Cybersecurity has been one of the most well-liked job roles for several years, and it proposes a range of thrilling and rewarding career paths. If you are willing to branch out into the world of cyber security, you must be wondering What steps should you take to reach your goal? Which classes or certifications do you need to pursue a career in cyber security? There are many opportunities in cyber security, from entry-level technician jobs to those involving advanced-level cyber security engineering. If you want to progress into cyber security, you are at the right blog.
Since technology has become more intertwined with your daily
life, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is increasing.
Prerequisites for a Cyber Security Career
There is a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity
professionals who can tackle daily cybersecurity challenges. Hence, a career in
cybersecurity is challenging and equally rewarding. The essential one is a
bachelor's degree in a technical domain. Nonetheless, if you don't have a
relevant degree, you can always take up appropriate cybersecurity
certifications and start your cybersecurity journey. Skills like networking and
understanding working systems are needed to start and grow your cybersecurity
career. There are different cybersecurity career paths available today. It is
best to start with entry-level and then proceed on to the next level with the
help of relevant experience and certifications.
Cyber Security Skills
- To
become a cybersecurity expert, you should understand firewalls, VPNs,
Web-proxy, and IDS/IPS.
- It
would help if you were experienced with coding languages such as Java,
Python, HTML, and PHP.
- You
should have an outstanding knowledge of networking, routing protocols, and
encryption techniques.
- Cybersecurity
practitioners should know the best identity and access management
practices (IAM).
- Cybersecurity
professionals should learn SQL and Database management systems and possess
problem-solving skills.
Highest-paid cyber security jobs
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): CISO is an
official accountable for a company's information and records security with an
average salary of US$249,000
Security Architecture: Security architecture merges
hardware and software experience with coding expertise, research skills, and
strategy development. Security architects predict potential risks and create
systems to pre-empt them with an average salary of US$122,000.
Network security engineer: Network security engineers
are mainly responsible for retaining a private network's security by designing,
creating, enhancing, and checking network systems. Their average salary is
US$110,000
Cyber Security Forensic Analyst: The average salary of a
cyber security analyst is around US$99,200 per year. An IT Forensic Expert,
also known as a Forensics Expert or Forensic Engineer, is accountable for
identifying, collecting, and inspecting all the prospective evidence of
cybercrime from personal computers, networks, and other related data IT gear.
Information security analyst: The average salary of an
information security analyst is around US$94,442 per year. Their primary duty
is to install defensive software like firewalls on computer networks.
Penetration Tester: Penetration testers assist
enterprises and organizations in detecting and solving security liabilities and
weaknesses affecting their digital resources and computer networks. Their
average is US$86,400
How to Start a Career in CyberSecurity?
If you're interested in starting a career in cybersecurity,
there are a few steps you can take to get started.
Step 1: Learn the Basics and Domains of Cyber Security
Before you can dive into the world of cybersecurity, it's
important to have a solid understanding of the basics. This includes
understanding how computer systems work, the different types of threats that
exist, and the techniques used to mitigate those threats.
There are many resources available online to help you learn
the basics of cybersecurity. Websites like Youtube Channels [Cyber Mentor,
Infosec4TC, TheHatedOne, NetworkChuck, Null Byte, John Hammond, Hak5, IppSec,
LiveOverflow, GynvaelEN, etc], Coursera, Udemy, Cybrary and edX offer free and
paid courses on various cybersecurity topics. Additionally, there are a number
of books and online communities dedicated to cybersecurity that you can use to
further your knowledge.
Cybersecurity is a complex and rapidly evolving field that
covers a wide range of domains. Some of the main domains of cybersecurity
include:
- Network
Security: This domain focuses on securing the networks that
connect devices and systems, including wired and wireless networks,
routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Application
Security: This domain is concerned with securing software
applications and their associated data, including web applications, mobile
apps, and desktop applications.
- Information
Security: This domain involves protecting sensitive information
from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction. This includes data
encryption, access controls, and data backup and recovery.
