How to Build a Career in Cyber Security Space?

Over the past few years, the rapid digital transformation has also boosted the number of cybercrimes severalfold. That’s why cyber security has become a pivotal benchmark for every organization. This rise in adoption has made cyber security an appealing career choice for many candidates.

However, as cool as it sounds, becoming a digital security professional is challenging. You must be adept at fending off virtual threats well enough that you can uphold an online business. Sounds tough, right? That is why many aspirants ask how to build a cyber security career.

 

 

If you are among them, the article will be of great help to you. Here is everything you must know to build a career in the cyber security space.

 

What is Cyber Security?

Before delving into the gory details, let’s understand the gist of cyber security.

It refers to securing networks, systems, and sensitive data from digital attacks. Some call it IT security, which means the measures to address virtual threats originating from and outside the organization.

Did you know organizations lost around 3.9 million dollars on average to cyber breaches? That’s why a question like how much is spent on cyber security is prevalent among modern businesses, marking the importance of a cyber security professional.

 

Steps to Build a Cyber Security Career

 

Get the Right Education

It all starts with you acquiring the correct education for the field. Information security requires utmost discipline, meaning you must be adept at technical areas before entering it. Generally, there are three areas for you to cover:

• Programming (programming concepts / object orientation fundamentals / scripting)
• Networking (TCP /protocols / IP/ routing / switching)
• System Administration (Linux / Windows / hardening / Active Directory)

If you did not gain expertise in them during traditional academics, you could still entertain more options. Skill-Lync, for example, helps students learn from engineering experts. The e-learning venture is ideal to garner the required technical skillset to become a cyber security professional.

 

Equip the Right Technical Prowess

Besides getting the starting education, you must also hone the technical skills needed for the field. It does not matter how many cyber security companies are there. If you do not boast the needed skills, you won’t land any job. So, try to cultivate skills in areas like:

• Firewalls and related aspects of endpoint safety
• Languages and tools, like Go, Python, Java, C++, Node, etc.
• DLP, SEPM, DDOS, SMG, ATP, etc.
• IDS and IPS (Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention System) monitoring
• Operating system knowledge (Mac, Windows, Linux)

 

Understand the General Skills Required

Mere technical skills won’t help you sustain a career in the cyber security field. You also need to work on several soft and hard skills, like:

• Communicating with teammates and other departments
• Developing new monitoring use cases
• Managing the onboarding of advanced solutions
• Detail orientation and accountability
• Troubleshooting provisioning workflow and management errors

 

Find the Ideal Job Profile

Understand how cyber security works? Gained the required skills?

Now, it is time to look for a decent job profile. The final choice depends on your passion, knowledge, and field of expertise. Nonetheless, here are some solid portfolios for you to consider:

 

Security Architect: The role involves formulating strategies to develop and execute network security for organizations. You must create complex frameworks to address virus and malware attacks for this job. Companies generally ask for QRADAR, Splunk, and ArcSight expertise for the role.

Ethical Hacker: As the name suggests, the role requires you to infiltrate specific systems. Naturally, you will follow the same techniques as other hackers, except you will be doing this for ethically right reasons. Organizations ask for experience in app and network penetration testing border gateway protocol, IPSec VPN abuses, and firewall evasion for the role.

 

 

IT Security Consultant: Yes, you can join organizations by giving them advice on how to measure cyber security risks. In addition, you must also teach them to address these queries. You must be skilled at content filtering, data classification, SEPM, DLP, DDOS, etc., to land a decent job as a security consultant.

Security System Administrator: You need to undertake multiple phases as a security system administrator. These stages involve installation, maintenance, administration, and diversion of data security systems. The role is involved in routine security procedures, making it a prominent position. Strong knowledge of OSs, cloud computing, and SQL is necessary for the role.

 

In Conclusion

Ever since the mainstream adoption of digital means has surged, cyber security has become a prevalent career option. The space provides ample growth opportunities with bright prospects. However, building a career in the sector can be daunting.

The article has shed light on the crucial steps you must take to start your cyber security career. Go through the steps, complete the benchmarks, and find an ideal job position.