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 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 cybersecurity 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 gaining the education needed for a cybersecurity career. The advantage of 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.
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.
