How To Start Your Cybersecurity Career Path

With the rise of cybercrimes today, cybersecurity jobs are in demand. Both private, public, and government institutions are seeking the services of cybersecurity experts. The best part about cybersecurity is the number of things you can specialize in. You should have excellent problem-solving skills and be ready to work under pressure.

Is cybersecurity good for you?

Before venturing into this field, you want to be sure it’s the path you want to pursue. Is it your passion?

The field is quite technical; thus, it needs commitment. Are you ready to commit? With cybersecurity constantly changing, you might get tired on the way. Even on the job, you will need to learn and relearn to stay relevant in the industry.

Lastly, you can evaluate the job opportunities in your area. Check for the demands of the job.

Cyber Security Careers

Cybersecurity is a broad industry. As a beginner, it could be confusing what to do. The salaries will vary from job to job, and titles from company to company. However, there are two primary cybersecurity paths. These are:

Leadership and Operations

When you decide to venture on this path, you have to possess strong skills in leadership and understand the technology systems. In such a field, you could become :

• Information security analyst
• Cybersecurity Architect
• Network administrator
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Security auditor
• Chief information
• Security officer
• Cybersecurity specialist

Engineering Route

The engineering route is excellent for individuals who have engineering experience. You learn ways to build secure systems to minimize threats.

If you take the engineering route, you can become:

• Cybersecurity engineer
• Cybersecurity Architect
• Lead Software Security Engineer

The following are are some other careers to choose from:

Network Security Engineer

You are majorly tasked with managing the security of a company’s hardware and software s, including firewalls, VPNs, and routers.

Security Auditor

Develop tests on IT systems and point out risks and inadequacies. They evaluate encryption protocols, evaluate firewalls and related security measures.

Penetrator Tester

They are also called ethical hackers. Their major task is to check vulnerabilities that hackers with malicious intentions might exploit, then use to their advantage.

What Can you do to Get into the industry?

Invest in Your Education

You can decide to go to school or not. Several people in the industry are self-taught. Nevertheless, it’s essential to learn. It doesn’t matter the path you choose as long as you get the intended skills.

You can take an undergraduate degree in either computer science or information science. Going to school will earn you ‘papers.’ Employers in large companies are likely to consider you when you have the papers.

By learning, you’ll understand the vulnerabilities of the industry. This is one of the ways to come up with tangible solutions.

You also learn different languages and tools like C++, Node, java, python, and Power Shell. Additionally, you learn about proxies for instance: transparent proxy, public proxy, datacenter proxy, a viable residential proxy, and several other types of proxies.

Here are some things Chris Coleman recommends you should have knowledge of. He is the former CEO at Lookingglass Cyber Solutions Inc.

• Logging and monitoring procedures
• Network defense tactics
• Security and networking foundations
• Cryptography and access management practices
• Web application security techniques.

By learning you’ll acquire the skills and the competency needed for the industry.

Get Certified

Apart from the education, it would help get a certification in an area where you are more interested. You could specialize and become a trusted figure in this area. you could specialize to be a consultant, information system auditor, information security manager, or any other cyber profession you love.

Examples of the certifications you can consider are :

• CISM -Certified Information Security Manager
• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC – Global Information Assurance Certification
• CEH- Certified Ethical Hacker
• CISSP – certified information Security Manager
• CISA- Certified Information System Auditor

Several vendor-specific certifications are also offered through RSA, Cisco, Symantec, which will likely impress your employers.

Networking

No matter the industry you’re in, networking is important. Cybersecurity is no exception. There are tons of networking opportunities online and offline. The networks are a great place to meet authorities in the industry and also hone your skills.

Examples of ways that you could network include:

• Volunteering With a Cybersecurity Organization

  Tons of organizations are out here to spread cybersecurity information. They aim to keep people in the know and also attract them to this field.

  Networking with these organizations is a great way to boost your resume.

• Join Local Cybersecurity Organizations

  Most cities have cybersecurity associations. The best part is these are excellent avenues for you to learn and expand your community.

• Going Back to School

  Learning never stops. Even with a degree in the field, you can go back to study master’s, a Ph.D., or another degree. Also, you can take cybersecurity online courses. Schools are great platforms for networking as you interact with your peers, professors, and even some employers in the field.

  Also, some reputable schools have careers centers, which have good relationships with some employers. These are undoubtedly great opportunities to meet potential employers and find your footing in the industry.

Is There the Best Way to Learn Cybersecurity?

There is no right or wrong way to learn cybersecurity. However, whatever the field you invest in, whether IT security, information security, network security, security auditor, or any other related field, you need to understand the system.

Always ask yourself questions such as :

• What goals did the designer or owner have?
• What is happening to that system that you cant directly see?
• How and why certain types of attacks are likely to happen?

Wrap up

If you’ve been thinking about venturing into the cybersecurity industry, this might be the best time. With tons of opportunities at your disposal, investing is not a bad idea. You need to have the right mindset, do your research, and brace yourself for any challenges.