3 Simple Ways to get a cyber security experience
Before getting started with these simple steps, let’s learn some basics of cyber security.
It’s not difficult to get a cybersecurity job if you have no prior experience! This essay will cover five ideas from two Offensive Security employees that have successfully transitioned into cybersecurity jobs. These simple recommendations can help you acquire an entry-level security career, even if you lack formal cybersecurity education or expertise.
What types of cybersecurity careers are available?
If you’ve looked into cybersecurity jobs, you’ve probably heard of the cybersecurity talent gap. The cyber security talent gap refers to the scarcity of qualified cyber security employees to fill critical tasks in businesses. According to a recent prediction, nearly 3.5 million cyber security jobs will be unfilled globally by 2021. However, these are positions for which you may already be preparing!
How to Get Into Cybersecurity If You Don’t Have Any?
It isn’t as difficult as it appears to enter the cybersecurity field without any prior experience. On your way to becoming a cybersecurity expert, there are various stages you may – and should – take. Newcomers to the sector can start by conducting independent research, demonstrating their proficiency by being certified, and developing a project portfolio to showcase their abilities.
Do your homework
The easiest method to enter into cybersecurity is to figure out what talents you’ll need and where you can get the resources you’ll need to do the job. Learning a programming language will also make it easier for you to explore the landscape. Python is a good place to start. It’s one of the simplest to learn and is also commonly utilized in the cyber security field. C++ and Java are also worthwhile to investigate.
Self-directed cybersecurity training also allows you to brush up on your technical skills. For example, it will be critical to understanding the foundations of networking, security, and data privacy. Specific vulnerabilities should also be investigated, ranging from network to hardware components.
Obtain Certification
Certification is frequently the next step in securing a cybersecurity profession. These certificates add to your learning experience by validating your knowledge and talents. Most programs may be finished in months, so obtaining a cybersecurity certificate won’t take long. In addition, certain programs, such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and others, simultaneously teach students for many industry certifications.
While certification isn’t necessarily required to work in cybersecurity, it verifies your skills and allows you to stand out from the crowd. They’re also reasonably priced. Most people will spend little more than a few thousand dollars on certification. Furthermore, they can be finished remotely, so you won’t have to sacrifice your duties at work or home to obtain the certification.
So, how can you gain cyber security experience if you don’t have a job? When you don’t have a job, the best way to gain cyber security experience is to go through the steps of
1) developing a foundation of technical knowledge to share,
2) implementing technology on a personal level as proof,
3) gaining real-world technical experience in a volunteer setting, and
4) participating in cyber security competitions.
All of this, I’m sure, sounds easier said than done. You could also be unsure if this method will work. I’ve seen it work before, but if you’re unsure where to begin, keep reading as I walk you through my four-step strategy for gaining cyber security technical experience.
Opportunity comes before knowledge.
According to Brian Tracy, success comes at a cost, and that cost must be paid in full and in advance. In other words, you must first put in the effort before reaping achievement rewards. The same may be said about our efforts to build experience in cyber security. If you don’t know what a computer is, for example, you won’t be able to gain cyber security knowledge in any realistic scenario. Because you’ll need a foundation to build on, your initial step will be to develop a basic degree of technical knowledge that you may apply later in your internship.
Step 1: Establish a foundation of technical knowledge
First, set aside time to study computers and technology each day. Reviewing basic computer repair and networking topics, such as material for the CompTIA A+ or Network+ examinations, is a smart place to start. Because every company has a computer and a basic network, this content is always a smart place to start because these abilities can be utilized to aid just about anyone.
By studying and learning a little every day, you will be able to develop a foundation of technical knowledge that will far exceed the level of information that most people have in general in a relatively short period. Assuming you commit to studying and learning every day, you should be able to acquire this foundational level of knowledge within a few weeks if you don’t already have it.
If you spend one hour a day reading about technology over the next four weeks, you will have obtained more technical knowledge than 90% of the world’s population. This expertise sets you apart from the competition and allows you to take advantage of experience chances in the coming levels.
Step 2: Finish a little technical project for yourself or a friend
Almost everyone who has no prior experience begins by completing odd technology jobs for family and friends. Repairing a computer for a neighbor, setting up an internet router for your home, setting up a new computer for a grandma, or installing wifi in a friend’s home are all examples. These are all simple things you can figure out because you’ve been learning in step #1, and they’ll be useful when we go on to step #3 and use our technical knowledge in the real world. And you may have already been doing this, which means you’re already ahead of the game.
Step 3: Volunteer to provide your technical expertise.
So far, nothing we’ve done has been resume-worthy enough to persuade a company to hire us. In this stage, we’ll change that by volunteering to provide technical assistance to a non-profit organization.
Volunteering, or what I refer to as “related volunteer experience,” is crucial for gaining cyber security experience because it goes right on your resume. They are, however, one part of a CV that many people miss. Work-related volunteer experience can be beneficial to a resume because it can serve as a substitute for basic experience for people who lack it and speak well of a person’s goodness and personality. Senior hiring managers have hired individuals with limited experience because of their technical volunteer experience on their résumé. It’s all about being efficient in gaining cyber security experience.
