Cybersecurity is a fast-growing and highly in-demand field that covers a variety of career pathways. Some cybersecurity professionals choose to pursue formal education, such as the Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology or other methods, such as boot camp. These immersive programs take less time than traditional degree program and are focused on the skills required for a successful career in cybersecurity.
While there are some hard skills that every cybersecurity professional must have to be successful, other soft capabilities can determine the success or failure of the career path in the field. Leadership skills are a valuable trait that any cybersecurity professional should possess, as they can help them rapidly rise up the ranks.
It is also crucial that cybersecurity professionals are knowledgeable of the operating systems they’ll use on a regular basis. This includes having a good understanding of macOS and Windows. Since consumers are increasingly managing their lives via mobile devices, it’s crucial that cybersecurity professionals have a thorough understanding of iOS and Android.
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving and cybersecurity professionals must be able identify new vulnerabilities and develop countermeasures swiftly. This requires a great deal of attention to detail and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing technology.
In addition to this cybersecurity professionals should be comfortable in creating and auditing authentication systems. They should be able to utilize firewalls and have a solid understanding of digital forensics. This is the ability to distinguish data from malware or other malicious software. They should also have a basic knowledge of penetration testing, including the tools used to conduct these tests.
