5 answers
Skyler
Student
Limestone, Maine
1
Question
Asked
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What is it like to work in a cyber security field?
I'm an aspiring cyber security analyst who has a high interest in programming, computers and cryptography. #programming #computer #technology #computer-science
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5 answers
Craig O Leary
Software Architect/Product Owner
2
Answers
Cork
Updated
Craig’s Answer
Hi!
Cybersecurity is an incredibly interesting field to work in across all businesses. You can work in cybersecurity in the financial industry to help prevent fraud, the healthcare industry to ensure peoples medical records are being kept safe and secure, or even work with the software companies developing tools and other software to help fight security threats to a business. It's a broad enough field that you can move around to find your facourite aspect, such as pairing it with programming to develop security sotware and other tools.
Since you're never "done" with cybersecurity there is great job security in it and the world as really become more aware of cyber warfare in the last few years in particular. Nations have been fighting cold wars from behind computer screens for as long as the internet has been around (Stuxnet is a really interesting example of this) and it's only ramping up as the years go by. Not only is it an interesting field but the pay is excellent and job opportunities are plentiful.
I'd suggest looking into some kind of computer science program that offers some modules on security to give you a good foundation.
Regards,
Craig.
Cybersecurity is an incredibly interesting field to work in across all businesses. You can work in cybersecurity in the financial industry to help prevent fraud, the healthcare industry to ensure peoples medical records are being kept safe and secure, or even work with the software companies developing tools and other software to help fight security threats to a business. It's a broad enough field that you can move around to find your facourite aspect, such as pairing it with programming to develop security sotware and other tools.
Since you're never "done" with cybersecurity there is great job security in it and the world as really become more aware of cyber warfare in the last few years in particular. Nations have been fighting cold wars from behind computer screens for as long as the internet has been around (Stuxnet is a really interesting example of this) and it's only ramping up as the years go by. Not only is it an interesting field but the pay is excellent and job opportunities are plentiful.
I'd suggest looking into some kind of computer science program that offers some modules on security to give you a good foundation.
Regards,
Craig.
Amy Guatelli
Special Education Consultant
11
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi Skyler,
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand! Since it is critical to our national security, there are more and more options for pursing the field.
To explore it while still in high school (if you are): the US National Security Agency and US National Science Foundation offer FREE Cybersecurity Summer Camp for teens all over the US. If you are interested in the field, they want to help you explore the career and decide whether it is a good fit for you. They partner with local community colleges, so there are many locations. Application deadlines have passed this year, but consider it for next year. You can find the info and locations at https://www.gen-cyber.com/ .
To find a degree program: look at the community colleges in your area. Many - especially the ones who offer the NSA-NSF camp - now offer 2-year AA/S degrees in Cybersecurity or Information security. Many 4-year colleges have BA/S degrees in the field. In some cases, you can find a 2-year AA/S program that transfers directly into a BA/S program; since community college tuition is cheaper (and many local students live at home), you can save A LOT of money!
Good luck to you!
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand! Since it is critical to our national security, there are more and more options for pursing the field.
To explore it while still in high school (if you are): the US National Security Agency and US National Science Foundation offer FREE Cybersecurity Summer Camp for teens all over the US. If you are interested in the field, they want to help you explore the career and decide whether it is a good fit for you. They partner with local community colleges, so there are many locations. Application deadlines have passed this year, but consider it for next year. You can find the info and locations at https://www.gen-cyber.com/ .
To find a degree program: look at the community colleges in your area. Many - especially the ones who offer the NSA-NSF camp - now offer 2-year AA/S degrees in Cybersecurity or Information security. Many 4-year colleges have BA/S degrees in the field. In some cases, you can find a 2-year AA/S program that transfers directly into a BA/S program; since community college tuition is cheaper (and many local students live at home), you can save A LOT of money!
Good luck to you!
Asim Zakria
Develop Technical Products
6
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Asim’s Answer
Hi Skyler,
I agree with Amy's advice. Security is a vast field with a lot of jobs getting created in next 5 years and CyberSecurity in particular is going to be hot area because of continued IT transformation to Cloud. You will not regret your decision to pursue a career in Security, Threat Mitigation, and Cyber Defence areas. After a few years of experience you can even open your own practice/ business and make a very good living.
If you are good in networks and network-protocols, you can narrow down in the network security area as well.
Thanks and good luck!
Asim
James Roche
Firmware Engineer
2
Answers
Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Updated
James’s Answer
Hi Skyler,
Cyber security is a very fast moving field. You will be continuously learning about new technologies and ways to improve and break security.
Your interest in programming, computers and cryptography is a great fit for a cyber security career. You will have many opportunities after you gain some on the job experience.
Regards,
James
Cyber security is a very fast moving field. You will be continuously learning about new technologies and ways to improve and break security.
Your interest in programming, computers and cryptography is a great fit for a cyber security career. You will have many opportunities after you gain some on the job experience.
Regards,
James
Hanish Salindra Parthasarathy
Software Engineer Volunteer
83
Answers
United States
Updated
Hanish’s Answer
hat's a good question and I am glad that you're interested with Computers. Working in computing requires you to be a good problem solver and programmer. Problem solving is very crucial to any area of computing. A cybersecurity professional should have in depth knowledge on various network protocols like TCP, UDP, HTTP, etc. and security measures that needs to be taken to prevent attacks on systems. I would suggest familiarizing yourself with a programming language like python which is very common in Cybersecurity and take a beginner course on it.