Cybersecurity is the practice of defending the system, servers, & networks from malicious attacks.
Having a career in this field can be quite promising!
Information security or electronic information security is the process of protecting the computer system,
confidential data, servers, and mobile devices from the attacks of malicious hackers. The term
cybersecurity applies in numerous contexts, i.e., from business to mobile computing. It can be divided
into a few categories:
- Network Security
It is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, i.e., targeted attackers and opportunist malware.
- Application Security
This kind of security focuses on protecting software and devices from threats. For example, a compromised application could provide access to the data it is otherwise designed to protect.
Thus, successful security begins in the design stage, even before the program/ device is deployed.
- Operational Security
It includes the processes and decisions for handling and defending the data assets. The
permissions users have while accessing the network and processes determine how and where the
data may be stored and shared.
- Information Security
It protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in transit and in-store.
This was just to give you an overview of what cybersecurity includes. However, in this blog, we will learn
the significance of having a career in cybersecurity and the skills required to become a successful
cybersecurity specialist. Moreover, we will also discuss how to begin your career in this amazing field.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Importance of Having a Career in Cybersecurity
Being a part of student counseling, cybersecurity has become a key area of substantial job growth in the
past few years, resulting in the influx of people opting for a career in this field. However, if you are still
confused about whether you must take cybersecurity as your career field or not, here are some reasons
why you should!
1. Become a part of an exciting field
The internet touches almost every facet of our life. In our digital age, cybersecurity plays an integral role in ensuring online safety along with the protection of essential systems that support our daily life, like electricity, transport, financial situation, and much more.
As a cyber security professional, you will be working daily to secure critical infrastructure and facing new, engaging challenges!
2. Increased Job Opportunities
Being a fast-growing and ever-evolving field, cybersecurity offers more and better job opportunities to individuals. According to studies, job postings in cybersecurity grew to 74% from 2007 to 2013.
In other words, cybersecurity jobs are innumerable, and the demand isn’t going to slow down any
time soon. Thus, individuals planning a career in this field shouldn’t worry about jobs!
3. Choose An Industry That Interests You
The most enticing aspect of a career in cybersecurity is that there are numerous industries in this
field, ranging from the government to the private sector to non-profit organizations.
However, the highest demand for cybersecurity professionals is in companies that manage high volumes of consumer data, like health, finance, retail trade, etc. Thus, choosing an area of interest will enable you to have an in-depth understanding of the subject.
4. Helps You Utilize Your Entire Skill Sets
Cybersecurity is a dynamic field, attracting people from all kinds of work backgrounds. This means there’s always an opportunity to differentiate yourself by drawing your unique skill sets from prior jobs like information technology, accounting, administration, etc.
How to Begin a Career in Cybersecurity
Once you decide to go into the cybersecurity field, the next thing you need to know is how you can
kickstart your career in it. Below are the ways of doing so. Have a look!
1. Invest in your Education
Obtaining a degree in cybersecurity is often the initial step towards beginning a career in this in-
demand and lucrative field. Thus, the options are diverse and plentiful if you have a degree and experience in information security.
Most cybersecurity specialists begin with an undergraduate degree in information technology, computer science, or information systems.
After obtaining a degree, they gain experience and further go for a master’s degree to have expanded career opportunities.
So, whatever path you choose, education is the key. The job options in this field are vast, the
salaries are high, and there is urgent demand! Thus, invest in your education as much as you can!
2. Get Certified
To land a job in cybersecurity, consider getting industry certification in the subject area you are interested in. Some of the most sought-after certifications include:
- CompTIA Security+
- CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
- CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
- GIAC – Global Information Assurance Certification
In addition to this, there are many vendor-specific certifications as well that attract employers. You
can apply for them as well!
3. Gain Practical Experience
Cybersecurity courses help you imbibe technical skills and gain practical experience so that you
land a good job role.
