Companies around the world are doubling down on cybersecurity in the face of data breaches accelerated by remote operation. However, despite the high demand, skilled workers are rare and far from each other.
According to a report, openings for cybersecurity roles as a cybersecurity analyst are likely to increase by 18% by 2024. Another report suggests capturing more than 200,000 cybersecurity jobs (an average salary of $ 6,500).
Skills Required
The responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals involve:
- Implementing network security solutions
- Auditing networks
- Detecting intrusions and threats
- Protecting systems and networks
- Anticipating potential cyber threats
- Managing the ins and outs of information security risk management
- Risk analysis and risk mitigation
- System and network configuration
- Firewall and intrusion detection
- Following prevention protocols
- Conducting digital forensics investigation to retrieve data
Cybersecurity professionals expect skills such as operating systems, database management, programming, coding, network configuration, and more. Other skills include:
- System and network configuration
- Understanding of TCP/IP, VPNs
- Network Configuration
- Enterprise Storage
- IT fundamentals like system and web application administration
- Coding skills like Python C, C++, Java, Ruby
- Familiarity with network architecture, administration and operating systems
- Knowledge of database operations
- Strong IT foundations such as networking, systems admin, database management, web apps, etc.
- Learn how to configure, run and maintain common applications such as web server, database or DNS server
- Understanding of cloud.
- Develop technical skills: It is always advisable to get certified for the game and become familiar with the activities of the cybersecurity industry. There are various online and offline cybersecurity courses that you can enrol in to enhance your career prospects.
- Exposure: Gaining practical experience in this field is an important requirement and adds value to the resume, especially if you are leaving the IT industry. A good understanding of cybersecurity threats, internships or apprenticeships will improve your profile. You can also search for projects within your organization to gain experience in these critical areas.
- Lateral entry: If finding a profile that matches a cybersecurity profile is challenging, your best bet is to find a job in a tangential field. Being proficient in advanced IT, such as IT procedures and real-world business operations, can amount to stepping into the life of cybersecurity.
- Networking – Connecting with cybersecurity professionals to learn how the industry works are one of the most important steps in the transition from IT to cybersecurity. This can be done by attending conferences, webinars, meetings, and other networking sites like LinkedIn.
