Here are the top four reasons why you should consider a career in cybersecurityand one reason why you shouldn't. Msg. 
Begin with the 100-level fundamental content. Find out how DevSecOps gets you there with TechBeacon's Guide. Cybersecurity is an exciting and growing field, so make sure that you take the time to invest in yourself and your future. Cybersecurity professionals should read various books to learn new perspectives, strategies, and techniques in their field. A good cybersecurity professional works to understand as much as possibleabout how technologies and organizations work. Get a handle on the app sec tools landscape withTechBeacon's Guide to Application Security Tools 2021. A great way to ensure youre developing achievable goals is to use the SMART Goal method. hb```,D@( Cybersecurity professionals should take time to think about what they want their career path to look like over the next year, five years, and even ten years! Cybersecurity organizations provide sponsorships to help local community chapters operate their conferences/meetups. Common certifications: CompTIA Security+, Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), Certified Security Consultant (CSC). "Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm." Professional organizations can also help keep you up-to-date on your specific industrys latest news and trends. By clicking Request Info, I consent to be contacted by or on behalf of American University about my educational interests, including by email, calls, and text messages, (including by autodialer or prerecorded messages) to any telephone number that I provide. Before you apply for your first cybersecurity role, take some time to develop core IT skills, including programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing. For example, if youre passionate about traveling or are looking to start a family, but the specific career youre considering wont allow for it, are you truly going to be happy? 709 0 obj
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It has impacts that extend beyond the digital world and into the physical one. You know precisely what youre expecting of yourself, and you can check the box that youve completed your goal on time. There are many different levels of knowledge in using Kali. Cybersecurity is a field that changes rapidly, so you must continuously learn and keep up with the latest trends. I understand my consent to be contacted for updates or notifications is not required to purchase or enroll in a program or course. Tags: Cybersecurity, cybersecurity career path, OffSec Services Limited 2022 All rights reserved, Security Operations for Beginners (SOC-100), Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200), Offensive Security Wireless Attacks (PEN-210), Evasion Techniques and Breaching Defenses (PEN-300), Advanced Web Attacks and Exploitation (WEB-300), Windows User Mode Exploit Development (EXP-301), Security Operations and Defensive Analysis (SOC-200), I want to learn how to conduct a penetration test. Reading cybersecurity books will help develop new skills that you can use in your day-to-day work.
The purpose of this article is to give you some ideas for setting your own new years resolutions for your cybersecurity career path so you will be successful in achieving them! I will complete the PEN-200 course offered by Offensive Security by November. Accessed July 4, 2022. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, Salesforce Sales Development Representative, Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Architect, Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Data Engineer. Will the salary increase and passion for what youre doing be enough? I will attend one local cybersecurity meetup by April 1. Why? I will set my Linkedin page to open for work by January 15. Whether its taking an expedited class online to upskill, heading to community college for training, or enrolling in a 4-year program, there are many opportunities out there to equip you for a cybersecurity role. I want to feel more fulfilled and passionate about the work Im doing. Take a walk down memory lane and look at your past positions, experiences, and hobbies. If you enjoy planning and building, you may choose to pursue security engineering and architecture. 
