Anyone who starts looking for cybersecurity training can feel overwhelmed with the variety of options out there. An online search will show you everything from the free courses to a master’s degree, on-site classes or online programs, longer or shorter programs. And if you dare ask in online forums, you will find those who are very passionate about being self-taught. 

Don’t worry. Before you keep reading about programs, certifications, and degrees, take some time to understand the key elements to look for cybersecurity training. Remember, the program you choose will be the first step to a career facing a growing talent gap, so making your resume stand out from the pack is the key to a gratifying life. 

1- Curriculum 

When choosing a cybersecurity program, make sure it goes beyond teaching technical skills. Please don’t misunderstand; those skills are key in your educational background, but a good program will give its students the necessary tools to become a lifelong student.  

A good program is also constantly updated to include the latest technologies, threats, and best practices for attacking and defending networks and systems. This is a field that is constantly facing new risks and attacks, and to keep up with the pace of the bad guys, you will be required to update your skills constantly.  

2- Hands-On Training 

The program you choose should give you more than just theoretical knowledge; it will give you hands-on learning opportunities. It should be designed with experiential learning to give you real examples of how the content discussed is relevant during an attack and how each topic is related to other technologies and circumstances.   

A good cybersecurity professional is one that, since day one, is putting his skills and knowledge into practice. Then you will know if you truly understand how to apply every piece of knowledge earned in class.  

3- Industry Expert Instructors 

When researching cybersecurity programs, make sure to look for the instructor´s resume. If it is not published on their website, ask for it. This will help you understand who will be teaching you, their background, and their area of expertise.  

As it would happen in any other field: you want to learn from the best. A skilled instructor has been in the trenches of cybersecurity, that has fought battles against hackers, that knows how to apply the NIST framework: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover; one that knows how to leverage the lessons learned in the classroom.  

4- Regionally Recognized Certifications 

Make sure the program you choose grants you industry-recognized certifications; this will help your resume stand out from competitors when applying for a job and will demonstrate your level of commitment to cybersecurity and to updating your skills.   

5- Work–Life Balance 

The program you choose must fit into your lifestyle. It would help if you considered the class schedule, the additional hours you will need to invest, your work schedule, and your family plans. Also, ask yourself if you would rather take an online or in-person program. Each one has its own benefits. For example, an online program can be a better fit for your work schedule as you don’t have to go from one place to another, and it also helps with social distancing and COVID protection. And an in-person program gives you an easier way to networking.  

When searching for cybersecurity training, make sure you take into consideration the above criteria. But don’t just stop there! Feel free to ask any questions you might have; academies and schools are there to help you figure out if the program they offer has what you are looking for.  

So you’ve made up your mind and decided to get a cybersecurity job. A wise choice considering this is a career with a lot to offer, especially now that remote working is the new normal and organizations (big and small) struggle to create safe remote work environments and keep their data safe. 

At this point, you probably already researched or even enrolled in the best cybersecurity training you can get. You started reading and watching online videos about entering the field. You are considering different career paths and figuring out which one is the best choice for you… and most likely, you are facing the big question: how can I land my first job?

To make it easier for you, we came up with 4 actionable tips that will help you transition more smoothly and understand what you will face when entering the stage of applying for different job opportunities at different organizations.  

1- Become Fluent in Technical Language 

When facing a recruiter for a cybersecurity job, you must show them you understand what you are talking about and dominate the key industry terminology, even the acronyms. It is unacceptable for a candidate not to know what terms like virtual private network, exploit, breach, firewall, etc. Before you start sharing your resume and scheduling interviews, take time to study and develop a deep understanding of the cybersecurity language. 

2- Get Certified 

We have mentioned this in the past; cybersecurity certifications are the perfect way of demonstrating to any employer that you have subject matter knowledge, having them in your resume will help you stand out from your competition, they will show your level of commitment, and, for those who are not yet convinced, many hiring managers consider them as the minimum required qualifications. 

3- Stay Informed of Emerging Trends 

Cybersecurity is a field that is constantly evolving. Part of your job would be to prevent any possible cyber-attacks. To do so, you first need to understand that hackers are always looking for new ways to hack into networks, software, and hardware. You can learn a lot by reading about the most recent hacks and defense measures. You can use that information when you are having an interview for a cybersecurity job. You can show them that you are a constant learner, committed to investigations, and staying in the know of the latest trends around the world. Comment about some of the sources you regularly read: cybersecurity websites, blogs, authors.

4- Start Working on Your Network 

Just as you would do for any other job, start growing your network related to the field. Look for old classmates or anyone you know who works in the field, connect with them on social media, chat with them, grab a coffee with them (keep social distancing measures, please), and ask them about your doubts about getting started in the field, or any other thing that will help become a successful professional. You could even consider them your mentor. Try reaching out to different people with different roles to talk with them to understand the field better you want to get into it. 