Step 4: Begin competing in cyber security competitions.
At this stage, you’ve received some background information and have volunteered to aid someone. You’re starting to gain some traction. If you’ve made it this far, it’s time to complete the final stage of our four-part experience creation process. Beginners frequently ignore this stage to the point that it’s nearly criminal. It’s time to start competing in cyberspace.
It’s okay if you don’t understand what I’m talking about, so let me explain the essentials. For starters, cyber security competitions are held all over the world, and they are usually held at least once a month. Second, many are unrestricted. Third, the majority of them do not necessitate any prior knowledge. Fourth, register and bring your laptop. Fourth, they all offer a fantastic opportunity to gain experience. Run a Google search for cyber security competitions in my area or capture the flag competitions in my area to get started on this stage.
For cybersecurity occupations, the minimum educational qualifications are as follows:
Cyber security is a broad field with a variety of job titles. Whatever your background, you can add something to the cyber security conversation. As a result, cyber security educational requirements differ. Many entry-level cyber security occupations, for example, may not necessitate a bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related discipline.
More advanced jobs, however, often demand a bachelor’s degree or, in some situations, a master’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree in cyber security or related subjects and 7–12 years of experience in a similar sector is required for the post of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), a mid-executive level professional who organizes, coordinates, and leads an organization’s cyber security blueprint. In addition, some larger firms require a Master’s degree in cyber security or a related discipline. Thus a master’s degree in these fields is desirable.
However, remember that obtaining credentials is the greatest way to succeed in cyber security. There will be more on this later.
How can you get into cyber security if you have no technical background?
We’ve discussed what people with technical expertise can bring to the realm of cyber security at length. But does this imply that only those with a technical background have a future? No! Not at all. To succeed in cyber security, you don’t have to be a technological genius. Cyber security is a multifaceted industry with something for everyone.
While it is feasible to enter the cyber security industry without technical knowledge, your path will most certainly be longer than that of someone who has. This is because you’d have to learn skills that someone who has previously worked in tech knows. Therefore, we’ve developed a list of abilities you should focus on, at least initially, to assist you in your path.
If you don’t have any technological knowledge, you’ll need to learn technical skills in cyber security.
If you come from a non-technical background, you may find that your technical abilities are lacking. To that end, here are some skills to help you get started:
Testing for penetration
Pen testing is another term for this. This is a method of testing for vulnerabilities in a system by simulating a cyber assault on it. After determining the test parameters, the experts examine the system to determine how it should respond to the breach. They then attempt to obtain illegal access to the computer system. When system data is entered, it is subjected to a pen test. The pen-test results are subsequently examined, and the cyber security team develops countermeasures.
Safety in the cloud
The term “cloud” is so widely used nowadays that it’s simple to get it wrong. The cloud is more than a collection of computers and servers that you can access remotely rather than locally. By extension, cloud security is any strategy for safeguarding cloud-based applications, data, and resources.
Forensic digital analysis
This entails tracking digital clues to expose crimes and attempted crimes, as the name implies. For example, when there is a data breach, cyber security specialists use this to figure out who did what and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of cybersecurity?
With the bulk of large enterprises embracing digital data solutions, cybersecurity specialists have access to the sensitive personal information of millions, if not billions, of people. These individuals are in charge of keeping up with modern digital dangers and safeguarding network data.
Is it difficult to break into the cybersecurity field?
High demand for cybersecurity personnel, ongoing industry expansion, and relatively low entry hurdles have made it easier to enter the field. However, while a bachelor’s degree may help you gain more prominent jobs and grow faster within a business, it isn’t required for many cybersecurity careers.
What is the average wage for an entry-level cybersecurity position?
The average entry-level cybersecurity wage varies greatly depending on the position. For example, according to the BLS, the lowest paid information security analysts (bottom 10% percentile) earn under $60,000. Starting salaries for penetration testers and cryptographers, on the other hand, can exceed $75,000.
Is cyber security a difficult task?
Cyber security is certainly on par with any other knowledge-based profession that necessitates ongoing education. Cyber security is not physically hard and does not necessitate long hours but requires dedication and determination to remain current. Please read the rest of our cybersecurity difficulty review here.
How long does it take to get knowledgeable about cyber security?
A reasonable schedule for a beginning is three to five years, depending on whether they are studying full-time or part-time and their career ambitions. It will be easier to get into a broad information technology position first. This issue is well-covered in our entire guide to getting into cybersecurity, which you can find here.
Conclusion
It is certainly possible to enter the field of cybersecurity without any prior expertise, albeit it will take a lot of hard work and devotion. So, begin your education to become a cybersecurity expert today. ICOHS College can assist you in developing the necessary practical skills to succeed in this industry. We’ll also go through some of the job’s more technical components. So, we’ve got you covered if you want to become an information security analyst, a certified ethical hacker, or learn more about preventing cyber assaults.