Tips On How To Start A Cybersecurity Career
With ransomware attacks and data breaches in the news on an almost daily basis, businesses in every sector are on high alert. Even small organizations are heavily dependent on technology for normal operations, and the prospect of losing access to their systems or having hackers steal sensitive information is frightening to conscientious business owners. Rightly so—the monetary and reputational losses companies suffer from being hacked can be devastating.
The need to protect essential systems means that the demand for cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high. Even entry-level cybersecurity roles, such as an information security analyst, penetration tester, or security auditor, pay above-average salaries and can lead to higher-paying positions with greater responsibility. However, to land a job in cybersecurity, you need to have both technical skills and soft skills that enable you to work effectively as part of a team.
First Steps
Whether you are considering a career change or have identified cybersecurity as your first career path, you’ll need to gain a general knowledge of the field, as well as building your technical skills. Building this base of knowledge will also help you narrow down your interest to more specific roles in cybersecurity—after all, you will need different cyber security training and skills for incident response than you might need for forensic analysis.
Once you’ve defined your goals, you should identify the knowledge and certifications you’ll need to pursue the type of position you’re interested in. Be aware that many job listings will indicate a preference for a bachelor’s degree—but that is increasingly a “nice to have” rather than a “must-have.” In truth, the demand for trained professionals is so great that it is more important you be able to demonstrate your skills with relevant certifications and projects that showcase your ability.
Effective Education
Cybersecurity boot camps offer an alternative path to gain the education needed for a cybersecurity career. The advantage to these programs is that they help you build key skills in a short amount of time, for a cost considerably below that of a college degree. Bootcamps may also be more narrowly focused, allowing those currently working in the field to expand their skill set or obtain the training necessary to move into a different role.
The Careful Security Advantage
Careful Security’s curriculum is designed with one overriding principle in mind: preparing our students to do effective cybersecurity work in the real world. Our classes in cybersecurity basics, offensive security, defensive security, and compliance are designed to give you the base of knowledge and the hands-on practice you need to hit the ground running on day one of your first job.
All of our classes are led by a single instructor, to provide a continuity of learning that ensures the topics of study hang together and build on each other logically. Guest lecturers provide a diversity of perspectives that allow students to gain a fuller understanding of the subject matter under discussion. Most importantly, we believe that the best way to learn is by doing: every class consists of 20 percent theory and 80 percent practical training that prepares you to confidently handle the tasks you will encounter on the job.
Our courses also position you to confidently tackle your job hunt. In addition to preparing you to earn important certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), your coursework will include the creation of projects that illustrate what you can do for prospective employers. We also help you prep your resume and provide technical interview training to help ensure that when your application catches the hiring manager’s eye, you’re ready to put your best foot forward and land the position.
Seizing Opportunity
The growing number and complexity of cyber threats are a challenge to business, but also an opportunity for prospective cybersecurity professionals. With the right skills and training, you can help businesses establish strong security and compliance to protect themselves and their clients. To find out more about how Careful Security can give you the education you need for a cybersecurity career, contact us here.
