The appealing statistic of absolute joblessness holds great allure. It unquestionably outshines a career counselor’s incentives for students opting for cybersecurity. While undeniably beneficial, it does not measure up to the more persuasive motives for embarking on a cybersecurity career.
It is not necessary to possess expertise in cybersecurity in order to comprehend that this field is expanding. The significance of cybersecurity for any contemporary business cannot be overstated. With multiple breaches continuing to make news, it is evident to all that there is a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals within organizations.
Every IT position incorporates a cybersecurity element. By prioritizing security, countless opportunities arise. Roles within cybersecurity span from security operations and risk assessments to application security, investigations, compliance, and education. The number of cybersecurity roles matches the quantity of lines of code running in your browser.
Do not allow yourself to be discouraged by negative headlines. Amidst incidents like Equifax, there are countless successful online transactions occurring in the hundreds of millions. Our profession is advancing and making significant strides.
Below are the primary four motives to contemplate pursuing a profession in cybersecurity, along with a single factor to bear in mind for the opposite viewpoint.
1. Practically unlimited growth
Cybersecurity offers unlimited possibilities for career advancement and acquiring knowledge due to its continuously broadening scope.
A standalone field, security is taught as its own discipline, yet it is interconnected with all other IT skill sets. A proficient cybersecurity expert strives to comprehend the inner workings of technologies and organizations as extensively as feasible.
A competent cybersecurity professional understands that the process of learning is continuous.
Remaining engaged and challenged presents a tremendous opportunity.
In the early days, security teams were comprised of versatile individuals who had expertise in multiple areas. At that time, the field hadn’t developed sufficiently to accommodate focused specialties such as forensics, application security, or incident response.
Professionals who are willing to challenge themselves have the opportunity to take advantage of the current workload by rapidly expanding and diversifying security teams.
Your growth will only be limited by your desire, whether you aspire to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or to work with cutting-edge technologies.
Choosing a career in cybersecurity is justified by the exciting proposition it offers.
2. Plenty of variety
The growth opportunities in the field are directly linked to the array of technologies and situations that security professionals encounter. Any technology involving ones and zeros has a cybersecurity element to it, with certain roles even encompassing physical security.
The opportunity for security professionals to collaborate directly with teams on cutting-edge technologies and systems they could never have imagined is tremendous. From robots and cars to websites catering to millions of users, the range of projects is virtually limitless.
You won’t be using the word “bored” frequently as it is an exciting career opportunity.
This type offers a fascinating derivative: Due to the extensive range of skills needed to comprehend contemporary security challenges effectively, cybersecurity experts originate from various backgrounds. Indeed, the greater diversity in your background, the more adept you will be as a security professional!
Becoming a cybersecurity professional does not have a definitive or prescribed method of training.
3. The ability to solve puzzles
Add together the growth of technology and its variety, and you start to glimpse the different types of puzzles that cybersecurity professionals can deal with.
In cybersecurity, we depend on established principles; however, the strategies can vary on a daily basis. Furthermore, there is consistently a fresh challenge awaiting resolution.
As technology advances, fresh risks emerge. It is the responsibility of security experts to recognize, grasp, and subsequently assist in mitigating these risks. This task differs greatly when contemplating the defense of a website operating in the cloud versus safeguarding a pacemaker in an elderly individual.
Every situation presents itself as a distinct puzzle and an fresh chance to overcome the obstacles.
4. The job has real impact
A genuine example of the use case involves protecting the pacemaker of an elderly patient. A security issue recently led to a substantial recall of pacemakers. The Equifax breach had a significant impact on 145 million American individuals.
The significance of cybersecurity goes beyond the digital realm and affects the physical world as well.
The prospect is both thrilling and frightening, and it underlines its significance.
If you are interested in addressing IT problems that have a tangible impact, the discipline of cybersecurity may be suitable for you.
And why not to choose this path: Perception
Do not be deceived. The captivating profession of cybersecurity offers a blend of diversity, chances for advancement, challenges, and significance. However, if you anticipate a career mirroring the portrayal of security experts in Hollywood, reconsider your expectations.
Most cybersecurity jobs do not entail traveling extensively, avoiding dangers, or instantly analyzing scan results or identifying malicious code just by its color (sarcasm intended, thanks to CSI: Cyber).
Certainly, these roles may not be glamorous, but that doesn’t diminish their rewarding nature.
Top 5 Cyber Security Courses, Certification & Training Online in 2023
1. The Complete Cyber Security Course (Udemy)
Let’s delve into each volume of this highly rated Udemy Cybersecurity certification course, which is available in four parts. By completing these volumes, you can progress from a novice to an expert Cyber Security Specialist. The course comprehensively instructs on maintaining security, privacy, and anonymity, covering all prominent platforms including Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
a. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!
The purpose of this 12-hour Cyber Security class is to equip you with the necessary practical skills to effectively counter various online threats such as trackers, advanced hackers, malware, zero-days, cybercriminals, and exploit kits. It encompasses all major platforms, including Linux, MacOS, and Windows 7, 8, and 10. The class will commence by providing a solid foundation in understanding vulnerabilities and threats through risk assessments and threat modeling. Following that, you will delve into the mind of a cybercriminal and explore topics like malware, phishing, zero-day vulnerabilities, and more, including an overview of the Darknet.
This program is ideal for individuals seeking expertise in privacy, security, and anonymity. Whether you desire protection for your files, accounts, personal information, or email, and wish to remain anonymous and private online, this program serves as the ideal starting point. Specifically designed for home Internet and personal privacy, security, and anonymity, the knowledge gained from this program can be applied similarly in a business context, albeit with a focus on personal security and privacy.
b. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!
