How to become a cyber operations specialist

Cybersecurity is a broad industry with many opportunities and roles. One of them is cyber operations (CyberOps). CyberOps is an important career in information security that enables organizations to respond quickly to incidents on their networks.

Here is a guide on cyber operations and how to become a cyber operations specialist.

In this guide

• What is cyber operations?
• How to get into the field
• Military roles
• Cyber operations degree
• How to become
• Job descriptions

What Is cyber operations?

Cyber operations involve interdisciplinary skills that provide cyber intelligence and protect an organization’s sensitive information, databases, and technology against various digital threats. CyberOps combines disciplines such as intelligence, network monitoring, and forensics.

As a complementary discipline to cybersecurity, CyberOps usually form part of a larger cybersecurity program. They also involves exploiting dangerous target systems to breach their integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility. This is where it differs slightly from cybersecurity because, in most cases, it can be offensive, while cybersecurity is primarily defensive. 

For many years, cyber operations have been almost exclusively an activity of the military. In the armed forces, cyber operations units secure military information systems used for satellites, navigation, and aviation against domestic and foreign cyber threats that could damage military or civilian infrastructure. 

Cyber operations can be useful in gathering foreign intelligence or to mitigate potential threats, secure systems against terrorist activities, espionage, and support on-network cyber intelligence efforts. CyberOps in the form of computer forensics can be utilized to collect criminal evidence to prosecute perpetrators of an incident. Lately, more private organizations are creating cyber operations departments to respond to growing threats.

How to get into the cyber operations field

Before entering the cyber operations field, there are important factors to consider. For private organizations, the qualifications will depend on the employer. However, you’ll be expected to have experience protecting complex information security infrastructure using modern technologies and techniques. 

Some skills required to enter the cyber operations field in the private sector include:

1. Reconnaissance skills like packet analysis, network traffic sniffing, forensics, network and system mapping, binary analysis, and reverse engineering.
2. Offensive skills include network engineering, ethical hacking, penetration testing, and knowledge of common attack methodologies such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, phishing, ransomware attacks, and website defacements.
3. Defensive skills include incident detection and response, network system administration, cloud security, computer forensics, and network security control.
4. Operating System Skills: Any company a cyber operations specialist works for uses an operating system to store data and sensitive digital assets. It’s essential to be skillful in navigating these operating systems.
5. Critical Thinking Skills: CyberOps require you to analyze large and complex data sets to be proactive and reactive against threats. Critical thinking is crucial for this career.

Other useful skills for the CyberOps career field include communications, analysis, and coding.

If you want to work in the private sector, such as banking, energy and utilities, retail, software and telecommunications, you can attend CyberOps bootcamps, training, and internships. You can also earn certificates. Here are some courses and certifications to kickstart your career:

1. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Certificate: Preparation for the 200-201 CBROPS Exam.
2. Inzpire Cyber Operations Training: Delivered by ex-military cyber operations specialists.
3. Socratic Arts Cyber Operations Training: Approved by the US Department of Defense.

Cyber operations specialist in the military

All of the US military services recruit for the CyberOps field. You will need to be able to meet physical fitness standards. Candidates must take the Armed Serviced Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), General Technical GT, with a 110 score and 112 in the Skilled Technical (ST).

Other typical requirements, depending on the military service branch include:

• 10 weeks or more of Basic Combat Training or boot camp.
• 25 Weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where you learn the duties of an Operations Specialist (MOS 17C career designator for the Army).
• 20 or more weeks of additional CyberOps training (at Fort Gordon, Georgia, for the Army)
• Demonstrate self-discipline, intelligence, and confidence.
• Ability to work under pressure, make quick decisions, multi-task, etc.

As a highly-regulated military position, candidates are typically required to be US citizens. The military services typically requires a high school diploma (or equivalent, such as a GED) or a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re interested in military opportunities as a cyber operations specialist (for example MOS 17C for Army), here are some resources for more information:

1. 17C Cyber Operations Specialist – GoArmy: Learn skills in Computer Systems & Networks, Cyber Intelligence & Surveillance, and Defensive & Offensive Operations. 
2. Cyber Operations Program – Air Force Institute of Technology: Get an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of cyber operations.
3. Cyber Programs for the US Military – SANS Institute: Register for CyberOps-related programs tailored to the Department of Defense’s guidelines.

Cyber operations degree options

Earning a cybersecurity degree is one of the fastest ways to enter the cyber operations field. Cybersecurity degrees are common offerings at US universities. Here are a few of the cyber operations degrees available:

The University of North Georgia

Commonly called the Military College of Georgia, UNG has an Institute for Cyber Operations. UNG has several cyber operations and other related programs, such as

1. Information Systems (B.B.A)
2. Cybersecurity (B.S.)
3. Computer Science (B.S)
4. Criminal Justice (B.S) – With Forensics Concentration
5. Information Assurance & Security
6. Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate, etc.

Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

AFIT runs the Graduate Cyber Operations (GCO) that leads to an MSc degree.

