If you are considering taking a technology-related course online, one of the options you have is to study network security.
It is one of the most popular online courses in the field of Information Security.
So, why is it essential to study network security? This is the question we are going to discuss in this article.
We shall start by explaining what network security means and then get into the reasons you should consider this course.
Let’s get into this right away!
What is Network Security?
Network security refers to the set of rules and configurations put in place to protect the functionality and integrity of data on a given computer network.
The main goal of network security is to ensure the data on a given network is not altered or tampered with by unauthorized parties.
It also involves setting rules regarding who, what, when, where, and how data on a given network should be accessed.
Since a network consists of hardware and software, you’ll need to understand both quite well.
As an expert, you need to know how to implement the strategies to prevent or stop threats from entering and spreading throughout the network.
Why Study Network Security?
Now that we have a brief background about network security let’s look at some of the reasons you may consider taking a course in this field.
1. High demand for network security experts
As businesses continue to rely more on the internet to do almost everything, they also need to ensure their networks are secure.
With the high number of cybersecurity positions to fill, you’re very much in luck.
By simply applying the knowledge you’ve gained studying network security, you’re much more likely to get a job.
2. The pay is good
Of course, any profession with high demand is always financially rewarding.
According to Salary.com, the average salary of an entry-level network engineer is about $73,000 per year.
Seniors in this field can earn up to $200,000 depending on the companies that hire them and their experience.
The salaries of network and cyber security experts will only continue to rise as we rely more on our technology.
3. Easy to create an impact
Despite earning a lot of money, it is important to do work that impacts your employer.
As a network security expert, your role is to detect vulnerabilities that pose a threat to data being stored and transmitted.
In some cases, if the network is affected due to undetected vulnerabilities, you alone might end up saving the network.
Solving such complex issues will no doubt impress your employer.
4. You can work in any industry
The beauty of being a network security expert is the possibility of working in any industry of your choice.
Whether you want to get into health, manufacturing, or fintech, security specialist, network security administrator or analyst jobs are available in all these sectors.
They all rely on computers and the internet to do most of their core activities.
You will also have the opportunity to switch from one industry to another if you don’t find the job in one interesting.
5. Opportunity to work remotely
If you don’t want to be constrained by geographical location, network security is one of those professions you should consider.
Many clients search freelance online platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork for services.
Some of these have temporary projects, whereas some offer permanent gigs.
Are Cybersecurity Jobs Remote?
6. Unlimited opportunities for career growth.
Each day that passes, cybercriminals are always looking for new ways of compromising networks.
This gives an opportunity for network security experts to further broaden their knowledge in order to counter these attacks.
Once you get into this profession, you will never run out of new things to learn.
7. Encounter new challenges
New ways to attack networks are being formulated almost every day.
Some of the network security solutions that worked ten years ago are considered obsolete today.
If you love taking on challenges, one of the career paths you should consider is to study network security.
You will encounter new problems daily for which you must find solutions.
It’s a dynamic job that requires people to get better at solving complex problems.
After learning the fundamentals of network security, it will be much easier to deal with most of the challenges you encounter.
Conclusion
There are lots of benefits that come with having a job in the network security field.
The pay is good, and you also help your employers deal with some of the most complex network security problems.
If you enjoy a good challenge with the opportunity to create an impact, take some time to study network security.
