Cybersecurity is a fast-paced field that involves protecting computer systems and IT infrastructure from malicious attacks and data breaches. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability (also called CIA Triangle) are three solid principles that build the institution of any organization’s security architecture.
Today, with the recent developments in technology, industries worldwide have been struggling to fight an increasing number of security breaches. And the demand for highly competent professionals that can respond, detect, and combat cyberattacks are on the rise. Fact is, as businesses shift online and move to cloud-storage space, the challenge of information security will most likely increase in priority.
According to ICS Cybersecurity Workforce Study in 2019, the global workforce must grow by 145% to bridge the gap of cybersecurity talent. And the number of cybersecurity professionals in the US alone must increase by 62%. Given this, there’s no right time like the present for freshly-minted graduates to get their foot in the door.
However, individuals must possess a diverse assortment of skills to become the best pick for employers and increase the likelihood of getting hired. So, whether you wish to land a CISO job, win a gig as a threat hunter, or acquire sought-after security jobs, here’s the list of skills you must develop:
Willingness to learn
A crucial characteristic for individuals who wish to acquire cybersecurity jobs is the immense thirst for knowledge and a sense of intrigue. That’s because the cyber threat landscape is continually in a state of flux. And cybercriminals are always on the lookout to enhance their techniques and steal confidential information. This factor alone serves as a compelling reason for professionals to roll with the tidal waves of change and stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity trends. For this reason, consider an online MBA Cybersecurity program to learn when to expect cyberattacks and what measures to take before cybercriminals infiltrate the network. An MBA with a core emphasis on cybersecurity imparts essential knowledge of how IT infrastructure links and transfers data and enables you to develop policies for protecting this data.
An online master not only empowers you to make headway in your career trajectory. It also provides you with the convenience and flexibility to learn at your own pace, making it easy to attain a work-life balance.
Effective communication
Communication skills are highly indispensable for every profession; however, this skill takes on a different dimension for cybersecurity. Being an analyst, you will need to communicate the security risks and impact of intrusion attempts on the organization’s reputation and profit.
Therefore, you must possess the ability to condense the technical jargon into simple terms that business professionals such as legal experts and executives can easily comprehend.
Besides verbal, written communication is also paramount to landing a cybersecurity job. For instance, there may be times when you will have to present your research findings to managers and colleagues. Or you may have to create incident reports and describe the actions you took in a precise manner.
Problem-solving
Cybersecurity professionals are the ultimate convergent thinkers and troubleshooters. It’s their core responsibility to identify bugs, crack ciphers, and take measures to prevent security breaches.
Working in this field requires making split-second and data-driven decisions, determining alternatives, and assessing data. Therefore, if you wish to become a potentially all-star security professional, it’s imperative to analyze problems critically and propose appropriate solutions.
Additionally, you must be adept at detecting cyberattacks early on and figuring out the best plan of action. While this skill often comes inherent to individuals, you can practice it by gaining as much hands-on experience as possible.
Coding
One of the most in-demand skills employers covet is coding. While coding isn’t necessarily critical for entry-level positions. However, if you wish to advance to mid or upper-level positions, you must acquaint yourself with coding skills.
Therefore, try to learn the fundamental principles of scripting in various languages such as JavaScript, PHP, and HTML. That way, you can fully understand how websites come into being and the ways hackers can attack them.
Moreover, cybercriminals use SQL (Structured Query Language) to steal organizational data and perform injection attacks. Thus, a firm grasp of this language can prove worthwhile in identifying system vulnerabilities.
Cloud security
As the growing number of businesses shift to cloud environments to record data and run different applications, the demand for professionals with cloud expertise is at its peak.
Being a cybersecurity professional, you must have a sound knowledge of the underlying cloud storage infrastructure. And you must know how to connect authentication with identity management for the smooth running of SaaS applications. In most cases, cloud breaches occur due to fake pages from where attackers can easily steal credentials.
Today, employers are in quest of well-versed professionals who can recognize these schemes and take timely actions. According to a press release by Burning Glass Technologies, individuals that possess cloud security have an earning potential of approximately $15,000.
Final Words
While new technological advancements streamline business operations and help organizations reach unprecedented heights. It also plagues the business world with advanced and sophisticated cybercrimes. Given this, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high.
The field of cybersecurity is, undeniably, a fast-growing and dynamic one. So, if you wish to step your foot in this career, you need to acquire a comprehensive set of soft skills in tandem with technical ones. Whether you plan to work in the detection and remediation region or develop cybersecurity products, you need to think like a hacker.