Bachelor’s degree in cyber operations

3. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia – Cyber Operations (BS)
4. University of Central Missouri – Cyber Operations BS
5. Dakota State University – Cyber Operations BS

Online cyber operations degrees

6. The University of Arizona – Online Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cyber Operations 
7. Boise State University, Idaho – Undergraduate Cyber Operations and Resilience
8. University of Maryland Global Campus – Online Master’s Degree in Cyber Operations

Other cyber operations programs are

9. Virginia Tech – Cyber Operations Mentorship Program in the Department of Defense Senior Military College Cyber Institute. 
10. The University of North Georgia: Cyber Leadership Program, UNG Cyber Hawks competition, and the UNG National Intelligence Summer Academy.

How to become a cyber operations specialist

To become a cyber operations specialist either in the private sector or the military, you must first have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

If you choose the military, you must:

• Pass the ASVAB test as specified above and other required tests.
• Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam.
• You must also be a US citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 17 and 39.
• You’ll also need to attend a military technical school before serving as a cyber systems operation specialist.

For the private sector, you can get a degree, attend cybersecurity bootcamps, take courses and training, and get a recognized certificate. The key components of a cyber operations degree program will depend on the type of degree you’ll earn upon completion. However, most programs will provide labs for hands-on learning to analyze real-life security threats. 

State or military institutions, such as the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, also provide cyber operations internship opportunities. You will undergo physical, technical, and hands-on training during and after your cyber operations program in the armed forces. 

Cyber operations program curriculum

Here is what a typical Cyber Operations Specialist degree curriculum might look like:

Module 1

• Introduction to Networks           
• Introduction to Security Programming I & II
• Introduction to Security Scripting  
• Introductory Methods to Network Analysis
• Cyber Law, Ethics & Policy
• Introduction to Industrial Control System (ICS) Security        
• Signals Intelligence & Electronic Warfare (SIGINT)          
• Principles of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Module 2

• Introduction to Cyber Operations
• Enterprise and File System Forensics (Linux) 
• Cyber Investigations & Forensics
• Active Cyber Defense
• Cyber Threat Intelligence  
• Counter Cyber Threat Intelligence  
• Deception, Counter-deception & Counter-intelligence        
• Digital Espionage    
• Cyber war, terror, and crime  

Module 3  

• Regulatory Limitations and Controls for Cyber Operations    
• Legal and Privacy Constraints in Cyber Operations    
• Information Warfare  
• Malware Threats & Analysis
• Zero Trust Networking  
• C Programming for Security Professionals
• Secure Software Development & Analysis
• Advanced Analytics for Security Operations
• Cyber Deception Detection  

Module 4

• Advanced Cyber Forensics          
• Cyber Warfare       
• Social Engineering Attacks  
• Special Topics in Cyber Operations
• Cyber Operations Senior Capstone
• Computational Thinking & Doing
• Cloud Computing
• Some universities offer “Internships” as part of the program, but they could be electives

What does a cyber operations specialist do?

The responsibilities of a cyber operations specialist or a cyber systems operation specialist will vary depending on the organization. Cyber operation specialists provide cyber intelligence and protection, monitor threats, secure digital networks, and implement the best security measures. 

If you want to become a cyber operations specialist, prepare to spend most of your working hours in front of computers. Regardless of the organization, here are some day-to-day responsibilities of a cyber system operations specialist:

• Hosting servers and managing databases
• Ensuring that defensive mechanisms are in place.
• Installing and managing single servers or entire networks
• Responding to service disruptions, network operation failures, or breaches.
• Preparing and managing the budget for the Cyber Operations unit
• Using and preserving the integrity of server-based systems, applications, storage, messaging, and other software

In addition to the above, cyber operations specialists in the military are tasked with:

• Protecting intelligence, information, and weapon systems.
• Securing information by safeguarding digital data
• Maintaining security measures such as firewalls.
• Supporting warfare operations and providing classified mission intelligence
• Introducing new cyber security measures
• Gathering foreign intelligence or forensic evidence to mitigate potential or real-time threats
• Safeguarding systems against adversary activities, espionage, and insider threats
• Supporting other cyber intelligence activities in the overall cybersecurity unit

Cyber operations job description

Becoming a cyber operations specialist is an excellent career if you’re interested in protecting sensitive data and information. CyberOps specialists are crucial in identifying threats, securing systems, and strengthening processes to safeguard sensitive data from cyberattacks.

According to Analystics Insight, the demand for cyber operations specialists is expected to grow. Unfilled cybersecurity positions increased by 350 percent, from 1 million in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021. There will likely be increasing demand for cyber operations specialists in the years to come.  

In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs in information security to grow at a 37 percnet rate from 2021 to 2031. This is a rewarding career with high-paying jobs. Your salary will depend on the organization, location, education, and experience. The average salary for a CyberOps Specialist, however, is $63,821, according to Glassdoor (September 2022).

Earnings for CyberOps specialists can reach $86,000-$90,000 in the first year of experience and $131,000 or more for 15+ years of experience. As a certified cyber operations specialist, you can expect to work in any of the following roles:

• Cyber incident response analyst
• Cyber threat analyst
• Chief information security officer
• Network security analyst
• Cyber security analyst
• Security engineer
• Chief information security officer (CISO)
• Information systems manager

A career as a cyber operations specialist can be ideal for you if you want to go into a highly technical position and work in a field that is expected to experience rapid growth in the upcoming years.

Frequently asked questions