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Types of Federal Security Jobs

Last Updated July 30, 2021

The statue of liberty with a poster on the bottom of the picture that reads "federal security jobs".

The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working together to protect against vulnerabilities that endanger not only military information systems, but also threaten economic and social structures supported by information technology networks. The two agencies have recently been empowered to better share information, expertise and capabilities, to improve the safeguarding of the nation’s sensitive and vital information systems.

Cybersecurity Jobs With The Cyber Command

In 2010, a focus on protecting the U.S. military’s information assets resulted in the creation of the Cyber Command. The U.S. Cyber Command is focused on the cybersecurity efforts of the U.S. intelligence community and Department of Defense.

Because the U.S. military depends on cyber space to operate systems such as logistics, communications, navigation and weapons, it is particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks that hold the potential to disable critical equipment.

The Department of Homeland Security Jobs

The security of civilian and non-defense related information technology and communications infrastructures are under the protection of the DHS. Within the DHS, the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) works with federal, state and local governments, as well as the nation’s academic institutions and the private sector, to secure critical cyber space and information systems infrastructures.

Skilled, experienced information systems (IS) security, computer science, and engineering and program management professionals are needed by NCSD to develop, implement and manage processes and procedures in cyber incident preparedness, prevention and response, and risk management. For IS security specialists, homeland security jobs can be a great way to serve the country by protecting against potentially devastating cyber threats.

Types of Government Security Jobs

Each of the government agencies discussed above benefit from the expertise of information systems security professionals, in jobs such as:

  • Cyber Incident Responder – Conducts research, compiles, reviews, prepares, analyzes and integrates data into reports and assessments.
  • Vulnerability Detection and Assessment Specialist – Conducts operating system, application, database vulnerability assessments and system configuration checks on various information systems.
  • Cyber Risk and Strategic Analyst – Develops, implements and maintains agency-specific risk and consequence models and methodologies, to conduct risk and impact analysis of information systems infrastructure and components.
  • Information Security Analyst – Performs process improvement and analysis of security operations, methods, procedures, and practices. Investigates security incidents and prepares reports specifying preventive action to be taken.
  • Cyber Intelligence Analyst – Conducts complex analyses, tests, vulnerability testing, and research on existing and future weapons systems.
  • Cyber Operations Planner – Identifies and develops mission improvements, reports on evolving cyber policy trends and issues, and conducts research on rapidly emerging cyber warfare threats.

IT professionals who are ready to augment their existing skills through specialized professional training and certification can be on their way to standing apart from the crowd and successfully competing for government security jobs.

Training for Government Security Jobs

Are you interested in changing career paths to help the U.S. government fight cyber threats? Start by assessing your skills and making plans to obtain the specialized training and required certifications you’ll need to break into this exciting and rewarding field.

Core skills required for cybersecurity jobs in Homeland Security vary, according to the specific job title. They may include:

  • Planning and coordinating cybersecurity exercises
  • Monitoring emerging information technologies
  • Learning the best methods to prevent and deter terrorist attacks
  • Analyzing and assessing information systems, applications and databases for vulnerabilities
  • Conducting research and briefing management on current vulnerabilities
  • Providing countermeasure recommendations

Specialized, up-to-date cybersecurity education can provide essential skills in critical areas such as risk assessment and management, security design, firewalls and instruction detection systems, information security maintenance, and disaster response, reaction and recovery.

Government Security Job Certifications

In addition, all workers with privileged access to DoD information systems are required to obtain security certification, under DoD Directive 8570.1. IT professionals who endeavor to land a position with the Cyber Command or the DHS can enroll in specialized professional education courses to train for Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) or Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP®) certification through (ISC)2® or CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) Security+TM certification. Further, you may train to prepare for the Certification and Accreditation Professional (CAP®) credential, a new and highly sought-after (ISC)2® certification, which deals with issues impacting national security today.

Take Advantage of Expanding Opportunities in Government Security Jobs

New, unyielding developments in cyber threats, and continuous potential breaches to government and defense information systems are creating high demand for skilled professionals to fill challenging and exciting government security jobs. If you’re an IT professional seeking to advance your career possibilities, this could be the right time to obtain the advanced cybersecurity skills that government agencies need now. Take the first step to a rewarding new career path that is not only full of possibilities, but also gives you the unique opportunity to serve your country.

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