As a final thought, spend some time working on your resume, so it stands out from the pack. There are many job openings in this field, but recruiters are picky with whom they hire for a security role. Dedicate yourself to work on your technical skills, like certifications and pieces of training, but do not forget your soft skills: learn how to communicate non-technical things, how to pay closer attention to details, and how to be more skeptical.  

The COVID-19 Pandemic and remote working have demonstrated the growing need for cybersecurity professionals for all organizations (from small businesses to large corporations and government offices). While data reflects a rise in job opportunities, there is also evidence that businesses are looking to hire people that can carry out different cybersecurity roles – sort of a cybersecurity utility infielder. The right candidate must have a combination of experience, technology skills, and business and interpersonal skills.

We researched different recruiting sites to learn what are the most in-demand jobs posted so far this year. We then drew a direct link between those jobs and what skills and training you should get to qualify for these jobs. 

1- Information Security Analyst 

A Security or Cybersecurity Analyst’s main task is to plan and carry out security measures to protect the organization’s computer network and systems. Daily security analysts have to monitor their networks for security breaches and to be able to detect and investigate if an attack passes through their controls.  These highly trained professionals also create and implement a disaster recovery plan and must stay up to date with the latest hacking trends and how to prevent them. 

Most job openings for this role require candidates to have certifications such as CISSP, SANS/GIAC Certification, CISA, CISM, and CompTIA Security+.

According to Cyberseek.org, there are currently 28,758 job openings in the US.

2- Penetration Testers 

Penetration testing professionals help organizations find vulnerabilities and weaknesses in their networks and systems before hackers do. A penetration tester must plan and create penetration methods, scripts, and tests that simulate security breaches. Subsequently, they present their findings, educate others about the risks and impact of any possible attack, and carry the larger responsibility of recommending methods to fix and improve the organization’s security systems.

Most job openings for this role request candidates to have certifications such as CEH, CCNA, CISSP, CISA, CISM, and CompTIA Security+. 

According to Cyberseek.org, there are currently 13,647 job openings in the US. 

3- Cybersecurity Architects 

This senior-level position is responsible for planning, designing, testing, and implementing an organization’s security infrastructure. Anyone in this role needs to have an excellent understanding of the business and organization they are working in and the technology they are using to create an effective security infrastructure. A good cybersecurity architect thinks like a hacker thinks like a business executive, and has an IT executive’s technical skills.

Most job openings for this role request candidates to have certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SANS/GIAC Certification, CISA, ITL.

According to Cyberseek.org, there are currently 5,927 job openings in the US.

4- Cybersecurity Engineers 

Cyber Engineers are in charge of developing and implementing high-tech solutions to protect their organization from cyber-attacks (hacking, ransomware, data breach, etc.) Among their many responsibilities are to constantly monitor systems and software to identify threats and vulnerabilities, troubleshoot problems, respond to any security breach, and enable the appropriate security controls.

Most job openings for this role request candidates to have certifications such as CISSP, CEH, GIAC certifications.

According to Cyberseek.org, there are currently 52,932  job openings in the US. 

Clearly, cybersecurity is a growing field with tens of thousands of job openings. But to succeed in the cybersecurity world, you need to commit yourself to get the right training and experience, keep learning daily, and upskill your interpersonal and business side. 

Are you ready to start?  

We’ve talked about the many reasons why it’s a great moment to get started in cybersecurity. But the truth is while anyone can gain the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to work in cybersecurity, it probably isn’t the right fit for some. Certain personality traits and characteristics will help you perform better and understand if the career interests you. So, have you got what it takes to be successful as a cybersecurity professional?

This article reviews the most common traits found in successful cybersecurity professionals to help you understand if this field is for you.

1- A Passionate Learner 

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. Hackers are always looking/creating new ways to hack into software and hardware, forcing security professionals to improve their protocols and establish new ones to keep their data safe. A good cybersecurity professional is a continual learner and takes advantage of continuing education courses to stay on top of what’s happening in the field to keep his/her skills up to date.

Not everyone enjoys spending “after work hours’ studying and improving on what they are doing daily. However, the best cybersecurity professionals understand that this is key to stand out from the pack and be successful in their careers.  

2- Someone who Plans Ahead 

A cybersecurity plan is only as strong as its weakest link. Anyone who works in the field must understand this. To be a successful professional, you need to be always thinking defensively and for anything and everything that could go wrong when creating a security plan or protocol. With this mindset and approach, you will be able to identify vulnerabilities and patch them.

