As instances of web attacks continue to increase across the globe, so does the demand for knowledgeable and skilled cybersecurity specialists to help businesses and individuals keep their information safe. In fact, according to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for information security analysts is projected to grow by 32 percent between 2022 and 2032. That’s much faster than the national average for all occupations.
This also means that if you’ve been thinking about pursuing a career in cybersecurity, now could be a great time to get started. But what are the skills needed for cybersecurity and how can you go about developing them? We’re covering the most important technical and soft skills for aspiring security professionals, along with some best practices for developing them) below.
Essential Skills Every Cybersecurity Specialist Should Have
While the exact cybersecurity skills required can vary from one position to the next, there are some basic skills and knowledge that most people in this profession will need to rely on regularly. This ranges from a solid understanding of network administration and expertise in security incident response to familiarity with laws/regulations and much more. Learn more about skills needed for cybersecurity, plus some of the most essential technical skills you’ll be expected to have as a cybersecurity professional and why they’re so important.
Understanding of Networking and System Administration
Networking and system administration are among the most basic yet essential cybersecurity skills for anybody looking to work as a cybersecurity professional. This is because having a knowledge of basic computer networking is critical to understanding how data is stored, transmitted, and shared. This can help cybersecurity professionals better understand how they can keep data safe and secure.
The same concept applies to knowledge of system administration, which is important for understanding how different computer features and settings can affect data security.
Proficiency in Cybersecurity Frameworks and Risk Analysis
One important aspect of the job that many cybersecurity professionals need to carry out on a regular basis is that of conducting cybersecurity risk analysis. This is a process that involves assessing and identifying potential risks or vulnerabilities within existing security frameworks. From there, cybersecurity professionals can provide recommendations for improving security and reducing risk.
All cybersecurity professionals need to understand how to perform a cybersecurity risk analysis based on existing frameworks and following industry best practices.
Expertise in Security Incident Handling and Response
Unfortunately, even with the most advanced security protocols and redundancies in place, data breaches and web attacks can still occur. When this happens, cybersecurity professionals need to be prepared to react quickly and with the client’s best interests in mind. This means taking the proper steps to mitigate further data loss or other risk while keeping those affected informed and working to restore operations to normal as quickly as possible.
With this in mind, all cybersecurity professionals should be extensively trained in the latest security incident handling and response practices to do their jobs effectively.
Knowledge of Security Auditing Techniques
In many cybersecurity roles, an important job responsibility is conducting security audits on a regular basis to check for vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and other potential problems that could affect data security within an organization. Cybersecurity professionals, then, must have a solid knowledge of the latest and most effective security auditing techniques so they can carry them out in their own work.
Some examples of these techniques or methods that may be used on a regular basis include:
- Compliance monitoring
- Penetration testing
- Audit logs
- Risk assessment
Familiarity With Laws and Regulations
Speaking of compliance, another critical part of a cybersecurity professional’s job revolves around making sure that clients are operating within specific laws and regulations that apply to their respective industries.
For instance, businesses in the healthcare industry must follow strict HIPAA regulations surrounding data privacy and security. Many of these businesses will hire cybersecurity professionals or other IT experts to ensure that they are always complying with these laws. After all, failure to do so could result in major consequences for the business, ranging from fines and penalties to legal trouble.
Cybersecurity professionals then have an important obligation to stay on top of industry-specific laws and regulations. This is particularly as they relate to data security and protection.
Mastery of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines
It comes as no surprise that cybersecurity professionals must also be prepared to work with a wide range of operating systems and virtual machines, so having familiarity with the most widely utilized options is another important skill. These days, there are many operating systems commonly used in cybersecurity and network systems, such as:
- Windows
- Mac OS
- Linux
Each of these operating systems will have their own inherent advantages and potential security drawbacks. Experienced cybersecurity professionals should be proficient in every option and able to keep up with software updates or new operating systems as they emerge.
