Cyber security is more popular now than it has ever been. With the extremely critical data breach in 2020 and massive cyber and IT talent demand predictions for the next decade, cyber security is now more important than ever. Yet, many of us would have never heard the phrase, let alone understood what it meant, ten years ago.
With so many headlines concerning cyber security, it’s no surprise that there’s a growing interest in joining the profession. So, which programming languages are best for cyber security? Let’s have a look.
When many people begin their cybersecurity careers, they begin to examine which skills would be required and whether or not those talents are ones that they can learn or even want to learn. For example, the requirement for programming and whether programming abilities are required for someone getting started in cybersecurity is a not-so-common but highly relevant subject.
Is coding required for cybersecurity?
Coding skills are not required for the majority of entry-level cybersecurity positions. However, some mid-level and upper-level cybersecurity tasks that you will become qualified for after a few years of experience may require you to be able to write and understand code.
To put it another way, I don’t feel that coding is a skill that everyone should be concerned about or focus on while they are just starting started in a business. Still, it is a skill that will decide how far you move in your career and what options are accessible to you later on. Nevertheless, many skilled and highly successful cybersecurity specialists do not have a solid programming background.
Cyber Security Jobs Without a Degree
Identity and Access Management Analyst
Identity and access management, or IAM, refers to the technology, rules, and procedures used to monitor and manage digital identities within a company. For example, identity and access managers ensure that only authorized individuals access a company’s data.
This field is related to network security and database management. As an IAM analyst, you’ll ensure that only personnel with specific clearance levels have access to sensitive data and technology resources within a company.
Penetration Tester
Pentesting, often known as penetration testing, is ethical hacking that includes purposefully breaching an organization’s cyber defensive network. This could include evaluating enterprise apps, online apps, database management systems, and other company networks and products.
A pen tester’s main job is to uncover all conceivable security vulnerabilities on a system and then figure out how to patch them. Black-box testing, white-box testing, and grey-box testing are the three most frequent types of pen testing.
Network Security Engineer
An IT professional who creates and configures technologies to defend an organization’s network from potential security threats is a network security engineer. This involves looking for malware, flaws, and direct cyberattacks.
A network security engineer identifies security issues and makes recommendations to keep each aspect of an organization’s network safe. This position necessitates knowledge of computer forensics, threat detection, and threat response.
Security Analyst
A security analyst is responsible for safeguarding a company’s confidential information. They take note of any abnormalities and notify their boss of any potential infractions. Implementing firewalls and other protective software are some of the measures security analysts may employ to keep digital data safe.
A security analyst should have expertise in networking, incident response, documentation, great communication, and cyber security. This is one of the most frequent cyber security professions, and it doesn’t require a lot of experience.
Security Operator
Security operations are a combination of techniques and resources meant to keep a company’s network secure. Security operators are frequently included in the department, which comprises several sorts of cyber security experts with specific technological talents.
A security operator detects, evaluates, and monitors a network security threat. They’re also a component of the security threat response team. As a result, security operators with extensive expertise and a thorough understanding of cyber security concepts are highly demanded.
Cyber security jobs that don’t require coding
The majority of cyber security and information security do not necessitate coding. Security Operations Center Analyst, Security Architect, and event management opportunities are all available.
What type of coding is needed for cyber security?
Coding skills aren’t often required for entry-level cybersecurity positions. However, the more experience you gain in the field, the more expertise you’ll need regarding how to comprehend lines of code.
Understanding programming languages is critical for staying one step ahead of hackers intimately familiar with these systems and how to exploit them.
While there are many programming languages to choose from, not all of them are made equal. The following are the finest programming languages for cybersecurity software engineering:
- SQL is a programming language that maintains databases and the data they contain.
- PHP is a server-side programming language used to build websites.
- Along with CSS and HTML, JavaScript is one of the most often used languages on the internet.
- Python is ideal for automated scripts that will make your job as a cybersecurity specialist easier.
- C and C++, more so than Python or JavaScript, are two of the most powerful programming languages.
