Cryptographic Technicians

High School

If you are interested in becoming a cryptographic technician, take courses in mathematics and English while in high school. You should be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with ease and be able to compute ratios and percentages. The ability to read equipment and instruction manuals and to write reports with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation is important in the job. You should also take courses that will train you in typing and in the operation of computers and business machines. Computer science, data analytics, and programming courses; business classes; and even shop classes dealing with electronics will be helpful. Knowledge of foreign languages is especially helpful in government and military positions, as well as in the increasingly globalized world economy.

Postsecondary Training

Some private sector employers may hire individuals with a two-year degree, but most employers prefer to hire those with four-year bachelor's degrees. You may also want to consider joining the military as a way to get cryptographic training. Positions with federal intelligence and investigative agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), generally require job candidates to have at least a bachelor's degree or several years of related experience, or both. Undergraduate majors that are typical for this field include mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering. The National Security Agency reports that it hires people with both technical (mathematics, engineering, etc.) and nontechnical (history, music, etc.) bachelor's degrees.

Other Education or Training

Prospective cryptographic technicians need to receive special training that lasts from six months to a year. The U.S. Armed Forces and government agencies that employ cryptographic technicians usually provide this training. The NSA places prospective cryptographic technicians in its internship program, which combines classroom training, work experience, and instruction from experienced cryptanalysts.