Skills in Network Security Controls
Another important technical skill that today’s cybersecurity professionals need to have is network security control, which refers specifically to the different strategies and methods used to increase network security in any given context. Some examples of these controls may include the use of firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep information as secure as possible. From there, cybersecurity professionals are expected to be able to use these network security controls to best serve their clients’ security needs as they evolve and change.
Techniques for Malware Prevention and Analysis
These days, malware is a very real threat that can have serious security consequences for those who fall victim. Specifically, malware refers to malicious software or files that are inadvertently installed on a device to steal information, files, or data. When a malware attack occurs, the results can be devastating, and it could take some time for the attack to even be detected.
This is exactly why cybersecurity professionals need to be up to speed on the latest techniques for malware prevention and analysis, including:
- Dynamic analysis
- Statis analysis
- Signature detection
By using the right techniques for preventing and handling malware attacks as they arise, cybersecurity professionals can keep their clients’ data protected as effectively as possible.
Coding Skills for Cybersecurity
These days, more employers are also looking for cybersecurity professionals who are proficient in different types of coding that may be used on the job. While different organizations may use different types of coding and programming languages, some of the most common that cybersecurity professionals should know include:
- C and C++
- Python
- JavaScript
- HTML and PHP
- SQL
With a solid understanding of these coding languages and how they are used, cybersecurity professionals can enhance security and better protect data. This is especially important when you consider that many hackers use coding language like SQL to carry out attacks.
Cloud Security Management
More businesses and organizations rely on cloud data storage than ever before, which comes with its benefits but also can pose some inherent security risks. Cybersecurity professionals should have a solid understanding of how common cloud platforms work can how to utilize their features and infrastructures to maximize security.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure are two of the most used cloud platforms on the market, but there are others worth exploring as well, such as Google Cloud.
Analytical and Intelligence Gathering Skills
Many cybersecurity roles involve a great deal of data/intelligence collection and analytics, where large amounts of information must be processed to reach the most accurate interpretations. These are the kinds of cybersecurity skills that often cannot be learned in a classroom alone but must instead be acquired over time with hands-on experience.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention
When an attack happens, quickly recognizing and mitigating it can save an organization from significant financial loss and reputational damage. Considering this, many cybersecurity professionals rely on intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to continuously monitor networks for signs of security threats or attacks.
Cybersecurity professionals looking to stay relevant in the field, then, need to be familiar with IDPS options, how to configure them, and how to use them to keep networks more secure.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Tools
In the cybersecurity world, security information and event management tools are commonly used to collect and analyze data from a company’s networks, servers, and devices to detect potential signs of attacks or other security vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity professionals must familiarize themselves with these tools and how to deploy them within a network for the best results.
Developing Soft Skills for Cybersecurity Experience
In addition to the must-have technical skills outlined above, cybersecurity professionals also need to have their fair share of soft skills or core competencies to do their jobs well. This includes strong communication skills, attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to adapt as situations change and evolve.
These soft cybersecurity skills can be built upon as part of a formal education, but they can also be developed outside the classroom through everyday life experiences.
Effective Communication Skills
While some may think of working in cybersecurity as an isolated position, the reality is that this line of work often requires a great deal of communication with other people. This may include communication with others cybersecurity professionals and IT teams, as well as clients and individuals who may have a very limited understanding of cybersecurity.
Given this perspective, cybersecurity professionals should have strong written and verbal communication skills so they can keep clients in the loop as needed while collaborating effectively with other professionals in the field. Likewise, in the event of a security breach or other attack, cybersecurity professionals may need to assist in issuing public statements and otherwise communicating to those affected. Having said that, these kinds of cybersecurity skills are absolutely crucial.
It is also worth noting that many cybersecurity professionals are hired on by large organizations where there may be multiple departments or teams on staff. These cybersecurity professionals may be expected to provide basic security training and education to all team members in a way that is accessible and easy for them to understand, even if they don’t have a strong background in technology or IT. This requires very strong communication skills, as well as the ability to understand the unique needs and backgrounds of different audiences.
