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How would I get into the cybersecurity field?

I don't really know what I want to do and I think CyberSecurity seems cool.

it security cybersecurity cyber-security computer-networking computer-security
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Kyle’s Answer

Hi Aidan,

Cybersecurity is a very exciting and rapidly growing industry! There are so many things you can do within cybersecurity. Is there anything that specifically interests you?

Here are a few possible career paths:
- Ethical Hacking: Identify and exploit weaknesses in a system and help a company build a more secure system.
- Incident Response: Respond to an ongoing security incident and work to quickly fix vulnerabilities and minimize data loss.
- Security Engineer: Use your security knowledge to think of potential threats to a system and build and implement defenses.

If you're interested in learning more about the field. Here are some great free courses.

Free Courses:
CodeAcademy Intro to Cybersecurity - https://www.codecademy.com/learn/introduction-to-cybersecurity
TryHackMe - https://tryhackme.com/
Coursera Into to Cybersecurity - https://www.coursera.org/specializations/intro-cyber-security#about
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Nick’s Answer

CyberSecurity IS very cool! It's a huge field and there is no one "right" way to learn about it or get involved. The most important thing is to find something about computers and technology that excites you and to learn more about it. A common thread through all of the security professionals I've worked with over the last 15 years has been a curiosity to understand how things work and a strange desire to take them apart then put them back together again. This can take many forms for you as an individual, it could mean learning to program and writing a phone app, it could mean following instructions online to install linux on an old computer, or participating in digital "capture the flag" games.

If you're looking to get a high level view of the world that's out there for cyber security, I would recommend starting with watching talks from Security Conferences, lots are available for free on Youtube! Sometimes these talks have written papers that go with them that you can find online as well.

You can also:
- Take free online courses to learn about computers, information technology, and if it interests you, programming
- If you have the chance to take just about any course at school about computers, take it!
- If reading is your thing, go to the library and look for books! Some good ones are:
-- Confident Cybersecurity by Dr. Jessica Barker
-- Microsoft has a free book called Windows Internals, that can be dry but has a lot of good information

Nick recommends the following next steps:

Watch Building Security People by Jessica Payne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibc-ACdgxBY
Check out High School Capture The Flag: https://hsctf.com/
Lean more about Capture The Flag exercises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6lD4qYRWLY
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Olga’s Answer

Start from learning Computer Science, writing code, then get into system administration, how programs work, how they interact with each other and computer resources. After that look into information theory field: how information, collected, stored, transmitted, safe and unsafe ways sharing information
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Aidan!

How to Get into the Cybersecurity Field

Getting into the cybersecurity field can be an exciting and rewarding journey, especially if you find the subject matter intriguing. Below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you navigate your entry into this dynamic field.

1. Understand What Cybersecurity Is

Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand what cybersecurity encompasses. Cybersecurity involves protecting computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It includes various domains such as network security, application security, information security, and operational security.

2. Assess Your Current Skills and Interests

Evaluate your current skill set and interests. Cybersecurity requires a mix of technical skills (like programming and networking) and soft skills (such as problem-solving and communication). If you’re not already familiar with these areas, consider what aspects of technology excite you the most.

3. Educational Pathways

There are several educational pathways to enter cybersecurity:

Formal Education: Pursuing a degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity can provide a solid foundation. Many universities offer specialized programs focusing on cybersecurity.

Certifications: Certifications are highly regarded in the industry and can often be obtained without a formal degree. Some popular certifications include:

CompTIA Security+: A foundational certification that covers essential principles for network security.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Focuses on penetration testing and ethical hacking techniques.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): An advanced certification for experienced professionals.

Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer courses on various cybersecurity topics that can help build your knowledge base.

4. Gain Practical Experience

Hands-on experience is invaluable in cybersecurity:

Internships: Look for internships or co-op programs that allow you to work alongside professionals in the field.

Volunteer Work: Consider volunteering for non-profits or local organizations that need assistance with their IT security.

Home Labs: Set up your own lab at home using virtual machines to practice different tools and techniques safely.

5. Build a Network

Networking is essential in any field:

Join Professional Organizations: Groups like ISACA or (ISC)² provide resources, networking opportunities, and events where you can meet industry professionals.

