Are you fascinated by computers and technology? Do you love solving mysteries and complex puzzles? If so, starting a career in cyber security might be the perfect choice for you! Here’s everything you need to know about getting started in this field.
Pick the right course
While you can take cyber security courses from many universities and other organizations, it’s not hard to find one that’s officially sanctioned by (ISC)2. These courses are called Information Systems Security Certified Practitioner (CISSP) courses, and they teach specific cyber security skills. Earning your CISSP proves that you have those essential skills and is one of the most important steps you can take toward starting a career in cyber security.
Have an IT background
Yes, you don’t need experience in computer science or cybersecurity to land your first career in cyber security, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. When entering a field with so many buzzwords, having at least some foundation can help separate you from other job seekers.
Join a CTF team
CTF stands for capture-the-flag, and is an international competition that takes place at security conferences. In CTFs, teams of up to five people compete against each other by attempting to solve as many hacking challenges as possible. The real benefit of participating in CTF competitions is that it can help you discover your specific cybersecurity niche.
Develop your own portfolio
In addition to making it easier for potential employers and clients to see your technical expertise, building your own portfolio will also make you more valuable. It shows that you’re dedicated and serious about your work. As others look through your work, they may find ideas they like, or even realize they need someone with those skills! In other words, having something tangible you can point to is always helpful when networking. If nothing else, it allows potential employers and clients an easy way to follow up if interested.
Attend conferences and workshops
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to start from scratch. Look for local security conferences, workshops and networking events. It’s okay if you don’t know anything about cyber security when you go; just look for opportunities where you can learn more about what goes into making secure networks, applications and products.
Talk to people who work in CS
When you’re interested in going into cyber security, start by talking to people who work in it. See what they do on a day-to-day basis, and see if that suits your personality. There’s no one path into security—after all, there are countless entry points for people with all kinds of skillsets. But there is one thing most successful cyber security professionals have in common: they like working on problems that don’t have any easy answers. That probably sounds like you.
Work with Penetration Testing Tools
No one is born with all of their security knowledge, and there’s always more to learn. Before becoming an ethical hacker, you should be familiar with basic security terminology and penetration testing tools. By gaining experience with these programs, you can easily transition into an ethical hacking career. In addition, many companies now have high-quality training courses that teach everything needed to create a successful career in cyber security.
Make use of Google
We live in an age of information, and there’s no better place for you to look for answers about a cyber security career than Google. Searching for cyber security jobs and similar terms should lead you down an educational rabbit hole of articles about what it takes to work in cyber security. These sites will teach you what skills are needed, how much it pays, which employers are hiring and other valuable information like that.
Become self-taught
Learning about cyber security will be an important skill for anyone who wants to enter—or advance in—the field. But before you can protect others’ digital assets, you need some knowledge yourself. It’s possible to pick up many of these skills on your own, without attending classes or paying hefty tuition bills. To get started, follow our list of online resources and try some practice exercises.
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