How to Become a Security Consultant

As you pursue a career as a security consultant, consider what area will best suit your personality.

Security consultants work with information technology (IT) systems.

This involves testing and evaluating these systems, as well as servicing and updating software and IT solutions.

How to become a security consultant starts with this step-by-step guide that covers salary and licensing requirements.

See what is required for you to get your first paid job as a security consultant in your state.

Steps to Become a Security Consultant

Step 1–Earn a Degree in Security Consulting

Start by going to post-secondary school for IT security consulting.

Earn an AA or BA or BS degree that is related to security consulting and/or computer information technology.

Choose to pursue additional training to focus on security consulting work, such as internships.

The more exposure you can obtain while in college regarding various applications of security consulting, the better for your future career.

It is easier to train and practice with security consulting to test your abilities and tools before you are thrown into the real world.

Step 2–Work in an Entry-Level Position for a Security Consulting Firm

Get an internship that prepares you to work in security consulting, preferably with a security consulting firm.

This internship can lead to an entry-level, paid job, or experience that you can add to your job resume.

Apply for an entry-level job either with an online or in-person security company to begin your career.

Keep in mind, internships are not always paid positions.

Therefore, if you need to intern full-time, have a backup plan for financing your education or plan to get paid for interning.

There are internships that do provide a stipend or pay for students, in some instances and not always.

Step 3–Become Certified in Security Consultant Specializations

There are several security consultant specializations that lead to certification.

You can choose a certification based on an area of expertise you want to obtain.

Here are some of the more popular security consultant specializations:

• Certified management consultant
• Certified manager
• Certified sales professional
• Cyber security consultant
• Project management professional
• Security analyst
• Systems Engineer
• Talent optimization consultant

One way to decide which way to go with specializations is based on the need of your firm or other agencies.

If there is a demand for cyber security consultants, this would be a well-suited area for you to train and become certified.

By getting certified in an area of security consulting that is in demand, you are more likely to be able to put your new expertise to work–and get paid for this in return.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Security Consultant

For a security consultant, one of the best resources is the International Association of Professional Security Consultants.

The IAPSC provides oversight for training and certification for professionals interested in becoming Certified Security Consultants.

To become certified by the IAPSC, you are expected to have three to eight years of experience working as a security consultant.

In addition, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education accepted for the security consultant certification.

The cost for security consulting certification is $300 for IAPSC members and $500 for non-members.

As a member of the IAPSC, you are eligible for other opportunities, such as continuing education units and events for training and recertification.

Online Training Programs

There are several companies that offer online training programs for security consultants.

These range from introductory courses in security consulting to advanced specializations.

Take a look at some of these online training program providers and what is expected from these programs.

Lasorsa and Associates

At Lasorsa and Associates, applicants receive training from the same security consultants that have worked for the White House on private investigations.

This is a high-level and prestigious training program called Introduction to Physical Security Consulting.

The course leads to 12 hours of continuing education units and can be provided privately online.

Chameleon Associates

Chameleon Associates is a training provider that offers online security consultant training services.

This is an internationally recognized company supporting online courses on security questioning, proactive security, predictive profiling, and other applicable topics.

For example, there is the Security Supervisor online course that is available, along with handling threatening calls and insider threats.

Salary

According to Salary.com, the average amount an Atlanta security consulting professional earns in Georgia is $119,489 a year.

This is based on the salary range of $102,099 to $143,405 a year.

Salary.com reports a salary on average for security consultants nationwide at $121,655 annually.

As you can see, the salary variation is on the upper end, placing security consultants in the upper-middle class.

To earn the most money as a security consultant, spend as little as possible on training.

Also, choose to work or consult in a geographical location that is in high demand for IT security consultants.

This will increase the value of your services and ensure you have a steady stream of clients.