In today’s threat scenario, there is an increased need for cybersecurity in the technology business. The demand for competent cybersecurity specialists grows at an exponential rate. As cyberattacks get more complicated, workers must have a thorough awareness of essential cybersecurity concepts.
While there are numerous career pathways and tracks to explore in cybersecurity, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Understanding the fundamentals of this profession, such as network security and incident response concepts, is critical for success.
Continue reading to learn more about how to study cyber security, the top skills to master, what a cybersecurity career path entails, cyber security courses and everything you should know.
How to Study Cyber Security Step-by-Step
How to study cyber security may be relatively manageable if you take the proper approach and use the appropriate resources to enhance your skill set. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
1. Start with the basics
Before diving into more advanced topics, start with the basics. Aside from hard talents, building a cybersecurity job requires specific soft skills.
It’s vital to have a basic understanding of:
- Software expertise: Learn how to work with cloud security settings, computer systems, and various operating systems. You should also understand how to operate software packages like office suites and anti-virus programs.
- Data: Understand the various forms of data, how they are classified, and when to consult a forensic expert.
- Programming language skills: You will learn the necessary programming language skills to work in the sector.
- Networks: Understand how firewalls and intrusion detection systems work. You should also understand virtual private networks (VPNs) and how they work.
- Cybersecurity laws: Learn about the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and other relevant legislation that may impact your business. The National Security Agency has developed a number of methods, including separating critical networks, implementing recovery plans, and utilizing multi-source threat reputation services for email addresses, IP addresses, URLs, and DNS.
- Ethical hacking: You should understand the fundamentals of ethical hacking and how to use cybersecurity tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and Kali Linux to protect against cybersecurity attacks. To prevent cyber threats, organizations require cybersecurity experts who can perform penetration testing and ethical hacking. Acquaint yourself with hacking techniques such as network traffic sniffing, password cracking, and session spoofing.
- Mobile security: The days of protecting your firm with only antivirus software are long gone, especially now that remote working is so widespread. Even tiny enterprises have become mobile. Data breaches are common when employees use their own laptops and mobile devices for work, putting your infrastructure’s security at risk. Furthermore, hackers are constantly checking IP addresses for access. Understanding ethical hacking and other approaches for mobile device management can be really beneficial.
2. Take a Course
When learning about cybersecurity, it is critical to use a legitimate and trustworthy source for cybersecurity training. Many online portals provide courses on cyber security fundamentals.
Taking an online course or bootcamp allows you to study at your own speed, which is more convenient. Furthermore, they frequently feature flexible hours, allowing you to work around your schedule.
A bootcamp is an intensive program that lasts one week to three months and is usually concluded with a final test. You may need several days to determine whether courses are a suitable fit for you and your goals.
You also learn a lot from industry experts and interact with a lot of other people who are studying the fundamentals. Here are some resources for finding online cybersecurity courses.
- edX: It offers various online cybersecurity courses from prestigious institutions such as MIT and Harvard. For example, this Introduction to Cybersecurity course will teach you basic cybersecurity words and ideas, as well as how to identify threat actors and their goals. The website also offers advanced courses and MicroBachelors Programs, including NYU’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals curriculum.
- Coursera: Coursera offers over 80 cybersecurity courses, ranging from NYU’s Introduction to Cybersecurity to specialist courses like Cybersecurity for Business.
- Udemy: It offers a variety of cybersecurity online courses taught by industry specialists. You may also narrow your search results by “Beginner Favorites” to locate the top introductory and foundation-building courses.
3. Find a speciality
Over time, cybersecurity has evolved into a broad field with numerous specialties. In a business, cybersecurity experts are promoted to higher-level roles based on their cybersecurity specialization.
You can choose the specialty in which you wish to pursue a career based on your interests. If you are interested in the field, you will find it easier to master it and keep up with all of the latest advances.
Apart from discovering your interests, you should also focus on knowing about the many regions where cybersecurity specialists exist. Some typical specialties include:
- Application security: This is the process of ensuring that applications and programs function properly and are free of vulnerabilities. Application security specialists often concentrate on the software development life cycle (SDLC), encouraging developers to build secure code. They also enforce secure coding techniques across the firm.
- Network security: These specialists work with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other network security devices. They ensure that the organization’s networks are secure even when new vulnerabilities are uncovered. They also manage firewall rules and configure routers and switches so that only allowed traffic can access networks.
