Cyber-security is one of the most rapidly growing sectors for employment, giving tech specialists an opportunity to earn big pay cheques for some of the leading cyber security companies in the game.
But when it comes to cybersecurity recruiting, it can be a crowded field. To help you work your way up to becoming a professional cyber expert, we’ve written this handy guide to show you the many ways you can land your first cyber security job.
The university route
Possibly the most popular and most reliable method of getting a cyber security job is to go through the university or college route. This option sees you apply for a course in cyber security at a higher education institute that offers it. If you pass the cyber security course requirements, chances are you’ll be offered a place to study the discipline from some of the leading cyber security experts in the field.
Getting a degree that focuses on cyber security is the gold standard for information security recruitment agencies, so if you can afford to go and you have the right grades, it is a fantastic option. So, what is the best college for cybersecurity? There are numerous universities out there which have a lot to offer when it comes to our industry; visit their websites, read their prospectuses and decide which matches your way of learning and your personal tastes.
The self-taught route
Many people ask the question ‘how do I start a career in cyber security?’ without realising that many probably already have. Self-teaching is an invaluable option for those that don’t have the resources to go to university – thanks to the internet, there are a wealth of free cyber security resources out there, from cyber security YouTube videos to cyber security courses for beginners.
While these solutions may lack the guidance of an academic or professional teacher, online free cyber security training lets you learn at your own pace, perhaps fitting in your education around another job or around your family. Good places to start your cyber security learning journey are cyber security discussion forums; a cyber forum such as; the reddit cybersecurity subreddit, will have plenty of tips for beginners to get their first taste of the discipline.
The apprenticeship route
Finally, another, perhaps less widespread option is to apply for a cyber security apprenticeship. If you can find one, cyber security apprenticeships are a great, practical entry point – you earn as you learn, working directly in the industry with professional mentors. They are however, very popular options for many budding cyber security beginners so they can be in rare supply.
To be in with a chance of landing an apprenticeship, it can be an idea to keep an eye on cyber security news outlets or the best security magazines so that when the best opportunities come your way, you’ll have a better chance of getting in early. Once you’re in, you’ll get probably the most relevant cyber security education of all – practical, hands-on work where you’ll see the professionals in action.
If you’re interested in getting into cyber security as a career, find out about our latest career opportunities over on our careers page.