How To Become A Cybersecurity Expert

Would you like to know how to become a Cybersecurity Expert in order to become a professional?

Do you admire a career in Cybersecurity?

If your answer is ‘yes’ then you are in the right track!

As technology keeps advancing, the dependence on information technology keeps increasing.

More data are now being produced and stored online. Because of this, companies are now seeking for more cybersecurity professional to protect their information and secure their devices. This has created more career opportunities for those who want to become cybersecurity expert. The question is how do I become a cybersecurity expert? This guide will show you all you need to know.

What is Cybersecurity?

Before we delve into how to become a Cybersecurity Expert, What exactly is Cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is an aspect of information technology that deals with defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It also means information technology security or electronic information security. Cybersecurity can be applied in a broad context; it is aimed at protecting information technology from cyberattacks. These cyberattacks are aimed to access, destroy or change sensitive user information.

Who is a cybersecurity specialist?

A cybersecurity specialist is anyone who protects information from illegal access, duplication, destruction and theft. He analyses and identifies the loopholes and strategize ways to secure information. He is in charge of protecting information from cybercriminals who want to use hacking methods to access information through the internet.

Skill required to become a cybersecurity specialist

Programing skills

One of the first skill you need to succeed as a cybersecurity specialist is the knowledge of programming languages. You should at least know how to code languages like HTML, Java, JavaScript etc.- this will help you understand how websites and mobile app work. One of the most important programming languages you must learn is Python. However other programming languages like PHP, Bash are also important in cybersecurity.

You can take a course on this programming to learn how to code them.  Sites like Udemy, YouTube are quite helpful to take you on programming.

Knowledge of Applications

To become a cybersecurity Expert, you need to know how to use computer software and application. When you learn how to test and maintain an application like databases and web servers, you will understand

better how to detect the vulnerabilities in an application and device means to protect your data.

Networking

Businesses especially IT companies use network a lot in almost all their operations. One of the ways of how to become a cybersecurity specialist, it will be nice if you understand how to set up different kinds of networks like local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and virtual private network (VPN). This will go a long way in helping you become a cybersecurity professional.

Good Communication skills

Communication is very important when you are working as a cybersecurity personnel. You will constantly communicate with employers and clients to explain your findings. The ability to communicate is also very important when you try to explain technical concepts to audiences or less tech-savvy person.

If you have challenges in communicating ideas, you can take a course on Speaking to brush up on those skills especially before you speak to audiences.

Problem-solving skill

As a cybersecurity specialist, you will always come across several challenges. Your skill to detect problems and

solve them will be very vital to your success.

Cybersecurity will require you to analyze and prioritize complex situations. You will need to be skilled at identifying what could go wrong and determining the company’s best course of action based on its available capabilities and resources.

A diverse IT backgrounds

Another way of how to become a cybersecurity expert as you grow in the cybersecurity profession, you need to keep improving on what you know in the IT industry.

How To Become a Cybersecurity Expert?

Let’s delve into the purpose of this article, which is to show how to become a Cybersecurity Expert.

Enroll for a course

Like most other IT professions, cybersecurity requires you to enroll for a course. You can take up a degree in cybersecurity in any formal education offering cybersecurity. But if you don’t have the resources to take up a four-year course, there are online resources you can use to acquire the skill.

Get certified

cybersecurity follows the path of most industry careers that make use of certifications. You need to obtain a proper certification/ clearance to operate as a cybersecurity specialist. This will distinguish you from other professionals in the IT field.

example of popular cybersecurity certifications you can get include Security+ is a CompTIA certification, Network + is also offered by CompTIA, e Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). These are just but few examples of certifications you can get. However, some of these certifications may require you have some experience.

Get started

Once you completed the steps above, you can start applying for jobs. You can make use of several job sites to achieve this.

There are several job titles you can take up as a cybersecurity specialist.

You can also join a network of professionals who will always alert you on openings and development opportunities.

Conclusion

Becoming a cybersecurity specialist may be rewarding however it takes a lot of hard work to be successful especially in Nigeria. You will need to follow the right steps as you climb the ladder of success in your career. I believe the steps listed in this article will help you become a cybersecurity specialist and succeed anywhere.

Take the bold step today and register for Bizmarrow Technologies’ practical hands-on training on cybersecurity.

We can’t wait to have you.