Entry Level Cyber Security Jobs: A Guide to Starting Your Career

Cyber security has in the recent past been among the most important facets required in order to ensure that different forms of information as well as different systems are not accessible by cyber criminals. Due to the rise of cyber threats our world is facing, employment opportunities in the field of cyber security is on the rise and such careers are promising for individuals who want to enter the IT realm.

If you have been intending to attain a career in cyber security then you need to know that there are a number of entry-level cyber security jobs that are available and if you do not know where to begin, this guide will assist to give an understanding on the jobs available, skills that are required and how to get that initial job in this challenging field.

Introduction to Cyber Security

Cyber security also referred to as information technology security deals with protection of computer systems, network as well as its data from cyber criminals. This is the kind of attack performed by attackers; Malware, Phishing Ransomware and Denial-of-service attacks.

This paper will enlighten on cyber security professional staff so as to uphold the organization’s resources hence call for strict measures to protect the information’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Why Choose a Career in Cyber Security?

There are several reasons why a career in cyber security can be rewarding:

1. High Demand	More and more cyber attack incidents are being reported today, making it a necessity for the implementation of needed cyber security personnel in organizations from various fields.
2. Competitive Salary	It is also important to note that cyber security professionals are probably some of the best paid IT professionals occupying positions the salaries of which may easily cross the six figure mark.
3. Job Growth	The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that employment in cyber security specialists is predicted to rise by 31 % between 2019 and 2029, which is way higher than the average employment change expected for all occupation.
4. Variety of Roles	This is because cyber security is one of the largest sectors that have a wide array of positions for individuals right from the entry level to the specialist or managerial level.

Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs

Here are several of the lowest positions to expect when you are entering the cyber security industry. These roles require basic knowledge of cyber security. Which makes them suitable for recent graduates or individuals looking to enter into cyber security industry.

Some of the common entry-level cyber security jobs include:

1	Cyber Security Analyst	A cyber security analyst is in charge of identifying breaches in his/her organization’s security, evaluating potential and real cyber security breaches and ensuring that his/her organization takes necessary measures for protecting its data.
2	Network Security Analyst	Working as an information technology specialist this position is mainly responsible of ensuring the organization’s network is secure from cyber attacks. A Network Security Analyst is responsible to audit the streams of data passing through the network, studying the data security logs, and to ensure the correct application of the security protocols aimed at avoiding the unauthorized access.
3	Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst	SOC analysts are employed with the security operations center which entails the role of analyzing security alerts, the examination of security occurrences and handling of cyber security threats in real time.
4	Information Security Analyst	Responsible for managing and safeguarding an organization’s information assets. Privacy and security seeks to identify the risks to organizational security, and to establish the polices and procedures that should be put in place for security of organizational data.
5	Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)	Ethical hackers or penetration testers’ prime role is to act in a simulated capacity of a black hat by uncovering all the possible threats within an organization’s systems to address them effectively. They learn of the impact of potential threats by performing mock cyber attacks in order to assess the efficacy of security measures.
6	Managing an organization’s security infrastructure	Security managers also control security settings, maintain user accounts, and ensure compliance with security standards.
7	Security Consultant	An individual who is involved in advisory services that deal with cyberspace security is known as a security consultant. These are the personnel who evaluate the threats that are in place, design security measures and make recommendations on the best ways to secure these assets.

Skills Required for Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs

Hence, there are certain skills that one must develop to acquire entry-level positions in cyber security field as follows. Some of the key skills required for entry-level cyber security jobs include:Some of the key skills required for entry-level cyber security jobs include:

1. Technical Skills:

• Unserstanding of network infrastructure and technologies.

• Good understanding of operating systems like Windows and Linux.

• Good knowledge of cyber security tools and technologies like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDR) • Basic programming knowledge of Python and Java.

• Knowledge of cyber security concepts like encryption, authentication and risk management.

2. Soft Skills:

• Security analysis skills to interpret security logs and determine if there is a security event or not • Critical thinking skills to determine most appropriate solutions for security problems.

• Stakeholder management to raise awareness of security concerns to stakeholder.

• Ability to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities.

• Teamwork skills to collaborate with other team members of the security team to work as a team.

How to Land Your First Entry-Level Cyber Security Job

An outline of how a candidate can secure their first job in the cyber security industry in an entry-level position can be illustrated as follows :

Steps to get started:

1	Earn a Degree	The basic qualifications for a cyber security position may call for a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information technology, or a relatedfield. In this case, consider enrolling in a master’s programme or training for certification to upgrade your professional credentials.
2	Gain Practical Experience	Working in a cyber security firm or in any other organization as an intern, part time employee, or volunteer can be a good way to gain practical experience and to create the necessary résumé at least.
3	Earn Certifications	Some common certifications include CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and CEH that can add value to your resume and will help you stand out when approaching employers.
4	Build a Professional Network	Explore the cyber security events that take place in your locality, join professional body, and use social media platforms to interact with other professionals concerning employment opportunities in the new field.
5	Tailor Your Resume	It is suggested that you can also bring focus to the knowledge, experience, and certifications that can fit your suitability for the job on the resume. 6. Prepare for Interviews: Some job interviews provide the candidate with relatively routine questions and matching potential employers’ expectations preparing for which involves being able to prove technical ability and problem-solving potential during the interview.

Conclusion

In this first article of a series, we will look at the key steps that one should take when planning to start their career in cyber security. With entry positions in cyber security, skills set, and industry connections; one can begin a cyber security career and play an important role in minimizing the effects of cyber crimes across the globe.

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