How Learning Cybersecurity Skills Can Improve Your Career 

How Learning Cybersecurity Skills Can Improve Your Career 

October 3, 2022

If you hope to advance in your tech career, then it is a smart idea to dive into the many facets of cybersecurity. While effective security starts with running antivirus scans, it also involves knowledge of programming languages, databases, and more. By grasping several of those skills, you can become an asset to many companies and make a better living.

Today, we will tell you about some of the jobs in the ever-growing field of cybersecurity. Plus, we will teach you the best skills to learn and the various ways that you can get educated and start making a difference in your career.

What You Can Do

As the years go by and technology evolves, hackers are finding more ways to hack our systems and steal our data. Customers know this and in order for a company to stay in business and retain client trust, an organization must show that they are committed to cybersecurity. You can help them to do so by learning the ins and outs of the field. There are many ways that you can prove your worth.

For instance, by educating the staff at your company, you can help them to manage their risk by advising them how to avoid falling for hacker tricks that can lead to a breach. When you are able to help a company stay virus-free, you are also ensuring that its supply chain can remain intact and continue working at high efficiency.

If a company is found to be guilty of allowing a data breach, then customers can become worried and have no problem going to a competing company where they feel that their data is secure. That means a loss of revenue, so your ability to protect valuable company assets could help the business to retain customers and become more successful over time.

Furthermore, effective risk management is crucial in safeguarding against potential cybersecurity threats. One proactive measure involves conducting regular risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies to address vulnerabilities within the organization’s infrastructure. By staying vigilant and proactive, companies can identify potential weaknesses and take preemptive action to fortify their defenses.

Additionally, engaging in thorough evaluations, such as completing an information security questionnaire, enables companies to assess their current security posture and identify areas for improvement. By prioritizing risk management and investing in comprehensive security measures, companies can bolster client trust, safeguard valuable assets, and position themselves for sustained success in an increasingly digital landscape.

The best thing is that there are multiple different jobs that you can obtain when working in cybersecurity. For instance, in addition to working as part of an IT team, you could work as a freelance writer or start a YouTube channel where you explain how companies can avoid threats. If you are a “people person”, you could also work as a salesperson who sells antivirus and other cybersecurity products to companies around the nation. The sky’s the limit for what you can achieve. 

The Skills You Should Learn

If you want to earn more money, then it is a good idea to expand your knowledge and learn about the many different aspects of cybersecurity. For starters, you will want to explore networking and system administration, especially at a larger company. An unsecured network is the number one way that hackers can find a weak point and exploit that vulnerability. By understanding how networks are supposed to work, you can help a company stay breach-free.

It is also a good idea to get a firm grasp of coding concepts and to learn at least one programming language. Coding languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++, are essential because they will teach you the right way to create a program that is strong and secure. Plus, if you are able to look into the detailed code of an existing program, then you can also find and fix vulnerabilities there as well.

You will also want to spend some time getting a grasp on new and emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, which is when multiple devices are connected. This new tech will only become more prominent as time goes on, and if you are one of the few people who are well-versed in these innovations, then your knowledge will be in high demand, and you could be paid handsomely for your time and expertise.  

Different Ways To Learn Your Craft

Now that you have the drive to try something new, it is time to learn those new skills. There are various different ways to do so, depending on your availability and time constraints. For instance, if you are short on time, then you could learn a lot by going on YouTube and watching videos about coding and blockchain whenever you have time. Some YouTubers are highly qualified experts, and their knowledge can be invaluable. 

If you want to learn online on your own time, then there are many other avenues that you can use. One service that a lot of people like is Skillshare, where you can subscribe and then choose from a variety of online classes. There is also LinkedIn Learning, where you can learn about cybersecurity and then earn a certificate to prove your worth.

Of course, there is also the option to return to in-person classes at a community college or university. If you do go back to school as an adult, then do your research ahead of time and make sure that the price you pay is worth it for the additional income you will have after graduation. School becomes more expensive over time, but you can save money by transferring your credits from past education or applying for an accelerated program.

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should continue your education and learn about the many facets of cybersecurity. Heed the advice we have provided here, and you could launch an all-new career that not only helps you but helps companies keep their employees’ and clients’ information safe and secure.

Indiana Lee lives in the Northwest and has a passion for the environment and wellness. She draws her inspiration from nature and makes sure to explore the outdoors on a regular basis. Indiana loves experiencing new things and sharing with others what she learns through her writing. You can chat with Indiana on twitter @IndianaLee3