How To Get Into Cybersecurity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Succeeding in this Dynamic Field

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• [toc headings="h2,h3,h4" title="Table of Contents"] Cybersecurity jobs are booming, even while other technology professionals are experiencing sweeping layoffs and shrinking opportunities. This makes cybersecurity an appealing field for people with tech knowledge who want a stable career path with high long-term job security. Cybersecurity careers have other benefits for job seekers. You can expect to earn a high salary with the right combination of skills and experience, for one thing. The average salary for entry-level cybersecurity professionals in the United States is around $68,000 per year according to Glassdoor, while the median salary for cybersecurity analysts in the US was $102,600 in 2020, nearly twice the overall US median wage. Looking at this info, you might be wondering why everyone doesn't get a job in cybersecurity. One issue is that it can be a tricky field to get started in. Employers look for a very specific set of qualifications in the professionals they hire, and even for entry-level roles, a Bachelor's degree often isn't enough to get the gig. If you're curious what it takes to land one of these high-paying, reliable cybersecurity positions, you've come to the right place to get answers to your questions.

• What type of person thrives in cybersecurity?

• Cybersecurity can be a great career, but not necessarily for everyone. It's an ideal career path for people who enjoy constantly learning new things. Hackers are always seeking out new ways to infiltrate systems, and security professionals need to stay up-to-date with these latest threats and prevention methods for them to be effective. Curiosity in general is a great trait to have in cybersecurity, as is an ability to solve novel problems, or find new, better solutions to known issues. Another must-have trait to excel in cybersecurity is the ability to stay calm under pressure. This is especially important for those on incident response teams, who need to jump into action quickly and think clearly under pressure to resolve data breaches as soon as possible once they're detected. It also helps if you have a passion for technology and data. Working in cybersecurity can sometimes mean long hours, or being on-call when problems happen in the evenings or on the weekends. If you don't love what you do, this demanding schedule can wear you down. As far as technical skills, the specific set you'll need will depend on which area of cybersecurity you're focused on. There are some skills you'll need across disciplines in this field, however, which include those below.

• Key skills for cybersecurity professionals

• Scripting and coding

• Not all cybersecurity professionals need to write code on a regular basis, but they do consistently at least need to understand how programming languages work. They may be called on to automate tasks using languages like Python, or to examine code for issues or inconsistencies, which is impossible to do without understanding the languages involved.

• Deep knowledge of operating systems

• This doesn't just mean knowing how to navigate a desktop's user interface. Often, a cybersecurity expert will be called on to use the command-line interface and other advanced functions. You should have at least a working knowledge of Windows, iOS, and Linux before embarking on a cybersecurity career.

• Wireless networking

• Many threats don't just impact a single device, but are made against a network of connected devices used by an organization. Keeping all of these devices secure means first understanding how they work and the common protection methods employed to keep hackers out while still granting full access to the individuals who should have it.

• Risk management

• It's much easier to identify and respond to attacks if you understand the common vectors they use and where they're likely to find vulnerabilities. Managing risk also means knowing the relative severity and likelihood of different threats, allowing security professionals to focus their time and energy where it will have the greatest impact.

• Cybersecurity education and certifications

• For most, the journey to start a cybersecurity career starts by earning a Bachelor's degree. An increasing number of universities offer an information security or cybersecurity degree program, though there are other options. Degrees like computer science, information technology management, computer programming, and similar fields can also prepare students for a security career. Some cybersecurity specialists may also get a Master's degree. This is most common for security managers and other leadership roles like Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), though it may also be a preferred qualification for high-level roles like Security Architect. While this may be a smart move later on in your career, most security professionals who need a Master's go back to college for it after they've spent some time working in the field. Another way to learn and verify cybersecurity skills is to obtain certification. There are a number of security credentials you can earn. Some are general certificates that cover topics like network security, programming languages, malware and virus prevention, identifying and resolving data breaches, and other fundamentals of the cybersecurity field. Others are more specialized, such as a certificate in cloud security, penetration testing, data encryption, or digital forensics. Some common cybersecurity certifications for early career professionals include:

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • CompTIA Security+
  • GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF)
  • GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
  • ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
  Any of the above credentials will demonstrate you have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the cyber security space. The same organizations that grant these certifications also have learning resources and online classes to prepare for them, which can be a helpful resource for those who are just starting in the field. Another education option is to take part in a cybersecurity bootcamp. Bootcamps are courses, normally offered online, that include both book learning and hands-on projects to simulate the day-to-day work environment. These programs can last anywhere from a few weeks to 6 months. The cost varies widely, as well, from around $3,000 to more than $15,000, though there are often scholarships available for the pricier courses. In addition to learning skills, many bootcamps include a fundamental certification to prove your new expertise. Some popular cybersecurity bootcamps include those offered by Springboard, Fullstack Academy, and Flatiorn School. Some four-year colleges and universities also offer bootcamp programs, which can be a quicker and more affordable way to learn from their full-time faculty.