- Operational
Security: This domain covers the processes and procedures used to
protect systems and data from internal and external threats, including
physical security measures such as access controls, surveillance, and
alarms.
- Disaster
Recovery/Business Continuity Planning: This domain involves
preparing for and responding to disasters or disruptions that could impact
an organisation's operations or IT infrastructure.
- Identity
and Access Management: This domain is concerned with managing
user identities and their access to systems and data, including
authentication and authorization processes.
- Cloud
Security: This domain involves securing cloud-based systems and
data, including Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service
(PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings.
- IoT
Security: This domain covers the security of Internet of Things
(IoT) devices, including smart home devices, wearable technology, and
industrial IoT (IIoT) systems.
- Social
Engineering and Phishing: This domain covers the psychological
manipulation of individuals to gain access to sensitive information or
systems, including phishing attacks and social engineering scams.
These domains are interdependent and require a holistic
approach to cybersecurity to ensure the best possible protection against cyber
threats.
Step 2: Get Certified
Once you have a basic understanding of cybersecurity, it's
time to get certified. There are a number of certifications available in the
cybersecurity field, each with its own set of requirements and benefits. Some
of the most popular certifications include:
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA
Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- Certified
Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- eLearnSecurity
Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)
- eLearnSecurity
Web application Penetration Tester (eWPT)
- eLearnSecurity
Mobile Application Penetration Tester (eMAPT)
Earning a certification can help demonstrate to potential employers
that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to work in cybersecurity.
Step 3: Gain Practical Experience
While certifications are important, they aren't enough on
their own to secure a job in cybersecurity. To stand out from other candidates,
it's important to gain practical experience in the field. This can include
participating in cybersecurity competitions, contributing to open-source
projects, or completing internships.
There are a number of resources to learn, such as the
Hackthebox (HTB), Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA), Damn Insecure and
Vulnerable App for Android (DIVA), Portswigger Web Security Academy, etc.
Participating in these competitions can help you gain practical experience and
demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Additionally, contributing to open-source projects can help
you build your portfolio (Github) and demonstrate your knowledge by writing
blogs on cybersecurity tools and techniques.
Step 4: Network
Networking is an important part of any career, and
cybersecurity is no exception. Building connections with other professionals in
the field can help you learn about job opportunities, gain mentorship, and stay
up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in cybersecurity.
One way to network in the cybersecurity field is to attend
industry conferences, and events and make connections on LinkedIn. These events
offer opportunities to meet with other professionals and learn about the latest
technologies and techniques in the field.
List of cyber security conferences:
Step 5: Apply for Jobs
Finally, it's time to apply for jobs in the cybersecurity
field. Here are some job portals for cybersecurity professionals:
In the field of cybersecurity, the designations of freshers
may vary depending on the organization and the job roles they are hired for.
However, some common entry-level job titles in cybersecurity include:
- Cybersecurity
Analyst
- Information
Security Analyst
- Security
Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Cybersecurity
Engineer
- Network
Security Engineer
- Penetration
Tester
- Vulnerability
Analyst
- Security
Consultant
- Incident
Response Analyst
These roles may involve responsibilities such as monitoring
network security, analyzing threats and vulnerabilities, testing and evaluating
security systems, managing access controls, and responding to security
incidents. As freshers gain experience and skills, they can progress to more
senior roles such as cybersecurity manager, cybersecurity architect, and chief
information security officer (CISO).
When applying for jobs, be sure to tailor your resume and
cover letter to the specific job and company you're applying to. Highlight your
certifications, practical experience, and networking connections to stand out
from other candidates.
In conclusion, a career in cybersecurity can be both
challenging and rewarding. By learning the basics, getting certified, gaining
practical experience, joining cybersecurity communities, and applying for
cybersecurity jobs, you can start your journey toward a successful career in
cybersecurity.
Remember, Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, so
it's important to keep learning and adapting to stay ahead of the curve.
Note: I'm not promoting any certification or
resources here, All the above mentions are for help purposes only.
Suggestions and improvements are always welcome. :)