Cyber Security - How To Start A Career In The Industry?

The job of cyber security specialist is currently one of the most desirable and best-paid positions in the global job market. However, as is usually the case - the hardest part is getting started, especially when you don't have any experience yet. What aptitudes and skills are most valued in the cybersecurity industry, and how do you find out if it's right for you?

Cyber security - predispositions for the profession

It's a good idea to start with the specific natural traits and aptitudes that are considered most useful for the job in the cyber security expert community. To test this, try to answer the question whether:

• Do you have the ability to think logically and break everything down?

• Don't let go until you know the answers to your questions?

• Do you like to reach for creative, unconventional solutions to get them?

• Are you able to be reliable and consistent at the same time?

• Do you have the so-called hunger for knowledge in the area of new technologies?

• If you can answer yes to the above questions, then you probably have a natural predisposition to work in the cyber security industry. Experts in this field are characterized by a specific combination of analytical skills with creativity and the ability to think outside the box. The job requires them to be both meticulous and consistent, which allows them to return to the starting point of their analysis at any time, as well as courage and a constant openness to finding new solutions.

In your future career you will face real threats, so you need to know how hackers think, anticipate and block their actions. If you want to get to that level, continuous learning and tireless practice await you; cyber security is the fastest growing industry in the world, and you should always be one step ahead of the impending threat. You will be responsible for the security of the entire organization, which will often depend on effective communication with your team and lightning-fast decision-making - so you need to play as a team and keep your cool.

If what you've read hasn't scared you, indeed this direction may be for you!

Cyber security - skills

In this case, the list of issues is much shorter, but completely based on your commitment to learn the basic skills to get started.

• How is your English?

Knowledge of English will allow you to start learning and derive knowledge from materials that are most often only available in that language. Cyber security topics include a wealth of information from English-language sites, forums, blogs, social media channels, that is, knowledge and inspiration from experts and more experienced colleagues. Without this, you're not going anywhere, so if you feel your English needs improvement, start working on it today.

• Any programming language welcome

Once you've mastered the first one, learning the next ones will be much easier, as their premises are very similar. The most important thing is to learn and understand the concept of programming. If you don't know which language to choose to start with, you can try starting with Python - it's easy to read, easy to write, and you can find plenty of free learning materials on the web.

• Stay up to date with new technologies!

It's hard to be unfamiliar with certain concepts nowadays, but you especially should be knowledgeable about the latest technologies and follow their development closely. Potentially this will be your daily bread, so pay special attention to the facts about:

Cloud

In the age of digital transformation, government organizations, multinational corporations, large, medium, small companies and all of us - are moving our data to the cloud. The frequency of attacks on cloud systems is growing at an alarming rate and could even bring down an entire organization in the future. So pay attention to what's happening in cloud technologies to make it easier for you to learn and have a competitive edge in the market in the future.

Encryption technologies

Financial firms, credit card companies, government agencies and private companies of all sizes all need cybersecurity specialists to strengthen resilience against hacker attacks. Knowledge of developments in encryption technology makes this possible, so be on the lookout for it now.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT devices are very often launched without prior professionally performed security tests, which can consequently affect the level of cyber-security of the entire network, such as an Internet-accessible refrigerator with a camera for the kitchen. Today, a security breach can even occur through a smart light bulb - this field of knowledge is as necessary as it is fascinating, so developing it should not be a problem for you.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (machine learning)

cybersecurity companies are teaching AI systems to detect viruses and malware, so you will certainly be dealing with them on a daily basis. These are technologies that are changing very rapidly, so follow these advances closely starting today. AI is also starting to be used more and more heavily in conducting automated security scans, which could replace some of the work of humans in the future. That's why it's important to get into the CyberSecurity market as soon as possible.