Tips on how to enter the cyber security market

If you’re reading this blog post, it’s probably because you have a keen interest in cyber security and what’s happening in Australia and around the world. 

Cyber security has been making headlines lately. Cyber crime has skyrocketed, costing the Australian economy approximately $29 billion a year. Globally, the cost of cyber crime is estimated to cost an astronomical $6 trillion by 2021.

With the surge in cyber attacks, qualified Cyber Security Analysts are in high demand. And as cyber criminals continue to get more and more inventive, it’s revealed a serious skills shortage in the industry for cyber security experts. 

To help fill this gap, the Australian government recently announced that it would be investing $1.35 billion to enhance Australia’s cyber security capabilities. And part of that budget is going to go towards creating 500 new Australian government cyber security jobs. 

There’s no doubt about it. If you’ve been considering following a career in cyber security, whether you currently work in IT or not, now’s the time to do it.  

So, what’s the best way to enter the cyber security market if you’re looking for work? 

Cyber security job search tips

Keep up to date with cyber security news

Keeping informed and up to date on what’s happening in the world of cyber security is super important. And chances are, if you’re considering a career in cyber security, you’re already on top of the latest trends and updates.

But part of the job of a Cyber Security Analyst is to constantly stay one step ahead of cyber criminals, which means you have to remain vigilant. Technology is constantly evolving and advancing. New threats continue to pop up, and in response, new ways of combatting them need to be developed.  So by keeping up to date with the latest news and trends, you’ll be well-prepared for any left-field interview questions. Plus, you’ll be able to gain a better understanding of what field you might want to specialise in. 

Figure out what you want to specialise in

Cyber security is a broad industry, and there are a range of different areas you can specialise in. By focusing on a particular area of interest, you’ll be able to develop highly specialised skills and practical experience that will help you to further your career.

Set goals

Goal setting isn’t anything unusual when it comes to improving your career prospects. But it can help you stay focused and on track.

What kind of skills are your future employers looking for? Find out how you can get these skills and work on honing them, whether that’s through education or practical experience.

Get experience

The cyber security has a huge skills shortage right now, and that shortage is predicted to continue to grow. One of the problems faced by employers is that job candidates simply don’t have the experience or necessary qualifications needed for the job.  

One of the first steps to take towards beginning a career in cyber security is to obtain the right qualifications. Some providers will offer cheap, short courses that will teach you the necessary basics of IT and cyber security; but these are rarely enough to get you a job if you don’t have much prior, practical experience.

Open Colleges’ partnership Certified Cybersecurity Specialist course teaches you the foundational skills and knowledge you need to get started in the cyber security industry. It also gives you hands-on experience with the ‘Hack the Box’ penetration testing simulation. 

Another great way to get experience is by looking for internships, volunteering (offering to help fix your friend’s computer, find non-profit organisations that could use some IT help) and entering cyber security competitions.

Where should I start my career in cyber security?

If you’re currently working in IT, you’ve already got some of the general skills required to get an entry-level job in cyber security.  

But even if you don’t have previous work experience in IT, don’t worry—with the right kind of training and qualifications, you can still find work in the cyber security industry.  

Some good starting points for entry-level cyber security jobs are:  

• Cyber Security Analyst 
• Junior Penetration Tester 
• Network Engineer 
• Systems Administrator 

Where to get trained in cyber security

There are plenty of cyber security courses out there. But how do you know you’re studying the right one? 

Open Colleges recently partnered with AIICT, which is part of the DDLS family, to bring you the Certified Cybersecurity Specialist course.  

To give you a little background, DDLS is the largest provider of IT training in Australia and has a history spanning 25 years. They’re an award-winning training provider that is recognised by vendors and professional bodies, and they’re the partner of choice for or Microsoft, Google, AWS, Cisco, VMware and Citrix, just to name a few. 

During this course, you’ll study towards three industry certifications. They are CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+. These certifications will demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary skills to work in an entry-level cyber security position.  

So when you study the Certified Cybsecurity Specialist course, you know you’re studying with a provider you can trust, and that you’re working your way towards industry-recognised certifications.  

Are you ready to kickstart your career in cyber security? Enrol today, and don’t miss out on the next intake date for this course.