Main areas covered by CWSP

cwsp

Requirements

• The students registering for this course are required to have studied the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course or passed the CWNA certification exam.  

Description

The Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) course is designed on the CWSP certification exam curriculum recommended by CWNP. The course teaches the latest enterprise wireless LAN security and auditing techniques to the students. The course also covers the most up-to-date WLAN intrusion and DoS tools and techniques. The students are enabled on the functionality of the 802.11i amendment to the 802.11 standard, the inner-workings of each authentication method used with wireless LANs, and every class and type of WLAN security solution available. This includes a detailed coverage of the wireless intrusion prevention systems and wireless network management systems.

The Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) course will help the students to acquire the necessary skills for implementing and managing wireless security in the enterprise by creating layer2 and layer3 hardware and software solutions with tools from the industry’s leading manufacturers. The course also serves as an excellent preparatory course for the CWSP certification offered by CWNP.

Who this course is for:

• The course is intended for the professionals working with the wireless network and looking to enhance their knowledge by learning the cutting-edge wireless security tools and techniques and earn the CWSP certification by CWNP.

What it takes to become a CWSP:

The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential. You must take the CWSP exam at a Pearson Vue Testing Center and pass with a 70% or higher. Instructors must pass with a 80% or higher. However you choose to prepare for the CWSP exam, you should start with the exam objectives, which cover the full list of skills tested on the exam.  The CWSP certification is valid for three (3) years. To recertify, you must have a current CWNA credential and pass the current CWSP exam.  By passing the CWSP exam, your CWNA certificate will be renewed for another three years.

Main areas covered by CWSP

• WLAN Discovery Techniques
• Intrusion and Attack Techniques
• 802.11 Protocol Analysis
• Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) Implementation
• Layer 2 and 3 VPNs used over 802.11 networks
• Enterprise/SMB/SOHO/Public-Network Security design models
• Managed Endpoint Security Systems802.11 Authentication and Key
• 205 Exam Objectives
• CWSP-206 Exam Objectives 2019 (CWSP-206 Exam will replace CWSP-205 in September of 2019)

What Is the Average CWSS Salary by Experience?

cwsp certification

CWSS salaries vary significantly depending on geographic location, specific job duties and years of experience.

The average salary for Wireless Security Engineers is $82K per year, ranging from $49.6K to $118K, as per Paysa.com. The same source indicates in $144,000 the average salary for Wireless Security Specialist Engineers.

Note that according to InfoSec Institute’s Salary Outlook for Security Engineers:

ESTIMATED SALARY = $70,000-$90,000

50% EARNED MORE THAN $82,000

LOWEST EARNING 10% < $60,000

HIGHEST EARNING 10% > $110,000

What Is the Average CWSS Salary by Experience?

As in most cases, pay for this job does change much by experience, with the salary of most experienced professionals being often significantly higher. According to Glassdoor data, for example, the national average salary for a Senior Wireless Security Systems Engineer is $106,984. Experienced professionals are in demand and employers are willing to invest more in hiring and, above all, retaining wireless security IT practitioners who are already well rounded and, even better, have certifications that can prove their worth.

Certifications often translate into the highest pays. CWNP designation holders can earn higher salaries than their uncertified IT colleagues, with reported salaries up to $87,250 for some sales and support Certified Wireless Technology Specialists (CWTS) to $262,500 for Certified Wireless Network Experts (CWNE). Also, the national employment outlook appears to be brightening with the hiring of more CWSPs (Certified Wireless Security Professionals) who can make as much as $138,500. Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide places the starting salary (50% percentile) of wireless network engineer (considered one of the 10 best technology jobs to watch in 2018) in the six-figure range at $119,000, so earning a certification is definitely a positive investment for career advancement.

What Is the Average Salary by Job Role?

CWSSs are employed in an extensive range of fields, and they can be an essential part of any business’ overall technology team to help evolve the security posture of the organization.

Job Role	Salary
Network Security Engineer	$55,329 – $125,193
Computer Network Support Specialists	$46,070 – $105, 910
Wireless Network Engineer	$54,000-$109,000
Wireless Security Engineer	$78,000-$146,000
Wireless Security Consultant	$48,000-$115,000

Which security certification is best?

security professional certifications

Cyberattacks are the fastest growing crime in the U.S., and they continue to grow in size and sophistication. Companies like Facebook, Panera Bread, Under Armour and Uber made headlines after having customer information stolen. With each breach, administrative fears and the demand for cybersecurity certifications increase.

These fears are not unfounded. Centrify found that 66 percent of customers in the U.S. would likely halt any interaction with a business that's officially been hacked.

