Computer Security Professional employer

community service work with an agency

The Department of Defense and Treasury are two of many federal agencies that participate in the Cooperative Education Program, offering the chance to gain work experience and an income while attending college.

Applicants usually apply directly to the employers or take civil service exams (federal, state, local). Job openings may also be obtained from school placement offices, professional journals and associations, newspaper want ads, and local offices of Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

             You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Computer Security Professionals vary according to the employer, the geographic location, the industry, and the ability and experience of the worker. The highest salaries are in metropolitan areas, such as Washington, D.C., New York, and cities on the West Coast. Manufacturing is the highest paying industry.

Nationally, the annual salaries of Computer Security professionals in early 2006 were:

Computer Security Professionals employed by the federal government in 2006 had annual starting salaries of $32,750 (GS-5) with a Bachelor's degree or $40,570 (GS-7) with a Master's degree.

In the Great Lakes States, the annual salaries of Computer Security professionals in early 2006 were:

Data Security Coordinators employed in the Detroit area averaged $69,700 per year in early 2005, with most earning from $58,175 to $82,400.

Most Computer Security Professionals receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Some may also receive dental and optical care plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans for salaried employees.

Computer Security Professionals usually begin as systems analysts or programmers. As they gain experience and proven ability, they may be promoted to senior Security Professional, and eventually Data Security Manager or Administrator.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, the number of Computer Security Professionals employed is unknown. Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Most openings should occur in large metropolitan areas.

Demand for Computer Security Professionals should be quite favorable as a result of the increasing use of personal computers, laptops, and wide and local area networks in the work environment. The expertise and skills of Computer Security Professionals will be needed to prevent unlawful access to companies' proprietary information stored on computers, as well as to prevent data destruction by computer "viruses".

The U.S. Department of Commerce Technology Administration's Annual report on the global outlook of the Information Technology industry states; "The amount and quality of Research & Development (R&D) conducted in a country remain essential components of national innovation strategies. What has changed is that domestic R&D itself is no longer sufficient because of increased resources and the capabilities of numerous regions and nations to contribute to the global knowledge base."                                                                                      

As it relates to the global collaboration of the technology R &D knowledge base, this reports also states that;

"Public authorities in Taiwan, Spain and elsewhere have increased their commitment to international and regional collaboration to tap overseas expertise and to obtain the additional associated benefits that derive from a greater diversity of approaches and ideas. Thus policies and programs are expanding beyond support for national innovation systems to include; 1) help for researchers and companies to take full advantage of the global innovation system, and 2) measure to attract innovation in the form of direct investment and/or researchers to their shores.

Essentially, the Information and Technology industry will continue to grow and flourish not just because of the technologically advances made domestically, but because of the global knowledge base that exists because of the international collaboration initiated by many of the big and small domestic corporations.

The number of Computer Security Professionals employed in Michigan is not known. They usually work at headquarters of large companies in metropolitan areas, such as Detroit and Lansing. They are employed in the manufacturing, retail, utilities, government, banking, insurance services, and pharmaceutical industries. According to a recent survey, about 24% of the Computer Security Professionals were women.

Employment of Computer Security Professionals in Michigan is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Openings will occur due to growth and to replacement of workers who retire, change jobs or occupations, or receive promotions.

Opportunities will be best for workers having adaptability due to their broad knowledge and experience of computer systems, including mainframe and network operations, as well as knowledge of computer crime laws.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFO RMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.