How to Start A Career in Cybersecurity
In my previous article, I discussed the impact of cybersecurity. In this article, I expose you to how you can start a career in cybersecurity. currently, there is a massive shortage of talents in the Cybersecurity landscape. Bank of Ghana for instance, requires all financial institutions to appoint a Cyber and Information Security Officer (CISO), who would advice senior management executives and boards of financial institutions[1].
T
he cybersecurity sector now faces a significant talent shortage. By the end of 2022, there will reportedly be 3.5 million open cyber security roles worldwide, up from just 1 million posts in 2014. In addition to the demand for more talents, these positions are well-paying and offer potential for professional advancement.
This expanding skills gap gives an excellent chance for you to develop your career by swiftly acquiring the necessary abilities by taking the correct actions now. But despite all of these possibilities, there remains a drawback:
How are you supposed to even begin? Thankfully, you’re at the correct spot. In this article, I’m going to take you through 4-step
process for getting started in Cyber Security.
1. Discover the Cyber Security Landscape and the Available Jobs
More often than not, people think that technology and hacking are the only two factors in cyber security. Although to some extent true, cyber security encompasses much more than that. It is a discipline for controlling risk, and technology might just be the answer. This means that jobs in the security industry can range greatly from simple team management to basic auditing to computer forensics and other extremely sophisticated tasks like ethical hacking. You could work in a variety of positions within cyber security. The variety of domains that fall under the heading of “cyber security” can be seen within the different domain that exist under cybersecurity.
If you are still learning about these domains, don’t worry. That should be anticipated. The important thing to remember is that there are many different entry points and employment types in this field. Refer to the Cyber Security Domains diagram to see what jobs are available and what you would be expected to do in each one. These domains will make more sense when you learn more about cyber security. The cyber security sector is a vast umbrella that encompasses a wide range of job kinds with various skill requirements and knowledge requirements.
2. Get Educated
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics report[2], the typical entry-level education for a cyber security job is a Bachelor’s degree.
However, if you don’t have a degree, you shouldn’t rule out a career in cyber security. Companies and government organisations are working hard to fill their vacancies due to the severe shortage of certified cyber security personnel. It is no longer a concern if you don’t have a college degree. You may learn the skills you need to land a fantastic job that pays well by taking online cyber security training courses.
Finding online courses that teach you the skills you wish to master is the key. Even while it’s important to approach learning methodically, I still advise starting with a course you’ll find engaging. Prior to gradually gaining skills, it’s critical to get a taste for cyber security. You are invited to become a member of the Fucah X Cyber Security Training hub if you are not sure where to begin with online training.
3. Get Certified and Qualified
The easiest approach to educate yourself, demonstrate your abilities, and increase your employability is to obtain certificates. There are several certificates you may obtain in the area of cybersecurity that will look excellent on your CV or portfolio. You only need to take an exam to get these certificates. You can focus your education on learning only the abilities necessary for one certificate at a time by deciding which one you want to obtain. Your learning route becomes much more linear as a result, and you also pass important checkpoints along the way. To assist you in getting ready for and passing your certification exams, FucahX offers specialised training and practice tests.
4. Get Social
You MUST be able to show off your skills and enthusiasm for the job in order to land your first job. To do this, I advise you to make a public profile and utilise it as a platform to highlight your skills and exhibit your enthusiasm for the business. Make sure to completely document all of your efforts and establish a public profile by starting a blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media sites. Put all pertinent information on your resume, CV, and LinkedIn when applying for jobs. All of it is read by potential employers, so keeping a professional profile is important. Your application materials—resume, CV, and LinkedIn—showcase your skills, enthusiasm, and passion, which will help you find employment quickly in a market that is in need of talented people!
What Next?
There is a growing skills gap in the field of cyber security, which is a well-paying and reputable career. Now more than ever, the globe needs fresh people who are interested in this field. Rise up to the occasion and start preparing towards it. YOU CAN MAKE IT!
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References
[1] https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Bank-of-Ghana-launches-Cyber-Security-Directive-for-Financial-Institutions-695006
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
[3] https://www.stationx.net/
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