Question 1

Q1 What is cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Cybersecurity is a technical discipline that seeks to protect systems, applications, programs, websites, networks, and data etc. from cyber-attacks. The cornerstone of thinking is the CIA triangle - confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Data has to be protected from being seen, as well as from being stolen or changed, but it also has to be accessible to those who have authorization to access it. As a field of technology, it is constantly evolving and never stands still. Cybersecurity professionals will often find themselves working with critical infrastructure, networking, cloud security, application security, and the Internet of Things.

Question 2

Q2 Is cybersecurity a good career option?

Accepted Answer

Cybersecurity as a career brings many excellent benefits. Individuals with competencies and experience are in high demand. There is a significant skills shortage that is predicted to last for a long time, so you will never be short of work. In support of this, remuneration packages and salaries are extremely competitive. Even those starting out in the field will find themselves at the higher end of a salary range in comparison to people with a similar level of experience in other fields.  One particular benefit to choosing cybersecurity as a career is that you don't need to have a degree to get started. With foundational training through a cybersecurity course, backed up by some practical experience and certification, you can find a job and continue your learning whilst you work. When you work in cybersecurity, there is also a lot of flexibility on where you can live. Many organizations are happy for talented cybersecurity staff to be located around the world, enabling them to often work from home. However, if you are someone who prefers to work in an office with other people around, there will certainly be opportunities to do that too.

Question 3

Q3 How do I get started in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

The great thing about pursuing cybersecurity for your career is that you can enter the field and get started without a degree. There are many entry level IT positions open in organizations across the world that will set you on your path. Taking cybersecurity courses as you work will help you to build your portfolio of experience and knowledge, and will enable you to forge a career in a rewarding way. If you have a technical degree, this may enable you to enter the field at a slightly higher level; particularly if you did an industrial placement year in a related role. However, if you have a passion for the subject and a non-technical degree, doors are still open to you as well. And don't forget, making connections with industry experts, attending cybersecurity events and exhibitions, and getting involved in online forums, groups, and gatherings will help you to network and connect with cybersecurity related personnel. All contacts in this arena will help. The key is that over time, experience and knowledge count for more than your initial level education. Cybersecurity is a very fast-moving field, and it is those who have a real passion for the subject and are keen to keep themselves up-to-date and ahead of the curve that will enjoy ongoing success.

Question 4

Q4 What skills do I need to work in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

The most important thing to have if you want to work in cybersecurity is a passion for the subject, and IT in general. If it's something that you love investigating and reading about in your spare time, then you will enjoy a career in it too. To succeed, you do need knowledge of operating systems, how the web works, computer networks, etc. but this is knowledge you can develop as you work, as long as you have a foundational understanding to start with. Obviously, you need to develop a deep appreciation of the cyber security risks that exist, and how these relate to different technologies. This will include good working knowledge of firewalls, anti-virus strategies, host intrusion prevention etc. But to try to be one step ahead of cyber criminals, you will also need excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify, analyze, and assess threats and trends. Although some aspects of working in cybersecurity will have a solitary feel, you need to be able to work well in a team. Successful prevention relies on collaboration. It also depends on team members having strong communication skills and the ability to convey critical information to both technical and non-technical people. You also need to be able to deal with fast-moving situations and continue to work effectively under pressure. It's highly likely that you'll find yourself multitasking too, so the ability to time manage and prioritize is important for a successful career. And you, of course, you need to have a strong attention to detail; it's the small things that can cause a big problem if they're missed.

Question 5

Q5 How do I choose the right cybersecurity course?

Accepted Answer

Work out what you're trying to achieve or gain Are you looking to get certification you can highlight on your resumé? Do you want to get practical experience you can talk about on LinkedIn or in an interview? Are you simply interested in the subject and want to learn more? Work out the Answers to these Questions and this will help you narrow down which cybersecurity course is right for you.  Decide how much time per week you can spare If you're currently in a job and haven't got much time to spare during the week, it might be that a self-paced cybersecurity course that you can do on the weekends will suit you best. However, if you're keen to notch up the certifications and you can dedicate time for a more intense course, an instructor-led course might be the speedier option you'd prefer. Just make sure that whatever you decide, you know you can stick to it once you get going… Though don't worry, one of our mentors can always help to encourage you along if you get stuck! Browse and read the course write-ups Take your time and explore course information pages in detail. You'll become nicely familiar with some of the terminology, and the more you explore, the more you'll come to understand as you read. Check what level course you need, and make sure your short list reflects the level of learning you wish to pursue. Very soon, you'll have narrowed it down to a small number of cybersecurity courses, and it will simply come down to which order you want to take them!

Question 6

Q6 What kinds of jobs are there in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Cybersecurity covers many different job roles. Here are some examples:  Incident Response - A role in incident response includes preparing for cybersecurity attacks, handling the situation in the event of an attack, and then minimizing the damage that results from an attack. The objective afterwards is to prevent an attack occurring again.Cyber Threat Intelligence - This job role involves assessing, validating, and reporting on potential cyber threats.Cybersecurity Management - If you work in this job role you will be managing cybersecurity resources and policies to ensure they are in line with business objectives, as well as regulatory requirements.Security Testing - If you work in security testing, you will be testing networks and systems for vulnerabilities. However you could also be testing products (including the Internet of Things) as well. Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection - For this job role, you will be monitoring system and network activity in order to identify any unauthorized intrusion or use. Cybersecurity Audit - A cybersecurity auditor will check and verify systems and processes to ensure they meet security requirements and are compliant.Digital Forensics - A digital forensics specialist will identify and understand the sequence of events that took place to put a system or network into a particular state. Secure System Architecture - Working in this field, you will design IT systems that conform to set security requirements. To achieve this, you will need to balance security against the functional requirements of the system.

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