How to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist (Updated for 2021)
A cybersecurity professional is like a security guard for the digital sector. They are extremely important for maintaining network security and protecting the data of organizations and companies. Hence companies are looking for individuals with cyber security engineer certifications who can keep tabs on networks and systems that organizations employ. Also, fix any issues with system management. If you want to become a cybersecurity professional, you need not only to maintain the security of networks but also to be able to tell about future threats. And offer solutions on how to take care of such events.
However, to become a professional, you need to follow some steps:
Academics:
Like any other career in the space of cyber security, the majority of job roles relating to cyber security specialists need some academic background. However, cyber security job roles fall under a broad spectrum of role responsibilities and descriptions. Hence, it becomes easier to get the job of cyber security specialist after you complete several levels of cyber security academic education.
In simple words, you will find multiple cyber security specialist job roles once you complete a cyber security relevant degree, a master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Having any of these degrees will open employment doors for you in the arena of the cyber world.
In fact, the majority of the cyber security specialist workforce tend to find employment once they complete a relevant cybersecurity degree. For example, a 4-year degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering. In addition to this, having work experience in the field will be helpful for acquiring a specialist job.
Industry clearances and certifications
Again like the standard in numerous cybersecurity-related careers, having an applicable industry clearance or certifications is crucial for the preparation of a cyber security specialist job role.
For this, you need to learn about what types of cyber security certifications employers are looking for in individuals. Also, what kinds of cyber security training certification will make you stand firm in the competitive space.
Hence, you have an idea of what kind of cyber security certifications are on-demand; here is a list of a few popular ones:
Security+
It is a CompTIA certification, which the industry considers as an essential certification among cyber security specialists. It covers all the important chapters relating to threat assessment and risk management.
Network +
It also comes under the CompTIA certification, and it focuses on infrastructures and operations relevant to networking. Also, the cyber security industry considers it as foundational training. And you can learn about networking and grab the certification through a good cyber security online training program.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The industry considers it as one of the advanced certification programs for cybersecurity professionals. Also, it requires at least 5 years of work experience. Further in the certification, you will learn about cyber security architecture, management, and engineering.
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification
It is another important and advanced certification. However, to make this certification, you need to have specific years of work experience. The primary objective of ethical hacker certification is to make individuals comprehend how a cybersecurity attack takes place in a network or system. Hence it helps them to run a thorough assessment and improve the security quality of the system. Further, you will also gain mitigation skills with this certification.
So these were some of the highly demanded cyber security certifications in the industry.
Hence while you search for job opportunities in the space of cyber security, it will be helpful for you to keep notes on what types of training and certification your target employers are searching for.
In addition to this, when you go for interviews for any of the relevant cyber security specialist job roles, Make sure you ask the employers about what kinds of development opportunities they are offering with the position. Also, which certification will they pay better for?
Experience in the field
Having some type of experience in the space of cyber security is very important for obtaining a cyber security specialist job role. This can be some form of relevant work experience, or an internship, or any other official hands-on learning experience.
Network
Taking part in opportunities to develop a professional network will be a valuable step. You will find multiple network-based professional cyber security companies and organizations that specifically work to make members aware of job vacancies. Also, they will always let you be aware of professional development opportunities, so you don’t miss any chance.
Conclusion
The cyber security specialist job sector seems to grow at a rapid pace in the upcoming years.
In fact, experts say that the growth in this area is much faster in comparison to other professional sectors. To learn more on such subjects, follow GLOBAL TECH COUNCIL.
