Researching Career Change Avenues
I stumbled across digital forensics as a career choice during that research phase, and I was intrigued. One night while I was out with a group of people, I spoke with a dear friend about my research and confided that I was unsure which path I was going to take.
This friend happened to be a web developer who had landed a prominent role on a government contract. She encouraged me to pursue this path because of the demand for more females in STEM fields. We discussed several pathways that would blend my passion for criminal justice and technology, and that conversation led me to more actively hone in on cybersecurity.
After nearly eight years in the corporate insurance world, I was doing work that was centered around risk management, account management and banking. In some ways, I already had that security-level mindset and a more technical background, so it seemed ideal for me as a career choice.
From this point, I began my search for schools that offered this degree or certification program. I spoke with many different admissions counselors and advisors about my potential opportunities between getting a masters degree or a graduate certificate in cybersecurity.
Get on the fast track to cybersecurity success! Learn how CompTIA training and certifications can help you skill up and secure your next job.
How Do I Change Careers To Cybersecurity
Learning about promising cybersecurity careers will lead to the inevitable question, Can I change careers to this field? Professionals in other fields should feel little trepidation about making the change. The favorable job market, above-market salaries, and growth opportunities are worth the effort.
Careers ranging from law enforcement to software development include skills that transfer to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity jobs require technical skills that can be learned and honed in graduate degree programs. A masters degree in cybersecurity plus the drive to learn new technology help make cybersecurity career changes possible.
The SANS Technology Institute offered the following explanation why non-cybersecurity professionals should consider career changes:
The key is not a technical background, but your willingness and desire to learn how technology works and to never stop playing. In addition, there are a growing number of fields in cybersecurity that do not focus on solving technical problems, but instead more human-focused problems. These require softer skills, such as privacy, security awareness and training, governance, security communications, or cyber law and ethics.
What Jobs Can I Target In The Cyber Security Space As An Entry
To get your foot into the door as an entry-level cyber security professional, its best to target the below roles. These roles will help you to build on your technical skills and allow room to move around in the cyber security industry.
- Network Administrator: As a Network Administrator you will be responsible for securing the company network by giving access to only those who need it. This role will help you get a deep understanding of the ins and outs of an organisations network topology. Skills learned in this role will be great to have on your resume when you apply for higher roles in cyber security.
- Security Operations Centre Analyst : As a SOC Analyst, you will be mostly involved in reporting cyber incidents that create risks for different government departments. You will also be responsible for conducting a Vulnerability Analysis and providing suggestions of how to eliminate cyber threats.
- Cyber Policy Analyst: In this role, you will be in charge of developing and implementing strategies, procedures and requirements for government, public and private companies.
- Vulnerability Analyst: In this role, you will be using security tools and technologies to find critical issues in networks, applications and systems. You need to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest types of malware and new risks that are identified.
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Recommendation No : It Is Never Too Late
- Depending on the country that you live in, you are facing a retirement age of at least 61 or more. Investing in your education now, regardless of how many more years you must work, is going to pay off in increased employability, greater job satisfaction and in the case of cybersecurity increased job security.
Cybersecurity Is Essential To A Secure Digital Future
We are well and truly in a digital age, and as digitization spreads across all major industries and their processes, the field of cybersecurity continues to grow. The world around is evolving at a rapid pace, influenced by cutting-edge technologies, and cyber security is crucial for businesses to conduct online activities safely around the world.
Cybersecurity activities must evolve and adapt to the diverse requirements of businesses adopting the latest systems and methodologies, such as cloud computing, automation, artificial intelligence, and more.
The area of information security is constantly expanding into a wide variety of focus areas to keep up with emerging technologies and provide businesses with the peace of mind and security necessary for a smooth digital transformation. This allows cybersecurity professionals to specialize in vastly different areas, and why the industry is always expanding and evolving.
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Networking And System Administration
An understanding of computer networking is essential for any cybersecurity role. Networking deals with the technical aspects of data transmission and being well versed with networking technology is the first step towards keeping sensitive data secure.
System administration is another important area to focus on for budding cybersecurity professionals. This deals with computer configuration and maintenance and can provide valuable insights into the machines many features and settings.
Start Your It Career Today
Our online Cyber Security Traineeship is a convenient and cost-effective way to start a new career in IT and to fast-track into the cyber security field in only 2 years. Its broken down into 4 simple steps, which consist of online courses, practical live labs, official CompTIA A+, and CYSA+ exams.
The training can be completed all online, so whether you are working full time, part-time or unemployed, the package has the flexibility to be completed at a pace that suits you..
Starting salaries for the initial entry-level IT role are £21k-£30k and cyber security £35k+.
