Keyword: Getting into Cybersecurity Jobs
Meta Description: If you are planning on getting into cybersecurity jobs, coming from a non-technical background doesn’t necessarily put you at a disadvantage
Getting into Cybersecurity Jobs can be an excellent Option these Days
The cost of cybercrime around the world will soon reach $6 trillion annually, according to CybersecurityVentures.com. In the meantime, the list of big-name data breach victims (from Facebook and LinkedIn to Target, Capital One, the Department of Homeland Security, and countless more) continues to grow at an alarming pace
If you’re looking for job security, it’s worth getting into cybersecurity jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates employment avenues for information security analysts to skyrocket by a whopping 28 percent from 2016 to 2026. It has been predicted that there will be as many as 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021.
If you are under the idea that getting into cybersecurity jobs is possible just for people from adjacent fields who already have the technical proficiency needed to make software and applications more secure, however, there are ample opportunities for those who want to transition from a non-technical background as well.
Getting into Cybersecurity Jobs with a Non-Technical Background
If you are planning on getting into cybersecurity jobs, coming from a non-technical background doesn’t always put you at a disadvantage. You don’t necessarily have to find a technical position if you want to work in the industry. We’ll talk about these positions later. If you hail from a non-technical background, you may lack coding skills; however, certain coding or development skills aren’t even necessary to be hired.
Cyber policy analysts and technical writers are essentially non-technical cybersecurity jobs. These are essentially job profiles you could obtain with skills you might already have. For instance, a college degree could be the only thing required for an entry-level policy analyst position. If you’re a good writer and have a great grasp on grammar, starting as a technical writer isn’t a bad idea to get your foot in the door.
Everyone needs to start somewhere and you could always get an entry-level technical position to start your cybersecurity career. Cybersecurity certifications like Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker can get you on the fast-track with getting a technical cybersecurity position. Most of these certifications consume a lot less time to earn than a college degree. Depending on how quickly you manage to complete these certifications, you can earn these in just a few months.
Getting into Cybersecurity from a Technical Background
Having technical skills is a benefit if you’re getting into cybersecurity jobs. You should be able to decode computer-related aspects of the job at a faster pace than those without an IT background. Web developers, programmers, and software engineers are just a few of the technical jobs where the skills you already have will be transferable to a cybersecurity role.
If you have a technical background doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve had professional work experience? For instance, you may have completed a technical degree in school. Or you may even have programming skills or cybersecurity skills that you gained from a hobby. On-the-job stints may be more valuable from a hiring manager’s point of view, but all experience counts. Technical cybersecurity jobs need good computer knowledge.
As you already have a technical background, it would be advantageous for you to leverage your current skills. In other words, if you have the specific skills already for a position, you’re interested in. In the first place, you will need to research the typical requirements to be a data security analyst. This would be a great time to review
Bottomline
There are many paths that you can take to get your first cybersecurity position. You could get cybersecurity certifications, joining the military, interning, or simply reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers (which you should start doing anyway). Try to learn everything you can about the cybersecurity industry.
As cyber-attacks keep rising in volume and tenacity, with ever-changing tactics, the government and the private sector are raising the alarm. There has been a rising demand for cybersecurity professionals across almost every sector. As a result of this, a significant talent shortage in a critical area of national security and following the law of supply and demand, those who work in the industry can expect a high cybersecurity salary.
If you’ve always wondered about getting started with cybersecurity, don’t let your education or background determine your career path or limit your options. Irrespective of what your background is, you bring something unique and special to this field, which we desperately need. As long as you have passion, and desire to learn, you’re on the right track. At Cyber Chasse Learning Academy, we offer training in Cybersecurity.
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