Cybersecurity Career Path: A Path to Success

While cybersecurity may seem like a very niche leg of web-related careers, it’s actually easier to get into than you may think. All you need is a bit of computer knowhow, a basic understanding of coding, and a willingness to learn.

Cybersecurity Guide to Careers

We’re at the height of the digital era, so jobs in the online defence industry are more fruitful than ever. Actually, it’s more than just fruitful. There’s a gap in the market for those with computer skills. And with every industry heading online, you’ll be spoilt for options as to which area you wish to niche down on. And do you need a bachelor’s degree to get a foot in the door? Not necessarily.

That said, you will need some level of experience and qualification, so a good place to start is enrolling in a course.

Whether you’re fresh out of school or looking for a complete change in your career in your 40s – a cybersecurity course may be the toe in the water to get you going!

Cybersecurity Certifications

Some of the most popular cybersecurity courses include:

• Ethical Hacking – Once qualified, you’ll be able to apply for roles immediately. A certified ethical hacker will allow companies to protect themselves from exploitation vulnerabilities from potential security threats.
  
• CompTIA – This is an entry-level certification with network and security-specific roles.
  
• CCNA Security – CCNA Security teaches how to keep networks secure, as well as how to deal with a variety of security threats.

Determining which certification will help you decide which area to begin with will certainly not limit you. Many courses can be completed online and at your own pace, so there is no need for university enrolment.

Entry Level Cybersecurity Jobs

Some of the typical entry-level cybersecurity jobs include:

Information Security Analyst

Some of your tasks will be:

• Developing strategies to help the organization remain secure
• Researching IT security trends
• Incident response
• Monitoring networks for security breaches
• Helping computer users with security products and procedures
• Investigating, documenting, and reporting security breaches

This is a great first step into the world of information security. The typical qualifications needed are the following:

• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
  

Digital Forensic Examiner

Some of your tasks will be:

• Providing expert testimony in court proceedings
• Documenting the data retrieval process and maintaining a chain of custody
• Collecting, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence
• Assisting law enforcement in criminal investigations
• Recovering data from erased or damaged hard drives

Digital forensics examiners typically retrieve information from digital devices to discover how an unauthorized person accessed a system and gather digital evidence for legal purposes relating to a criminal case. The typical qualifications needed are the following:

• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst
• EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE)
• AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE)

Information Security Specialist

Some of your tasks will be:

• Suggesting improvements for security weaknesses
• Testing and maintaining firewalls and antivirus software
• Researching new security risks
• Implementing security training

As an information security specialist, you’ll be the head security person who ensures data remains secure against unauthorized access and cyberattacks. The typical qualifications needed are:

• CompTIA Security+
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
  

IT Auditor

Some of your tasks will be:

• Providing guidance on recommended and mandatory security measures
• Planning and performing audits
• Designing plans to fix any security risks
• Documenting and presenting audit findings
• Identifying opportunities for better security efficiency

Your focus will be on analyzing your company’s technology for potential security issues and ensuring efficiency and compliance. The typical qualifications needed are:

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  

Advanced Cybersecurity Careers

The cybersecurity industry is great for career development, so once you’ve settled into the cybersecurity defense industry, you can begin to think about climbing. Some of the mid-level cyber security career types available are:

Penetration Tester (Pen Tester)

Some of your tasks will be:

• Creating reports on test results and offering recommendations to security decision-makers
• Planning, designing, and carrying out penetration tests
• Developing scripts to automate parts of the testing process
• Conducting social engineering exercises (attempting to get company employees to disclose confidential information)
  

Security Systems Administrator

Some of your tasks will be:

• Managing individual user accounts
• Monitoring systems and running regular backups
• Developing and documenting security procedures for the organization
• Participating in company-wide security audits
• Collaborating with security teams to respond to unwanted intrusions
  

Security Engineer

Some of your tasks will be:

• Recommending security enhancements to management
• Developing security standards and practices
• Ensuring new security systems are installed and configured correctly
• Leading incident response teams
• Testing security solutions
• Developing programs to automate vulnerability detection
  

Cryptography Engineer

Some of your tasks will be:

• Implementing encryption solutions
• Developing new cryptographic algorithms
• Analyzing existing algorithms for vulnerabilities
• Testing new encryption techniques and tools

Security Architecture Specialist

Some of your tasks will be:

• Preparing budgets and overseeing security expenses
• Building and maintaining security networks and systems
• Coordinating security operations across IT and engineering departments
• Conducting breach of security drills
• Improving systems in response to security incidents or vulnerabilities
  

Cybersecurity Manager

Some of your tasks will be:

• Tracking changes to internal and external security policy
• Managing human and technological resources
• Sourcing cybersecurity tools for the organization
• Ensuring compliance with security rules and regulations
• Leading risk mitigation efforts
  

Desirable Cybersecurity Skills & Knowledge

• Risk assessment
• Cloud security
• Encryption
• Programming (especially scripting) languages
• Problem-solving
• Analytical thinking
• Intrusion detection
• Network protocols
• Basic cyberattack prevention knowledge

Manage Security Teams 

Those seeking a cyber security career will be pleased to know many companies require no previous experience bar basic computer skills, as they offer full in-house training/will pay for you to complete an accredited course. 

These roles can be for system administration, security assessment, cybersecurity analyst, architecture, certified information security manager, chief information security officer, certified computer examiner, and so on.