Does The Military Hire Cybersecurity Specialists?

Whether you're interested in technology, the military, or both, it's important to ask ?does the military hire cybersecurity specialists? What expectations does the role have? How can you start a career in the military that centers around digital defense?

We've got the answers to all of your questions, along with some interesting information about the connections between cybersecurity and military employment.

If you're ready to learn about how you can start your own military career in cybersecurity, check out the information below.

Cybersecurity Specialists and Military Employment

So, does the military hire cybersecurity specialists?

Of course.

Like any other industry that makes use of technology, the United States military needs skilled cybersecurity specialists to help defend their virtual information and digital systems.

This means that the military and related government departments like the Department of Defense are actively recruiting information technology and cybersecurity specialists all the time.

But while both positions utilize the same set of skills, military cybersecurity roles are a bit different from civilian ones. Here's what you need to know about military cybersecurity roles and how to start working as a technology specialist in the military.

How the Military and Cybersecurity Intersect

While the military needs cybersecurity just like any other technology-using industry, there's a bit more to a military-specific defense position than a civilian one.

Defending the lives and interests of our country is what the military is all about, which gives military positions a much broader mission than the average cybersecurity specialist has. This also means that military personnel work with a more diverse level of technology than most corporations.

While working as a cybersecurity specialist in the military, you'll be tasked with monitoring, reporting on, and defending satellite surveillance systems, private communication lines, virtual record setups, and more, in addition to regular computer systems and technology.

This requires you to combine a strong technology and cybersecurity knowledge base with the disciplined and covert nature of trained military professionals.

But while the military is looking for trained cybersecurity experts to employ, civilian corporations are looking for veterans to train in the art of technological defense.

Why Civilian Cybersecurity Companies Seek Military Veterans

The main reason that civilian cybersecurity companies want to hire military veterans is the important attributes that they've built up while serving ?the strong work ethic, leadership and problem-solving skills, teamwork capabilities, and mission-driven nature of veterans are perfect for working in critical virtual defense positions.

Vets with prior tech experience are especially valuable to companies, as they've already likely worked in positions that involved system monitoring and defense.

By working as a cybersecurity professional in the military, you can guarantee yourself a lucrative career even after you leave the service.

But you also need to consider that working for the US military requires meeting specific requirements and undergoing mandatory training outside of education from online cybersecurity programs.

Specific Requirements for Military Employment

Joining the military takes a strong background and satisfactory assessments.

First and foremost, anyone entering the military must undergo a physical and mental assessment.

The Army, for example, has an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) that must be taken at the start of Basic Training and at least twice a year for every year you're in service. Your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) ?in this case, cybersecurity ?may also have its own separate physical requirements.

All military personnel have to undergo some form of Basic Training for a few weeks, after which Advanced Individual Training can start. Altogether, training can take a year or longer.

Most positions require medically healthy individuals with little to no criminal record, and some specialized roles may have prior education requirements as well.

Even if you're working as a cybersecurity specialist, you must meet these requirements as a member of the US military in order to represent your branch and country appropriately.

If you're able to meet these requirements and pass your military assessment, you can start a cybersecurity career in the military by following the steps below.

How To Start a Cybersecurity Career in the Military

Here are the basic steps you need to follow to begin a career in cybersecurity in the military:

• Pass your desired branch's assessments and complete your required basic training.
• Pursue higher education in cybersecurity ?this can be done before or after you enter the military, depending on the circumstances you begin serving in. Consider the online cybersecurity programs that you can complete before or after training.
• Pursue professional and military-specific cybersecurity certifications to bolster your capabilities and specialize for your desired position.
• Network ?find a mentor or like-minded individuals in the military who can help you get the cybersecurity position you want. Contacts in the technology field outside of the military could also help.
• Prove your capabilities ?whether you start out in a cybersecurity position or not, you should try to show your superiors that your strength lies in technological defense so you can become an indispensable part of your branch's cybersecurity team.

When you've completed all the steps above, your cybersecurity career will be underway. You can start moving up in the ranks by going for more specialized cybersecurity roles or learning how to lead your own team.

Once you're satisfied with the responsibilities, authority, and earnings of your position, you can settle into your military career and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Start Your Path to Working in Cybersecurity in the Military Today

Now that you've confirmed the military hires cybersecurity specialists, grasped the importance of technological defense in military branches, and learned the steps to starting a specialized military cybersecurity career, it's time to start on the path to working in the military today. Make the most of your education and training in order to defend technology ?and the nation ?from foreign threats.