- C and C++ are extremely adaptable programming languages that can operate on Mac, Linux, and Windows operating systems. C++ is essentially an improvement to C, a lower-level programming language.
In general, cybersecurity coding entails using programming languages to defend networks and systems against malicious actors seeking to get into the operating systems.
What coding language is used in cyber security?
Is it necessary to have programming abilities to work in cybersecurity? Yes, sufficient coding abilities are required to become a successful cybersecurity expert.
In today’s world, cybersecurity has become a need. Cyberattacks are growing more common as the world becomes more digitalized. As a result, cyber security experts are always on the lookout for new weaknesses that hackers can take advantage of.
Professionals in cybersecurity must be fluent in various languages, including Python and C++, to stay competitive. Being able to code in all of these languages is the only way to keep ahead of the hackers.
There are many different programming languages to choose from, but it’s crucial to figure out which one is ideal for you. By examining the languages and their strengths, the article will assist you in answering this question.
Top 5 best programming languages for cybersecurity
#1. C Program
C is a popular programming language that has been around since we were in high school, if not earlier. For cybersecurity specialists, the C programming language is also essential. It aids in the detection of flaws and reverse engineering.
It may be learned with ease after a few weeks of practice. It’s for writing low-level code. While writing code, programmers take extra precautions to guarantee that it is free of vulnerabilities. Hackers, on the other hand, will utilize it to uncover flaws.
Lint software can discover faults, defects, and other issues. As a result, after writing programmes, you should scan your code with this software.
Learning C programming can help you get started on becoming a cybersecurity defence analyst. You’ll learn how to mitigate security breaches and discover vulnerabilities in this section. As a result, C is one of the most secure coding languages.
Coursera’s C for Everyone is an excellent place to begin learning C. This is the first step toward a career in cybersecurity.
#2. Javascript
One of the greatest programming languages to learn for cybersecurity is Javascript. Cross-site scripting, cookie theft, and event handler manipulation are all possible with it.
The essential technology that powers the Internet is NodeJS, ReactJS, and jQuery, which are used in most applications. Unfortunately, because Javascript is so frequently utilized in current apps, it’s the greatest place for hackers to go after it.
While javascript enhances the user experience and functionality of a website, it can also provide visitors with dangerous capabilities. As a result, understanding Javascript will help you become a good cybersecurity engineer.
You can prevent JavaScript-based attacks and mitigate cross-site scripting efforts if you know Javascript. To learn Javascript, jQuery, and JSON, we recommend taking the Coursera course listed below.
#3. Python
Because of its simplicity and dependability, Python is one of my favourite programming languages. Python is a simple programming language that can be learned in weeks due to its simple syntax.
It also supports a variety of third-party libraries with applications in Machine Learning, AI, Data Science, and other fields.
As it gains popularity, it is gradually becoming the preferred language of cybersecurity specialists. On the other hand, Python is a high-level language that may not provide visibility to hardware resources compared to C/C++.
By learning Python for cybersecurity, you will have an advantage in your work and lower the dangers of hacking at any time because it enables you to detect and fix vulnerabilities quickly.
#4. SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is an acronym for Structured Query Language. It is utilized in all applications to handle data in databases efficiently. We’ve compiled a list of the top SQL programming languages to learn online.
Data storage and retrieval are almost effortless when SQL is used in any application. As a result, it is widely utilized all over the world. SQL injection is one of the most popular SQL exploits.
SQL injection attacks take the use of SQL flaws to inject malicious code. Redirection could be one of them. When you visit the impacted site, you will be redirected to a spam website that will steal your information.
To become a cybersecurity specialist, you’ll need to learn SQL. It’s also useful for site design and system administration.
For cyber security, SQL is a must-know programming language.
#5. PHP
PHP is a server-side programming language that is used to create websites. If you want to keep your website safe from hackers, you’ll need to understand PHP.
Because every business has a website, it is critical to safeguard it. If dangerous code is discovered on your site, a malware investigation must be performed to remove it.
