Cybersecurity is More Important Than Ever
As daily cyberattacks originate worldwide, every company and individual must establish safeguards to protect themselves. Hackers, malware, phishing, and other threats have become an inescapable fact of life.
Cybersecurity is one of today’s fastest-growing fields. Bad actors seek to disrupt or damage systems, operations, and financial information. Attackers use weapons ranging from spyware and viruses to denial of service (DoS) attacks, SQL injections, and rootkits to breach entry points, steal passwords, and even overwhelm servers entirely.
Finding Work in a Booming Field
Thanks to the combination of our continuously evolving digital world and the Great Resignation of 2020-2021, more organizations require cybersecurity personnel, and fast. It’s not the private sector alone, either: agencies as well-known as the FBI and NSA need digital forensic analysts, including special agents with high security clearances.
Private companies are scrambling to fill cybersecurity positions as well. According to Forbes, there are almost half a million open cybersecurity positions that need to be filled. The median pay for information security analysts in the U.S. is $103,590 per year, and there are numerous other careers in the cybersecurity field. Check online job listings, and you’ll find roles with titles like these:
- Cybersecurity Threat Analyst
- Cybersecurity Intrusion Analyst
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Information Security Analyst
- Technical Cybersecurity Specialist
- IT Security Specialist
- Cyber Risk Consultant
Develop a Step-By-Step Plan for a Cybersecurity Career
Here are some steps you can take to qualify for a job in the cybersecurity field (click the link to skip to the next step).
- Research the Field
- Create a Game Plan
- Learn the Tools of the Trade
- Enroll in a Bootcamp or Certificate Program
- Get Certified!
- Strategize, Prepare, Apply
- Plan for Ongoing Professional Development
- Research the Field
1. Research the Field
The cybersecurity field is no place for hobbyists. While small business owners and entrepreneurs have to invest in antivirus software or malware scanning apps, the role of a cybersecurity specialist is on another level. Researching the field can entail determining whether you prefer to work in the public or private sector, what kind of training you need, and how that will look financially.
You may be able to find work in the field without a degree, but you’ll need to get hands-on experience. Consider enrolling in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp to prepare for a security certification.
2. Create a Game Plan
Your approach to the cybersecurity field depends largely on your ultimate goal. Interested in becoming a Security Operations Center Analyst? A Digital Forensics class will help you train for the role. If you want to dig into how network security works with Linux and Python, an Introduction to Cybersecurity & Networks course may provide the training and knowledge you need. Have a plan in place before you commit to a course of action.
3. Learn the Tools of the Trade
As you learn more about cybersecurity, you’ll discover that different positions rely on particular tools more than others. The following is a partial list of top cybersecurity tools and frameworks:
- Wireshark—This open-source network protocol analyzer helps cybersecurity pros identify weaknesses in network security.
- Kali Linux—Also open-source, Kali Linux is a distribution for penetration testing and digital forensics
- Nessus—Nessus is a vulnerability assessment tool from Tenable.
- Metasploit—This penetration testing framework also aids in IDS signature development.
- Nikto—Nikto, also available from Kali, is a web server and CGI scanner.
4. Enroll in a Bootcamp or Certificate Program
Among the best ways to prepare for a cybersecurity career, in-depth bootcamps and certificate programs top the list. A formal degree program takes years and can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but an in-depth bootcamp is less expensive and can be completed in a matter of months.
The Cybersecurity Bootcamp from Noble Desktop is an intensive two-month certificate program that helps students prepare for careers like Cybersecurity Analyst or Cybersecurity Engineer positions. Top cybersecurity bootcamps and certificates like this are comparable to similar programs in data science, software engineering, or web development. Check out Noble Desktop’s search tool to compare bootcamps side by side.
This type of program is made up of shorter bootcamps ranging from 12 to 30 hours each, for a total of 210 hours. Small classes, 1-to-1 mentoring, and flexible payment plans make the Cybersecurity Bootcamp an ideal method to jump-start a career in the field. Topics include:
- Intro to Cybersecurity & Networks
- Digital Forensics
- Linux OS & Bash Scripting
- Cloud Computing with Amazon Web Services
- Cybersecurity Industry & Job Prep
Students can take Intro to Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Linux OS and Cloud Computing courses separately, or save by taking them through the Cybersecurity Bootcamp. The comprehensive certificate program also features the following Python-centered courses:
- Python Programming Bootcamp
- Python for Network Security
- Cybersecurity with Python
- Offensive Security with Python
5. Get Certified!
While a Cybersecurity Bootcamp like that offered by Noble Desktop includes a digital Certificate of Completion, there are other types of certifications essential to cyber professionals. These involve sitting for specific exams. The following is a partial list of certifications and tests that can help you accelerate your cybersecurity career:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)—The CISSP is an information security certification. This is recognized worldwide as an essential certification for IT security professionals.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)—Want to be a hacker? There are good guys and bad guys, and the key word in this certification is “ethical.” The CEH exam is a four-hour test issued by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants.
- CompTIA PenTest+—PenTest is shorthand for penetration testing, and the CompTiaPenTest+ exam is a comprehensive one. IT pros with several years of experience often get this certification to advance to positions as Security Analysts, Penetration Testers, and other roles.
- CompTIA Security+—Before taking the CompTIA PenTest+ exam, many security pros sit for CompTIA Security+ certification. This is considered an entry-level or baseline certification for administrators, analysts, and auditors.
Some certifications are more appropriate for cybersecurity pros with years of experience, but getting the right one early can launch your career—even if you haven’t gotten a degree.
6. Strategize, Prepare, Apply
Once you have graduated from a program like the Cybersecurity Bootcamp, it’s time to put your plan into action. Fortunately, Noble Desktop has you covered here, too. Their Cybersecurity Bootcamp includes eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. Your instructor can offer guidance on career options, help with your resume and LinkedIn profile, and coach you in interview preparation.
From there, you can apply for all types of positions. Not all require degrees, and it’s a smart strategy to be open to part-time, remote, and contract work. Today, many companies hire security analysts, consultants, or specialists on a part-time or contract basis.
7. Plan for Ongoing Professional Development
Because there are so many possible certifications for cybersecurity, it can be overwhelming sorting through them all. That’s why Noble Desktop created its Cybersecurity Bootcamp, which prepares students by giving them practical technical skills and an education in how networks and systems function.
Beyond those listed above, numerous other certifications can help you advance in this complex field, especially as you gain experience. These include:
- Security Industry Cybersecurity Certification (SICC)
- Certified in Risk & Information System Control (CRISC)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
While no single certification guarantees a particular employment outcome, there’s always room for growth in an important, dynamic field like cybersecurity.