Our expert recruitment team works solely with our own graduates on a one-to-one basis to secure your dream role. With partnerships across the whole of the UK and a pro-active approach to securing interviews, we go above and beyond to ensure you are swiftly placed.
If you do not receive a job offer within 15 weeks of successful completion of your studies we will refund 100% of your course fees back to you.
Our unrivalled job/money-back guarantee gives you full confidence that the Cyber Security Traineeship is the way to go in kick-starting your new IT career.
Your next step will be to make use of our Live Lab which can also be conveniently accessed online. This will give you the opportunity to test your skills in a practical environment a crucial requirement when stepping into your first role.
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Do You Have What It Takes
You might be considering a career change into technology, but how can you know if youre cut out for it? Before working on your new goals, consider whether youre willing to keep expanding your skill set and learning new ones.
Another thing to consider is the expense of transitioning, which is higher in this industry than in others. People who pay to master new skills needed for IT jobs spend roughly $38,500. . However, because these occupations pay well, most IT career changers could repay their investment. You dont need extensive technical knowledge or strong arithmetic abilities to work in IT you only need a basic understanding of computer architecture, database systems, object-oriented programming, and networking. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an information security analyst is one of the fastest-growing careers.
Depending on your preferred professional path, you could dabble and test various things on your personal computer. Build your computer or website, create a database, or experiment with open-source software. You may learn a lot of what you need to know for an IT job by using your current computer skills .
How To Career Change Into Cyber Security
Cyber Security Course to Upgrade the IT Career. IT professionals look to update their IT careers. If youre one of these, then have you considered a job in cyber security and it is various job titles?
Like a reflection of the booming industry and desperate requirement for a defense against cyberattacks, there are many kinds of certifications to select from. Actually, Simplilearn offers 11 cyber security certifications which cover the gamut from suitable for an entry-level job to some specialized cyber security role. Individuals certifications are briefly described below:
Video advice: Switching From Coding to Cybersecurity
Why Cyber Security? That the nature of work is changing is indisputable. From the infamous job-hopping Millennials to the automation thats already doing away with both manufacturing and administrative roles to the uncertainty of the global economy, its dangerous to assume anyones job is secure anymore. Weve transitioned from a work world that meant you stayed put in one kind of job throughout your careerslowly moving your way up the ladder, if you were so inclinedto one in which people change jobs 10 to 15 times.
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Breaking Into Cybersecurity With No Previous Experience
Cybersecurity is an exciting and ever-changing career path, with high stakes and high rewards. The demand for professionals in this field is extremely high, and there are many opportunities available for anyone interested in developing a career in IT security. But, as with any job, getting started can feel like a huge wall to climb if you dont have any previous experience.
Regardless of your background and previous experience, transitioning to a job in Cybersecurity is very achievable with some foundational training. The best place to start is with acybersecurity foundational course for beginners that covers the basics and the main areas of IT security and data protection.
With Ironhack’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp, you dont only get the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience that you need to succeed in your first Cybersecurity rolewell support you in finding it! Our Careers Services and Outcomes Team are rockstars at getting you job-ready, helping you figure out the messy middle of job hunting.
Why not download our syllabus and find out for yourself?
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What Industries Need Cybersecurity Professionals
You might work in a number of sectors as a cybersecurity expert, including:
- Banking Sector: The banking industry is continually regulated, and cybercriminals are a constant concern.
- Government of the United States: The government of the United States spends roughly $28 billion on cybersecurity each year. All security personnel in the United States must complete DoD 8570/8140-approved cybersecurity certification courses.
- Law: Lawyers specializing in information security can manage liability issues arising from data breaches.
- Utilities: Because a hacker may shut down a water plant or a gas refinery, a cybersecurity specialist is required for utilities such as our nations water, energy, and power utilities.
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Frustrations Over A Lack Of Support And Recognition Is Fuelling A Cyber Security Exodus With Just Over One In Three Of Those In The Sector Planning To Change Professions
- Sebastian Klovig Skelton,Senior reporter
Over a third of the global cyber security workforce plans to change professions in the future due to frustrations with the sector, fuelling a talent shortage that is impacting organisations abilities to effectively secure their systems, an industry survey has found.
Commissioned by extended detection and response firm Trellix, which spun out of McAfee in January 2022, the survey of cyber security professionals found their top three frustrations were the lack of a clear career path , the lack of societal recognition for their work and the limited support given by their employers to develop skills.
Despite an overwhelming 92% reporting cyber security as purposeful, soulful work that motivates them, 36% noted they feel a lack of recognition for their work, with a further 12% explicitly saying they plan to leave the profession because of this.