From security operations to risk assessments to application security to investigations to compliance to educator, there as many roles within cybersecurity as lines of code running in your browser. Can you track and measure your progress along the way? US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Every role within IT has a cybersecurity aspect. For example, if youre an analytical thinker and enjoy solving puzzles in your free time, you may find yourself gravitating towards an offensive cybersecurity role, where you would utilize ethical hacking to mimic complex cyberattacks and uncover security vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity meetups are an excellent opportunity to learn from your peers and connect with professionals in the field. In June, I will attend the ABC cybersecurity conference to find new professional opportunities. A career change is within reach for anyone with the right direction, determination, and support system. Plus: Learn how a SAST-DASTcombo can boost your securityin this Webinar. Once you have set your specific goals, its essential to create a plan to achieve them. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this demand. Did you go through all the docs on Kali.org? A great cybersecurity professional realizes that the learning never stops. Cybersecurity certifications can range from entry-level to more advanced and sometimes take a year of studying. Or, you may have a strong technical background and would prefer being a companys first line of defense against unauthorized access, which would lead you towards a career in network security engineering. One way to get started is to reach out to your existing contacts and see if they have industry connections. Digital forensic investigators work with law enforcement to retrieve data from digital devices and investigate cybercrimes. I will create my Linkedin page and connect with ten other cybersecurity professionals by June 30. It's a nice perk, for sure,but it doesn't compare to some of the more compelling reasons to pursue a career in cybersecurity. I will complete the Penetration Testing with Kali course by October 31. If you work in offensive security, youll take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Webinar: Get a Fast Pass to Full-Stack AIOps, Webinar: Access Mainframes Securely from the Cloud, Webinar: Best Practices to Protect Data in the Cloud, Webinar: Threat HuntingStories from the Trenches. That's a massive opportunity to stay engaged and challenged. Cybersecurity is a vast field with many aspects, and it can be very easy to try to do too much in a short period. Cybersecurity professionals tend to get paid well for their skills, even at the entry level. Get up to speed fast on the state of app sec testingwithTechBeacon's Guide. And don't let those negative headlines get your down. 2022 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved. Cybersecurity certifications are another great way to build up your resume and show potential employers that you are serious about your career in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity matters. Conferences are a great way to continue learning about the industry, meet other professionals, and find new professional opportunities aligned with your cybersecurity career path. With each new wave of technology, new risks are created. Is your goal realistically achievable? That's a terrifying and exciting prospect and one that highlights its importance. Cybersecurity professionals should take advantage of the various online communities and discussion forums to expand their knowledge and stay on top of the latest cyber threats. It certainly tops a guidance counselor's reasons for students to choose cybersecurity as a career. 1. The need for professional growth in cybersecurity has never been more critical, and setting SMART goals is crucial for success. You can easily download podcasts from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Its also a great way to get the hands-on experience youll need to succeed in the cyber workforce without the immense time commitment of a multi-year program. Try out a few languages, pick one, and take a deep dive to learn the language as well as secure coding best practices for that particular language. Chief information security officer: $163,013. This variety has an interesting offshoot:Because of the broad skill set required to properly understand modern security challenges, cybersecurity professionals come from a diverse set of backgrounds. Another area of incident response involves digital forensics and cybercrime. This field of cybersecurity goes by many names, offensive security, red team, white hat hacking, and ethical hacking among them. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The discipline hadn't grownenough to support specialties in forensics or application security or incident response. and data rates may apply. Get ready to launch your career in cybersecurity. As an ethical hacker, you can try out even more attack vectors (like social engineering) to reveal security weaknesses.
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. You can find cybersecurity meetups in most major cities; do a quick Google search for cybersecurity meetup and your location to see whats available in your area. Of course, that doesn't mean that these roles aren't rewarding. Bored is not a word you'll be using often. Common certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+, GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Read more: How to Become a Penetration Tester. In addition to updating your profile, look around for companies and experts in the industry that you can follow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that information security analyst positions will grow 33% from 2020 to 2030. endstream endobj 696 0 obj <. You should write your goals in a way that you can quickly check the box and say, Yes, I completed this goal.. A recent study found that 3% of MBA graduates who had their goals written down ended up earning ten times as much as the other 97% combined in the ten years following their graduation. Theres no "right"way to train to become a cybersecurity professional. Be realistic about your time and then create a plan to get the work done. Select three to five skills from each category that you would prefer to use in your new role and map them to career paths in the cybersecurity field. Youll be much more prepared and ready to make the choices necessary to reach your career goals and find the cybersecurity role that suits you best. Meaning, that now more than ever, theres more opportunity than ever to develop your cybersecurity skill set and bring value to employers looking to protect their most valuable assets. In this role, you get to practice cybersecurity offense and defense by testing systems for vulnerabilities and making recommendations on how to strengthen those systems. Pursuing a cybersecurity career has never been easier. Offensive Security wishes everyone a happy and prosperous new year! [p1#H(? )" If it uses ones and zeros, it has a cybersecurity component (and some roles even extend to physical security!). Give yourself a hard deadline! Many cybersecurity professional organizations also offer in-person or virtual conferences packed with information, training sessions, and networking opportunities. I will reach out to three companies a week inquiring about cybersecurity internships until I secure an opportunity. Are you looking to start your security journey? Plus, if you choose this path, you'll always have room to grow. She has served in various leadership roles within organizations that are committed to cybersecurity and STEM workforce development. Not enough time to sit down and read? One major factor holding people back from taking that next step and pursuing a cybersecurity career is that they lack an actionable plan. The following are the programming languages we suggest: With host Jeremy (Harbinger) Miller, and Chief Content and Strategy Officer, Jim O'Gorman. Try out an audiobook while youre in the car, out for a walk, or at the grocery store. New challenges will keep popping up and you'll be exposed to a multitude of new people, situations, and opportunities. These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By volunteering your cybersecurity expertise, youll have an opportunity to hone your skills and build your resume. In March, I will conduct three informational interviews with people already working in cyber defense. Cybersecurity has the two key logistical advantages for a strong career:Lowtono unemployment and solid compensation. I will join the official Offensive Security discord by February 1. I will contact my childs school to offer a 1-hour class about online safety by October 15. To pursue that shiny new cybersecurity career youve always wanted, you may have to make some sacrifices along the way, like studying on the weekend instead of sleeping in or writing a cover letter instead of getting together with friends.
