Jumpstart Your Career in Cybersecurity: Tips and Know-hows

Currently, there’s a zero percent unemployment rate in the field of cybersecurity. By 2021, there will be 3.5 million unfulfilled jobs in the industry.

Which makes now a great time to think about starting a career in cybersecurity. There’s literally no chance you won’t get hired somewhere.

If you’re already an IT professional, it won’t be too difficult to make the switch. After all, you’re doing some of the work already.

And the income is great. Most professionals report that they earn $116,000. That’s three times higher than the national average for full-time wage earners.

But cybersecurity is hard work and a lot of responsibility. Before you jump in, here’s what you need to know to get started in a cybersecurity career.

Know the Basics

If you don’t know anything about IT then you’ll have to start learning the basics. Even if you have some background in the investigatory field, there’s still a lot to learn.

Go to School

To gain the necessary skills, go back to school. You can look at technical colleges or Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses near you for night courses.

At school, you should take courses in network management and security basics. If that’s not an option, check the internet for online courses you can take at your own convenience.

Get a Job

Once you have gained some knowledge, it’s time to take the next step.

Start by getting a job, internship, or even an apprenticeship in IT. Doing so will teach you the fundamentals to start your cybersecurity career. You’ll learn how to administer and configure systems.

You’ll also learn about networks, database management and coding. The basics will provide you with a sense of IT procedures within a real-world business operation.

Volunteer

To gain experience and knowledge, you can also volunteer. There are several ways you can do this.

Collaborate with a team at school on a cybersecurity project. Volunteer at IT and cybersecurity conferences. Offer help in performing IT security functions for a non-profit organisation or a charity.

Volunteering is a great way to make contacts and network. It’ll also help you see if you would enjoy working in cybersecurity while giving back to others. 

Focus on Your Interests

A cybersecurity career can have many facets. There’s no way to become an expert in all categories of cybersecurity.

 

Earn Certifications

Certifications will go a long way towards getting you a job within the cybersecurity industry. Not only does it give you an edge over other candidates, it will make you more valuable to an employer. The Security+ certification is a good place to start.

Another certification most cybersecurity professionals obtain is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.

If your interests lie in becoming an information security manager, you’ll need to obtain the ISO 27001 qualification.

Those in cybersecurity who help businesses comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) will need to develop their PCI DSS implementation skills. 

However, with the current lack of professionals in the marketplace, you don’t need to earn a full degree or obtain extensive credentials to become successful.

It’s often enough to get your basic credentials and show at least a little bit of aptitude in order to get an entry-level job. If you’re good at it, you’ll rise rapidly without all the extra degrees.

But if you’re looking for a cybersecurity career in management, you’ll need to gain extra certifications. Qualifications such as CISA, CISM, CISMP, and CISSP will help you get ahead in your field.

Get Experience

There are plenty of cybersecurity careers to choose from. If you’re not sure exactly which one you want to specialise in, it’s easy to gain experience.

Jobs that can lead to cybersecurity careers include:

All of these positions have entry-level openings available. Since there are plenty of openings, don’t be afraid to try a few of them before you settle on your focus.

Network for Opport unities

You can be the smartest, most adept cybersecurity professional out there. But if no one knows about you, it’s hard to get hired.

That’s why networking is so important. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, networking is an essential part of everyone’s career.

Get involved with open source or community projects if you can. Review your personal branding on LinkedIn.

If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. No one can create a career all by themselves.

But don’t forget to give back. Helping others mount their careers or just providing much-needed advice will make you a good team player.

Look online for community forums for cybersecurity professionals. Join online groups and search through social media to connect with like-minded groups and professionals.

Network in Person

Though it’s much easier to network online now, don’t forget the importance of connecting with humans face-to-face.

While you work in IT, that doesn’t mean you should just focus on your screen and digital platforms. You need to put yourself out there in front of real live people.

Join a meetup. Attend conferences on cybersecurity. Meet with other current security professionals from local tech companies. Invite them out for coffee and ask them for advice.

The more people you interact with, the more you’ll learn. But it works both ways.

People will get the opportunity to find out who you are and how you work. You’ll create relationships with people in your community and open up several opportunities.

Networking is also a great way to find out what the latest careers and trends are out there. It’s also a way for people in your industry to get to know and trust you before you’ve even been hired.

Create an Eye-Catching Resume

Experience, networking, and education will only get you so far. You’ll need to create an excellent resume.

Here’s what you should include in your resume to get hired at the cybersecurity career of your choice.

1. University Degree or Certifications

While it’s not always necessary to have a university degree or relevant certifications for an entry-level job in cybersecurity, it will be an advantage.

Employers know you’ve been taught skills in communication, writing, business, and project management at university. It’s also more likely for employers to see you in a management position.

Also, some employers won’t hire someone without a university degree.

2. Job Experience

Never forget to list down your relevant job experiences on your resume. Include any previous IT positions you’ve had, even internships or apprenticeships.

If you have any IT experience as a volunteer, put that on your resume as well.

If you’re interested in a cybersecurity career with the government, mention any former military or law enforcement experience you might have.

3. Hard IT Skills

If you have any professional IT certifications, make sure you allot a space for them in your resume.

Not all employers look for beginner’s security certifications, but if you have any, be prepared to back them up with actual skills. 

4. IT Achievements

Depending on where you are in your cybersecurity career, you may have already gained some achievements in your field.

If you have any IT or cybersecurity achievements that you think employers are looking for, include them.

If you have any course certification or earned a scholarship in IT or cybersecurity, don’t forget to mention them on your resume.

Achievements can even include Capture The Flag (CTF) standings and contest awards.

Extra Steps You Can Take

We have a few bonus tips to help you prepare for your cybersecurity career.

Read IT and security magazines. Go online, subscribe, and follow news sites and blogs.

Bookmark your favourite cybersecurity websites. Join message boards like Information Security Stack Exchange and keep tabs on the latest news.

Lastly, run a background check on yourself. That way, you can find out if there are any existing red flags before a potential employer finds them.

cybersecurity is obviously a sensitive field. Employers are looking for ethical candidates to hire and trust.

If you do find any red flags, take whatever measures are necessary to fix them before apply for positions.

Get Hired

Once you have the training, education, and resume finished, it’s time to start searching for the perfect cybersecurity career.

If you’re ready to embark on a great career, look no further. We can help you connect with the industry’s latest openings.