Threats against data and information have skyrocketed in today’s digital age. Companies around the world have found it important to protect their data and systems and have invested in cybersecurity operations to ensure advanced safety. This has led to job vacancies in cybersecurity, which not a lot of people were aware of until lately.
Cybersecurity risk management is integral to the growth of an organization and qualified professionals in the field ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent any cyber threats. Students have also started considering cybersecurity diploma programs as ones that can lead them to lucrative career opportunities.
Read on to find out how to kickstart your career in cybersecurity step by step.
Education
Earning a relevant degree or diploma in cybersecurity is the first and most important step to landing a job in the industry. This can help you develop your skills and gain some experience through internships and projects.
You can take up undergraduate programs in the areas of computer science, information technology, information security, etc., or consider pursuing a diploma in cybersecurity. Diploma programs take up less time than an undergraduate degree to complete and can help you find a job at the earliest. Interested students can also take up master’s in related fields to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Certifications
Additional certifications in related areas are also significant to start a career in cybersecurity. This can help you gain an edge over other candidates with only degrees or diplomas.
Learn programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, etc., and choose short-time courses in ethical hacking and information security such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). These topics are specific and help you gain the attention of employers.
Networking
In any industry, networking is integral to getting a job. Networking involves establishing connections with different people so that you can upskill yourself and land good jobs.
You can volunteer in any cybersecurity organization in your locality to gain more understanding of the work in the field and establish more professional connections. As the demand for the job is high and there are very few people with relevant qualifications, you can easily get a job in the cybersecurity sector.
Career opportunities
Now that you know how to start your career in the cybersecurity field, let’s take a look at some of the popular cybersecurity job roles in the industry. Mostly, the openings are either related to operations or engineering. The operations field is open to all candidates with relevant skills whereas the engineering sector of cybersecurity is managed by engineering professionals with qualifications.
Some of the popular and in-demand job roles are computer systems manager, security auditor, technical analyst, data processing manager, information security analyst, systems administrator, malware analyst, penetration tester, etc.
If you are looking for a career field that is dynamic and full of opportunities to grow, then cybersecurity is the choice for you. All you have to do is pursue a relevant program and get qualified.