Are there one or two tasks that stand out amongst the others? A career in cybersecurity can go in many directions. Cybersecurity certificate programs typically consider that many of their students will be career changers or those who want to level up their skills, so theyll offer online learning and weekend/evening classes. Its also time-based and sets clear expectations for when the goal should be accomplished. This pathway is an excellent option for career changers or those who want to expand their existing cybersecurity knowledge. Cybersecurity has become critical to the fabric of any modern business. Solving for scripts: Why IT should codify its fleet, What the evolution of API management means for DevOps, 4 tips for building high-quality Flutter applications. There are many different ways to volunteer and help those around you while building your cybersecurity career path as a new or seasoned professional. You'll never be bored as new puzzles need to be solved, and you can always be proud because your work will have a positive impact on the digital and physical world. Stay out front on application security, information security and data security.
Software developers who specialize in secure programming are highly sought-after by employers. What will help you move forward in your career? S-M-A-R-T is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Based. Management and administration could be a good fit if youre organized, an excellent communicator, and enjoy working with people. With a diverse background in education, leadership, and technology, she has worked with various businesses and educational institutions to develop successful cybersecurity education programs. You can also keep up to date with us by signing up to be an OffSec Insider, or follow our social media: Dr. Heather Monthie is a leader in Cybersecurity and IT education dedicated to developing workforce-ready professionals for the future. To give you an idea of whats possible, heres a look at the average salary of several cybersecurity jobs in the US in July 2022, according to Glassdoor. Consulting could be a good fit if you enjoy variety and want to make an impact by helping others manage their security. I also agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 0 TechBeacon Guides are collections of stories on topics relevant to technology practitioners. Contact us today! Typically, the highest security role in an organization is that of chief information security officer (CISO). Some of our recommendations: A great way to tackle this goal is to make a list of the twelve cybersecurity-related books you want to read this year and plan out which books youll read each month. As cybersecurity continues to grow in importance, more specialized roles are emerging. Understand the five reasons why API security needs access management. Cybersecurity professionals can set a goal to read at least one book each month. The current workload has forced security teams to quickly scale up and out. I will attend at least one new cybersecurity conference by December 31. From robots to cars to websites serving millions and millions of users, the variety is near infinite. These are just a few suggestions on how you can set goals for your career. There are hundreds of different programming languages to choose from, so try a few and find one that piques your interest! The number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 33 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [1]. How to bridge the gap between where you are now and where youd like to go in your career. A post shared by AU Cybersecurity Program (@au_cyberprofessional). As a security engineer, youll use your knowledge of threats and vulnerabilities to build and implement defense systems against a range of security concerns. Downloadthe freeThe Forrester Wave forStatic Application Security Testing. Identifying your strengths and seeking positions where you can leverage them is the first step towards pivoting into a fulfilling cybersecurity role thats best suited for you. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The variety, growth opportunities, puzzles, and impact of cybersecurity add up to an exciting career. Understand challenges and best practices for ITOM, hybrid IT, ITSM and more. Plus: Get Gartner's2021 Magic Quadrant for AST. Online communities are also a great way to network with people worldwide with similar interests. Another great way to find a connection in the cyber industry is to hop on LinkedIn. The future is security as code. %PDF-1.6 % Maybe you enjoy the thrill of incident response, or perhaps youd prefer to hone your hacking skills to stay one step ahead of bad actors. Build a modern app sec foundationwithTechBeacon's Guide. Why not attend a cybersecurity conference that youve never participated in before in the new year? To get you moving on the right path towards a brighter, bolder future, were offering a series of tips for successfully pivoting into a cybersecurity role. Common certifications: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), GIAC Certified Project Manager (GCPM), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).