Ever thought about how to learn cyber security? With the growing demand for cyber security jobs, now is the perfect time to get started.
From understanding the basics of the industry, to discovering the best resources for learning.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know to get started in cyber security and learn all the necessary skills to become an expert.
With the right knowledge and dedication, you’ll soon be on your way to a successful career in cyber security.
Read further to help you learn more about cyber security.
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Table of Contents
How to learn cyber security? Click below to find out!
Can You Learn Cyber Security on Your Own?
Skills Needed for a Career in Cyber Security
Step-by-Step Cyber Security Learning Plan
What Is Cyber Security?
Cyber security, or Information Security, is the practice of protecting data and networks from attack, damage, or unauthorized access.
At its most basic level, cyber security is about protecting digital information from unauthorized access or alteration.
This means that organizations must take steps to protect their systems from malicious actors who may try to gain access to confidential information or disrupt operations.
This can involve everything from implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication to deploying antivirus software and utilizing encryption techniques.
Additionally, organizations must also be aware of legal issues surrounding privacy, data protection and data sharing.
All these components combine to form the foundation of a comprehensive cyber security strategy.
Ultimately, the goal of cyber security is to keep organizations safe from external threats, while also safeguarding the data they’ve collected.
To do this, cyber security professionals must remain up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry and constantly strive to stay one step ahead.
While it can be an intimidating field to get into, with the right resources and guidance anyone can become an expert in cyber security.
Can You Learn Cyber Security on Your Own?
But what if you don’t have a degree in computer science or cyber security? Is it still possible to learn how to become a successful cyber security professional? The answer is yes, it is possible to learn how to become a successful cyber security professional on your own.
Learning cyber security doesn’t require any formal education; however, it does require a lot of hard work and dedication.
If you’re willing to put in the effort and make the commitment, you should do well in this industry.
The most important part of learning how to secure systems and data is understanding the fundamentals of the technology.
To do this, you should start by researching the different types of threats, such as malware, phishing, and social engineering, as well as the different ways that attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in software and hardware.
It is also important to understand the different tools used to protect systems and data, such as firewalls, encryption, and identity and access management (IAM).
Once you have a good understanding of the basics of cyber security, you can begin to develop your technical skills by utilizing various resources and learning modes that are covered below.
Skills Needed for a Career in Cyber Security
If you’re looking to enter the field of cyber security, it’s important to understand that the skills needed for success vary depending on the type of job you’re aiming for.
Cyber security is a complex and ever-evolving field, and requires a wide range of technical and non-technical skills.
It’s important to develop an understanding of the common tools and technologies used in cyber security, as well as the underlying concepts and principles.
For cyber security beginners, the following skills are essential:
Analytical Thinking: Analyzing large amounts of data to identify patterns and uncover security threats is a major component of cyber security. Developing your analytical thinking skills will help you identify and solve problems quickly and effectively.
Programming Skills: Understanding how computer programs work is essential in cyber security. This includes being familiar with command line code, Windows and Linux operating systems, and coding languages such as Python and Java.
Networking: Understanding how networks work, as well as understanding common networking protocols such as TCP/IP and DNS is essential for working in cyber security.
Risk Management: Risk management is an important aspect of cyber security and requires the ability to assess potential security risks and develop appropriate countermeasures.
Security Policies and Procedures: Understanding and potentially developing security policies, plans, and procedures will help you to create repeatable security processes that better protects your information systems from potential attacks.
Project Management: Working in Cyber Security often involves leading or participating in multiple projects simultaneously. Developing your project management skills will help you manage your time effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
How to Learn Cyber Security?
Learning cyber security, especially for beginners, can be a daunting task. But with the right knowledge and resources, anyone can get started in the field of cyber security.
Here are some tips on how to begin learning cyber security:
Research & Understand the Basics
Before you start learning, it’s important to research the different aspects of cyber security and understand what it entails. It’s important to understand basic cyber security concepts such as the CIA triad, threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, cryptography, and network security. You can find plenty of online resources that can help you understand these concepts. Professor Messer is an excellent example of an online resource for free learning materials.
Software skills
As a cyber security professional, you will need to possess strong digital skills, which include working knowledge of security software and operating systems.
For example, security experts may use tools such as Nessus, Wireshark, or Metasploit and operating systems such as Kali Linux for analysis and testing purposes.
Networks
Network security plays a critical role in protecting overall organizational security infrastructure. Businesses can have multiple networks containing sensitive data. Learning how to secure such critical networks and systems is important for those who want to learn cyber security and want to start a career in cyber security. Spend time learning how firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), intrusion detection and prevention systems work, as well as other network devices operate.
