Top In-Demand CyberSecurity Jobs for Beginners in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is the perfect spot to kickstart your career in cybersecurity if you're just starting out. This place is an epic hub for cybersecurity companies, military bases, and defense contractors that know their stuff when it comes to online security.

With over 16,000 peeps working in cyber roles here, you know Colorado Springs means business.

What makes this city so clutch is its prime location and strong military ties.

You've got major players like NORAD, the Air Force Academy, and a swarm of cybersecurity companies like Root9B, Berico Technologies, and Solidyn Solutions all calling Colorado Springs home.

This insane concentration of cyber experts and resources creates a goldmine of opportunities for newbies looking to break into the field.

As Major General Richard Williams put it, "Colorado Springs is the cyber-capital of the Department of Defense." For those of us just starting our cybersecurity journey, this translates to dope internships, entry-level gigs, and valuable networking prospects in an industry that treats online security like a top priority.

With cybersecurity roles projected to be in high demand in 2024, there's no better place to get your foot in the door than right here in Colorado Springs.

As an entry-level cyber security analyst in Colorado Springs, you'll be the frontline against online threats, keeping an eye on the network and sniffing out any sketchy activity.

Your main gig would involve:

• Monitoring security logs, network traffic, and system deets for potential threats
• Running vulnerability checks and penetration tests to test the system's defenses
• Responding to security breaches and coming up with solutions to contain the damage
• Developing and maintaining security policies and procedures to keep everything tight
• Collaborating with other IT and security teams to ensure the whole organization is secure

To crush it as a beginner cyber security analyst in Colorado Springs, you'll need a solid grasp of IT and cyber security concepts, plus hands-on experience with security tools and techniques.

Key skills and certs to have under your belt include:

• Skills: Network security, risk assessment, incident response, scripting languages like Python and PowerShell, and familiarity with security frameworks like NIST and ISO
• Certifications: CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

According to ZipRecruiter, entry-level cyber security analyst roles in Colorado Springs are paying anywhere from $40k to $169k annually.

With the city's booming cyber scene, there are plenty of opportunities for newbies, with major players like L3Harris Technologies, Mantech, and Presidio actively hiring cyber security talent.

If you're looking to break into the field, Colorado Springs is definitely a place to consider.

A junior penetration tester is like a digital ninja, sneaking into computer networks and apps to find any weak spots that hackers might exploit.

Their mission? To keep organizations safe from cyber threats. As a beginner, you'll be planning and executing those evaluation tests, staying up-to-date on the latest cyber threats, and even coding custom tools to help with your hacking attempts.

But it's not just about being a techie wizard.

You gotta have mad problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a thirst for continuous learning.

You'll be working closely with senior pentesters, maybe even managing entry-level teams, so solid communication and teamwork are essential too.

To kickstart your career as a junior pentester in Colorado Springs, you'll need some serious cred.

We're talking certifications like OSCP or CompTIA PenTest+, coding know-how (Python, JavaScript, or C++ will do the trick), and familiarity with hacking tools like Metasploit, Nmap, and Burp Suite.

Bonus points if you've got experience with cloud tech and containers.

The best part? Colorado Springs is a hotspot for cybersecurity jobs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for infosec analysts (including pentesters) in the area are expected to skyrocket by 35% from 2021 to 2031.

With companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Bank of America hiring in the region, beginners like Charles Martin have a golden opportunity to break into this high-stakes, high-reward field.

If you're just starting out and looking to get into the cybersecurity game, being a Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst in Colorado Springs is where it's at.

With all the crazy cyber threats lurking out there, companies are scrambling to hire skilled pros who can keep an eye on things and shut down any sketchy activity.

According to the numbers, the SOC analyst job market in the Springs is expected to grow by a solid 12% between 2022 and 2024, which is way better than the national average.

To kick things off as a SOC analyst, you'll want to build up a solid set of skills.

You'll need to be a coding whiz with languages like Python and Bash, understand how networks operate and how to secure them, be familiar with security tools like SIEM, firewalls, and IDS/IPS, and have some serious problem-solving chops.

Getting certified in something like Security+ or GSEC is also a smart move.

If you're in the Springs and looking to get your foot in the door, there are plenty of companies hiring SOC analysts.

Some of the big players include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Cherwell Software, just to name a few.

As Thomas Harris, a Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at Lockheed Martin, put it, "Colorado Springs is a hub for cybersecurity talent, offering abundant career growth opportunities for SOC analysts willing to continuously upskill and take on greater responsibilities." With experience, you could move up to roles like Incident Response Analyst, Security Architect, or even Cybersecurity Manager, with salaries ranging from $80,000 to $120,000 annually.

Not too shabby, right?

Cybersecurity ain't no joke these days, and Colorado Springs is where it's at for anyone looking to get into IT security consulting.

These dudes are the real deal, assessing risks and keeping companies safe from all the shady stuff out there. But you gotta start somewhere, right?

For all the newbies trying to break into this scene, having a solid education is key.

We're talking computer science, IT, or any related major that gets you prepped for the cybersecurity grind. But that's not all! Certifications are like a golden ticket, proving you've got the skills to pay the bills.

Some hot certs to aim for include CompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), and the big kahuna, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Once you've got the knowledge and certs locked down, it's time to get your hands dirty.

Score an internship or entry-level gig to gain that valuable experience. Build up a stellar portfolio to show off your mad skills, and don't be shy about networking with the pros.

Security consultants in Colorado Springs are in high demand, with over 6,500 job openings as of May 2023.

Major players like defense contractors, healthcare companies, and tech firms are all on the hunt for fresh talent.

If you're ready to dive into the world of cybersecurity and protect the digital realm like a boss, Colorado Springs is where you wanna be.

Just remember, with the right education, certifications, and a whole lot of hustle, you can turn this dream into a reality and become an IT security consultant extraordinaire!

Cybersecurity is on fire in Colorado Springs, and if you're just getting started, this is the place to be! The top gigs for newbies in 2024 are gonna be Cybersecurity Analyst, Penetration Tester, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst, and IT Security Consultant.

According to the stats, the demand for info security pros is projected to skyrocket by 35% by 2031, making it one of the hottest careers in Colorado.

You gotta keep leveling up your skills and certs to stay ahead of the ever-evolving cyber threats.

For the Colorado Springs crew, that means tapping into resources like:

• Online bootcamps from places like Nucamp, Coursera, and edX
• Local college programs dedicated to cybersecurity
• Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and CEH
• Hands-on projects, CTFs (Capture the Flag), and bug bounty hunts

As the cybersecurity legend Forrest Hoglund said, "The only true security is to become obsolete." That's real talk, emphasizing the need to keep evolving with the ever-changing cyber landscape.

For the Colorado Springs rookies, the road to a killer cybersecurity career starts with nailing the fundamentals and committing to continuous learning.

By tapping into the wealth of resources, networking with the pros, and staying ahead of the trends, you can set yourself up for success in this dynamic and essential field.