How to become a cyber security expert in 2024
Hey there, future cybersecurity expert! Have you ever wondered about how to defend the world against the digital threats or dreamed of being the guardian of an organization’s precious data? If so, then you are at the right place.
You’ve probably been wondering how or where to start, right? Maybe you’ve even tried out an online course, but everything was so confusing.
Well, worry no more because in this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from the basics of networking and programming to advanced certifications and real-world experience. And yes, cyber security can be self-taught.
Think of this as your treasure map in the vast and thrilling world of cybersecurity. Are you ready to become a cyber security expert? Well then, let’s get into it.
Oh, and before I forget, at the end of this article, there is a bonus cyber security roadmap to guide you even more. Yeah, you can thank me later.
But before anything else, let’s have a brief introduction to cyber security.
#1. Introduction to cyber security
In today’s digital age, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing, driven mostly by a surge in cyber threats that are becoming more frequent day by day.
And you know what? Due to so many threats happening, there is a shortage for these professionals, and this has created so many job openings. Whether you’re a newcomer to the field or a seasoned professional, now is the perfect time to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Additionally, being such a big field, cyber security has created so many different career opportunities. These include:
- Cyber security analyst
- Penetration tester
- Security Consultant
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Security architect
- Cytography engineer
- Incident Responder
- Malware analyst
These are just some of the jobs you can do in cyber security. There’ more it has to offer. Isn’t that cool? There has never been a better time for cyber security.
Now, let’s move forward to the next item of discussion.
#2. Basics of Cyber Security
So here, you’re basically going to discover the fundamentals of cyber security and the common cyber threats.
Actually, I’ll explain to you some of the key concepts in cyber security that all professionals in this field should be familiar with. These concepts help to understand different aspects of cybersecurity and contribute to developing comprehensive strategies for protecting systems and data.
Here are some of the major concepts:
- The CIA Triad
The CIA Triad is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. These three principles are the cornerstone of any secure system. The CIA Triad provides a framework for understanding the objectives and goals of information security within an organization or system.
- Defense in Depth
Defense in Depth (DiD) is a strategy that employs multiple layers of security controls throughout an IT system to provide redundancy and enhance security. It ensures that even if one layer of defense is breached, other layers remain intact to prevent a successful attack. Examples of this strategy include implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), antivirus software, and access controls at different points of the network.
- Zero Trust
Zero Trust is a security model based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that threats could be both inside and outside the network and requires verification from everyone trying to access resources. It minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement within the network.
- . Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or interception during transmission or storage. It ensures data confidentiality and integrity, even if intercepted by unauthorized parties. A good example is using strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES-256) for data stored on servers and transmitted over networks.
- Threat Intelligence
Threat Intelligence involves gathering and analyzing information about potential or current threats that could harm an organization. It helps organizations understand the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors, enabling proactive defense measures. This concept can be implemented by subscribing to threat intelligence feeds, conducting threat assessments, and sharing threat information with industry peers.
The field of cyber security is so broad such that there isn’t a fixed number of concepts. There’s so many and more continue to emerge. However, the above concepts are some of the most important and widely recognized ones. Make sure you look at more concepts.
Now that we’re done with the major concepts, let’s discover some of the most common cyber threats.
Here are the common cyber threats:
- Malware
Malware (short for malicious software) refers to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, or network. Types of malware include viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and ransomware.
Example: A Trojan disguised as a legitimate software download that, once installed, provides hackers with remote access to the victim’s device.
- Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details usually by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
Example: An email that appears to be from a reputable bank, asking the recipient to click a link and enter their login credentials on a fake website.
- Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom payment to restore access to the data. These attacks can be devastating for both individuals and organizations.
Example: The WannaCry ransomware attack that affected hundreds of thousands of computers globally, demanding payment in Bitcoin to decrypt the files.
- Social Engineering
Social engineering involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. It exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities.
Example: A phone call from someone pretending to be from the IT department, asking for the employee’s login details to “fix a problem” with their computer.
