Transitioning from General IT to Cyber Security? Here’s All You Need to Know

With the emergence of Cyber Security as a distinctive field of study, a huge number of career opportunities have begun to open across various business verticals. Ranging from finance, retail, and hospitality to banking, law, and even government – most sectors which routinely deal with a massive amount of data, have started employing competent professionals to reduce any scope of the breach, misuse, or vulnerability.

However, being an extremely specialized arena, Cyber Security does not easily open its doors to candidates from all backgrounds. What it specifically requires is a judicious mix of experience, skill, and knowledge coupled with a persistent interest in information technology. This is precisely why the importance of Cyber Security training cannot be overemphasized.

Skills required for a career in Cyber Security

For building a lasting career in the security realm, you need to acquire both hard and soft skills. The hard skills primarily pertain to possessing technical knowledge of fundamentals like:

⦁Operating Systems

⦁Database Management

⦁Programming and Coding

⦁Network Configuration

⦁Enterprise Storage

⦁Prevention Protocols

⦁Risk Modelling

And these are just a few of the many! You need to obtain Cyber Security certification in areas like cryptography, cloud computing, open source applications, and the like. This will go a long way in terms of providing you with a credible edge in the Cyber Security domain.

As far as soft skills are concerned, a deep understanding of business processes and operations, an ability to communicate effectively in a B2B and B2C environment, and a cognitive empathy towards the problems faced by prospective clients require to be developed. The best way to proceed on this path is by availing a comprehensive IT Cyber Security training.

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Initiating a shift from general IT to Cyber Security

Transitioning from a general IT career into Cyber Security is largely considered to be a solid move, laden with immense possibilities. However, the mere thought of shifting careers appears to be highly daunting. In order to undertake this transition with ease, you must devise a well-calibrated approach.

Here is what you must do:

⦁For beginners, training, in IT, is the most natural course of action. This won’t just expose you to the various nuances of technology, but it will also give you a strong footing to lean on.

⦁The next step will be to get a job, apprenticeship or internship in the IT industry. This will equip you in solving complex problems while working in a dynamic, real-time situation.

⦁Once this is done, it will be wise to start focusing on getting a specialization in Cyber Security. This can be accomplished by enrolling in online Cyber Security courses and attaining industrial Cyber Security certification.

⦁At the entry level, you would be asked to deal with fields like exchange administration, network security, and system forensics. With time, you will graduate to the level of penetration testing and information security.

⦁Building up your strengths by getting additional certifications for Cyber Security professionals will further boost your prospects. These basically include:

⦁Comp TIA Security +

⦁SSCP – Systems security certified practitioner

⦁CISSP- Certified information systems security professional

⦁CISA- Certified information systems auditor

⦁OSCP- Offensive security certified professional

⦁CEH- Certified ethical hacker

⦁Finally, you should remember that there is no substitute for gaining experience. Cyber Security certification programs might prepare you for what is to come, but it is the only experience that can lend you practical empowerment.

Technology is never static. With each passing year, it gets updated and turns into a better version of itself. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that employers, who are looking to hire Cyber Security experts, place the skill of technological adaptation at the highest pedestal. A proficient IT Cyber Security training grooms you to embrace such scenarios.

So, if you are planning to branch out from general IT into Cyber Security, make sure that you are adequately equipped to venture into this new arena with the capable trio of training, efficiency, and competence.