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.