How To Start A Career In Cyber Security

As technology has advanced at such a rapid pace in recent years, so has the demand for more robust and refined digital security. From safeguarding our personal information to ensuring that our internet connections are stable and encrypted, the need for proper cyber security cannot be underestimated in the tech-driven world we find ourselves in today.

Companies all over the world are rightfully smartening up to the growing need for cyber security professionals. Whether its frontline cyber security experts working diligently to test vulnerabilities, or enterprise-level executives responsible for fostering an organisation’s culture, it’s no wonder cyber security jobs are in such high demand across the UK.

It’s estimated that there are 3.5 million unfilled cyber security vacancies in 2023, with that trend set to continue for the next two years (Cybercrime Magazine). Therefore, for young people with a passion for technology, or who are interested in forging a long-term, well-paying career within tech, cyber security may be the best option. This short guide outlines what a potential career in cyber security could offer you, and how you can get started.

How to Get Your Foot in the Cyber Security Door

Whether you are currently studying, have recently started work, or are undertaking a period of work experience, there are several pathways to get started in the cyber security industry.

Internships and Apprenticeships

Gaining on-the-job experience through internships and apprenticeships at cyber security companies is a great way to kickstart your career.

These options typically require some technical or security skills such as the ability to code in HTML, CSS or JavaScript, but do not always require a university degree. It’s highly likely that a professional cyber security firm will recognise that your first foray into a technical field will mean that you are not a qualified incident response expert.

Apprenticeships usually last 1-2 years and include both work experience and coursework. They are often sponsored or partnered with a local education or college programme and sometimes include assigned study days. Internships, on the other hand, provide temporary work experience under the guidance of cyber security professionals, where you will gain valuable insights into a typical day in the field, while receiving an intern’s salary.

Degrees and Certification Courses

You can set your sights on a bachelor’s degree in cyber security itself, or other related fields like information technology, computer science, or programming. These provide a robust educational foundation that gives you various elements on which to build your knowledge and skill set.

Throughout a degree, it’s likely that your course provider will provide specific certification courses within your degree, such as networking, penetration testing or digital forensics. These are usually provided by bodies like the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre), which can validate your skills to potential employers. The biggest factor with degrees is that they require financial investment and long-term commitment, but they can be instrumental in helping you land prosperous job opportunities.

Entry-Level Roles

An entry-level job as a cyber security technician, associate security analyst or SOC analyst allows you to start a cyber security career by gaining on-the-job experience. For many people, the most effective way to learn a skill is through practical, real-world application, and some firms will be willing to extend such an opportunity to passionate, driven individuals, keen to learn and expand their knowledge.

While it’s likely that these roles will require some evidence of experience, usually encompassing 1-2 years, these can be pivotal in getting started in the sector. Ultimately, they may lead to more advanced positions like security architects, threat intelligence analysts and cyber incident response specialists many others.

The Demand for Cyber Professionals

• Cybercrime and fraud cost the UK over £3 billion from 2021-2022, stemming from nearly 427,000 reports, according to Comparitech. As cyber threats escalate, businesses and governments urgently need cyber security experts to defend systems and data.
• A broad variety of cyber security positions appear on the National Cyber Security Centre’s list of available UK jobs, ranging from cyber consultants to penetration testing experts. According to (ISC)2, the UK has a shortage of over 3,600 cyber security professionals.

How to Develop Your Cyber Security Skills

Today’s cyber industry is short staffed for many reasons and crying out for professionals that can offer a healthy mixture of practical experience, technical knowledge and adaptability.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that now is a perfect time to get started in cyber security. The foundation for any cyber career is a mixture of the following:

• Technical skills in networking, systems administration, and programming languages provide a solid baseline.
• Apprenticeships, which offer a government-funded pathway to start a career in the field while building real-world knowledge and familiarity in a cyber security setting.
• Knowledge of common operating systems, databases, software and security tools used in the UK are also valuable.
• Essential soft skills including communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving are required for roles where explaining cyber risks to non-technical colleagues are essential.
• Certifications like NCSC Certified Cyber Security Consultant help to validate your skills.
• It’s wise to keep up-to-date with recent technologies, methods and strategies, as this will show employers that you’re clued into the industry’s developments. Material and best practices may quickly become outdated, so it’s crucial to demonstrate your familiarity here.

In summary, cyber security careers in the UK provide rewarding and abundant opportunities. By exploring ‌pathways to gain essential skills and experience, you can take advantage of some truly incredible and rewarding opportunities on offer. As technology advances, demand for cyber security talent will only continue to rise, making it a stable and high-paying career choice in the UK for years to come.