How to Learn Cyber Security Skills for a Digital Age?

Learning cyber security from scratch might sound like a daunting task. To get good at this job, you require enormous mathematical and programming skills. On top of that, you also need a certain level of flexibility as you’ll have to adjust to various tasks.

The good thing is that you have all these resources at your disposal that will make your life much easier. The best way to learn cyber security is by enrolling in bootcamps now available all over the world. You can also access various videos and downloads that will make your journey a breeze.

In this article, we’ll explain how to start a new career and how to become a quality professional. Enjoy!

How to learn about cyber security as a beginner?

If you’re a complete beginner, you’ll have a much harder time getting the hang of things. Here are some of the basic requirements you’ll have to meet to become a cyber security pro:

• Set goals

During the initial planning phase, you should decide what to learn for cyber security. Decide on your preferred field and how much time you’ll need to acquire this specific skill.

• Prioritize

Although you can try your luck with any specialization, we suggest that you always prioritize jobs that you’re somewhat proficient in. Break down your skillset into smaller groups, such as hacking or forensics. Ideally, you should focus on the easiest fields and specialize in them.

• Determine barriers

Cyber security learning has to do with obstacles as much as it has to do with acquiring new skills. Create a list of all things that might impede your progression, such as lack of study material, lack of professional support, or hard subject matter. That way, you can more easily overcome these issues when they finally occur.

• Find a course

As mentioned, there are lots of fantastic courses where you can get accredited certifications. Purchasing a course will make your journey much easier as you’ll have access to the necessary materials and instructors who will answer all your questions. If you’re tight on cash, you might also consider free cyber security certifications.

• Allocate time

If you think you can become an authoritative cyber security provider with minimal investment, you got it all wrong. The basic prerequisite is having at least two hours a day to hone your skills. If you can’t set aside several hours a day for learning, don’t even start the process.

How to learn about cyber security if you have experience?

Learning cyber security is much easier if you have some knowledge in a related field. Here’s how the process would look like for someone who has already worked in the IT industry:

• Bootcamps

Even if you worked in IT for a while, you’ll likely have to find an accredited course. The investment is usually worth it, as it will help you grasp certain concepts much quicker.

• Live events

As you’re more polished than a beginner, you should quickly plant seeds for future success. Attend conferences and other networking events to find potential employers to hire you as soon as you get a certification.

• Certification

Although you probably hold some certificates, getting a cyber security degree will make the transition much smoother. In fact, having two certificates from a reputable field will give you much more flexibility in the job market.

Common cyber security skills

So, what do you learn in cyber security?

Like many other professions, the field combines soft skills and knowledge of basic and advanced concepts. If you wish to become a cyber security expert, you’ll have to get good at the following things:

• Software

First off, you’ll need to learn more about operating systems and cloud security environments. If you wish to become a professional, you should also learn how to use the biggest, most popular cyber security suites.

• Data

A proficient IT expert should know everything there is about data. Among others, these specialists know a lot about acquisition, classification, and when to hire a forensic expert.

• Networks

Similar to software, cyber security professionals should have a deep understanding of cyber security protocols and networks.

• Laws and regulation

Although cyber security attacks have become rampant in the last several years, that doesn’t mean companies don’t have any legal protection. Right now, FISAM, or Federal Information Security Management Act, is the main piece of legislation in the US guiding IT professionals. As a cyber security professional, you should know this law like the back of your hand.

• Ethical hacking

You should also learn about ethical hacking and tools like Wireshark and Nmap. That way, you can easily protect your employer from incoming attacks. Besides implementing various testing procedures, you should get acquainted with various techniques like session spoofing or traffic sniffing.

Cyber security specializations

Initially a rudimentary skill, cyber security has increased in complexity over time. Not only should you master different software, networks, and techniques, but you also need to be a proactive learner. In the end, this is the only way to counter an ever-growing hacking threat.

Due to its complexity, cyber security is now divided into several specializations. Ideally, you should have some basic knowledge of each field, but you will eventually have to focus on one specific job. Here are the main options at your disposal:

• Network security

As the name implies, these experts tackle various network threats ensuring there aren’t any intrusions. Network security pro should have a keen understanding of firewalls and network security appliances, and detection systems.

• Application security

These experts ensure that all company software works as intended and doesn’t have any vulnerabilities. They implement software security techniques on a company level.

• Penetration testing

Penetration testing is vital for determining the safety of a system. During the process, an IT professional will try to identify any weaknesses in software, system, or website and patch them as soon as possible.

• Research

Research is another proactive field that explores the newest hacking techniques and malware. Aside from gathering data, these specialists perform various experiments to determine the threat level of malicious software and procedures.

Conclusion

After understanding the intricacies and various dimensions of cyber security, it’s evident that the path to becoming a proficient expert in the field requires dedication, continuous learning, and specialization. With an array of available resources, there’s a niche for everyone passionate about defending the digital realm. And so, now you know how to start learning cyber security and contribute to a safer digital world.