How to Get into Cyber Security

Numerous responsibilities comprise this broad cyber security role, which involves analyzing reports and identifying unusual network conditions. The role may also involve controlling network access, maintaining firewalls or penetration testing. This position could be held at the entry level or higher experience levels.

With advanced knowledge of security tools and techniques related to firewalls, penetration testing and incident response, network security architects use both defensive and offensive measures to safeguard systems and play an important role in reinforcing enterprise architecture. They design and implement cyber security policies and procedures while managing budgets and working within operational parameters. 

Also known as “white hat hackers” or ethical hackers, the cyber security pros mimic the actions of malicious hackers to uncover network security vulnerabilities that may be hiding in networks, applications and devices. Collaborating with other cyber security professionals, they suggest solutions to eliminate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.

This experienced cyber defender builds information security systems and engineers and enforces security plans, standards, protocols and best practices. Cyber security engineers also create and install firewalls and build emergency plans for swift and efficient recovery following a security event.

This cyber security technician combines programming knowledge with cyber security analysis skills to create software that helps an organization protect its information systems from cyberattacks and data breaches. Well versed in emerging information security trends and the characteristics of the threat landscape, security software developers work with designers, engineers and testers to fortify systems against potential attacks and act swiftly to address cyber threats.  

There are many reasons to learn Python, since it can be used for a variety of tasks like system administration, web development, penetration testing and network programming. Cyber security professionals who want to stay up to date on the latest software trends will appreciate how frequently Python is updated.

Giving developers more control over the behavior of their programs, C/C++ is widely used in the development of cyber security applications because it’s a fast language that enables a lot of code to be written quickly. It is also a very portable language, meaning programs developed in C/C++ can be deployed easily on a number platforms.

Typically used to query data from databases, SQL (Structured Query Language) can be used to create security-related reports and alerts. Examples include identifying which users have access to certain types of data, and alerting system administrators when users attempt to access data they are not authorized to view.

This certification shows that you have skill with implementing and monitoring IT infrastructure, as well as a strong understanding of cryptography, network security policies, access controls and risk identification and analysis.

This certification is for those preparing to pursue roles in vulnerability testing and allows you to showcase your abilities with running vulnerability assessments, weakness management and analysis. 

Centered around the kind of work Security Analysts will be faced with on a daily basis, this certification shows competency with analyzing signs of malicious activity and your ability to respond. 

This important certification applies to IT professionals who want to certify their knowledge and proficiency in technologies related to cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

This cyber security-related certification is intended to demonstrate your ability to secure network devices, services and traffic.

This certification demonstrates your adeptness in utilizing cloud-based technology in business, and how these tools can be leveraged to provide value to your company.

The CEH Certification offered by the EC-Council verifies your ability to conduct penetration testing to exploit vulnerabilities in computer networks.

Covering both security architecture and engineering, CASP+ is a hands-on, performance-based certification for advanced cyber security practitioners. It qualifies technical leaders to assess cyber-readiness and implement solutions to fortify an organization against the next attack.

An important core competency for cyber defenders, knowledge of programming languages like Python are essential for learning how to run web administration tasks as well as for network programming.

Cyber security professionals not only need to know how to recognize and neutralize threats, but they also have to know how to work within a security operations center (SOC). One of few universities to offer this advanced course for future SOC Analysts, DeVry’s SEC455 Security Operations Center can help you learn how to protect assets from identified threats, as well as familiarize you with the various roles within SOC’s and what their objectives are.

An ongoing responsibility of any cyber security professional is measuring and analyzing risk and understanding how combatting them fits into their organization’s overall risk management strategy.

As organizations accumulate and process increasingly large amounts of information, cyber security professionals are expected to know how to create systems to efficiently collect, organize and analyze data, and protect it from security breaches. 

Data storage and sharing is increasingly happening in a cloud environment. Cyber security personnel should understand cloud systems and processes, and how internal and external cloud systems could become targets for cybercriminals.

This technical area focuses on the analysis of an organization’s vulnerabilities from the hacker’s perspective. By detecting and repairing weaknesses in their networks, organizations can minimize their attack surface, or potential points of entry, making them a smaller target for hackers. 

An important element of cyber security is managing who has access to what data across an organization’s network. Identity verification, monitoring and security alerts to prevent unauthorized access are all crucial components of access management and fundamental to a strong cyber security strategy.

Troubleshooting requires approaching problems systematically. In a cyber security environment where real or simulated problems are a constant, problem-solving, critical thinking and troubleshooting comprise a must-have skill set.

Regardless of your role, strong verbal and written communication skills are important. Strong communications skills can help you to engage more effectively with your colleagues and various stakeholder groups. This might include translating technical topics into language that people without a technical background can understand. It may also involve the promotion of healthy security practices to diverse, community-wide audiences.

Listening, patience, open-mindedness and other collaboration traits contribute to a better, more productive environment and enable you to seek out other people’s expertise to find solutions. 

When working under pressure, cyber security professionals need to be detail-oriented to find and repair small system vulnerabilities or use digital forensic tactics to investigate data breaches.  

This role focuses on maintaining hardware, software and networks, and also may involve troubleshooting and performing operations related to the protection of data. 

Responsible for the development and testing of new software or equipment, software developers play an important role in tight cyber security measures.

Roles in systems engineering involve maintaining and upgrading software systems, as well as designing and developing them. 

Companies use risk analyses to determine potential cyber threats and project the costs associated with risk mitigation. This process may involve the development of data-tracking software.

In this cyber security-related role, analysts identify potential threats to a company’s data and the software and intelligence related to it, then propose solutions to resolve these conditions.