As a company, you might find yourself scrambling to hire top cybersecurity talent or equip your IT team with cybersecurity certifications. As an IT professional, the demand for cybersecurity skills presents a huge opportunity to boost your résumé, stand out among candidates and increase your earning potential.

Ready to jumpstart your IT career? Explore cybersecurity certifications here.

But with so many IT security certifications out there, where do you start?

As the leading IT training company, we compiled the top cybersecurity certifications IT professionals need to earn in 2019:

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
2. CompTIA Security+
3. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
6. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF)
7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
8. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
9. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security

Certified Wireless Security Specialist (CWSS) Salary in 2018

cwsp salary

Introduction

If looking for a good niche in the information technology sector, a professional might want to explore opportunities in the growing market for wireless-related positions and the kind of certifications and job roles in high demand right now. With the long-lasting ‘wireless skills gap,’ the Wi-Fi industry is in search of qualified talents, as users demand more support for mobility to expand the capabilities of networks already in place and to build on evolving mobile technologies that are having such an impact on many aspects of our daily life, from personal activities to work-related tasks. Moreover, with the increasing pressure to do more about wireless security and not enough technical talents and skills in the trade to fill employment gaps, salaries are on the rise.

As mobility efforts expand, companies will need to hire the expertise of certified wireless security specialists (CWSS) who can develop the technology needed for consumers to benefit from such products and services by addressing the security issues that could leave a number of users vulnerable to attacks on their systems connected remotely. A CWSSs can keep data secure on every network-enabled Wi-Fi device.

What Is CWSS?

Just a few days ago, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has released information on Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) protocol vulnerabilities that were able to allow a malicious hacker to take control of affected systems.

“The vulnerabilities are in the WPA2 protocol, not within individual WPA2 implementations, which means that all WPA2 wireless networking may be affected,” warned the group. The frequency of cyber-attacks to wireless devices is on the rise as the technology is rapidly spreading and mobile devices are often less protected than their wired counterparts. Users tend to let their guards down when it comes to cell phones, wearable tech devices, and tablets. Wireless security specialists are expected to be in demand in the next few years to help secure the many connected devices our future will employ including, for example, medical IoT or connected automobiles. These professionals will be expected to be able to move in diverse environments as they protect a variety of wireless and mobile technologies.

So, you want to be a CWSS. Do you know what a CWSS does? They have an essential role in defending wireless networks against attacks and, therefore, are required to be familiar with the tools and defenses of the trade and technologies including the family of IEEE 802.11 protocols, WPA/WPA2, and WIPS/WIDS. They are also expected to detect or prevent intrusions effectively or accurately pinpoint the presence of unauthorized access points or identify threats; these professionals must know how to plan, design, and manage a secure wireless LAN (WLAN) that will safeguard every computing device connected to it.

The employment for these specialists is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate for the next few years, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that tells about the need for more specialists who can implement security measures to protect organizations’ WLAN networks and Wi-Fi systems from viruses and cyber-threats (e.g. hacking, data breaches). However, employers are already finding some difficulty in locating well-qualified specialists with a valid certification who have a good grasp regarding wireless anatomy and the knowledge necessary to deploy secure mobile solutions using appropriate technologies to deter outsiders hacking wireless networks and smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop PCs using Wi-Fi. As a result, some ICT companies are often willing to pay more for professionals that can demonstrate their expertise in the wireless realm.

Who is responsible for IT security?

it security profession

Who is Responsible for Information Security Within Your Organisation?

The obvious and rather short answer is: everyone is responsible for the information security of your organisation. From the CEO to the Board to the call center operatives to the interns to the kids on work experience from school, if that still happens. https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/certified-wireless-security-professional

Some are more accountable than others, some have a clear legal responsibility, and everyone should consider themselves to be part of a concerted normal practice of digital security. Especially the ‘lower level’ employees, the people who are probably most aware of problems such as weak passwords, lack of encryption, overly accessible folders of clients information, and so on.

Try MBWA. Managing By Wandering Around. If you want to really find out what your companies digital vulnerabilities are, you could do a lot worse than asking the people who use the systems every day.

Copy in the same attitude that everyone in an organisation is responsible for customer service. They’re interrelated; digital security is a clear component of customer satisfaction. Just ask any telecoms company dealing with the fallout from not fully appreciating this. The risk to customer satisfaction levels, if your customers account details are stolen by criminals, is absolute.

Bottom line, organisations need to train all staff in basic digital security. Have a system in place for reporting vulnerabilities within individual departments and keeping everyone informed if and when new threats emerge.

It’s not difficult, it’s not extra ordinary, it’s part and parcel of business in 2016.

