It’s not a secret that cybersecurity has a huge talent gap.
Companies are scrambling to find qualified cybersecurity professionals, and cybersecurity training is a great way to build the skills you need to work in this ever-growing field.
But cybersecurity training can be challenging and time-consuming, so how do you know where to start?
In this beginner’s guide, we will provide an overview of cybersecurity training, including why it’s important, what you need to know before signing up for a cybersecurity training program, and some tips on how you can get started.
What is cybersecurity training?
Cybersecurity training is a critical part of cybersecurity preparedness. It is the process of educating individuals, teams, and organizations on cybersecurity best practices in order to protect information systems from attack.
Cybersecurity training helps equip people with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize common cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, harden their systems against them, respond quickly when an incident occurs, and recover from a cybersecurity incident.
What does cybersecurity training involve?
Cybersecurity training can be divided into four main categories: Prevention, Detection, Response, and Recovery.
Prevention measures include using strong passwords and authentication techniques, secure configuration of hardware and software systems, as well as data loss prevention.
Detection is the process of monitoring cybersecurity threats, incidents, and vulnerabilities. Examples of detection tools include intrusion detection systems, network security scanners, and anti-virus software.
Response activities focus on mitigating cybersecurity incidents, such as patching affected systems or recovering data from a breach.
Lastly, recovery consists of restoring systems and getting back to business after an incident has occurred.
In addition to cybersecurity measures, cybersecurity training also involves understanding cybersecurity’s legal and regulatory requirements. Depending on the industry and country, different regulations may apply.
Aside from technical considerations, cybersecurity training also focuses on developing the necessary skills and knowledge to manage cybersecurity effectively.
This includes understanding cybersecurity risks, managing cybersecurity teams, and creating cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Lastly, in order to maintain a secure environment, cybersecurity training should include ongoing activities such as monitoring threats and vulnerabilities, regularly testing systems for security flaws, and updating cybersecurity policies and procedures as needed.
What should it look like?
Cybersecurity training needs to be comprehensive and tailored to the needs of different individuals, teams, and organizations.
Training should cover topics such as security best practices, network security, data encryption, malware prevention and detection, identity theft, and cyber security awareness.
Cybersecurity training should be interactive and engaging. This is important because it helps people retain the information they are being taught and apply it in real-world situations.
Interactive cybersecurity training methods include online courses, seminars and workshops, simulations and games, hands-on demonstrations, and cybersecurity certifications.
Cybersecurity training needs to be ongoing and updated as technology changes. Students should have the opportunity to review cybersecurity topics on a regular basis and refresh their skills as threats evolve.
How to start cybersecurity training?
There are four steps you need to take to ease your way into the cybersecurity industry.
1. Start with the basics
This is imperative if you are new to cybersecurity. That’s why it’s important to have a fundamental understanding of the following:
- Software skills: Learn how to operate in cloud-based environments and with various operating systems. You should also be familiar with software products such as office suites and anti-virus members.
- Data: Understand the various forms of data, how they are classified, and when to contact a forensic specialist.
- Networks: Understand how firewalls and intrusion detection systems function. You should also be familiar with virtual private networks (VPNs) and how they work.
- Cybersecurity legislation: Learn about the FISMA and other relevant legislation that may impact your employment.
- Ethical hacking: You should understand the fundamentals of ethical hacking as well as how to use various tools such as Wireshark, Nmap, and Kali Linux. If you want to know how to prevent cyber attacks, you need to learn about hacking techniques such as password cracking, network traffic sniffing, and session spoofing.
2. Take a course
The next step is to find a good cybersecurity program.
Finding a trustworthy and reputable school is crucial at this point. One such institution is MyComputerCareer which provides practical courses in cybersecurity basics and beyond.
Online courses and programs are an excellent option for working people as they allow you to study at your own speed and are flexible, so you can easily fit them into your schedule.
MyComputerCareer provides an ITSA program that teaches you the basics and beyond – everything any budding technology professional would need to start their exciting IT career.
A natural second step for beginners and entry-to-mid-level role cyber security professionals is our CSS program, with which you can further specialize and advance in the field of cybersecurity.
Each of these programs can be completed in six to ten months.
However, our students can start receiving cybersecurity certifications in as little as a couple of months and start working even before they graduate.
3. Pick a specialty
This is where your interests come in, as you can decide what specialty you would like to pursue as a profession based on them.
If you’re passionate about a certain field, learning the skills and staying current on the latest developments will come more naturally to you.
Cybersecurity experts are promoted to higher positions within an organization depending on their cybersecurity specialization.
The most common specializations are:
- Network Administration: Network administrators manage organizations’ networks and are in charge of installing, monitoring, troubleshooting, and upgrading network infrastructure, including hardware and software.
- Network security: These experts deal with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other network security devices. They ensure the company’s networks are secure even as new vulnerabilities are uncovered. They also manage firewall rules and configure routers and switches to allow only authorized traffic access to networks.
- Penetration testing: Penetration testers use various methods to find security holes in websites, systems, and apps before criminals do. To guarantee that vulnerabilities are patched promptly, penetration testers collaborate with developers, auditors, and management.
4. Get a cybersecurity certification
Whether you’re just starting or have some advanced knowledge in cybersecurity, you can benefit from certifications such as CompTIA’s Security+ and Network+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), or EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker.