Understanding these cybersecurity fundamentals and common threats is very important for anyone aspiring to become a cybersecurity expert. These concepts form the foundation of securing systems and data against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
#3. Education Pathways
Now, you might be wondering if cyber security could be self-taught or must one get formal education. You know what? You don’t have to enroll in a university to study cyber security. Amazing, right? Whether you decide to go for formal education or self-study, a good career in cyber security is guaranteed once you are done learning.
For those who prefer to take formal education, these are some of the courses you may want to consider:
- Bachelor of Technology (Information Technology)
- Bachelor of Computer Science in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of science in Cybersecurity Engineering
- Bachelor of science in Information Technology
While the above courses may be enough to land you a good job in cyber security, having some additional certificates may be even better. Such include:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- CompTIA Security+
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Heads Up: One certification I would not advise you to take is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Why? Well, first it’s too easy to get and second it has a terrible reputation for plagiarism. Most big companies won’t hire you by just having this certificate, however, others might as they are not aware of this. If I were you, I’d scrap if off my CV or just not do it at all.
For those who prefer self-study, this is for you. First of all, you should know that employers don’t care if you went to college or not. Did you know that 14% of Google employees never went to college? Yeah, that’s true. Employers only care if you can offer something more than just a degree. But just know this, it won’t be easy.
So, are you wondering how you’re going to learn all of it by yourself? Don’t worry, I gotcha. There are so many resources available online for you to utilize. You can take online courses on sites like Udemy, Coursera and MyGreatLearning.com. Companies like Google, IBM and Microsoft also offer cybersecurity courses. And guess what? They’re FREE! What excuse do you have now not to learn cybersecurity?
Moreover, you can read some highly recommended books like:
- “Cybersecurity Essentials” by Charles J. Brooks, Christopher Grow, Philip Craig, and Donald Short
- “The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security” by Kevin D. Mitnick and William L. Simon
- “Cybersecurity for Beginners” by Raef Meeuwisse
- “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation” by Jon Erickson
Nonetheless, tutorials on sites like YouTube, Telegram can be very helpful.
#4. Gaining Technical Skills
After learning, it is good to build a good foundation of technical skills. This is important because it enhances your understanding of cyber security and prepares you for your career. The key areas you should focus on are:
#1. Networking
Understanding networking basics is fundamental for cybersecurity professionals. Grasping the knowledge of how networks operate and how data flows across the internet is essential for identifying vulnerabilities and defending against attacks.
Some of the key networking concepts you might familiarize with are:
- TCP/IP: This is the suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet.
- DNS (Domain Name System): This is the system that translates domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): This protocol is used to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices on a network.
- Firewalls: These are devices or software that control the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
#2. Operating Systems
Proficiency in both Windows and Linux systems is critical since cyber threats can target any platform. Each operating system has its own unique features and vulnerabilities that must be understood.
#3. Programming
Programming skills are invaluable for automating tasks, developing security tools, and understanding how software vulnerabilities can be exploited. I would recommend that you also learn these programming languages: Python, C and Bash. But like I said, coding is not a must for one to become a hacker. However, you will only gain more by learning them.
#5. Hands-On Experience
Gaining hands-on experience is crucial in cybersecurity. Practical application of theoretical knowledge helps in solidifying your understanding and prepares you for real-world challenges. Here are some key ways to gain hands-on experience:
- Setting Up a Home Lab
Creating a home lab is a great way to practice and experiment with cybersecurity concepts in a controlled environment. You can use virtualization software like VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player to create multiple virtual machines on your computer.
- Practicing with Tools
Another way is to familiarize yourself with essential cybersecurity tools by using them in your home lab. Some of the key tools to start with are Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit and Burp Suite.
- Capture the Flag (CTF) Competitions
CTF competitions are a fun and engaging way to apply your cybersecurity skills in real-world scenarios. These events are designed to challenge participants with a variety of security-related tasks. So, how do you involve yourself in these competitions? First, you can look for these competitions online.
