Steps to Become an Information Assurance Engineer

 The field of information assurance draws people from many different backgrounds, but most possess a drive and passion for cybersecurity and technology. Acquiring the right education, work experience, and skills can help people with these interests to move into a career as an information assurance engineer.

Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Information assurance engineers usually hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or an equivalent subject that provides a well-rounded background in computers. A growing number of universities provide degrees that are specific to the work of information assurance engineers, such as an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

A bachelor’s in cybersecurity provides a broad computer education along with instruction tailored to meeting the demands unique to the field of cybersecurity. Students receive training in ethical hacking as well as defensive strategies in security information and event management. The curriculum covers topics including digital forensics, malware and incident response, compliance, and business processes. The degree offers the necessary knowledge and skills required for information assurance engineers to be able to respond both offensively and defensively to cyber threats.

Step Two: Gain On-the-Job Experience

Getting the right education is an important stepping stone to a career as an information assurance engineer. But most employers also want candidates for entry-level positions to have at least one to two years of experience in a related field. The specifics for this requirement usually depends on the size of the organization. Many information assurance engineers initially work as network or systems administrators.

Mid-level information assurance engineer positions usually require several years of work in information assurance, and more senior positions tend to require five to 10 years of experience. For these more advanced positions, employers want to have confidence that candidates possess sufficiently strong technical skills in a variety of networks, platforms, and databases, which only come with experience.

Step Three: Attain Training and Certification

Securing employment as an information assurance engineer can also rely on acquiring the right certifications. Employers seek some way to validate that a potential employee possesses knowledge of industry best practices. For this reason, they often require candidates to hold relevant certifications that serve as proof of their competencies.

While not mandatory, the following certifications may help build a career in information assurance engineering:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Being competitive means keeping up with the latest developments in cybersecurity, which can mean subscribing to newsletters published by industry leaders, attending hackathons and tech conferences, and following news stories about data breaches. There are also a myriad of seminars, webinars, and courses available that can expand and hone the skills of information assurance engineers.

Step Four: Consider Earning a Master’s Degree for Advancement

Information assurance engineers with work experience can also advance their careers by earning an online master’s in cybersecurity. According to the data analytics company Burning Glass Technologies, this degree may bump the salary of an information assurance engineer by $6,500 a year. The degree delves into the intricacies of cyber technology and sharpens the leadership and business skills critical to positions in upper management.

The curriculum expands upon the foundational knowledge provided by bachelor’s degree programs in areas including digital forensics and incident breaches, deepening analysis and providing for the development of a more sophisticated skill set. Earning a master’s in cybersecurity can offer information assurance engineers more opportunities for advancement in their careers than they’d have with experience and a bachelor’s degree alone.