Cyber security is an integral skill, aimed at protecting internet-connected devices and services from being exploited by hackers, spammers and other criminals.
There are various routes into this field, from traditional academic paths to independent learning options. If you’re switching careers, on-the-job training may provide one feasible method of developing essential skills without needing to reenter college.
1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree
Starting a career or switching industries? Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cyber security could provide many advantages. Not only will you receive an educational foundation in this field but it may give you an edge when applying for jobs.
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field that relies on experts to keep sensitive data protected against hackers. With digital transformation globally underway, organizations require teams of highly-skilled cybersecurity specialists in order to safeguard their systems and networks.
Bachelor degrees in computer science or cybersecurity offer students a well-rounded education, both technically and practically, that prepare them for this industry and give them valuable business experience. Certifications may also show your aptitude and commitment.
Experience can also be gained through internships. These usually take place during a learner’s junior or senior year and give learners an opportunity to put their knowledge into action during a semester-long placement.
Online learning can be an ideal solution for those whose other commitments prevent them from attending traditional on-campus classes, as it enables students to work at their own pace and take classes when it best fits into their schedules. However, due to potential costs involved with this option, students should compare costs between programs before making their choice.
Schools offering online cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees allow their students to enroll asynchronously, meaning they can take classes anytime they’d like. Furthermore, most programs charge per six-month term rather than per credit which allows students to easily manage their tuition costs.
2. Get Certifications
As cybersecurity becomes an ever more crucial industry to businesses and governments alike, obtaining certification can be an excellent way to break into it. Certifications range from general skills certifications to specific platforms or technologies; each certification can open doors into your industry of interest.
If you are considering entering the cyber security industry, taking an introductory course that covers its fundamentals may be beneficial. Many such classes are offered online and can usually be completed quickly.
Some courses include virtual labs that give students the opportunity to practice using real-world security technologies in realistic settings, helping to develop skills and increase confidence in themselves and their abilities.
While certification isn’t essential to landing a cyber security job, it can certainly accelerate your career and ensure you remain up-to-date on current threats and trends. Employers also tend to trust professionals with certification as they feel like you can provide protection to their data assets.
Cyber security experience can be gained in numerous ways, from attending part-time or online courses to volunteering for organizations focused on security. Such experiences will allow you to network with like-minded individuals who will prove useful when searching for employment.
Cybersecurity can be an exciting and fulfilling career path, offering many varied opportunities. To succeed in this fast-paced field, passion and the right attitude are crucial – earning a bachelor’s degree, gaining experience and becoming certified are all surefire ways of getting prepared for this exciting endeavor.
3. Get Experience
No matter your experience or age, cybersecurity offers exciting career paths. As the field rapidly expands and requires skilled individuals to protect information worldwide, cybersecurity offers you an ideal way to launch or advance your professional journey.
As a cybersecurity analyst, you may find work at either government agencies or private firms. Your duties may include designing systems and protocols to protect clients’ data from cyber attacks; training other employees on effective security practices.
Certification as a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) will teach you to identify vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit and identify problems before they become more serious issues. This ensures you’re able to address issues quickly before they escalate further.
Experience in cybersecurity can also be gained by volunteering for local non-profits or companies, which is an ideal way to build up your resume while showing potential hiring managers your commitment to learning new skills and expanding existing ones.
Instead, consider enrolling in a cybersecurity bootcamp program – this provides a fast and cost-effective route into cybersecurity without the need for years of college study.
Starting out part-time or freelancing can be an ideal way to gain experience while maintaining full-time employment. Doing this allows you to build up your portfolio while receiving feedback from fellow cybersecurity specialists.
Join professional groups online or in person, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, DEF CON and BSides events to network with like-minded professionals who share similar interests. LinkedIn, Twitter and DEF CON are popular resources to find local cybersecurity groups.
4. Get a Job
Cyber security encompasses a broad range of skills. This field encompasses protecting devices and services against hackers and other cybercriminals while safeguarding personal data like health or financial records.
One of the key steps towards finding work in cybersecurity is having an extensive education, either through formal academic training or self-directed study.
interns to secure work in their field. Internship programs have become more prevalent as companies and government agencies seek skilled professionals who can protect information while keeping customers secure.
Earning certifications can also help you break into cybersecurity by distinguishing yourself among applicants and helping advance your career.
There are various certifications you can earn, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation and CompTIA Security+. These certificates can be useful when applying for jobs in security fields – they could make all the difference between getting hired or not!
Whatever path you pursue, the key to successful cybersecurity careers lies in maintaining an ongoing commitment to education and working on cybersecurity projects as often as possible. This will allow your skillsets to continue expanding while simultaneously building your confidence in them.
Communication is key when applying for cybersecurity jobs; hiring managers want to see that you can coachable and adapt quickly on the job.
5. Get a Certification
Certification can help advance your cyber security career and advance your resume, as well as helping secure employment with organizations looking for qualified applicants.
Marks suggests the best way to choose among the multitude of cybersecurity certifications is determining your career goals: whether that means starting a new job, switching roles or honing existing ones so as to increase earnings potential.
CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association); Information Systems Security Certification Consortium 2; (ISC2) and EC-Council all offer certifications from basic to highly specialized credentials for information security, networking and e-business fields.
One of the most sought-after and well-recognized certifications, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), is ideal for experienced security professionals with five years’ paid, full-time experience in at least two of eight domains of (ISC)2 Common Body of Knowledge.
SSCP stands for Systems Security Certified Practitioner, designed for professionals with less than five years of experience. While not requiring as much experience, this certification can help advance you in the cybersecurity world and potentially open doors to different roles or positions.
Alternatively, for those seeking a more general cybersecurity certificate, consider the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals certification. It caters to students, business users, IT professionals interested in cybersecurity and cloud computing who wish to expand their knowledge about risk analysis, access management, asset security, penetration testing and network security.