Otherwise, if responsibility is siloed to a specific individual or department, the defacto consequence is that other people and other departments are not responsible, and therefore inadvertently make life much more difficult for T.I.M, or whoever is to blame when it all goes pear.

Can I get a job with just an A+ certification?

a+ certification jobs with no experience

CompTIA A+ validates understanding of the most common hardware and software technologies in business and certifies the skills necessary to support complex IT infrastructures. CompTIA A+ is a powerful credential that helps IT professionals worldwide ignite their IT career.

CompTIA A+ held by over 1​ million IT professionals worldwide, CompTIA A+ is the most essential IT certification for establishing an IT career. If you’re new to the IT industry, this will help you put your best foot forward. And if you’re already an IT professional, the CompTIA A+ certification validates your skills and can boost your career.

Now we know what is CompTIA A+, Let’s see what jobs you can have as a A+ certified and the expected salary.

How much you can gain as a A+ certified?

1. $67,954 (According to concise-courses)
2. 40.000~45.000 (According to glassdoor)
3. 25.000~35.000 (According to so technicians talking on forums)

So you can see it depends on many things, for example:

• Where do you live?
• The company you are working for?
• Soft skills
• How many hours you work per week?Of course it is possible to get a job with just an A+ certification. It is also possible to get a job with no certification at all. The question you're really asking is if it is possible to get a job with an A+ certification that you wouldn't have gotten without that credential. The answer to that is also 'of course'. There is certainly a job opening out there (probably dozens of them, actually), where the hiring manager would pass on a candidate with no job experience or certifications... but would accept one that had no job experience but that does have an A+ certification.
  Is there a job with those specifications going to be open in a region convenient to you on the day after you earn your A+ credential? Heck if I know. There's also the problem that Colin has already noted in his reply... the pay for people with A+ (and nothing else) isn't spectacular.
  Pull up jobs in your area on an online job site -- Indeed.com is one of my favorites. See if there are companies looking for candidates with A+ credentials in your area and what they pay. If there are some and the jobs interest you, then get the credential. Most likely after you have your A+, a similar se

What Is the Average CWSS Salary?

cwsp certification

CWSS salaries vary significantly depending on geographic location, specific job duties and years of experience.

The average salary for Wireless Security Engineers is $82K per year, ranging from $49.6K to $118K, as per Paysa.com. The same source indicates in $144,000 the average salary for Wireless Security Specialist Engineers.

Note that according to InfoSec Institute’s Salary Outlook for Security Engineers:

ESTIMATED SALARY = $70,000-$90,000

50% EARNED MORE THAN $82,000

LOWEST EARNING 10% < $60,000

HIGHEST EARNING 10% > $110,000

What Is the Average CWSS Salary by Experience?

As in most cases, pay for this job does change much by experience, with the salary of most experienced professionals being often significantly higher. According to Glassdoor data, for example, the national average salary for a Senior Wireless Security Systems Engineer is $106,984. Experienced professionals are in demand and employers are willing to invest more in hiring and, above all, retaining wireless security IT practitioners who are already well rounded and, even better, have certifications that can prove their worth.

Certifications often translate into the highest pays. CWNP designation holders can earn higher salaries than their uncertified IT colleagues, with reported salaries up to $87,250 for some sales and support Certified Wireless Technology Specialists (CWTS) to $262,500 for Certified Wireless Network Experts (CWNE). Also, the national employment outlook appears to be brightening with the hiring of more CWSPs (Certified Wireless Security Professionals) who can make as much as $138,500. Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide places the starting salary (50% percentile) of wireless network engineer (considered one of the 10 best technology jobs to watch in 2018) in the six-figure range at $119,000, so earning a certification is definitely a positive investment for career advancement.

What Is the Average Salary by Job Role?

CWSSs are employed in an extensive range of fields, and they can be an essential part of any business’ overall technology team to help evolve the security posture of the organization.

Job Role	Salary
Network Security Engineer	$55,329 – $125,193
Computer Network Support Specialists	$46,070 – $105, 910
Wireless Network Engineer	$54,000-$109,000
Wireless Security Engineer	$78,000-$146,000
Wireless Security Consultant	$48,000-$115,000

Is Cwna a good certification?

cwsp certification

Wi-Fi has become a hallmark of the 21st century; the World Economic Forum estimates that there are 50 million individual Wi-Fi networks currently operating in the United States. A Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification* qualifies a person to do the basic adjustments and maintenance tasks involved with running these networks in a commercial setting.

As an employer, you know you can't invest in every certification program that comes along; it makes sense to weigh the costs and benefits of a given program before signing your employees up for it. Here are just a few reasons why the CWNA course might be an excellent choice for a computer-based certification program for your company.

