Cybersecurity can be a demanding and rewarding field. Here are some tips for those just starting out, based on the experience of two seasoned security pros.
The art of working cybersecurity is about more than just protecting systems and networks; it requires a strategic perspective, lots of planning and building a comprehensive roadmap of priorities and goals for the future. Technology continues to evolve and so the ways in which it can be put at risk evolve as well, necessitating a constant pace of career development.
Book learning and technical training are essential elements for any IT-related profession, but some additional skills are essential to build due to the high level of complexity and ever-changing requirements behind a cybersecurity career.
I spoke to Javvad Malik, security advocate at AlienVault, to get his take on what how to build a solid and stable cybersecurity career. Here are a few of his summarized insights after reflecting back on his career, along with some follow-up elaboration based on my own experiences in cybersecurity.
1. Get a mentor
Malik recommended finding a mentor early in your career and use them to help work out a career strategy. He had no such strategy when he started his profession and feels it cost him a few years to make up for it and get up to speed. A mentor can be a friend, a colleague, a manager, an associate in an online group or forum, or anyone else with the know-how and experience as well as the willingness to share both.
2. Develop your soft skills
Malik feels communication is an integral part of cybersecurity; explaining the what, why and how to people to help them understand what they should be doing, or why you’re choosing a certain course of action or plan is essential. Knowing how to speak to people and becoming a better writer and communicator can be immensely helpful in improving interactions with others. Get better at listening to others as well.
He paraphrased Seth Godin, “If I try to explain why you need to do security and you don’t get it, that’s my failing, not yours”
In my experience, one good example here would be telling users why their computers have to automatically reboot once per month in order to install patches and what threats might befall them otherwise can help ease their frustration and lower resentment.
3. Blaze your own trail
Malik expressed regret that he hadn’t spent more time early on his career engaging in self-study and experimenting with systems and devices when he had the opportunity. A hands-on exposure to testing new concepts or applications can help you determine your own path and what you enjoy or want to focus on (or perhaps want to steer clear of).
In my view, this day and age provides opportunities involving virtualization, snapshots and cheap storage/hardware which all make it even easier to build a testing environment and really delve into the innards of how things work to help better understand how to apply security practices.
The post 10 bits of career wisdom for beginning cybersecurity professionals appeared first on Statii News.
source http://news.statii.co.uk/10-bits-of-career-wisdom-for-beginning-cybersecurity-professionals/
No comments:
Post a Comment