Vogue – do you have any idea how many IT people work for security agencies? Let me assure you, tons. They have very complicated secret, secure IT systems that need to be kept running. I’m quite involved in that world in another country.
It’s very challenging. You may definitely want to consider such a career, if those are the two things you’re considering. These systems are absolutely critical and I think that even when they may occasionally involve having to work on Shabbos, you might be able to get a heter for that if it is really an issue of national security (which it very well might be). For example, if you are the one in charge of the CIA’s internal communications systems and something completely crashes – this might very well endanger people’s lives.
I must note though that some disagree with me on that, regarding Shabbos (disclaimer).