Attend Conferences: Participate in cybersecurity conferences such as DEF CON or Black Hat to learn from experts and connect with peers.

Engage Online Communities: Platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit have active communities where you can ask questions and share knowledge.

6. Stay Updated on Industry Trends

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field; staying informed about the latest threats, technologies, and best practices is crucial:

Follow Blogs & Podcasts: Subscribe to reputable blogs like Krebs on Security or listen to podcasts focused on cybersecurity topics.

Read Industry Reports: Regularly review reports from organizations like Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) for insights into current trends.

7. Specialize in a Niche Area

As you gain experience, consider specializing in a specific area of cybersecurity that interests you most—be it penetration testing, incident response, threat hunting, or compliance.

8. Prepare for Job Applications

When you’re ready to apply for jobs:

Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant skills, experiences, certifications, and projects related to cybersecurity.

Practice Interviewing: Prepare for technical interviews by practicing common questions related to security concepts and scenarios.

9. Continuous Learning

The learning never stops in cybersecurity:

Stay engaged with ongoing education through workshops or advanced certifications.

Participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions to sharpen your skills against real-world challenges.

By following these steps diligently while maintaining curiosity about the field of cybersecurity, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on a successful career path within this exciting domain.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

CompTIA

Provides extensive resources about certifications available in IT fields including Cybersecurity.

(ISC)²

Offers information about various professional certifications along with resources for continuing education in cyber-related fields.

Krebs on Security

A widely respected blog that covers current events related to cyber threats and provides insights into best practices within the industry.

God Bless!
JC.
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Kyle’s Answer

Cyber security is a HUGE field, there is not exactly one way to go. You could focus on application security, network security, or even physical security! A great way to start is by learning a bit of programming skills. You don't necessarily need to have that to be in the field, but being able to use that skill will give you the ability to perform to your highest potential. Some niched topics you could dive into are network protocols such as TCP/IP & UDP traffic to network traffic analysis. The internet isn't going anywhere and we need to secure it! Lastly, staying in the know is always great. Do some reading about cyber attacks going on in the world today and find what interests you. Think about how the attackers were able to carry it out!
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Eddy’s Answer

Hi Aidan,

The first thing you can start doing is to follow some of the industry trends in cybersecurity. It is helpful to read some news articles or watch some related videos to keep yourself informed. You can also explore acquiring a degree in cybersecurity, CS, or any related field. It can help you learn the fundamentals.

You can also explore different hands-on experiences in cybersecurity through projects, certifications, etc. It helps you connect with other like-minded people and showcase your work. Additionally, if you are interested you can try for certification in a field like Security +. I'm sure it will help you gain more insight into the field.

Thank you
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Manuel’s Answer

Amazing field to work!
the most principal is to try to learn to program like python and challenge yourself.
In my vision, the 'security official ' is the persona who has the constant challenge because every day all different people want to break your systems so for that you need to be prepared with different knowledge such as AWS security, cisco, and other certifications for protecting your app or architecture.
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Wilson’s Answer

I love Cybersecurity once I figured out during college. I don't regret that decision.

How I got there is that I took 2 classes in Cybersecurity while I was doing Computer Information Systems and there were some career paths that were thrown, like Cloud Security Analyst, Penetration Testing, and Cybersecurity Analyst. I found it interesting that my professor sent me a link to a Capture-the-Flag competition near the beach side. I decided to go in and compete. Ended up learning some things that I didn't know you could do in a web application, plus a gift card that I spent on food for dinner.

Then, I participated in other organizations such as ISACA and ISSA to join in their meetings to understand what Cybersecurity professionals do on their positions and spoke to them after meeting was over.

Eventually, I became a Cybersecurity Consultant and that is what my career path is right now.
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Atul’s Answer

In cybersecurity industry - most people have Software Development background.
Get a degree in Computer Science and then take some certifications to become a certified/ethical hacker.
There are many state universities offer major in the cybersecurity.
Try to avoid incurring student loan debt.
It can never be wiped out.
There are few cities/state where there is cybersecurity focused companies.
Boston, Denver, Boulder, California, Virginia and Washington state (Seattle).
Do not limit yourself to one geo location.
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