You're starting a career in cybersecurity. How can you make sure you don't get left behind?

Here's how you can ensure you don't get left behind: 1. Continuous Learning: Develop a mindset of constant learning and professional development. Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends, technologies, and best practices through self-study, formal training programs, industry certifications, and online courses. 2. Hands-on Experience: Gain practical, hands-on experience by participating in cybersecurity competitions, capture-the-flag (CTF) events, bug bounty programs, or open-source projects. 3. Networking: Build a strong professional network within the cybersecurity community by attending industry conferences, meetups, webinars, and online forums. Engage with peers, mentors, and industry experts to exchange ideas, share knowledge.

Starting a career in cybersecurity is an exciting journey in a dynamic and ever-evolving field. To ensure you stay relevant and stay caught up, adopting a proactive approach to learning, skill development, and professional networking is crucial. Here are key strategies to help you stay ahead in your cybersecurity career: Commit to Continuous Learning Gain Practical Experience Network and Collaborate Develop a Specialty Stay Technologically Agile Seek Feedback and Mentorship Practice Ethical Behavior To avoid getting left behind in cybersecurity, embrace a mindset of growth, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

Blogs, podcasts, books. There all good, but most of that is being exposed to fundamentals. To truly learn and get started you NEED to put hands on keyboard and actually do things. There is no better teacher than experience. And for those that don't know what to actually do, I always recommend building out a home lab. Which can be done for little to no cost.

The only way you get left behind in Cybersecurity is if 1) you do not get your fundamentals right 2) you do not commit to continuous learning 3 ) you do not upskill / re-skill annually Take a fundamental course and then niche down on the topic you find to be the most interesting. This will help specialize and become a subject matter expert. Cybersecurity is a MASSIVE field so choose a niche and dig down

In my experience, it is a good investment to start by doing. It’s hard to grasp the fundamentals when it is just abstract. For example, you can start with CTF (capture the flag) and for every challenge you can focus on understanding the underlying concept whether you solve the challenge or not. The idea is to get exposure to the concept in a practical way. Google is your best friend. Last but not least, build small projects. It can be a small python script or a web application . It will force you to understand the concepts needed to progress in your cybersecurity journey.

Creo que para mantenerse actualizado de las nuevas tendencias en ciberseguridad, panorama de ciberamenazas, etc lo ideal es seguir a personas referentes en estos ámbitos. En LinkedIn hay muchos profesionales de esta industria que generosamente comparten información de valor. También recomiendo seguir perfiles en otras redes sociales, blogs, podcast o canales de YouTube. Participar en comunidades y foros tipo "mastermind" con personas con inquietudes e intereses similares también es instrumental. Las empresas valoran que hagamos el trabajo por el que nos pagan, pero también aprecian que anticipemos cuál va a ser el contenido de nuestro puesto de trabajo en un futuro próximo, por lo que estar actualizado es clave.

Staying abreast of cybersecurity news has been integral to my journey in the field. Understanding that cybersecurity is dynamic and influenced by real-world events, I've made a habit of keeping myself updated on the latest developments, trends, and threats. This involves following reputable sources such as industry publications, blogs, and podcasts, as well as actively engaging in online communities and forums. By staying informed, I've been able to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities in cybersecurity, ensuring that my knowledge and skills remain relevant and effective in tackling new challenges.

Stay on top of the news. Create an RSS feed from the top cyber security news sites. Some I love are: TheHackerNews, Bleeping Computer, and Dark Reading.

Keep up with the news: a) whats happening - what may be the next challenge in cycbersecurity b) what is available - for learning more c) what can you do - to share with others Again rest of the article touches upon some of these aspects.

There are numerous YouTube channels, Instagram profiles, and Twitter accounts dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends and security updates worldwide. Consider subscribing to these channels or opting in for newsletters to receive weekly updates on global happenings. In the field of cybersecurity, staying ahead is crucial, which can only be achieved by keeping yourself updated through such news. You can gather information from various sources depending on what you use and for what specific reasons.

Practice makes man Perfect! someone said long ago. With not discrimination, practice makes eben women perfect. But, no one is perfect p- so continual improvement is required. And practicing cycbersecurity isnt easy - you need to break, hack, attack, ask for ransom etc. So, simulations and labs are critical. Test, Test, and Test. Developing, Desiging, and Delivering a (cycbersecurity) Test is an art that needs to be learnt and mastered.

