The role of a Cyber Security Specialist is to use their expertise to prevent and identify cyber-attacks. The job involves identifying the difference between standard network traffic and a potential threat, so the job is intense and requires the right skillset. So, how does the job look on a day-to-day basis?

What Does a Day Entail?

It is fair to say that the role is not one that is a 9 to 5 because of the way in which we are constantly connected to the online world. It is a very unpredictable role and that means that general tasks will need to be carried out which includes keeping ahead of the latest news as threats are constantly happening and things can change quickly.

Their role is to ensure that they provide a front line of defence from any potential threats via monitoring and analysis. They will also be expected to ensure that the right measures are put in place to ensure that all systems are up to date and protected against the latest threats. The analysis that they carry out will form a large part of the role with a lot of their time being used to deal with current detected threats and incidents.

One key element of the role is to understand which potential threats are a risk to their employer. Therefore, their role will include ensuring that breaches are detected as soon as they happen and that they can implement a response immediately to help reduce its impact. As a result, they almost need to think like hackers and regular testing of systems will be required to identify any weaknesses. So, they implement systems but they also do all they can to test them to their limits which ultimately allows them to improve them.

Along with this, they will also work with the latest tools that are available to them. So, they will experiment with them as a way of understanding how cyber criminals work. All of this information will be used when it comes to them ensuring that they explain to every department the importance of cyber security and the role it plays within an organisation.

Confidentiality is also a part of the job because with every attack or potential threat comes the risk of ruining the reputation of the business and so, they have to ensure that all details remain confidential.

Should the day involve dealing with an attack then the specialist will be required to act quickly. They will work around the clock where necessary to ensure they expose the attack, shut down access to all IT systems, identify and remove the weak area of the network and implement a solution to nullify the risk. Once this has been done, they will then inform all of those infected such as customers and stakeholders.

It is a role that requires planning, strategies, commitment and the right approach to ensure that they carry it out effectively. A lot of time is spent at a computer working through information while they must also make sure that they are available around the clock in order to respond to attacks.

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