It Provides a Broad, Applicable Understanding of Wi-Fi Basics

The CWNA course teaches the key points about what Wi-Fi networks are made of, how they are installed and designed, what security measures they need and how to troubleshoot bugs in the network. Once someone has this base-level comprehension of how Wi-Fi networks function, they can use it to tackle many of the minor issues that regularly crop up in offices. Some of fixes needed might include:

• Fix problems with a weak signal that's interrupting your office's Internet connection
• Establish an authorized connection to new devices
• Set up a firewall

These are all things that a certified CWNA can probably figure out a solution to, nicely illustrating how handy it can be to have such a person in the office. Wi-Fi is a great tool, and the more your staff knows about it, the better they can use it to propel your business forward.

It's Vendor-Neutral

There are two main kinds of IT certifications: vendor-specific and vendor-neutral. Vendor-specific certifications are credentials that apply to only one particular company's networks and hardware - Cisco-branded certifications are a well-known example of this. They offer an incredible depth of knowledge and are often highly regarded for being so thorough, but are also so specialized in nature that they become obsolete outside of their intended contexts.

Vendor-neutral certifications like the CWNA designation, however, are not tied to any one company or brand. Rather, they are intended to provide general knowledge that will be relevant to learners using any of the wide array of product options on the market. This means that the skills your employees learn in a CWNA course will never be useless if you decide to change suppliers.

Your staff may never know quite as much about any one system, but you'll be thankful for the open-ended nature of this program if your company ever needs to change directions with its IT department. In that case, your existing CWNA-certified employees will be just as competent with the new systems as they were with the old ones.

It Can Serve As an Internal IT Funnel

Some companies hire externally for their IT needs, but others prefer to scout out talents for these positions from within their existing ranks. One good way to find promising prospective internal candidates for this move is to make entry-level certification courses available to your employees. The ones who take you up on the offer and excel in their classes are the ones you know you can put a little more investment into afterwards.

The CWNA certification is a good choice because it's intended to be basic and accessible to beginners, so as long as someone puts in the effort required to keep up, they should be able to pass the final exams with no problem. It also gives them a chance to try out some of the work they'll be doing in a low-risk setting where both of you can gauge how well they handle it. This way, you'll catch any mismatches early and save yourself a lot of time and expense.

It Unlocks Other Certification Pathways

The CWNA certification is very low-level, true, but all IT professionals have to start somewhere. In this case, getting this initial certification allows a person access to all of the other, more specialized offerings from the Certified Wireless Network Professional organization. These include the CWSP (security), CWDP (design), CWAP (analysis) and CWEP (expert) credentials, all of which cover their designated topic in significantly more detail than the coursework for this certification does. Students aren't permitted to sign up for them without first beginning with the basics, though.

All of these higher-level skills are immensely valuable in a modern IT environment and greatly extend the computer capabilities of your company. If your goal is to eventually have your employees master all of the intricacies of the IT industry, this is a small but critical step on your path to achieving it.

---

If you think your staff could benefit from CWNA certification in any of these ways, why not check out Infotec's CWNA Certification Course*? Contact us today to discuss your company's needs and how you can get a better grasp on the fundamentals of network technology. 

What is a security professional?

network security professional

In this changing world, the new CISO needs to understand how information security can empower an organisation to meet its strategic goals. Equally, they must understand how it can make or break the organisation. They may also need to help the organisation move from compliance and crisis-driven strategies towards a more mature risk-based approach, where they spend more time reducing future risk and less on mitigating current threats and regulatory issues.https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/certified-wireless-security-professional

A strategic mindset is required in order to be able to look at the changing threat landscape, understand the implications of developments in technology and working practices, and be able to interpret how this will affect the organisation.

CISOs must be allowed to assume a business-leadership position, dispelling the idea that security is a technology and support function. Strong communication skills are paramount, with the ability to influence at board level to ensure appropriate programmes are realised to maximise and prioritise best use of available resources. Where they should be positioned within the organisation will depend on the existing structures, but to work effectively there should be a dotted line to the chief information, risk and finance officers.

In addition, they must ensure that information security permeates the organisation. This ranges from understanding the information risks posed by new and existing ventures, developing secure systems and infrastructures, maintaining appropriate controls, implementing governance structures, and evangelising a strong security culture across the organisation at all levels.

It is a task that some, including the UK Government in its 2011 Cyber Security Strategy, are now calling information assurance. It represents maturation from IT security through information security to information assurance.

All this requires analytical, organisational, technical and communication skills. It is unlikely that one person will be able to cover everything to the level required, so the CISO must be supported by an effective team of security professionals.

