Career in Cyber Security?

[MrTechy]

Hi guys,

 

A quick question - Would you recommend a career in Cyber Security? Where would the perfect platform be to start?

[speckytecky]

Hi @MrTechy you don't say at what level you are coming into this but I found that this https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security is a great starting point. I've been working with computers since 1986 and recently completed the 8 week freebie from which I actually learnt a lot of useful content. It also gives you links to further studies in this field with the OU.

[novastorm]

Hi @MrTechy you don't say at what level you are coming into this but I found that this https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security is a great starting point. I've been working with computers since 1986 and recently completed the 8 week freebie from which I actually learnt a lot of useful content. It also gives you links to further studies in this field with the OU.

 

and you can pay for a certificate.

[rrrrr]

To move into a career in cyber security, you need to look at the CREST certifications and in particular the CRT.

[Garacesh]

Hi @MrTechy you don't say at what level you are coming into this but I found that this https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security is a great starting point. I've been working with computers since 1986 and recently completed the 8 week freebie from which I actually learnt a lot of useful content. It also gives you links to further studies in this field with the OU.

 

Oooh.. As someone who very much likes the idea of security/pentesting, thank you

[novastorm]

To move into a career in cyber security, you need to look at the CREST certifications and in particular the CRT.

 

nice!!!!

[Pudding]

Whilst I'm not in a position to recommend a career in cyber security, as I don't have experience of one, I can say that you might want to consider exactly what sort of cyber security career you might be interested in pursuing. I understand that the CREST stuff is well regarded but it is only concerned with penetration testing.

 

Personally I am part way through a GCHQ certified master's degree in cyber security (when I started there were only four accredited universities but I understand that there are more now). It does include a module on penetration testing (covering similar ground to CREST) but also includes other topics such as: malware analysis, network security, cryptography, forensics, audit and compliance.

 

A word of warning though, as if you are anything like me, you will find that trying to implement the knowledge gained on such a course within a school environment can be... ...challenging.

Edited December 1, 2016 by Pudding

[mrcrazy04]

I'm a penetration tester, so can highly recommend a career in cyber security :-).

Penetration testing can be lots of fun as you basically get paid to break stuff; however you can end up spending quite a lot of time away from home (some of it sat on data centre floors).

I've been doing it for 5 years and still love going and breaking things, and then helping customers improve their security (I even enjoy the report writing).

 

Most employers will put you through the CREST qualifications if you need them for your job, although it might be worth getting the CPSA qualification (it's a multiple choice exam) if you're interested in penetration testing. The OSCP course is highly regarded in the industry as well, so might be worth a look.

 

Other areas within cyber security include digital forensics, malware analysis, incident response and security research; as well as more audit based roles, like risk management. If you're interested in the various options, this website looks to provide a good overview http://www.inspiredcareers.org

[novastorm]

I'm a penetration tester, so can highly recommend a career in cyber security :-).

Penetration testing can be lots of fun as you basically get paid to break stuff; however you can end up spending quite a lot of time away from home (some of it sat on data centre floors).

I've been doing it for 5 years and still love going and breaking things, and then helping customers improve their security (I even enjoy the report writing).

 

Most employers will put you through the CREST qualifications if you need them for your job, although it might be worth getting the CPSA qualification (it's a multiple choice exam) if you're interested in penetration testing. The OSCP course is highly regarded in the industry as well, so might be worth a look.

 

Other areas within cyber security include digital forensics, malware analysis, incident response and security research; as well as more audit based roles, like risk management. If you're interested in the various options, this website looks to provide a good overview Inspired Careers

 

Cheers

[MrTechy]

Thanks for all the advice guys...much appreciated!