Websites like CTFTime.org list upcoming events and provide resources for beginners. Additionally, you can join a team to collaborate and learn from others. Moreover, using platforms like Hack the Box, TryHackMe, and OverTheWire to practice CTF challenges can really improve your skills.
By doing these things, you can gain valuable hands-on experience that will enhance your understanding and skills in cybersecurity.
#6. Specializing in Cybersecurity
As you might know, cyber security is a very wide field and therefore, it is only wise that you specialize in one specific role. I had already mentioned earlier some of the roles in cybersecurity so you can go back and take a look.
In this, you can do some self-assessment and evaluate where your strengths lie. This decision is very important as it influences your whole career. And you don’t want to walk into your career place every day of your life and regret the decision you made, do you?
However, even if you end up not liking the career path you choose, you can switch to other roles in cybersecurity. This is mostly because of the overlap between cybersecurity careers.
Ultimately, you should make a decision that aligns with your interests, skills, and career aspirations. Take your time, gather as much information as possible, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance from others.
#7. Gaining real world experience
Now, it’s time to put all your knowledge and skills to work. There are quite a number of ways you can do this. It’s all about working on actual problems and applying your theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. It could be getting an internship, finding an entry level job, participating in bug bounties or even being a freelancer. The opportunities are so many.
You can find internships at many big tech companies out here such a s Google, Microsoft and CISCO just to mention a few. This can give you a head start when you start looking for a full-time job.
Additionally, you can become a freelancer and get clients on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer and Guru.com. This will enhance your skills and also earn you some money without even leaving your home. Amazing, right?
Bug bounties are the best. Oh, if you didn’t know, bug bounty is a reward given to a person who identifies an error or vulnerability in a computer program or system. Hope you’re back on track now. These programs offer $50 to $20,000; however, more experienced hackers have reported making way more than that. The highest payout ever was $10 million to a security researcher for discovering a vulnerability in a crypto platform Wormhole.
Successful bug bounty hunters often gain recognition within the cybersecurity community, which can lead to job offers or collaborations. Amazing, right? Do you know what’s better? All these things involve you making some good income. What are you waiting for? Get to work now.
Working on a variety of projects helps you build a diverse portfolio that showcases your adaptability and range of skills, and this is crucial for building a successful career.
#8. Creating a career plan
Finally, to become a successful cybersecurity expert, you need to create a good career plan.
You can do this by setting clear goals for yourself. Could be short-term or long-term goals. You should create ambitious but achievable goals for yourself and know what you want to achieve in your career. This is very important as it sets up a good path for you to rise in your career.
Additionally, you can seek guidance and mentorship from more experienced people in the cybersecurity field. You can always learn something you didn’t know. Remember, there is always room for improvement. And this field is always changing so make sure you keep up with emerging trends.
#9. Conclusion
Cybersecurity is one of the best career paths you can follow especially if you’re tech savvy. It’s not hard at all. All you needs is some passion and determination and you’ll get there in no time.
And remember, even if you had chosen a career path you didn’t like, you can easily change to cybersecurity. And there’s no need to go back to school for it. Like I mentioned before, you can study it by yourself with the help of online resources.
#10. FAQs
Is cybersecurity hard?
No. Not at all. The fact that you can do self-study says it all. And even when it comes to the job, there’s nothing to be worried about. It may be challenging at first, but if you’re passionately interested in technology, you’ll be okay in no time.
Is cybersecurity a good career?
Absolutely. It ranks among the highest-paying and most-in-demand careers and most people working in this field are very satisfied. So, yes, it’s a wonderful career.
How long does it take to learn cybersecurity?
A bachelor’s degree will take four years to complete. However, you can also learn through courses, and this will take you anywhere from six months to one year.
Cybersecurity Roadmap
Now, as promised, here is the roadmap that will guide you to become the cybersecurity expert you were always meant to be:
All the best to you, future cybersecurity experts.
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