By enrolling in this 12.5-hour video course on Cyber Security, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify security weaknesses within a network through network vulnerability scanning and hacking methods. Additionally, you will acquire the expertise to design network architecture that guarantees optimal security measures, effectively thwarting both remote and local attacks.
c. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Anonymous Browsing!
Containing 13.5 hours of on-demand video lectures, this third volume of Cyber training by Nathan House equips you with the necessary skills to retain full privacy and evade online identification, even against a powerful opponent with worldwide reach. It encompasses all major operating systems such as MacOS, Windows, Linus, Android, iOS, Whonix, Tails, and more.
You will gain knowledge on the methods employed to target these services and measures to take in order to minimize the impact of the attacks.
Afterwards, you will progress to advanced anonymity, delving into the combination of nesting and chaining anonymizing services to provide multiple layers of obfuscation. This guarantees utmost anonymity. You will gain knowledge on how to bypass firewalls, proxies, and even the most challenging censoring devices such as Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
d. The Complete Cyber Security Course: End Point Protection!
Included in the final installment of Udemy’s Complete Cyber Security training course is a comprehensive collection of video lessons, totaling more than 16 hours, designed to equip you with the necessary practical skills in safeguarding end-points, such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, against a wide range of threats such as thieves, trackers, advanced hackers, ransomware, and more. The course predominantly emphasizes the crucial aspect of end-point protection, which is highly significant and currently a popular subject in the field of Cyber Security due to the prevalence of mobile devices that are frequently on the move.
2. Cybersecurity Certification by University of Maryland (Coursera)
Due to the rapid growth in the field of cybersecurity, there are now numerous career opportunities available. The University of Maryland offers a Cyber Security certification course specifically created to equip you with the necessary knowledge, technical skills, and expertise required to become a specialist in this field, enabling you to reach your full potential. This course serves as an ideal platform for acquiring career-focused education in cybersecurity and achieving your desired professional objectives.
Upon completion of this Cyber Security specialization course, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the core principles essential in creating secure systems. Encompassing software, hardware, and the human-computer interface, this course delves into the implementation of cryptography for safeguarding interactions. Contemporary practices are exemplified to illustrate the concepts discussed, while practical exercises incorporating relevant techniques and tools solidify your theoretical knowledge. By the end of the program, you will have fostered a security-oriented mindset, facilitating a new approach to thinking.
3. Cybersecurity for Business Specialization by University of Colorado (Coursera)
The University of Colorado offers a specialized Cybersecurity program that equips individuals and organizations with the necessary skills to protect themselves and their assets against potential attackers. The program is specifically designed for beginners, providing them with a comprehensive introduction to the field of computer security and teaching them the fundamental principles of implementing security measures in a business setting. It is an ideal choice for those seeking to learn how to safeguard their assets and computer systems from malicious threats. By gaining insights into the methods and tactics employed by attackers, participants will enhance their ability to effectively defend their systems.
The specialization is suitable for senior business leaders, system administrators, and middle management, allowing the entire team, including management and developers, to have a common understanding and improved control over their organization’s security.
4. Cybersecurity Training Online (Cybrary)
Cybrary, the leading Cyber Security Professional Development platform, offers one of the industry’s fastest-growing catalogs. Through their cyber security training courses, you will gain practical skills and hands-on experience. Their certification courses provide guided career paths, role-based learning, and practice tests. By learning from dedicated mentors and accessing their professional network, you will receive top-notch education. With access to content from the best experts, instructors, and hands-on learning providers, you can conveniently access high-quality and relevant material whenever and wherever you want.
By enrolling in Cybrary, you will gain practical learning opportunities, which are proven to be the most efficient and captivating method to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for a prosperous career in Cyber Security. Cybrary offers a vast collection of over 1000 secure virtual labs, assessments, and practice tests that can be accessed directly through a web browser. Additionally, you will have the advantage of joining a community filled with numerous industry professionals and subject matter experts, all committed to offering guidance and assistance to help you achieve your professional aspirations.
5. MicroMasters® Program in Cybersecurity by RIT (edX)
With its excellence in computing security education, RIT stands out as a frontrunner. Obtaining RIT’s Certification in Cybersecurity will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills pertaining to forensics and network security, crucial for pursuing a cybersecurity career in corporate settings. Through this program, you will develop the ability to safeguard both organizations and individuals against various forms of computer crimes across all levels.
The program consists of 5 courses that encompass the basics of networks, systems administration, vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, and risk analysis techniques. It also involves conducting digital forensic analysis of cybercrime to collect information about the attack’s scope and characteristics for courtroom presentation, as well as safeguarding computer systems and networks by monitoring intrusions and addressing vulnerabilities. The program concludes with a Cybersecurity capstone project where participants engage in practical lab exercises within a web-based virtual lab environment.
This program is designed for individuals who hold a STEM Bachelor’s degree or possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical setting.
Start learning, keep learning
Having a strong career in cybersecurity offers two key logistical advantages: a low to no unemployment rate and attractive compensation.
Furthermore, by opting for this route, you will constantly have opportunities for personal development. Continual acquisition of fresh skills and comprehension of emerging technologies will be part of your journey. You will encounter new challenges that arise and have the chance to engage with numerous individuals, situations, and possibilities.
You will never experience boredom as there will always be new puzzles awaiting resolution, and you will continuously have a sense of pride knowing that your efforts will positively influence both the digital and physical realms.
Is there anything else you could want from a career?
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