How to Become a Cyber Security Consultant

Performing vulnerability testing by using ethical hacking and other techniques.

Delivering test findings in technical reports and white papers.

Planning, researching and designing security architecture for IT projects.

Advising on the management of security breaches and other security-related incidents and developing response plans.

Implementing and maintaining company-wide cyber security policies for client organizations and meeting with clients to discuss the security measures related to these policies.

Consulting with staff to facilitate security assessments and discuss security issues and concerns, and training staff to recognize and defend against security risks.

Keeping up to date with the latest trends and technologies that will enable the most effective security measures to safeguard systems.

Developing and submitting cost estimates for upgrades to systems and identify potential challenges in collaboration with the client’s IT project managers.

Knowledge of network structure: An understanding of technical concepts like firewall installation, network configuration and management and the administration of different operating systems is essential in this occupation.

Risk identification and management: Through regular monitoring and analysis, risk management enables cyber security professionals to identify areas that may be vulnerable to a security breach and then take steps to defend against these threats. 

Data management and analysis: An understanding of modern data management is required to create systems that gather, organize, analyze and protect data.

Cloud implementation and management: Cyber security professionals should be knowledgeable of cloud computing systems and processes and be proficient in the steps necessary to ensure cloud security. They should also know how to work with IT department personnel to create safe internal cloud systems. 

Penetration testing: This cyberattack methodology helps test information systems against breaches by seeking out weaknesses so they can be reinforced. This provides businesses with unbiased feedback about the effectiveness of their security measures, and is an essential skill in the cyber security consultant’s tool belt.

Ethical hacking: Learning and using techniques used by ethical hackers is crucial to uncovering vulnerabilities in clients’ systems, networks or applications. By using the same methods a malicious hacker might use to illegally gain access to a system, these consulting professionals can provide their clients with reliable vulnerability reports. 

Project Management:  Strong project management skills are essential for keeping the teams and initiatives cyber consultants work with on task and on time. Since they’re closely involved in how company’s strengthen their security defenses, these skills are essential to making sure that each step is completed, and executed at a high standard. 

Knowledge of compliance assessments: Compliance, a significant component of any organization’s cyber security strategy, involves adhering to the standards and regulations of government agencies and other regulatory bodies. Information security professionals must be familiar with their organizations’ compliance policies and with data privacy regulations.

Logical Reasoning:The ability to track down problems that aren’t immediately apparent within computer systems requires sharp reasoning skills. This ability can be applied to short-term crises as well as long-term solutions to systemic issues.

Adaptability: Cyber security consulting requires the ability to learn new technologies and quickly familiarize yourself with new and emerging threats. This ability to stay ahead of the curve is something clients are likely to expect. 

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communications skills allow cyber security pros to engage with various audiences, from tech-savvy IT department personnel, to upper management and executive-level stakeholders. Making technical subject matter understandable to non-technical audiences can be crucial when reporting testing results, making presentations or recommending security solutions. 

Detail-oriented: Working in a high-stakes environment where small errors could create security vulnerabilities, cyber security consultants must be both detail-oriented and driven to ensure security.

CompTIA Security+: This certification verifies the skills and knowledge to configure systems used to secure networks, applications and mobile devices. Certification holders have shown their ability to assess the security posture of an enterprise environment and recommend and implement appropriate security solutions. They can also identify, analyze and respond to security events and incidents.

Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®):  Verifies your skills in auditing, monitoring, and assessment, and your ability to utilize risk-based approaches to audits. It also verifies you’re up to date with essential technology used in these audits. 

Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP): Communicates your knowledge and understanding of data privacy laws and how they impact cyber security. This certification also helps you grasp global privacy concepts and covers the laws, regulations and enforcement models regarding them. 

CompTIA PenTest+: This certification’s exam covers all stages of penetration testing and helps IT professionals gain vulnerability assessment and management skills. PenTest+ ensures candidates can propose remediation techniques, communicate results to management and effectively provide practical recommendations.

C|EH (Ethical Hacker): This certification from EC-Council is a widely recognized certification based on 5 phases of ethical hacking. Candidates build skills and gain experience with more than 500 unique attack techniques and more than 220 challenge-based, hands-on labs.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): Covering security architecture and engineering, the CASP+ certification from CompTIA is an advanced cyber security certification designed for security architects, lead analysts, senior security engineers and other advanced cyber security technicians. It covers the practical skills these professionals need to actualize effective solutions within established policies and frameworks.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): The CISSP certification from ISC2 is intended for cyber security professionals who want to move up to positions like chief information security officer (CISO) director of security, security manager or security consultant to name a few. This certification demonstrates your ability to design, implement and maintain cybersecurity structures. The CISSP meets the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1.

As businesses focus on strengthening cyber security, they will need information security analysts to secure new technologies from outside threats or cyberattacks.

A shift to remote work and the rise of e-commerce have increased the need for enhanced security.

Cyberattacks have become more frequent, and these cyber security professionals will be needed to prevent service interruptions, theft of critical information or ransomware attacks.

Strong growth in digital health services and telehealth is expected to increase data security risks for healthcare providers, and information security analysts will likely be needed to safeguard patients’ healthcare data.