Practice is significantly more crucial than it might seem when you're watching a tutorial or merely reading about a new concept. At first glance, everything might appear manageable, but it's only when you delve into the task yourself that you encounter the real challenges and skills required. These skills can only be refined through consistent practice, which gradually enhances your expertise day by day. Platforms like HackerOne and HackTheBox offer great opportunities for hands-on practice. Additionally, starting with small projects on your own system, such as writing backup and log programs using Bash or Python, can be an excellent way to begin.

In my cybersecurity journey, I've come to understand the importance of practical application alongside theory. Regularly practicing skills has been instrumental in honing my abilities and preparing me for real-world scenarios. I've actively engaged in online challenges, competitions, and labs, where I've tested my knowledge and creativity against diverse cybersecurity problems. Additionally, working on personal or professional projects, like developing tools or scripts, has provided invaluable hands-on experience. This consistent practice not only keeps me sharp but also instills confidence in my ability to tackle cybersecurity challenges effectively.

You can begin integrating security practices into your daily life gradually transitioning to professional challenges or bootcamps. Ensure that you adhere to good security practices in your personal accounts, avoiding repeated passwords, fragile systems, and neglecting enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Whenever is possible, participate in events and games challenges foucous in your preferred domain in CyberSecurity.

In my cybersecurity journey, pursuing certifications has been a pivotal step in advancing my career. Recognizing the professional and credential-based nature of the field, I sought certifications to validate my expertise and competence. These certifications, from esteemed organizations like CompTIA, ISC2, EC-Council, and SANS, not only provided formal recognition of my skills but also enhanced my resume and career prospects. By staying credible and competitive through certifications, I've been able to stand out in the cybersecurity domain and pursue new opportunities with confidence.

There is a caveat to this. Pursue certifications, but actually have an end goal in mind. It is to little of no use to have a bunch of certifications you either don't have experience or want to build your career towards. The certifications you have should tell a story of what type of cybersecurity person you are. Cybersecurity is not a monolith, and neither should you be.

Yes, it helps to have relevant certifications. Look for the experience and value that the certificate provider brings to the table. Once you have the certification, flaunt it on your profile (online/ offline) and CV. There is a possibility to forget the concepts if these are not put to practice for some time (you may be lucky that you didnt get any cyber attack) - so the best way to retain them is to teach - develop more resources like you. Train them.

Whenever you dedicate yourself to learning a security domain, take tests and certifications related to the topic. It helps you to prove your knowledge and get badges, it bring to you new opportunities

Learning and sharing is forever. Sometimes its good to unlearn to learn. And the best way is to share your knowledge: a) write blogs b) respond to blogs c) write articles d) conduct research e) deliver webinars f) speak at conferences g) write a book h) mentor, coach, and guide others Welcome to the exciting world of cybersecurity! Enhance your network (and net worth)! Do not shy to ask and share abundantly. Be the beacon for your organisation! Keep the antennas (eyes, ears) on - 24x7 (as the attackers work 24x7)!

I've come to understand that learning is not a one-time endeavor but a lifelong pursuit. With the field constantly evolving, it's crucial to continuously update skills and knowledge to meet its growing demands. Exploring new topics, tools, and techniques has been essential in staying relevant. Whether through additional courses, extensive reading, podcasts, or attending events, I've made it a priority to keep learning. Seeking feedback, mentoring, and coaching from seasoned professionals has also been invaluable in fostering growth and adaptability in cybersecurity. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning has not only kept me curious but has also ensured that I remain agile in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity.

Pay attention to the forums you have signed pu and the contacts you have made throughout your study journey. It is important to stay up to date to new frameworks, vulnerabilities, tools and versions (softwares and apps)

One of the things I enjoy most about being in IT is the opportunities to continuously learn. Some things may seem static, like HTTPS being on port 443, but the technologies using this protocol evolves. Methods to secure systems evolve. Threats evolve. Staying on top of these changes, through any means of learning, will allow you to stay current and not fall behind your peers.

Sign up to key blogs, websites and social media channels to keep up to date on the latest developments and cyber landscape. Follow key people know for being experts in their cyber field. Have a go online ethical hacking websites like tryhackme et al to learn fundamentals that provides better insights and knowledge.

There are lots of good advice in this article and many more in the comments. Couple more to consider, Role Rotation: Broaden your horizons by exploring different roles early in your career. Each role offers unique insights and skills. Explore Diverse Domains: Cybersecurity isn’t just firewalls and malware scans. Venture into adjacent areas—cloud security, IoT, mobile security, identity etc. Seek mentors and learn their language. 'Success is always outside your comfort zone.' Be adventurous and brave, early in your career and you will have a great ride in this rewarding career with great satisfaction that you are protecting your organization, its resources and more importantly, its people.