Besides these typical pathways of getting a degree, an individual must try to gain skills and experience by indulging in various cybersecurity activities. For instance, you can work on the following:
- Work on a basic technology project
- Volunteer to help organizations with cybersecurity services.
- Attend cybersecurity competitions
- Advertise yourself & your skills
4. Networking
Networking is integral in every industry, and cybersecurity is no exception. There are multiple avenues available if you are looking for network opportunities. Here they are!
- Join local cybersecurity organizations or associations that will help you acquire new skills and network with industry professionals.
- Volunteer in organizations and spread the word about cybersecurity. Getting involved with such organizations will help you meet people having similar interests and boost your resume.
- Get in touch with your college professors and peers. A college is a place that offers numerous networking opportunities. Additionally, the cybersecurity schools (if you went to any of them) have forged ties with potential employers, which can help you get better opportunities.
Follow these four steps to begin your career as a cybersecurity specialist. Trust us – you will have a
fulfilling and meaningful career!
For now, let us move to the next part, i.e., the skills required to become a successful cybersecurity
specialist.
Must-Have Skills for a Cybersecurity Specialist
An individual wishing to have a career in cybersecurity must undergo technical and soft skills training to
assess the system’s vulnerabilities and respond to security incidents.
Interestingly, you may already have some technical skills if you have a graduation degree in computer
science or information technology. But just having an idea is not enough! In-depth knowledge is
necessary.
Have a look at the skills you must acquire!
I. Technical Skills
1. Scripting
Scripting is a kind of coding in which you make a program function. The difference between coding and scripting is that the former is static, while the latter makes texts and images move.
For this, you need to know how to build tools and automate repetitive tasks with languages like PowerShell, Python, etc. These languages will empower you to become an efficient cybersecurity
specialist and give you an edge over others.
2. DevOps
Numerous security risks often exist within applications themselves. As a result, more and more businesses are now adding a security focus to their software development processes and operations phase to help ensure that applications are secure from the start. This is a must-have skill, and all specialists must have it!
3. Cloud
As an ever-increasing number of organizations move to the cloud environment, professionals with
cloud expertise is also proliferating.
According to research, individuals with cloud security skills tend to have better salaries than others. Moreover, the need for cloud security skills is expected to grow by 115% over the next four years, hence making it a lucrative skill in cybersecurity. Isn’t that amazing?
4. Incident Response
While prevention is the ultimate goal of cybersecurity, quickly responding when security incidents
occur is critical to minimize loss and damage.
Thus, effective incident handling requires familiarity with the organization’s incident response plan along with the skills and in-depth knowledge of digital forensics and malware analysis.
II. Soft Skills
1. Communication
Both written and verbal communication plays a crucial role in cybersecurity. As a specialist, you might need to explain technical topics to individuals who don’t have a technical background, like legal teams, executives, etc. You may also have to write incident reports, wherein you must document what you did clearly and concisely.
2. Collaboration
As a cybersecurity specialist, you will work with a larger security team of different cybersecurity professionals. Thus, you may need to collaborate with the teams within your company and share
your findings with other organizations.
3. Adaptability
Malicious hackers are constantly adjusting and enhancing their attacks. As a result, technology
also continues to advance, introducing new vulnerabilities. Adopting a learning mindset can help
you keep up with these changes in such a situation!
4. Critical Thinking
Working in cybersecurity sometimes means making high-stakes decisions about the company’s
security. Developing critical thinking skills can help you to:
- Ask the right questions
- Identify the assumptions
- Draw data-driven conclusions
- Understand context
- Evaluate and assess data
- Consider different alternatives
Conclusion
Today, every company requires a security professional in this age of digitization. This is all the more
reason to have a career in cybersecurity.
So, if you are skilled in security practices and have relevant experience, there is no dearth of job opportunities across various sectors and industries for you!
So, what are you waiting for?
Imbibe the skills mentioned above and commence your journey on this challenging yet exciting path.