Cyber Security Laws & Regulations
Cyber security has become a global crisis because of the consequences that accompany breaches and digital attacks. Security breaches can result in severe complications for businesses. Such consequences include legal complications such as lawsuits, fines, and state-imposed business sanctions.
It’s important that you learn about the latest information security and data protection laws and regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, FISMA. By learning about these laws and regulations, you can develop a deep understanding of the various domains and aspects of privacy and security.
Step-by-Step Cyber Security Learning Plan
Cyber security is a vast field with diverse specialization areas. It’s easy to get confused especially if you are just getting started with cyber security education. To make things simpler for you, below is a step-by-step guide to learning cyber security. It will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful cyber security professional.
Step 1: Find an Area of Interest
When learning cyber security or considering a career in this field, it is important to research the area that suits your interests and expertise.
There are various roles available in the field, such as network security analyst, cyber security engineer, security analyst, and more.
Each role requires different levels of expertise, so it is important to understand the skills and knowledge needed for each role.
For those who are just starting out in the field of cyber security, there are also entry-level cyber security jobs available that can be a great place to start.
These entry-level security jobs include:
- Information Security Analyst (Salary $103,590 per year)
- System Administrator (Salary $84,810 per year)
- IT Support Specialist (Salary $55,510 per year)
- Cyber forensics analyst (Salary $89,300 per year)
- Junior Penetration Testers (Salary $85,478 per year)
- Security Auditor (Salary $84,039 per year)
- Junior Security Analyst (Salary $56,496 per year)
Researching industry needs and job postings can help you narrow down your search and find an area of specialization that interests you.
It is also important to read up on the latest trends and technologies in the field to understand how they may affect the job market and how they could benefit your career.
Step 2: Use Online Resources
After choosing an area of specialization, it’s time to gain information about the field.
One of the best ways to research and understand the basics of any field in cyber security is to read up on the subject.
There are numerous books, articles, and resources available online that can give you a comprehensive overview of the field.
You can also attend courses related to cyber security.
Resources such as edX, Coursera, or Udemy, will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to understand how to learn cyber security.
Step 3: Start Networking
One of the best ways to learn cyber security is by talking to other experienced professionals in the field.
Attend conferences, networking events, meetups, and webinars/seminars to make connections and stay updated with the latest trends.
Additionally, joining multiple digital cyber security networking communities can also help you make connections and gain insight into the industry.
Step 4: Take Online Courses & Courses
You can also take paid or free online courses to learn cyber security.
There are many platforms available that offer comprehensive programs covering everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques.
Many universities, community colleges, and coding bootcamps offer cyber security classes or certificates.
These courses will provide you with a thorough introduction to the basics of cyber security and teach you how to protect systems from malicious threats.
Step 5: Get Hands-on Practice
Learning is one thing, but mastering the skills requires practice.
Experiment with different tools and technologies to get hands-on experience and be able to use them confidently when needed.
There are a variety of hands-on cyber security learning opportunities available for those who want to get real-world experience, such as attending hackathons or participating in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions.
Real-world practice will not only help you test and hone your skills but will also open many doors of opportunities for you to build a successful career in cyber security.
Step 6: Stay Current with Industry Trends
It is important to stay up to date on the latest trends in the industry.
By staying informed about the latest developments in the cyber security field, you can ensure that you remain current on best cyber security practices and technologies.
Step 7: Get a Cyber Security Certification
When it comes to getting started in the field of cyber security, certifications can be a great way for beginners to gain knowledge and skills that are applicable to the job market.
Entry-level security certifications are designed for those with little to no experience in the field and provide a great way for beginners to learn the basics of cyber security.
The most common entry-level security certification for beginners is CompTIA Security+ Certification.
This certification covers topics such as security protocols, threats, attacks, and prevention techniques.
Additionally, it helps certify individuals for various IT positions related to cyber security.
Other popular certifications include the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).
All of these certifications cover topics related to cyber security such as network security, authentication, encryption, forensics, malware analysis, and more.
With any of these certifications, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and skills related to cyber security to potential employers.
Final Thoughts
The field of cyber security is one of the most rapidly growing industries, and it is an exciting time to start learning cyber security as a career.
Cyber security jobs are projected to grow substantially in the coming years and there are a variety of paths for people interested in the field.
Overall, learning cyber security as a beginner is possible with the right dedication and resources.
With the right amount of effort, you can become a successful cyber security professional without any formal education.
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by Amit Doshi
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