Analytical Mindset and Problem-Solving Abilities
Working in cybersecurity means facing and solving new problems on a daily basis. Often, the problems that these professionals encounter are entirely new and increasingly complex, requiring a great deal of creative thinking and an analytical mindset. Typically, the most successful cybersecurity professionals are those who can look at a problem and think outside of the box to reach a solution. They are also the type of people who can take in and process large amounts of information with ease.
Cybersecurity professionals who have an analytical mindset and strong problem-solving abilities also tend to be the kinds of people who are naturally curious and never take anything at face value. Instead, they are always asking questions and looking to uncover more information before deciding or even reaching an opinion about an important topic.
Attention to Detail and a Proactive Approach
Sometimes, the difference between catching a cybersecurity attack before it occurs and not catching it can be in the smallest of details. This is why it’s so important for those working in the cybersecurity and IT fields to have a strong attention to detail in everything they do.
Similarly, cybersecurity professionals tend to be more proactive than reactive in nature. One of the most important ideas in cybersecurity is that attacks and data breaches are best prevented when organizations have proactive security measures and protections in place rather than simply reacting to threats as they arise.
Adaptability in a Fast-Paced Environment
The world of cybersecurity and cybersecurity skills is extremely dynamic, with new threats emerging seemingly on a daily basis. Those who decide to work in this field, then, must be committed to a lifetime of learning and adapting to changes as they occur. What’s considered a “best practice” in cybersecurity today could be an outdated practice tomorrow, so the best experts in this field are those who are prepared for the changes this fast-paced environment can bring and ready to adapt to those changes in the blink of an eye. Generally, this means being able to think quickly on your feet and to remain calm and rational, even when things get a little chaotic.
One of the biggest ways in which cybersecurity professionals are now being expected to adapt in their work is in integrating and embracing new technologies as they arise. This is especially true when it comes to the rising trend of artificial intelligence (AI) use in cybersecurity. Specifically, AI is being used to help process/analyze large amounts of network data while flagging potentially suspicious activity for cybersecurity professionals to review. This, in turn, can free up cybersecurity professionals’ valuable time while maximizing data protection within organizations. Of course, AI technology for this purpose is still relatively new, so these professionals must be prepared to adapt to these new trends as they emerge and implement them in their own work as suitable.
Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills
Perhaps above all else, cybersecurity professionals need to be critical thinkers. Rather than making assumptions, critical thinkers are always analyzing a situation from every angle and not making any major decisions until they have considered every possibility. In cybersecurity, this level of critical thinking ability is something that can be sharpened over time with hands-on experience, but it is also a trait that some people are more-or-less born with.
Ready to Advance Your Cybersecurity Education?
Working in cybersecurity can be a challenging yet rewarding career that requires a solid combination of both technical and soft skills. From understanding the ins and outs of computer systems and networks to maintaining a strong attention to detail, cybersecurity professionals must be ready to adapt to web threats as they arise. At the end of the day, the skills needed for cybersecurity can be developed in the classroom and then sharpened with real-world experience, but some soft skills are those that need to be improved upon over time.
Looking for a formal degree program designed to provide the foundational knowledge and technical skills required for cybersecurity professionals? If so, then be sure to check out Florida Technical College’s bachelor’s degree in information technology with emphasis in cybersecurity. This program covers a variety of relevant topics and skills, ranging from security vulnerability assessments to safeguarding solutions and more. Plus, this program can be completed either online or on-campus to suit your needs, with many students graduating in as little as 36 months.
Another in-demand program to consider from Florida Technical College is our computer support technician diploma, which can be completed in as little as nine months and includes coursework in security and networking fundamentals. To find out more about any of our programs offered, get in touch today. You can also get the ball rolling by completing your online application for admission.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
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