• Entry-level roles in cybersecurity

• One of the tricky things about starting a cybersecurity career is that it's hard to find a role that's truly entry-level. Even for positions that are on the bottom rung of the metaphorical career ladder, companies look for applicants who have at least a few years of hands-on IT experience working with networks, servers, and computer systems in an organization. There are a few ways for early-career IT professionals to get around this. One option is to look for a cybersecurity internship. Internships can take many forms. In some cases, you'll be shadowing a security professional to see what their job entails and help them with basic tasks. Other internships are paid positions lasting 4-6 months where you'll put your security skills to work as part of the company's IT team. This style of internship will be the most valuable for landing a security position since it gives you something to list under the "work experience" area of your resume. Another option is to gain experience in a different IT role that is truly entry-level. This gives you work experience with the tools, technologies, systems, and software used in cybersecurity teams. A job as an IT support specialist uses a similar skill set as a system or network administrator, making it ideal preparation for that type of role. Other examples of entry-level IT roles include source code auditors, network testers, and IT technicians. Once you have a Bachelor's degree, a certification or two, and a couple of years of hands-on IT experience, you'll have a much better chance of landing a cybersecurity job. Here are some of the most common entry-level roles in information security.

• Information security analyst

• Average entry-level salary: $67,000 per year Useful certifications: CISSP, CISM, GSEC, CompTIA Security+ Information security analysts monitor an organization's system and network for vulnerabilities and malicious activities. This can include things like conducting risk assessment, implementing security measures and data encryption systems, managing updates and patches, and identifying vulnerabilities. They're also part of the team that responds after an attack, mitigating the damage and taking steps to prevent future issues. The next step up the career ladder is often to become a security manager who oversees a team of analysts. These professionals work in a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and government.

• System administrator

• Average entry-level salary: $55,000 per year Useful certifications: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Server+, Microsoft certified, CISA System administrators maintain records on the activity and user accounts in a network, as well as ensuring the IT infrastructure across the organization is functioning as it should. Responsibilities can include installing or updating software, creating new user accounts, troubleshooting issues, and managing servers and security measures like firewalls. This role is good preparation for positions like security architect or security engineer.

• Security auditor

• Average entry-level salary: $60,000 per year Useful certifications: CISA, CISSA Security auditors evaluate and test the systems in an organization to identify vulnerabilities and risk. They also ensure that the systems are in compliance with any industry or government regulations. Responsibilities often include managing firewalls, evaluating encryption protocols, and inspecting source code for issues. This requires a strong attention to detail as well as knowledge of security best practices and industry standards. Advancement opportunities include roles in management, as well as positions like security architect or roles in charge of compliance and security policy creation.

• Popular cybersecurity career paths

• Organizations and individuals today use technology in an ever-expanding variety of ways, and this means an equally broad variety of potential threats and attacks they need to be protected from. From internal business networks, data, and systems to online shopping, cloud-based infrastructure, the Internet of Things, and mobile applications, there are a lot of ways for hackers to access information. Each of these types of technology comes with its own array of vulnerabilities and best practices to prevent hackers from exploiting them. As you advance in your cybersecurity career, it's likely you'll find yourself specializing in a particular area of the broader security field. Here are some of the common career paths that open up once you've gained some experience in one of the entry-level roles highlighted above.

• Penetration tester

• Average salary: $91,000 per year Typical education: Bachelor's degree, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+ Also known as ethical hackers, penetration testers use hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities in a system, allowing organizations to shore up their defenses before bad actors can exploit them. Most companies look for someone to have 3-5 years of experience in cybersecurity for these roles, though they may look for up to 10 years of experience for more senior or high-level positions.

• Security engineer

• Average salary: $92,000 per year Typical education: Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, CISSP certification Security engineers spend most of their time testing and troubleshooting a system or network's security. They also implement new tools or protection systems and are often involved with planning and designing improvements. Security engineers may also specialize in a specific area of cybersecurity, such as application security, network security, or cloud security. Most job postings look for candidates with 3-5 years of IT experience. The more specialized or senior the role, the more experience and education you'll need to secure it.

• Security architect

• Average salary: $127,000 per year Typical education: Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, GIAC Defensible Security Architecture (GDSA), Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP) Security architects are management-level positions who oversee the team responsible for implementing and maintaining the data and network security of an organization. They're also the ones who plan and create these systems, as well as any improvements or updates they need down the line. Most employers look for candidates with 5-10 years of IT experience, at least a portion of which are directly in the field of cybersecurity, as well as some experience leading or managing people.

• Starting your cybersecurity career

• Breaking into the field of cybersecurity can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort for many professionals. As you can see, cybersecurity salaries increase quickly once you get past the entry level. Security also offers better long-term job security than other tech roles, and security professionals are in high demand in a range of industries. If you're considering a career in cybersecurity, we hope this post has given you some useful insights about how to best get started.