What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity involves the protection of digital assets and their owners from malicious actors. “Digital asset” is an umbrella term for anything that exists in digital form and has significant value. A digital asset could include personal data, documents, websites, servers and networks.
How to Get Into Cybersecurity:
Earn a Degree
About 90% of job postings in this field require a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science or a related field. A traditional degree remains the most popular path to launching a cybersecurity career.
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity either online or in person. If you are not in a position to commit to a four-year degree, even an associate in cybersecurity or computer science can get your foot in the door in most cases.
Gain Experience
You might wonder how to gain experience in cybersecurity without first landing a job in the field. To start, consider internships. An internship equips you with the practical skills and experience that employers seek. It also gives you a competitive edge over other applicants when you finally start looking for jobs.
Cybersecurity internship opportunities may be paid or unpaid, depending on the company.
Other ways to gain relevant experience include working on solo cybersecurity projects and contributing to open-source projects.
Whichever path you take, make sure to document your progress and experience. Include these details in your coding portfolio to improve your chances of getting a job.
Obtain Certification
Cybersecurity certifications prove that your cybersecurity knowledge and experience meet stringent industry standards. These credentials can improve your marketability and earning potential as an employee.
There are numerous certifications available to cybersecurity professionals.
1. CISSP
2. CISA
3. CISM
