Jacqueline
What is the most important thing I should consider before I start a career in cyber security ?
We live in a world that relies on the internet. I think that people do this without thinking about the issues being involved. This includes a business, company or individuals. I’m really interested in cyber security and I want to know more #Technology #CyberSecurity #information-technology #cyber-security
14 answers
Joel Snider
Joel’s Answer
I think the most important thing you should consider is if you enjoy learning. Cyber security changes so rapidly that you constantly have to read and keep up with technology. If you are not a person who enjoys the pursuit of cyber security knowledge then the field may not be right for you. Cyber security's most compelling attraction is that everyday can bring something new and exciting. This can also be a negative for some people depending on their personality type.
Haider Amjed
Haider’s Answer
Get the basic and foundation of IT right .. networking, application layer, 1 or 2 programming language, then move your way up into more advanced when all of the above will come together & envelope into an advanced cyber attack. trust me after awhile you will start feeling what path is more suitable for your you
Mark Decirce
Mark’s Answer
Gaining a basic understanding of the current IT landscape is a good start. It's helpful to understand how systems operate and communicate in order to determine where the vulnerabilities are and how we can protect them.
The threat landscape is constantly evolving so it's also important to continue the pursuit of knowledge and learn how the newest threats are being managed by peers in the industry.
Good luck!
Anand Shah
Anand’s Answer
Great question. Cyber Security is the art of defending a network or set of systems. I would say to consider learning how to "hack" in a peaceful and lawful way. Only if you are able to think like a hacker and put yourself in a hacker's shoes will you be able to prevent a network from being hacked.
Dennis Prendergast
Dennis’s Answer
Cyber Security is a growing field and has been in recent years! Get the IT Training now all the Basics and even the more complex platforms getting the experience through Businesses, Companies laying the groundwork for your Future Goal of Cyber Security- Good Luck to you!
Chitra Elango
Chitra’s Answer
Attitude and aptitude to learn is basis of all fields.
I would suggest the following:
1)Learn basics of computers/technology
2) Learn general security concepts( best is the Security Plus , as it covers all the concepts)
3) Understand basics of network
4) knowing a programming knowledge goes a long way, as helps in ease of analysis, automation is in great demand.
5) Attend conferences, join meet up, groups ( Ex:owasp), this will increase networking.
6) Read white papers
7) Read about few security tools
Hope this helps.
Esteban Gutierrez
Esteban’s Answer
I echo the answers that point out that having a love of learning is a fundamental thing. After being in the cyber security industry for over 25 years, the other things I would advise is: Don't hold back, ask questions, be visible, and reach out for mentors. The industry is becoming one where security is NOT a thing that one person or a team does on alone (ie, the lone misunderstood cyber samurai defending company against the hordes of hackers). Instead it's a critical function to every part of business. Do writing, blogging or twitter as you learn. Often you'll find that other people are interested in the questions and answers you have as you grown in your career.
Scott Ostrander
Scott’s Answer
Amy Guatelli
Amy’s Answer
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: 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!
Stephy Nancy
Stephy’s Answer
Hi Jacqueline,
The most important thing to consider is definitely a passion for learning and be updated with all the emerging technologies, like people mentioned above. I also feel like that there are 2 other very important things you need to be passionate about.
The first one is to have a breaker's attitude and also at the same time understanding how to fix the security issues. Basically, you need to be a good at developing applications and also breaking applications
The second thing is to have passion for teaching. I think a good ethical hacker has to have the skills to explain to anyone easily the implications of a security breach and how important is to build a secure application.
Stephy recommends the following next steps:
Jim M
Jim’s Answer
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Guidelines for Launching a Successful Cyber Security Career
Getting a Grip on the Cyber Security Scene
Embarking on a cyber security career calls for a comprehensive understanding of the current cyber threat landscape and its challenges. As a fast-paced field, cyber security constantly presents new threats. Keeping abreast of the latest trends and changes is a key determinant of success in this sector.
Building Essential Skills and Knowledge
To thrive as a cyber security professional, you need a robust foundation in both technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills encompass a grasp of computer systems, networks, and security protocols, while non-technical skills involve problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. Although many higher education institutions offer cyber security programs, self-learning and online courses can also be a rich source of knowledge and training.
Accumulating Field Experience
Hands-on experience is invaluable in the cyber security sector. Most employers favor candidates with relevant experience, such as internships or entry-level roles. Volunteering or joining cyber security competitions or clubs can provide practical experience and help you establish a network of industry professionals.
Determining Career Goals and Specializations
The cyber security field is diverse, offering various career paths like security analyst, penetration tester, incident responder, and security engineer. Identifying your career objectives and specializations can guide your studies and help you gain pertinent experience. It's also vital to consider the industry you aim to work in, as each sector presents unique cyber security needs and challenges.
Pursuing Continuing Education and Certification
Given the dynamic nature of cyber security, continuous learning and staying current with the latest trends and technologies is crucial. Consider obtaining certifications from reputable organizations like CompTIA, (ISC)², or ISACA to showcase your knowledge and skills to prospective employers. These certifications necessitate ongoing education and maintenance, ensuring you remain updated with the latest best practices and technologies.
Recommended Reference Titles:
"Cybersecurity: A Beginner’s Guide" by Raef Meeuwisse
"CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide" by Darril Gibson
"Cybersecurity Career Paths for IT Professionals" by Chuck Easttom
Blessings,
James Constantine Frangos.
Terry W. Mack
Terry W.’s Answer
Cybersecurity is a great field to consider, but it's also an umbrella label for lots of different sections. You have the customer sales and support side, network engineering, ethical hacking, security analytics, cryptography, etc. All of these work together to make cybersecurity as we know it.
Read up on the general idea and each section to determine which to focus on as a career choice. From there you'll want to find a learning path to start your way to an exciting career. Many of these start the same with basic networking essentials and then fork to various subjects. And don't feel that if you choose one path you're stuck with it. At any time, even after years of being on the job, you can choose a different path, which is the beauty of cybersecurity. They tie in together so switching over is relatively easy.
Scott Hintz
Scott’s Answer
I am not in the field of cyber security but with any technology field understanding the training/education and possible certifications required is key. Then setting up a plan to obtain the that is important. Once you begin the training/education you may even be able to land an entry level role in that field. Remember if you are changing fields after many years in a different area you may have to step back a little in your career to shift gears. Good luck!