In 2020, the Cyber Security Industry Attracted Record Investment despite a global pandemic. This goes to emphasise how much opportunity there currently is for those working or looking to be employed in the sector.
Indeed, the variety of career options that offer great paths for personal growth and professional development arguably makes the area stand out within the wider security industry. As a result, many are searching for the best routes into the industry, thus we’ve put together a brief guide that you can read below:
Getting Started – Awareness, reading, practice
Before you can thrive at anything, there are always the basics to start with. For cyber security, one of the first ways to engage with the industry is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and news stories. Not only does this provide an excellent basis for further reading, it can also greatly improve your awareness and insight into cyber, IT, and network security. You can find the Latest News on Cyber Security Here to read more.
The other area of your foundation is the tried and tested route of practice. We recommend using a second computer to install operating systems and, with permission, monitor networks and test your skills.
Training – Courses, degrees, achievement
There are several training courses available to anyone that can help you progress in the cyber security industry. General IT training, including entry-level jobs, apprenticeships and online courses, provide a good overview of the relevant areas that are vital for online security. Programming courses are also essential and, whilst it isn’t always required, a degree in something related to cyber security and help significantly.
Alternatively, digital security contests and training games can also help highlight your experience in the industry’s knowledge, giving you an achievement that can often help your job prospects.
Cyber Security Jobs – Focusing on industry specifics
When looking for the first role that could help you break into the cyber security industry, it’s useful to have a specific position in mind. For instance, entry-level IT jobs that can lead to cyber security may include:
Computer programmer
Computer systems analyst or support specialist
Database administrator
IT technician
IT service or support
Network engineer
Software engineer
System or web administrator
Meanwhile, some specific cyber security roles that you might have in mind are:
Cyber security specialist
Cyber security technicians, principals, or administrators
Network security engineer
Penetration testers
Security technical architect
Vulnerability analysts
The above should give you some ideas of how to map out your career path. So, for another article on getting into cyber security sector, read Our Piece on Plugging the Skills Gap Here.