- Penetration testing: Hacking can be beneficial, too! Penetration testers utilize a variety of approaches to detect security flaws in websites, systems, and apps before criminals do. They then report their pen test results to the proper parties. Penetration testers collaborate closely with developers, auditors, and management to ensure that vulnerabilities are rapidly addressed.
- Information security (InfoSec): This is the process of safeguarding data by reducing information hazards. It is a component of information risk management, which is the process of discovering, assessing, and addressing information risks.
4. Get a Certification
Cybersecurity workers, including analysts, can benefit from certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA CSA+, and Cisco CCNA.
Because 59% of businesses require cybersecurity certificates, a combination of certifications and a bootcamp is ideal for the majority of candidates.
ISC’s Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is one of the most sought-after in the cybersecurity sector. You should obtain this certification if you wish to master specialized skills for positions like information assurance analyst, IT security engineer, and security administrator. If you want to specialize in IT project management or security engineering, you should obtain ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification.
Cyber Security Course
1. Cybrary courses
Cybrary is an outstanding online resource for video-based cybersecurity courses that cater to a wide range of skill levels and qualifications.
You may enroll in classes that teach the principles of specific career pathways, such as system administration or network engineering, and if you can get beyond the cheesy thumbnails used to promote some of the courses, the actual content is worthwhile. The courses also include an expected time to completion and a difficulty grade.
Consider taking some of these courses as an introduction to additional formal credentials, such as the EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) and CISSP. Virtual labs for tools like Wireshark and practice examinations for certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISM, and others are also accessible.
However, it is important to emphasize that the resources available, such as for the CEH, are not approved courseware or lab sessions.
It is also worth noting that Coursera provides proposed “paths” toward professional credentials based on industry standards such as those governed by NIST. Courses can also be done at your own leisure, and some offer formal qualifications after passing.
Some courses are free, while others have a registration or testing charge.
2. CompTIA Network+, Security+
It may not be as interesting to study penetration tools, Cobalt Strike beacons, or password crackers, but a solid understanding of networks is required for today’s cybersecurity defenders.
To get started, try taking the CompTIA Network+ course, which teaches students how to create a network from the bottom up and recognize various types of network structure and settings.
A strong understanding of networking protocols and standards can assist you in identifying and understanding network-based attacks, propagation, and malware, such as ransomware, that operate on target networks.
This entry-level course offers Security+, a basic qualification in security principles and responsibilities, risk analysis, hands-on troubleshooting, and other topics. The Security+ test has recently been updated to SY0-601.
2. SANS SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style
The SANS Institute is a reputable provider of professional cybersecurity courses, and SEC401 is billed as a “bootcamp” for those with prior experience of IT, networking, and security.
While not cheap, the in-depth training covers security measurements, audits, risk assessments, network protection, incident detection and response, and much more.
The training program offered by SANS “will provide the essential information security skills and techniques you need to protect and secure your critical information and technology assets, whether on-premise or in the cloud.”
SANS provides flexibility for working professionals by offering on-demand, online, and in-person training. The training can be completed either remotely or in person over six days.
3. Offensive Security Pen 200 (OSCP)
Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200) is Offensive Security’s foundation course for ethical hacking on the Kali Linux operating system.
The provider focuses on offense and hands-on learning rather than lectures, checkboxes, and just academic study. Offensive Security’s “Try Harder” slogan promotes critical thinking and problem solutions. After all, learning to think like an attacker allows you to better protect systems from them.
A thorough understanding of networking principles is required, as is familiarity with Windows, Linux, and Bash/Python.
If you successfully complete the course and pass the 24-hour exam, you will receive the OSCP certification. The seller has just launched the course as a subscription option for busy folks who require the freedom to learn at their own pace.
4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium offers the CISSP, which is one of the most well-known professional cybersecurity degrees in the world.
The course covers subjects such as cybersecurity program design and implementation, engineering, security architectures, risk management, identity and access management, and software security.
CISSP can be taken in the classroom and taught by instructors in real time, but you must have years of expertise in the field as a requirement. Online instruction is available; however, the costs vary.
Conclusion
If you are beginning from scratch with no prior experience, it may take many months to a year to establish a good foundation in key cybersecurity topics such as networking and programming.
These fundamental learning methodologies are required to improve your understanding of more sophisticated cybersecurity concepts.
To become proficient in cybersecurity, you must continue to learn and keep up with the most recent risks and security developments. This learning process could take years. This is especially true if you wish to focus on a specialized field, such as ethical hacking, incident response, or digital forensics.
However, mastering cybersecurity does not have to be overwhelming. Take one skill at a time and commit to ongoing study. To be successful, you must be adaptable to the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