You can defend yourself against intruders if you master PHP. To perform a security analysis for PHP applications, you can utilize the popular security tool RIPS. In addition, you may create powerful and secure online apps by mixing PHP and Javascript. This protects your applications from common assaults.
You should have enough experience writing server-side code for your application from a security standpoint. You’ll be able to flourish as a PHP developer and a cybersecurity engineer if you have this skill set.
Start learning PHP by taking the course on developing web apps with PHP.
The best approach to learning to code for beginners
Given that coding isn’t a prerequisite for entering the cybersecurity field, I advocate taking a two-phase strategy for learning how to code: first, create programming awareness, and then, as you gain experience, acquire programming expertise. You’ll notice that none of these processes necessitates programming expertise. Most cybersecurity professions do not require programming proficiency or high-level coding. It is best left to the committed programmers who code every day and create applications or software solutions.
#1: Increase your programming knowledge.
Take a look at the entry-level employment openings in your area as you begin your cybersecurity career. You’ll undoubtedly notice that programming isn’t a core required skill for very few entry-level technical positions and that nearly none of them have a cybersecurity-sounding job title. When you’re in this stage, keep in mind that security is now a part of practically all technological jobs, and many firms still utilize generic job titles for security-related roles. Computer system security existed long before the word “cybersecurity” became popular.
What is the definition of programming awareness?
Programming awareness includes recognizing programming code, comprehending basic programming constructs and components such as if/then statements and loops, and reading code and understanding what it is trying to accomplish.
#2. Improve your programming skills.
What programming expertise entails is the ability to confidently generate our code using available resources such as textbooks or online examples and the ability to troubleshoot code written by ourselves or others.
When a Cybersecurity Analyst writes a script in Python to automate repetitive processes, this is an example of a programming skill in the cybersecurity sector. Note that when someone builds a script in an example like this, it is a one-time effort, not something they do every day.
Cybersecurity as a Career FAQs
Can You Teach Yourself Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity can be self-taught because of the freely available courses and learning material on the internet. You can master the fundamental ideas of cybersecurity and cement your knowledge in a specific field through certifications with the help of online courses and bootcamps. Most courses and certificates have simple teaching techniques that don’t take long to complete so that you can finish them in a few weeks.
Having a mentor or teacher knowledgeable about cybersecurity can improve and speed up the learning process.
Is It Possible to Get a Cybersecurity Job Without Any Experience?
Although some experience in the industry is advantageous, most entry-level cybersecurity jobs do not require it. As a growing field exponentially, many organizations choose to train their recruits, which greatly increases the possibilities of newcomers securing a position.
While hands-on experience isn’t required, most firms seeking cybersecurity experts search for suitable qualifications to guarantee the candidate has a thorough understanding of the topic.
Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?
It’s reasonable to say that cybersecurity is a promising and lucrative job, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting double-digit year-over-year growth. In May of 2021, there were 465,000 cybersecurity job opportunities in the United States.
Vertical growth and improved job chances are available, as you can progress from junior to supervisory and managerial roles, which pay even more. Plus, learning cybersecurity is becoming increasingly affordable.
Do Cybersecurity Professionals Make good Money?
Cybersecurity professionals are well compensated, with most senior-level employment paying more than $100,000 per year. Even entry-level cybersecurity positions typically pay well over $50,000 per year. Because this field’s expertise is in high demand, recruiters are ready to pay even more to fill openings and hire fresh and seasoned personnel.
The more experience you have, the more Money you can demand.
Cybersecurity occupations have a low cost-to-pay ratio, with low-cost courses and certifications and high-paying jobs.
Is a good math background required for programming?
A strong math background is advantageous for programmers because programming languages are founded on logical structures and perform computation. This does not imply that you must be a calculus master, but it will be beneficial if you can handle college-level math ideas. More information on how much math is required to work in cybersecurity can be found here.
What are the most widely used programming languages?
The most common types of code, and thus the languages that programmers concentrate on, are: There are hundreds of other programming languages that have been invented and are in use, including Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and C variants.