CompTIA certificates are one of the most sought-after credentials in the cybersecurity industry.
You should consider getting these certifications if you want to learn specific technical skills for jobs such as Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, or Security Specialist.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is one of the most popular certificates for security professionals. This entry-level certification prepares you for a career in cybersecurity by providing you with technical skills and knowledge about networks, their maintenance, and troubleshooting.
This professional certificate can help you get such job roles as Network Security Engineer, Information Security Analyst, or Information Technology Security Specialist.
If you want to specialize in cybersecurity and learn how to build a strong defense against cyberattackers and other data breaches, as well as what to do when a cyber attack happens, then Ethical Hacker certification is for you.
This certification is in high demand, especially in the financial, insurance, and government contracting sectors. With this certificate, you can pursue such positions as Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Security Consultant, or Network Engineer.
Is it too late for you to get into cybersecurity?
It’s never too late to learn cybersecurity! In fact, many people are making the switch to cybersecurity careers later in life and finding great success.
Why? Because cybersecurity is a field that is always growing and changing. No matter what your age or experience level, you can benefit from learning about cybersecurity.
There are currently millions of open cybersecurity roles in the U.S. and countless others worldwide. However, there are not enough qualified candidates to fill these roles.
Because qualified candidates are so scarce, the salaries for cybersecurity jobs are on the rise. It is common for cybersecurity roles to pay more than six figures to people with some quality IT certifications and just a couple of years of experience.
Learning cybersecurity is an investment in your future. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve and more organizations become aware of the importance of protecting their data, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will continue to soar. This means that if you make an effort to learn cybersecurity now, you can reap big rewards later.
Do you need a degree to start working in cybersecurity?
No. Many cybersecurity professionals don’t have any formal degree or training.
However, cybersecurity training is crucial for those looking for a career in cybersecurity as it will give them the necessary skills and knowledge to compete for positions.
In addition, having cybersecurity certifications can also help you stand out from other candidates when seeking employment.
Cybersecurity certifications are a great way to demonstrate your cybersecurity proficiency and knowledge and make you more attractive to employers.
Cybersecurity certificate courses cover topics such as risk management, cybersecurity best practices, cryptography, network security, data privacy and compliance, malware prevention, and detection. The more cybersecurity certifications you have, the more marketable you become to employers.
We’ve already mentioned a couple of great certifications you should look into. Still, for a beginner, especially without any previous knowledge of IT, a good start would be Microsoft certifications, as they provide a solid foundation in technical concepts and skills.
The next natural step would be the already mentioned CompTIA credentials, particularly CompTIA A+, which is ideal for beginners.
For those with a bit more understanding of computers, CompTIA Security+ could be a good starting point.
As you progress in your cybersecurity knowledge, you may want to pursue a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate or Linux certification if working on this open-source platform is what you’re aiming for in your career.
Once you reach more advanced levels of cybersecurity, you may want to grab an EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker certification and show your future employers you have the skills to set up a strong defense against cyber attackers.
Why is cybersecurity training important for businesses?
With cybersecurity becoming increasingly critical in today’s world, it’s essential for all companies to have a cybersecurity training program in place.
Without an appropriate cybersecurity training program, businesses can be left vulnerable to a wide range of cyber threats and attacks, leading to lost data, stolen identities, reputational damage, and financial losses.
Additionally, cyber security training helps ensure that employees are aware of the latest cybersecurity trends and protocols so they can recognize any potential threats and take appropriate action.
Employee cyber security awareness training should include the following:
- Responsibility for sensitive data: Organizations and their employees have legal and regulatory obligations to respect and protect information privacy, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Document management and notification procedures: If their devices become infected or act abnormally, employees should know how to report it and to whom.
- Passwords: Employees should be trained in creating strong but uncomplicated passwords.
- Email: Employees should be trained on responsible email use.
- Phishing and social engineering: Social engineering, online fraud, phishing scams, and other cybersecurity threats should be covered in training.
- Social media: Training should educate employees on proper social media use and go over company policy for using a company email address on social media platforms.
- Mobile devices: Training should include the proper use of devices in and out of the office.
- Securing computer resources: This includes educating employees on properly protecting their laptops and the important data stored on them.
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, so cybersecurity training should be essential to any organization’s security protocols.
It is critical for organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity practices to protect their assets and remain compliant. This is where comprehensive training comes in handy.
Conclusion
For beginners, cybersecurity training is crucial to acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to work in the industry.
From Microsoft certifications to CompTIA credentials and EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker certification, cybersecurity training can open up a world of opportunities for those looking to become cybersecurity professionals.
Additionally, businesses must ensure their employees are properly trained in cybersecurity practices to protect their data, systems, and computer networks from potential cybersecurity threats.
No matter what level of cybersecurity knowledge or experience you currently have, there is always something new to learn, and cybersecurity training can provide that.
MyComputerCareer is a nationally recognized and accredited education and training institution that prepares you for a variety of certifications so you can show employers you have the exact skills they’re looking for.
Our programs are available live online and on campus – with flexible program lengths and classes that you can easily fit into your schedule.
But earning certificates is not the end of your journey with MyComputerCareer.
We also provide lifelong career placement and support services, connecting you with the perfect job roles as your skills increase. If this sounds like a great opportunity for a career change – it is. Contact us today for more information or request a free career evaluation!