Frequently Asked Questions
Joining the field of Information Technology (IT), particularly in cybersecurity, is an immensely rewarding and essential career choice in today’s digital age. Here are compelling reasons why individuals should consider a career in IT, particularly within the cybersecurity sector:
Enterprise cybersecurity is the implementation of practices and principles for protecting company data and resources from cyber threats. Enterprise cybersecurity deals with preventing and mitigating damage from cyberattacks such as ransomware attacks, social engineering, data breaches, and software vulnerabilities.
You need to have a combination of technical, analytical, and soft skills for cybersecurity. Some of the technical skills include programming, networking, cryptography, malware analysis, and forensics. Some of the analytical skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and risk assessment. Some of the soft skills include communication, teamwork, and ethics.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different certifications may suit different career goals and levels of experience. However, some of the popular and widely recognized certifications for beginners are CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Penetration testing is a method of evaluating the security posture of a system or network. This involves identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses within a computer network. The goal is to identify potential threats and prevent them from being exploited. Ethical hacking is the practice of using computer security tools to test network security systems and identify vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers follow a code of conduct and have permission from the owners of the systems they test.
An ISSP (Information Systems Security Plan) is a document that outlines the policies and procedures for securing an information system. An ISSP can be implemented on an enterprise wide basis, as long as it covers all the relevant aspects of the system, such as hardware, software, data, users, and processes. An ISSP should also be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in the system or the threat landscape.
Your daily tasks in an entry-level role will depend on the company you’re working for. Generally, day-to-day tasks might include:
- Monitoring a SIEM tool for anomalies
- Responding to alerts and escalating where appropriate
- Checking for proper firewall configuration
- Basic penetration testing
- Preparing security incident reports
- Researching new threats and attack methods
- Automating repetitive security tasks
Cybersecurity as a field typically has more open jobs than there are qualified candidates to fill them. There are over half a million cybersecurity job openings in the US at the time of writing, according to Cyber Seek. These jobs also tend to be well-paid. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $102,600 for information security analysts in the US
Most cybersecurity analysts work full time, but they don’t always work typical 9-to-5 hours. Since cyber-attacks can happen at any time, come organizations and security companies keep security analysts on-call outside of typical business hours. If you’re looking for a job with the flexibility to work evenings or weekend hours, cybersecurity could be a good fit.
No, cybersecurity does not require a lot of math. But it is considered a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concentration, and familiarity with math will certainly get you farther as you move forward in your career.
Security professionals often calculate risk, which involves using math, statistics, and logic. Writing and understanding software code also requires some basic math. Finally, cryptography is the science of codes and encryption, and a part of cybersecurity, in which knowledge of math can help decipher and create algorithms for automated reasoning and data processing.
In conclusion, pursuing a career in IT, especially in cybersecurity, is not only a wise choice but also a fulfilling one. It offers job security, financial rewards, and the opportunity to make a significant difference in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Joining the IT and cybersecurity field means becoming a crucial guardian of the digital realm.