The trick is that it is not just about planning. At the same time, a great cybersecurity professional is someone that can handle last-minute changes. As we mentioned, hackers are constantly improving their attacks and scams, and as organizations fix old vulnerabilities to their data, products, and services, new ones are created.

3- Enjoys Being Challenged 

Working in cybersecurity means expecting unpleasant surprises any hour of any day. As you learn about vulnerabilities and how to patch and fix them, you will suddenly be challenged by a new problem or a scenario where one threat was to take your attention away from the real threat. Is it stressful? Of course, but it is also a highly satisfying job when you successfully defend against an attack. Anyone who wants to work in cybersecurity must understand that challenges are normal. New ways of attack are always being created, new vulnerabilities are being uncovered, and hackers work 24/7 to win the battle over the good guys.

4- An Individual who Masters Communications 

If you believe that cybersecurity is just about working in front of a computer and having no human interaction, then you have watched far too many Hollywood movies and have no idea of what it really means to work in cybersecurity and to be the “go-to guy.” Cybersecurity professionals need to master their communications skills as they are responsible for teaching security best practices to every department in the organization while also ensuring that protocols are followed. Besides, you will need to create reports for non-technical people, such as the management team, explaining security plans and any threat that might have happened. And you have to have strong customer interfacing skills as you will need to talk and negotiate with vendors. 

In other words, a successful cybersecurity professional is one who can explain (verbally and in writing) technical things to non-technical people. You are a leader, and leaders need to communicate to earn individual trust. The power to communicate and convince will be your secret weapon.

5- The Worker who Handles Pressure 

The cybersecurity professional does not panic under pressure or run away from workplace chaos. A good cybersecurity professional understands that they are responsible for protecting the organization’s assets and that hackers are working around the clock to figure out how to make new orchestrated attacks on information technology structures. Hackers don’t take a day off; they don’t work strictly during office hours.

Cybersecurity is constantly in the news. Every day we are reading about a company or organization getting hacked, a new data breach, and the field’s growing talent gap. The best cybersecurity professionals excel under stress and pressure.

The cybersecurity talent gap is growing every day. We live in a world that demands trained professionals to take care of every organization’s security needs, especially in the COVID-19 “new normal” way of living.

ISC2 revealed that even before 2020 and its challenges (pandemic, social unrest, economic crisis), cybersecurity professionals stepped up and responded to the new need of securing the already growing number of and demand for remote work and social environments, making the work from home policy safe for an organization from cyber-attacks. This trend has expanded to most companies. However, the skills or talent cannot keep pace to ensure every business and government agency can protect its assets. We are entering the new year with a world-wide talent gap between three and four million open cybersecurity jobs. 

The cybersecurity market is clearly evident. But how can you get into this field with no experience? Can you get hired without knowledge and training? Where do you need to start? 

How to Get Started in Cybersecurity 

The first thing you need to know is that it is not necessary to get a degree in computer science or cybersecurity. Sure they help, but hiring managers are looking elsewhere for a lot of their needed talent. Anyone with the right mindset, the necessary skills, and the commitment can get educated, trained, and certified to start down this career path. Remember that cybersecurity has many sub-fields that go beyond solving technical problems. Certainly, there are tens of thousands of technical jobs. Still, there are also sub-fields with jobs that are a perfect fit for professionals who have customer interface, people, and communication skills. Plus, hiring managers are looking for individuals looking to get into the cybersecurity fields who are constantly learning about technology and new trends in the field.

The right candidate for cybersecurity is the one who is willing and interested in learning how the technology works. Once you develop a deep understanding of how things work, the technical part (hacking and defending) will easily follow. 

Different programs can help you get started. Our Cybersecurity Bootcamp is a quick pathway to enter the cybersecurity workforce. In six months, you will have access to more than 800  hours of learning content, a world-class curriculum (that includes the fundamentals of computer science, networking, information security, penetration testing, packet analysis, firewalls, and more), hands-on labs, industry-recognized certifications, industry experts as instructors, and the potential for an apprenticeship track program.

Other ways of getting started in cybersecurity include: 

• Get certified: organizations will require certain certifications when hiring for different roles. The best advice we can give you is to get foundational certifications that are building blocks to launch your career and ensure success: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and Certified Ethical Hacker CEH are the places to start, and CyberWarrior Academy can help you with these.
• Building a hands-on learning environment: identify the different devices at home connected to your wi-fi and start interacting with them and learn as much as you can from them.
• Learn from others: you can do searches on YouTube or Google, but don’t stay there. Go further. You want to talk to experts in the field, join online communities, attend conferences (even if they are virtual). 

Cybersecurity is a field that offers different career pathways. Take your time to learn about them and see which one sparks your interest, and then think about which of these matches where you want to be professionally and socially in five to ten years. Thinking it through will be critically helpful when choosing an educational program, certifications, and training.