With a strong employment outlook and rapid growth of online training resources, starting a cybersecurity career path has never been easier. Cybersecurity professionals monitor hardware and software. That is to ensure they are protected from cyber threats.
What if a hacker successfully breaches a system? These professionals investigate to determine the nature of the threat. Thus, this helps them prevent such attacks from happening again.
Cybersecurity professionals also enjoy the ability to work in any industry. Every business needs data protection of some sort. Thus, this makes the demand for cybersecurity skyrocket.
These factors have excited many people to start a cybersecurity career path. Are you planning to start a career in cybersecurity, too? If so, consider these factors first.
Determine whether a cybersecurity career is right for you
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving new tools and technologies. Thus, learning never stops for industry professionals. Moreover, they must advocate for security best practices within their organization. This could mean periodical meetings with project managers. Or working closely with other business units.
Thus, you must have a continuous desire to teach yourself the following:
- new technologies
- programming languages
- latest cybersecurity trends.
If you love challenges, this field is for you.
Get the necessary cybersecurity education and skills
There are many subdisciplines in cybersecurity. However, many jobs share a common technical foundation. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or related field is a minimal requirement. If you don’t have a background in computer science, you may substitute this by completing a cybersecurity boot camp.
Furthermore, some companies may also require a master’s degree and several years of network experience. That is for mid-to senior-level positions.
Choosing the right certifications
Generalized programming or cybersecurity skills alone won’t get you as far in your cybersecurity career path. Having industry certifications prove your expertise in a specific area. A recent survey by (ISC)2 shows that a degree and certifications were usually a major factor in hiring.
Moreover, some companies use a particular vendor network’s products. In this case, you might also need to take a certification relating to that vendor. Meanwhile, some military agency jobs will also require you to pass a security clearance. That is to work with classified information. Fortunately, companies usually reimburse the costs associated when taking the exam.
Build your technical skills
An aspiring cybersecurity analyst must have knowledge of information systems, network security, and cryptography. They must also know how to write scripts in Python, and perform penetration tests. They must also understand the ins and outs of operating systems.
Meanwhile, entry-level cybersecurity jobs don’t require programming skills. However, the ability to write and understand code is a key factor for career advancement. Recommended programming languages to learn include C, C++, Python, and Java.
Get your cybersecurity resume and portfolio in order
Your resume must show practical experience. For instance, a technical resume must highlight skills relevant to the role requirements. Furthermore, list specific functions you know how to execute.
Internships are a great way to show off any practical experience. However, you must also show that you’re willing to take the initiative to learn on your own.
