A cryptologist is someone who works to decipher hidden language, crack secret codes, and find ways to keep data safe. A person in this field may assist in the creation of codes that the military can use to communicate in secret, or he may assist in the provision of anti-terrorism intelligence. A cryptologist may also be able to disguise information passed between spies and their employers. In fact, someone working in this field might try to find ways to keep Internet users’ personal information out of the wrong hands.
Cryptologists are frequently found working for government organizations or assisting the military. A military cryptologist may be able to translate messages made up of foreign words and symbols into messages that his employer can understand and use. He may be able to provide information that can be used to prevent tragedies and save lives if he cracks the code in such data.
While government and military organizations are the most common employers of cryptologists, code breakers can also work for a variety of other organizations. A person working in this field might, for example, assist credit card companies or banks in protecting their customers from identity theft. An expert in this field develops and implements methods for concealing information sent over the Internet so that it does not fall into the wrong hands. A cryptologist’s work may aid in keeping credit card numbers and bank account information out of the hands of criminals.
A cryptologist may, for example, analyze financial data and trends and use his knowledge to predict stock market changes. A person working in this field might try to assist businesses in determining the best times to invest and how much to invest. He might also look for patterns in computer viruses and worms to figure out how to defeat them. A cryptologist may even be called upon to decipher DNA patterns.
A cryptologist may also assist local law enforcement officials on occasion. He could, for example, assist in deciphering gang members’ secret communications. He might even be able to assist law enforcement in spotting patterns in a serial killer’s activities.
A bachelor’s degree in a field such as computer science, telecommunications, or computer programming can be used to prepare for a career as a cryptologist. Some people with degrees in foreign languages or mathematics may be able to find entry-level jobs in this field. To advance beyond an entry-level position, a person may need to be fluent in multiple languages and possess expert-level math and computer programming knowledge. Many employers, especially for higher-level positions, prefer cryptologists with master’s and doctorate degrees.