Packt, creators of the Mapt skills platform, in its 2016 Developer Skills Report found cyber security and penetration testing are the highest paid industries in tech. The firm asked industry figures, including a cyber security consultant, to collate their insights on 2017’s tech landscape. Packt’s ‘Skill Up: Developer Talk’ report assembles insights from its authors.
Cameron Buchanan, a cyber security consultant, pictured, has performed penetration tests for a variety of clients across industries. He’s author of Kali Linux Wireless Penetration Testing: Beginner’s Guide among other titles.
How important is cyber security for small businesses?
– Where something like pen testing may not necessarily be the most important thing to [small businesses], awareness of what a good website looks like, how to store and access data, and having their systems set up correctly are paramount to the successful running of a business in the modern era.
What do you think you should learn first if you’re interested in cyber security?
– A core understanding of networking and systems is fundamental to contributing successfully to a cyber security-focused team.
What would you say are the next big things for pentesters to learn?
– Security around IoT and ICS continues to be a growing issue into the 21st century. Whilst IoT is a big buzzword right now, it will influence things to come heavily as non-traditional integrated systems are implemented and abused in increasingly strange situations.
What upcoming challenges does the security industry face, and what will have the biggest impact?
– The legislation around cyber security is changing constantly and as we enter a period of uncertainty politically, there may be some very large bombshells about to hit the community that as of yet have remained unseen. The community has always faced adversity whether through restrictions on VISAs for Black Hat or through the transportation of toolsets through customs.
Skill Up: Developer Talk is available for download at packtpub.com/packt/free-ebook/skill-developer-talk.
About Packt
Founded in 2004 in Birmingham, Packt has published more than 4000 books and videos, created by working developers. Visit www.packtpub.com.
