As a Cyber Operations Specialist, you’ll use your cyber security skills to defend the Army’s crucial and complex weapons systems, which include satellites, navigation, and aviation systems against both foreign and domestic cyber threats. You’ll maintain dominance in both offensive and defensive cyberspace operations and respond to adversary attacks, while enabling commanders to gain an advantage in cyberspace by targeting adversary activities and capabilities. As a result, part of the job requires defensive operations where you protect data, networks, net-centric capabilities, and other designated systems.

In a defensive role, you are responsible for detecting, identifying, and responding to attacks against friendly networks.

The goal is to evaluate network defense operations and respond accordingly.

Specialists also use defense tools such as firewalls to protect national interests.

Requirements

In order to become an Army Cyber Operations Specialist, you must first meet the enlistment requirements of the U.S. Army.

• Ages 17-34
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card
• No Medical Concerns
• No Major Law Violations

Then, you need to take the Armed Serviced Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

Benefits

There are multiple benefits to joining the U.S. Army in addition to your monthly paycheck:

• Medical Insurance
• Vacation Time
• Special Pay
• Retirement
• Education: Army members can earn full tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses.
• Housing: , utilities, and maintenance.
• Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.

You will receive several industry-leading certifications during training as a Cyber Operations Specialist.

These include CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and CISCO Certified Networking Associate (CCNA).