Finding a Career in Cyber Security: Top Tips

The increase in online usage with remote working, ecommerce and new businesses ventures all driving activity, has drastically increased security threat.

Cyber criminals are not only finding increased opportunities, but they are tech savvy and are constantly changing and updating their approach. This surge of advanced threats has not gone unnoticed. Research and reports across the industry are showing that business leaders have recently – or plan to in the very near future – invest heavily in cyber security to safeguard against attacks.

As a result, cyber security has become one of the fastest growing areas in the tech industry, with demand for talent at an all time high.

Despite being a flurry of jobs available, competition is still fierce. Companies are being thorough to ensure they acquire the best talent to keep their business safe, continue operating effectively and can continue to use technology confidently.

Common challenges candidates face include;

• Lack of experience
• No additional certifications, just a degree (fresh graduates)
• Limited knowledge of certain systems
• Not up-to-date with the latest developments
• Limited leadership experience
• To broad experience (not specialist enough)

Not all of the above are in your control; experience comes with time and leadership opportunities may not have arisen. However, we have some tips to combat these objections as best possible.

Top tips

• Become a specialist in a certain software or area. 
• Invest in personal development – attend a night course, study online, research – ensure you can showcase you are ambitious and proactively looking to enhance your skills.
• Network with industry experts and peers. 
• Attend a Hackerthon
• Further develop skills
• Thought leader/expertise – volunteer to train junior staff, blog, 
• Utilise LinkedIn – strong profile 
• Soft skills and examples – communication, 

Ensure your CV is up-to-date and contains all the relevant detail, achievements and skills obtained. Access control, infrastructure support, security design, intrusion detection, threat analysis, security policy enforcement and level of expertise on the key systems in the market such as cisco, juniper, F5, Splunk and Checkpoint – all need to be clearly presented on your resume. 

Businesses will continue transforming and innovating processes The digital world is here to stay and therefore unfortunately, cyber threats will continue. This means cyber security jobs will remain in demand and qualifications, experience, skills and certifications will continually need reviewing and updating to stay relevant and stay competitive as a candidate.