Cybersecurity Skills You Must Have

1. Networking and System Administration

An in-depth understanding of networking is required to start a career in cybersecurity. Learning networking will help you understand data transmission's technical aspects, which will help you secure your data. Taking up networking certifications like CompTIA Security+ and Cisco CCNA is advisable.
Another skill that will be beneficial for you is to master system administration. It is all about configuring and maintaining computers. You must be curious to know every aspect of your computer features and settings and play around a bit.

2. Knowledge of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines

A cybersecurity professional must have a strong knowledge of operating environments such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. As a cybersecurity expert, you should be comfortable working on any OS. VMs allow you to train and research in an isolated environment and help you maximize your skills.
The next point to remember is to know Kali Linux as it is the most widely known Linux distribution for ethical hacking and penetration testing. It comes with several hundred tools related to Penetration Testing, Malware Analysis, Security research, Computer Forensics, and so on.

3. Network Security Control

Network Security Control refers to the different measures which are employed to enhance the security of a network. You need to know how your network works, how routers, firewalls, and other devices work. A firewall is a hardware or software that blocks outgoing or incoming traffic from the internet to your computer. As a cybersecurity expert, you must leverage a firewall to filter and prevent unauthorized traffic onto the network.
Additionally, you must know about Intrusion detection systems, Intrusion Prevention Systems, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and remote access. For example, you should operate the IDS and recognize any security policy violations and malicious traffic on the network.

4. Coding

Having zero coding knowledge may limit your cybersecurity opportunities in the future. Hence, it is advised to acquaint yourself with a few coding languages.
Given below are the list of a few coding languages you can learn to have a successful career in cybersecurity:

C and C++: C and C++ are low-level programming languages you need to know as a cybersecurity professional.
Python: It is a well-known high-level programming language that is becoming popular among cyber experts today. It will help you identify and fix vulnerabilities.
JavaScript: A good advantage of knowing JavaScript is that you can prevent cross-site scripting attacks.
PHP: Most websites are created using PHP, learning it will help defend against intruders.
HTML: HTML is yet another language cybersecurity professionals should understand, as most websites use it, and it is one of the easiest languages to learn.
Go lang: It is great for cryptography; you can solve various cybersecurity problems with it.
SQL: Attackers use this language to damage the stored data; one example is the SQL injection attack. Hence, having a good understanding of SQL(Structured Query Language) is beneficial.
Assembly Language: Assembly will help you understand how malware functions work and thereby help you defend against it.

5. Cloud Security

Companies are looking for professionals with security skills applicable to public and hybrid cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. More organizations look to cloud infrastructure to store data and run applications. This includes the implementation of policies and technologies that protect cloud-based systems and devices.
Like Application Development Security, Cloud Security also involves building secure systems from the start. People with the experience and knowledge in managing big platforms, such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and the Google Cloud Platform, are in high demand.

6. Blockchain Security

Blockchain’s popularity is increasing, thanks in part to the level of security it offers. Consequently, cybersecurity professionals should become familiarized with blockchain and how it handles security issues. Consider it preparing for the future.
Blockchain will likely make security inroads into areas like Internet of Things devices (more on this later), network control, supply chain integration, identity control, and mobile computing.
Blockchain’s complex nature makes it difficult for intruders to compromise. For a cybercriminal to corrupt or destroy a blockchain, they would have to eliminate the data found on each user’s computer that’s connected to the targeted global network.

7. The Internet of Things (IoT)

According to Statista, there will be over 30 billion Internet of Things devices connected worldwide by 2025. With such a huge number of devices comes many more opportunities for security vulnerability. Therefore, IoT security will become a higher priority in the near future, and an essential part of maintaining the integrity and security of the overall Internet system.
Many IoT devices are sensors that collect personal data, which raises the stakes in maintaining secure networks and preserving consumer confidence.
IoT security emphasizes protecting connected devices and networks over the Internet, especially since most of these devices access networks without human intervention or oversight. Therefore, it becomes important to make sure that proper security measures are in place so that IoT devices can be left alone to perform their functions automatically, without cybersecurity experts having to be concerned about keeping out unauthorized intruders.

8. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence is a relatively young innovation that’s been enjoying widespread use. AI is perfect for the cybersecurity sector, as it brings reliability and consistency to cybersecurity measures, as it helps security professionals identify suspicious activity and impart a greater understanding of the cyber environment.
AI brings a level of automation and support that is unmatched by human capabilities, catching threats that may otherwise go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Artificial Intelligence can also be trained to learn and evolve, making it better equipped to handle new emerging threats and hacking techniques.

Additional Cybersecurity Skills

Now, go through a set of additional skills that can help you get into the cybersecurity field:

Risk Analysis: Cybersecurity professionals are required to identify, manage and mitigate risks. Risk management and mitigation are a skill set that will be in high demand in the coming years.
Information Security: Companies require skilled professionals who can protect their electronic data from unauthorized access.
Security Incident Handling & Response: As a cybersecurity expert, you must be prepared to handle any genuine threat of violating an organization's security policy. With security incident management, you are required to identify, manage, record, and analyze security threats in real-time. As a security practitioner, you must also manage and analyze the security information and event management (SIEM) tools and services.
Security Audit: It is an internal check that is carried out to find flaws in the organization's information system. Security audit and compliance knowledge are very crucial because any missed area of regulatory compliance might incur significant fines and penalties for the organization.
Laws and Regulations: This is an often-overlooked cybersecurity aspect. There are several cybersecurity laws and regulations that you should be aware of. These laws define how you can use the internet and protect people from becoming victims of cybercrimes.

cybersecurity technical skills

A cybersecurity analyst's technical skills are the foundation of their career. Below, we cover ten of the most essential technical skills that you'll need to thrive in the field.