According to ISACAs State of cybersecurity 2022 report, published in March, the top reasons for cyber security professionals leaving their jobs included being recruited by other companies , poor financial incentives in terms of salary or bonus , limited promotion and development opportunities , high levels of work-related stress , and lack of management support .
Of those surveyed by Trellix, a further 85% believe the workforce shortage is impacting their organisations abilities to secure increasingly complex information systems and networks.
Read more about cyber security talent and skills
Discover Your Program In Minutes
Once a specialty only associated with government agencies and defense contractors, cyber security has now entered the mainstream. Industries such as health care, finance, manufacturing and retail all hire cyber security professionals to protect valuable information from cyber breaches. The demand for specialists in the field is high. A report by job analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies found job postings for openings in cyber security have grown three times faster than those for IT job overall, and cyber security professionals are earning 9 percent more than their IT counterparts. Read more to learn how to get started in a cyber security career, from the types of degrees available to the various careers in the field.
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What Are The Skills Needed To Become A Cybersecurity Professional
The skills needed to become a cybersecurity professional are varied and extensive. A cybersecurity professional needs to be able to understand the complex processes of the industry while being able to think critically and solve problems.
A cybersecurity professional needs to be able to understand how networks work, how they are built, and how they can be broken. They need to know how the software works and what vulnerabilities it has. They need knowledge of cryptography, mathematics, programming languages, networking protocols, data structures, and design patterns.
You must also have an understanding of security policies as well as legal issues such as privacy laws and intellectual property laws. They need knowledge of computer forensics as well as an understanding of defensive strategies such as penetration testing or vulnerability assessment.
To become a cybersecurity professional, you need to have the following skills:
- IT Security Expertise: This is one of the most important skills to have as a cybersecurity professional. You should be able to understand how hackers work and what they do to prevent attacks on your organizationâs network or data.
- Expertise in Cybersecurity Laws: Cybersecurity professionals also need expertise in relevant laws that govern cybersecurity issues, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986.
Is Cyber Security A Good Career Change
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 31 percent growth in information security jobs from 2019 to 2029. Employers are searching near and far for qualified professionals as attacks become more sophisticated. A cybersecurity career change takes advantage of a favorable market for motivated professionals.
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Is It Easy To Transition From It To Cybersecurity
For most, it’s a smooth transition. Many of the core skills used by IT generalists also apply in cybersecurity roles. Experienced IT professionals often have a relatively direct path to cybersecurity jobs. Some people choose to supplement their existing credentials with cybersecurity certifications.
Provides The Potential For Growth
A career in cybersecurity provides you with an unlimited potential to increase both your learning and career opportunities due to the ever-expanding scope. As time progresses in the field, cybersecurity requires you to acquire new knowledge regarding security and technology, further growing your abilities.
Ultimately, learning never stops irrespective of whether you aspire to become the Chief Information Security Officer in your organization or directly interact with new and challenging technology.
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Should You Transition From It To Cybersecurity
Professionals often switch from IT careers to cybersecurity because they want a new and exciting challenge. Industry insiders characterize cybersecurity as a dynamic field with significant task variation. This can appeal to tech professionals seeking high-impact ways to apply their skills.
However, candidates should maintain realistic expectations about cybersecurity. Many professionals describe it as a high-stress field. A 2021 survey found that more than half of cybersecurity professionals say they lose sleep over work-related worries. Research also reports high rates of burnout among cybersecurity experts.
High stress tolerance may serve your future cybersecurity career. However, if you do not perform well under pressure, you may want to think twice about pursuing cybersecurity. This can be a demanding, high-stakes career.
Do Your Research And Learn The Technical And Soft Skills Needed To Career Change Into Cyber Security
Like becoming a professional in any field, you will need to do your research and build a foundation of technical and theoretical skills before becoming an expert. It is important to make yourself knowledgeable and keep up with evolving industry trends regarding networking, system administration, data management, data analytics, reporting and security. However, as long as you are passionate about the industry, once you build your foundational cyber skills, you can apply for entry-level cyber security roles and quickly build your career due to the growing cyber skills shortage.
When it comes to coding and programming skills, they are not absolutely necessary for every cyber role but they definitely provide an edge and are required for those wanting to excel in the cyber security industry in sought after roles such as a Cyber Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Cyber Security Threat Hunter, Forensic Analyst, Cyber Incident Responder and more.
There are also a plethora of online resources to help you build your coding and programming skills in languages demanded by the industry or if you dont want to waste time trying to find relevant resources and want to build your cyber skills in a real-time learning environment our cyber security certification program with UTS, may be the right fit for you.
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