The security sector has a much-discussed shortage of skilled workers and a plethora of job vacancies. Experts regularly urge hiring managers to consider a broader, less homogeneous pool of candidates. Nonetheless, many aspiring cybersecurity professionals still find it difficult to break into the field without traditional qualifications.
The following five tips can help you get started with cybersecurity without any experience.
1. Research, research, research
A successful cybersecurity career requires curiosity and a love of learning. So it makes sense that one of the first steps to breaking into the field involves research. Read a lot and dig deep to learn more about:
cybersecurity roles you might want to take on one day; and
Companies you might want to work for one day.
research roles
Ultimately, the typical practitioner focuses on developing expertise in a cybersecurity area. But to begin with, you should acquire a broad understanding of a variety of security areas, which in turn will influence your future career choices.
Try to learn about each of the following:
Each of these areas requires different soft and hard skills and suits certain personalities and preferences better than others. Look for expert content on blogs, podcasts, and YouTube — try the Gerald Auger and TechTarget channels — to find out which specialties resonate best.
Success in cybersecurity requires curiosity and a love of learning.
After identifying a position that interests you, such as For example, a cybersecurity analyst or penetration tester, search social media for people who currently hold similar titles. Message and politely ask for 15 minutes of their time.
If they agree, go to the appointments prepared to reflect on their daily responsibilities, what they like and dislike about their job, and their cybersecurity career paths to date. Your insights can help you decide if a particular role is right for you, and if so, how to achieve it.
Investigative Organizations
A good way to find out about potential employers is to read online posts from current and former employees. Browse social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as smaller, security-focused communities on Slack, Discord, GitHub, etc.
2. Developing cybersecurity skills
After identifying an area of cybersecurity that interests you, start mastering the basics and gaining technical skills.
While many security workers today have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, a combination of self-paced learning, cybersecurity boot camps, online courses, and professional certifications can provide the necessary education and hands-on experience to help land that first job .
Which educational resources are most relevant depends on your target domain and related skills. For example, if you want to become a security analyst in a security operations center, start by studying data security as well as general cybersecurity threats. Check out resources like LetsDefend, RangeForce, and TryHackMe.
If you want to become an incident responder, you need a deep understanding of network security, computer forensics, cybercrime and attack techniques.
Aspiring pentesters should consider learning a programming language such as Python or Java. You’ll also need several other skills, including a solid understanding of web application security, network security, and operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
While some entry-level cybersecurity jobs require a bachelor’s degree, they don’t necessarily have to be related to computer science or engineering. Other employers don’t require degrees, instead prioritizing candidates’ skills, knowledge and willingness to learn.
3. Cybersecurity Certifications
Some of the most successful cybersecurity professionals don’t have industry certifications, so they’re certainly not necessary to be successful. However, certifications are helpful for catching the attention of recruiters and hiring managers and for breaking through automated resume screening systems.
For someone just starting out in cybersecurity and looking for entry-level positions, investing in an educational curriculum that culminates in assessment and certification can be beneficial. CompTIA Security+ is one such offering that offers a solid foundational understanding of the field and has a high level of professional credibility.
Other renowned certifications include CISSP, Certified Information Security Manager and Certified Ethical Hacker.
4. Soft skills
While the cybersecurity community doesn’t often talk about soft skills, they can set job candidates apart from the competition.
For example, think of experienced retail salespeople. They could use their customer service expertise in a user-centric security role and their people skills in building relationships and bridges between security colleagues and other organizational stakeholders.
Highlighting such soft skills in entry-level applications, during the interview, and on social media can help a budding security professional stand out from the crowd.
5. Social commitment
In today’s digital environment, social media isn’t just for socializing. LinkedIn, for example, is a great place to connect with security professionals, learn about the field, and build a professional brand. Consider these tips to get the most out of the platform:
Follow strategically. To generate a curated feed, try subscribing to:
Relevant hashtags. The top hashtags site has a good list for cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity industry leaders and practitioners. Identify people whose viewpoints you care about and click the bell icons on their profile pages to be notified when they share new information.
industry organizations. Professional groups such as the Information Systems Security Association International (ISC)2 and ISACA regularly post helpful educational and informational content on their sites.
engage. Make meaningful comments on the content of others and contribute to professional conversations.
Split. Consider posting about your career and what you’re learning along the way, with the aim of sharing information and demonstrating expertise. Many potential employers and partners value an active professional presence on social media.
For example, you might consider writing about past or current work experiences and exploring how these intersect with information security. For example, military, legal and law enforcement professionals often have strategic expertise and investigative skills that can be easily translated into practice.
LinkedIn and Twitter can also be good places to find out about community groups and events, both digitally and in person. Additionally, DEF CON groups, BSides, Meetup and other provide educational and networking opportunities for everyone from beginners to seasoned cybersecurity professionals.
Security will almost certainly continue to see a growing job market in the years and decades to come. Being purposeful, investing thoughtful time and energy, and keeping an open mind can go a long way in opening doors to a new career in cybersecurity.
