Interested in a career in cybersecurity? According to the Cybersecurity Ventures report, an estimated 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs will be available by 2021. However, due to the talent crunch, these jobs will be unfilled.
Canada has seen major cyber threats in recent times, and several Canadian government services are disrupted include national revenue agency. To handle the cyber-attacks and to ensure cyber safety, the Canadian Government is taking drastic measures to curb this issue.
What does that mean for aspiring cybersecurity professionals? Increased job opportunities and better pay. Cybersecurity careers are complex, and many roles are available, however, to decide which path suits your aspirations, let’s have a look at the career.
What is Cybersecurity?
It is a practice of protecting networks, programs and systems from digital attacks. Cybersecurity ensures that data has multiple layers of protection spread across the network and data that an organization intends to keep secure.
Cybersecurity Careers
Cybersecurity or information security professionals fit into varied roles, and finding the right path isn’t always easy. Some may decide to get into this field right out of college, many already work in IT and software engineering before exploring this specialized field.
Before we go into the details, here are some popular roles based on experience level:
- Entry-level: network engineer, security specialist, systems engineer, system administrator, IT technician
- Mid-level: security analyst, incident responder, cyber security consultant, penetration tester, a security technician
- Advanced-level: cybersecurity – architect, engineer, manager, chief information security officer, forensic expert
Cybersecurity Career: Education Requirements
Education requirements vary in this profession according to the role you are planning to apply for. Many job listings require less than an associate’s degree, and many high-profile jobs seek a postgraduate degree in information technology or computer science.
Industry Certifications
Ina specialized field such as cyber security, Industry relevant certifications are highly relevant than a formal degree. With the rapid advancement in technology, several IT certifications are available. Most requested certifications include:
- CompTIA Career Pathway: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner. These certifications help professionals gain essential skills from beginner to the advanced stage.
- Cisco Certifications: Cisco offers a wide range of certifications based on job roles. For entry-level roles: CCNA Security, for mid-level roles: Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, for senior-level roles: Cisco CCNP Security and specifically for Security architect/engineer role: Cisco CCIE Security
Certifications to build a solid foundation for cybersecurity jobs:
- EC-Council Network Security Administrator (ENSA)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate—Routing and Switching (CCNA)
- GIAC Certifications cover topics related to cyber defence, digital forensics, penetration testing, incident response and information security manager and developer.
Do you need to take all these certifications? No, it is recommended that you should have a strong foundation in the related technologies. Each certification is built on the skills gained in the previous certification.
Essential Technical Skills:
The basic technical know-how is must to be successful in a cyber security career. Apart from essential certifications listed in the job postings, the most important skills one should possess includes:
- Linux: Security systems running within homes and on android phones may very well be running on Linux. It is a broad subject and has a versatile use. Certification in Linux can validate your skills and prove that you have what is needed on the job.
- Project Management: IT professionals work on many projects. Thus a deeper understanding of Project Management will help you gain an edge. CompTIA Project+ is a good example that covers essential concepts.
- Information Systems: Knowledge of information systems will add to your resume. Cybersecurity professional needs to understand how this organized system collects, organizes and stores data.
Soft Skills required for Cybersecurity Professionals:
- Strong communication skills
- Able to work well with others
- Self-motivated
- Critical thinker
- Creative problem-solver
- Attention to details
Are you interested in starting a career in cybersecurity?
BizTech College offers an extensive one-year diploma program in Networking and Cyber security. This program is suitable for both high school graduates and professionals in entry-level IT jobs.
Our extensive program covers basic to advanced concepts of both networking and cyber security. Hands-on training prepares you with essential practical skills and knowledge needed to pursue a variety of information security certifications. Want to know more? You can speak with our subject-matter experts and decide which career path will suit your aspirations.