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What type of cyber security programs should I be learning as a junior in college
Hi, I'm a cyber security major in college right now, I wanted to know what type of programs or languages I should be learning on my own separate time. Right now I start Linux soon, and some other data information security program.
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Fred’s Answer
My advice for anyone in I.T. is to no focus on learning a tool or a language. This industry moves so fast, and is constantly evolving. What I learned 10 or even 5 years ago is becoming irrelevant.
Focus on learning fundamentals. If you have a solid foundation, then you can pick up other things much easier. If you understand the basics of a DDoS attack, then it's easy to understand a DNS reflection attack vs a SYN/ACK attack.
Getting familiar with Linux is a good idea. Being comfortable on a command line is super important. Many places use linux boxes, and being able to run commands and write scripts will help you. Python is a popular and powerful language that can be used to do things, and with packages like scapy, you can craft your own packets to mount attacks.
Make sure you also take some ethics classes. Learning to be a responsible hacker is important. In programs like these, you learn a lot of skills that can be used for good or for evil. You need to be aware of what is OK and what is not. And just saying "I didn't know I shouldn't do that" is not enough. If you do something illegal, you can, should, and will get arrested.
Focus on learning fundamentals. If you have a solid foundation, then you can pick up other things much easier. If you understand the basics of a DDoS attack, then it's easy to understand a DNS reflection attack vs a SYN/ACK attack.
Getting familiar with Linux is a good idea. Being comfortable on a command line is super important. Many places use linux boxes, and being able to run commands and write scripts will help you. Python is a popular and powerful language that can be used to do things, and with packages like scapy, you can craft your own packets to mount attacks.
Make sure you also take some ethics classes. Learning to be a responsible hacker is important. In programs like these, you learn a lot of skills that can be used for good or for evil. You need to be aware of what is OK and what is not. And just saying "I didn't know I shouldn't do that" is not enough. If you do something illegal, you can, should, and will get arrested.
Updated
Mark Francis’s Answer
Hi Isaac. I would highly recommend that you seek out members of the cypher security community around your area; federal agencies, civilian companies, military; all of which are located in San Antonio. It is going to take some effort on your part to network that but you will eventually be able to find out exactly what the pros are using as well as what they are aiming to use.
You might also consider researching if there is an ASIS International Chapter in San Antonio. That organization will provide you with networking opportunities to both government agencies and civilian companies in the cyber security world that might be able to keep you abreast of that ever evolving technology.
https://www.asisonline.org/membership/join/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=asisfy22&utm_content=membership&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpLu2-vKA-QIV_2xvBB3JMwrNEAAYASAAEgKbcvD_BwE
Best of luck. Mark
You might also consider researching if there is an ASIS International Chapter in San Antonio. That organization will provide you with networking opportunities to both government agencies and civilian companies in the cyber security world that might be able to keep you abreast of that ever evolving technology.
https://www.asisonline.org/membership/join/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=asisfy22&utm_content=membership&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpLu2-vKA-QIV_2xvBB3JMwrNEAAYASAAEgKbcvD_BwE
Best of luck. Mark
Thank you for the advice.
Isaac
Updated
Atul’s Answer
Academia in the college have defined a major of cybersecurity with a knowledge and research to put a curriculum together. Are you doing well in the courses that you have taken so far.
Focus on taking as many credits you can and score well. If your Cumulative GPA is above 3.5, employers will lining up for you.
However, new norm is that almost all employers want you to take a test that meets their need before offering an interview. It is based on the job description.
My son was asked to take 3-hour test at Amazon with each problem shall be solved in 30 mins each. It did not matter what language he wrote the program to get the end result. He passed the test to secure a job to work on Alexa more than 4 years ago. This is an illustrative example that cyber security companies are as picky as Amazon.
If you want to do something extra beyond sacrificing your grades, pass the test to be an certified ethical hacker.
Focus on taking as many credits you can and score well. If your Cumulative GPA is above 3.5, employers will lining up for you.
However, new norm is that almost all employers want you to take a test that meets their need before offering an interview. It is based on the job description.
My son was asked to take 3-hour test at Amazon with each problem shall be solved in 30 mins each. It did not matter what language he wrote the program to get the end result. He passed the test to secure a job to work on Alexa more than 4 years ago. This is an illustrative example that cyber security companies are as picky as Amazon.
If you want to do something extra beyond sacrificing your grades, pass the test to be an certified ethical hacker.
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Hi Isaac,
While I can't help with the specific languages or frameworks you should be using, I would advise you to seek out internships every summer while you are in college. They will really help you once you've graduated and are looking for your first fulltime role. It's also a chance to work in different corporate environments with different tech stacks. Another thing, if you aren't already, is to start spending time in GitHub working on some open source projects. You'll have a chance to interact with other techies all over the world.
I wish you the best!
Molly
While I can't help with the specific languages or frameworks you should be using, I would advise you to seek out internships every summer while you are in college. They will really help you once you've graduated and are looking for your first fulltime role. It's also a chance to work in different corporate environments with different tech stacks. Another thing, if you aren't already, is to start spending time in GitHub working on some open source projects. You'll have a chance to interact with other techies all over the world.
I wish you the best!
Molly
This was super helpful, thank you!
Isaac