Are you looking forward to pursuing your career in data security, which many rely on? Cybersecurity protects a company’s IT assets against unauthorized access. Hacking and other dangers can access, alter, or destroy sensitive data, including finances, medical records, passwords, and sensitive data. So, this career has several benefits. But do you know how to get into cyber security? This guide will facilitate you, but it will be excellent if you have an educational background with exceptional high-income skills linked to this career path.
Table of Contents
How to Get into Cyber Security
This article outlines how to get into cyber security. So, if you have a plan for gaining experience, you stand a good chance of success.
Careers in Cyber Security
Businesses use IT and cyber security specialists to guard against assaults. They try to minimize threats to both internal and external systems. Depending on the skill set, consider one of the following five popular career pathways in cyber security.
It includes engineering and architecture, incident response, management and administration, consulting, testing, and hacking. Further, you can look at the entry-level and in-demand cyber security jobs at specific entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions.
Job Outlook and Salary
BLS (a consensus) predicts that between 2022 and 2032, the number of cybersecurity jobs will increase by 32%. That is substantially quicker than the 3 percent average for all jobs. Likewise, the positions typically pay well, and all levels of expertise are in demand. Entry-level positions pay between $78k and $81k. The salary ranges for mid-level and senior positions are $94k–97k and $87k–106k.
Steps on How to Get into Cyber Security
There are steps to follow in pursuing this career and enjoying its perks.
Prior Research on its Landscape
There is a general method on how to get into cyber security employment roles, starting with entry-level roles. Moving is possible if you possess tech sales & IT expertise and transferable skills. Search these job options. Which abilities do you currently have that fit the career roles?
Given that you already hold an engineering degree, your dream job would be this career. Look for people in positions you’re interested in on online recruiting platforms. What credentials do they possess? Do they have certain diplomas or master’s degrees? All these things require consideration.
Education and Training
Cyber security experts require insights into computer OSes, coding languages, forensics, and ethical hacking. Experts apply their technical skills in different roles. Academic programs and boot camps can acquire this insight. Training and boot bases can provide a quick and easy path into the working world.
Further, students pursuing degrees may be better prepared to seek industrial licenses. The value of a degree rises with greater duty levels. For example, a bachelor’s degree is crucial for a mid-level job. The tech experts often hold master’s degrees. A PhD may be required for employment in research and teaching.
Develop Some Skills
After defining what job you’re interested in, you may begin developing the required skills. In general, you should be adept in a skill set. Mastery in Windows, Linux, and macOS is essential for research, analysis, tech forensics, and more. Moreover, you must know about cloud security systems like Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure. However, you should feel at ease with coding like SQL, JavaScript, C and C++, and Python.
Certificate Review
Courses indicate to recruiters that you possess concrete abilities and a degree of skills. One well-liked entry-level certificate that verifies you have the basic skills is CompTIA Security+. The CISA approval is a further badge that points to your capacity to identify security flaws and provide compliance reports.
Get Familiar with Tools and Software
You need to know a few hardware, software, and tool systems. Utilizing at least one cloud software, such as Azure, can help explain its operation. Thus, free trials are available for specific programs, so use them efficiently.
Gain Experience or Use Hybrid Pathway
Working on field projects is one of the best methods to gain experience and showcase your skills. You should apply for internships and entry-level jobs or consult an expert. Still, if you need more experience, the hybrid route is available. A hybrid method blends formal schooling, self-taught learning, skilled trade schools, and badges. It enables you to advance more quickly and study the field as much as possible.
Grow Your Network
Putting a contact through a shared link can help you stand out from the competition. You may already know someone in this field. He may recommend you for a position at their company or offer insightful advice. Expanding your network may also entail joining a network to connect with other regional experts.
Update Resume & Apply Later
Lastly, ensure your CV is updated with fresh experience, talents, and certificates. Customizing your cover letter and CV for every job you apply for is a good idea to show that you meet the criteria listed in the JD. Before you locate the ideal job, you should apply to several of them and go through the interview process.
Pros and Cons of this Career
The benefits of working in this sector are vast. Among them are high incomes, in-demand jobs, and rapid career growth. Another benefit is the chance to do other work and get an ongoing education. However, there are risks to this route.
Further, intense and high-stress hours are mixed in with boring and constant ones. Firms need more resources, expertise, and room for error. Maintaining these could be difficult with rapidly changing trends and fresh data.
Conclusion
There are two sides to the digital era. While access to the internet opens doors for good people everywhere, it also makes it easier for malicious people to use digital assets. Further, the need for people with cybersecurity expertise is growing. There is an increasing demand and complexity of cyber attacks caused by new AI tools. Apart from all this, knowing how to get into cyber security regardless of your starting point is important.
FAQs About How to Get into Cyber Security
How to get into cyber security without experience?
An IT career can provide a solid basis for a career in cybersecurity. Still, having no experience does not matter a lot. You could take up volunteer or freelance work to get the necessary experience in the interim.
How do you get into this field without a degree?
A degree is optional to work in this area. Getting certified has helped a lot of people get jobs. Thus, obtaining a degree can help you advance, but you should consider whether the time and money required for a degree are worthwhile.
I hope you enjoy our article. Do check out more of our amazing articles.