1. Scripting

Scripting is a type of coding in which you make a program do something. The difference is that coding is static, whereas scripts can make images and text move around. Knowing how to build tools and automate repetitive tasks with languages like Python or PowerShell empowers you to become a more efficient analyst. Python, in particular, ranks among the most prevalent languages in cybersecurity. As a bonus, it’s also among the easiest to learn.

Want to get started? Enroll in the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody Specialization to learn how to program and analyze data with Python.

2. Controls and frameworks

A cybersecurity framework provides a collection of best practices, policies, tools, and security protocols designed to help secure an organization’s data and business operations. A control is a measure your company uses to protect itself from vulnerabilities and attacks.

The framework you use will vary depending on your organization and industry. You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with some of the most common cybersecurity frameworks, including:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Center for Information Security (CIS)
System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2)

3. Intrusion detection

As a cybersecurity analyst, a big part of your job will involve monitoring network activity for possible intrusions. Knowing how to use intrusion detection software—security information and event management (SIEM) products, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS)—enables you to quickly identify suspicious activity or security violations.

Learn more about the difference between IDS and IPS systems in this lecture from Google's IT Support Professional Certificate:

4. Network security control

Many cybersecurity attacks take place across a network of connected devices. The same technologies that allow companies to collaborate can also lead to security vulnerabilities. To keep an organization secure, you’ll need an understanding of wired and wireless networks, and how to secure them.

Start learning more about network security in IBM's Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities course, which covers everything from IP Addressing and Packet Sniffing to the vulnerabilities inherent in popular database structures.

5. Operating systems

Security threats exist across all operating systems, both on computers and mobile devices. Set yourself up for success as a security analyst by building a deep familiarity with MacOS, Windows, Linux, as well as their command-line interfaces. You might also find it helpful to study the threats and vulnerabilities associated with mobile operating systems, like iOS and Android.

6. Incident response

While prevention is the goal of cybersecurity, quickly responding when security incidents do occur is critical to minimize damage and loss. Effective incident handling requires familiarity with your organization’s incident response plan, as well as skills in digital forensics and malware analysis.

Want to know more? Hear what cybersecurity expert Keatron Evans has to say about incident response in this lecture from Infosec's Cyber Incident Response Specialization:

. Cloud

As more and more businesses move to cloud environments, professionals with cloud expertise are in demand. According to data from GIAC Certifications, having cloud security skills can come with a salary premium of more than $15,000. The need for cloud security skills is expected to grow by 115 percent over the next four years, making it the most lucrative skill in the industry [1].

8. DevOps

Security risks often exist within applications themselves. More and more companies are adding a security focus to their software development and operations (DevOps) phase to help ensure that applications are secure from the start.

9. Threat knowledge

“Know thy enemy.” General Sun Tzu could have been talking about cybersecurity. You can be a more effective cybersecurity analyst by keeping up-to-date on the threat landscape. If you’re new to the field, get started with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10—a document that outlines the top 10 web application security risks.

Gain expert insights into cybersecurity threats in IBM's Cyber Threat Intelligence course, offering hands-on access to the cybersecurity tools important to a system analyst.

10. Regulatory guidelines

Cybersecurity has to protect an organization from attack, theft, and loss, as well as comply with industry regulations. If you’re working for a company that does business around the globe, familiarity with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) could be beneficial. Cybersecurity analysts in the health care industry will need to understand how to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)—a US federal law that helps protect the privacy of medical records. Some states within the US have their own privacy laws as well.

How to improve cybersecurity skills

There’s more than one way to build your cybersecurity skills. While you likely already possess some of the skills listed above, developing those you’re less familiar with could make you a more competitive candidate when you start applying for jobs.

Here are some options for building cybersecurity skills:

1. Take classes.

Whether you’re learning cybersecurity fundamentals or more advanced skills, enrolling in a course adds structure to your learning. Many courses that target specific technical skills, like network security or incident response, may also give you opportunities to practice workplace skills, like technical writing and collaboration.

Consider earning the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate to develop some of these in-demand skills at your own pace.

2. Stay up to date on the latest trends.

Keeping your technical cybersecurity skills up to date with the current threat and technology landscape can help you build confidence as a security analyst and give you a competitive advantage in your job search. Here are some resources to get you started:

SANS StormCast: Subscribe to this daily podcast for five to 10-minute episodes covering the latest security threats.

Security Now: Steve Gibson who coined the term “spyware” discusses current topics in cybersecurity on this weekly podcast.

Reddit: Join a cybersecurity sub, like r/netsec, r/cybersecurity, or r/hacking.

CISA Alerts: Sign up to receive technical alerts from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Learn cybersecurity skills today

Now that you know some of the top skills you should have as a cybersecurity professional, start learning them today with these top-rated courses on Coursera.

For an introductory course, start with Google's Foundations of Cybersecurity. In just 14 hours, you'll gain an overview of the eight cybersecurity domains, standard security frameworks and controls, and programming languages like Python and SQL. Plus, if you enjoy the course, you'll already be on your way to earning a Professional Certificate in the field.

To prepare for a career in cybersecurity, try Google's Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. Here, you'll learn cybersecurity best practices, how to use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and gain hands on experience with Python, Linux, and SQL as you get job-ready for an entry-level cybersecurity position in less than six months with industry leaders at Google.

To enhance your cloud computing skills, explore Amazon Web Service's AWS Fundamentals Specialization. Whether you're a current or aspiring professional in the field, in just about one month this specialization will provide you with a rich understanding of core AWS services, security concepts, and strategies, as well as how to build serverless applications with AWS.

juma e library

Sunday, June 16, 2024

2025 Cybersecurity Skills You Must Have