These professionals will, of course, have varying skillsets – specialisation increases as the environment becomes more complex – so it is important to understand what you are looking for. A highly technical developer or penetration tester may not be the best person to evangelise a security culture, say, while a risk analyst may not be the best person to configure a complex firewall.

Larger organisations can generally support larger teams with a wider range of expertise. However, even here it may be more appropriate to buy in specific expertise that is expensive to maintain and only occasionally needed, such as forensic analysis and penetration testing.

Similarly, smaller organisations may need consultancy to help define strategy and good process. Whether employing individuals directly or using third parties, it is important to ensure that the recruiter or contractor is supported by someone that understands the skills being offered – and to seek assurance through accreditations, recommendations and references.

So how do you identify a good practitioner? The Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) has been providing accreditations for a number of years. The model it uses works on the basis that a security professional has deep and demonstrable knowledge; it therefore expects accredited members to demonstrate that they have invested in themselves through training courses and qualifications, such as a Master’s degree in information security.

They also need to demonstrate that they have effectively applied this knowledge within the working environment and evidence their depth of knowledge. Finally, they need to show that they can work as a professional within an organisation using skills such as team working, leadership and corporate behaviour.

The accreditation is rigorous carried out through peer review by existing member, and includes an in-depth interview for the higher full membership level. Criteria are measured against the IISP skills framework which was developed through public and private sector collaboration by world-renowned academics and security experts. So when employing security professionals you need to ensure that you measure against these criteria and “know what good looks like”.

IT Job Myths Busted: What Is an Average Salary?

comptia salary

This article is part of an IT Career News series called IT Job Myths. These articles break down and explain common misconceptions about a career in IT. Each article will address the myth and explain the truth behind each myth.

Getting a new job is great, right? The butterflies and excitement you feel from being accepted to a new position can make you feel like you’re on cloud nine. But that euphoric feeling can quickly make your stomach drop when you’re surprised with a lower salary offer than you were expecting.

For example, let’s say you were just offered a job as a security administrator. You’ve done your research, so you know that the average salary for a security administrator is $80,000, but you were offered $65,000. You may feel a little defeated and disappointed, but there are some details you should investigate while digesting this information.

What Does Average Salary Mean?

The average salary is a calculation of the salaries reported for a certain job category, location, demographic or other specification. This means that the minimum and maximum salaries that make up the range can vary greatly. The salary data put out by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, is based off wages reported on federal tax forms. But other average salaries may come from self-reported data, like the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report. So, even though the average salary for a security administrator is $80,000, the actual salary you are offered could be between $40,000 and $120,000, as shown in the table below:

What do IT security professionals do?

sec plus test  

Cyber security professionals, or information security analysts, have a wide range of responsibilities, but the crux of their job is to protect online data form being compromised. As more of our personal information is stored online, the more important it becomes to step up security.

Cybersecurity careers are complex and many roles can be found with banks, retailers and government organizations. On the job, you can expect to safeguard an organization's files and network, install firewalls, create security plans and monitor activity. If a breach occurs, you'll be responsible for identifying the problem and finding a solution quickly.

Because of the frequency of cyber attacks, careers are varied and qualified professionals are in demand.

If you're ready to get started in this fast-growing career, start exploring cyber careers now.

Here's what our cybersecurity career pages will teach you

We're experts in our field and we want you to become an expert in yours. There are many subtle variations in cybersecurity careers, even though they all may have the same end goal of keeping data and sensitive information safe. Our career pages can help you distinguish the differences and choose the right area of expertise to fit your skills and personality.

Before you embark on your education you'll want to know what's in store for your future. That includes not only what your educational journey will entail, but what the actual cyber security career you choose will really be like.https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/certified-wireless-security-professional

CISSP – The World's Premier Cybersecurity Certification

certified security professional

Become a CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Accelerate your cybersecurity career with the CISSP certification.

Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program. With a CISSP, you validate your expertise and become an (ISC)² member, unlocking a broad array of exclusive resources, educational tools, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

Prove your skills, advance your career, and gain the support of a community of cybersecurity leaders here to support you throughout your career

Who Earns the CISSP?

The CISSP is ideal for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives interested in proving their knowledge across a wide array of security practices and principles, including those in the following positions:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Security
• IT Director/Manager
• Security Systems Engineer
• Security Analyst

• Security Manager
• Security Auditor
• Security Architect
• Security Consultant
• Network Architect

 

Work in government? See how the CISSP meets the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1.

…But It’s Not for Everyone

The CISSP isn’t the best option for every cybersecurity professional. Before you start down your certification path, make sure you aren’t missing an opportunity to pursue a certification more aligned with your immediate career goals.