The IT sector is in the midst off a massive skills shortage and once of the areas that this is most acutely felt in is cybersecurity. Businesses, large and small, as well as government departments and not-for-profit companies are all under increased threat of cyberattack. And that means they are all looking for people to help protect and support their companies. So what does it take to kick start a career in cyber security?
A recent report from recruitment firm Hays summarises some of the most important steps you can take if you’re looking to take advantage of this shortage.
They say the following are important skills or things you can do.
- A solid background in IT
- Network with other cybersecurity professionals
- Contribute to open source projects
- Get some certification
- Set up your own lab so you can play with and learn about the latest tech
Most of those things are quite obvious. If you’re looking for a good opportunity to network with other cybersecurity professionals, the Day of the Month clubs that run in every Australian mainland capital are a great place to start.
With qualifications, you can join a professional association and gain Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points by attending events and conferences as well as doing specific courses.
Interestingly, many companies are less focussed on the technical side of things there days, saying problem solving and analytical skills are more important as technical skills can be more easily taught.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.