Cybersecurity is the process that is designed to protect networks, systems, devices, and programs from damage, attacks, or unauthorized access. We live in a digital world where data is everything.
Attackers employ new methods using artificial intelligence and social engineering to evade traditional security controls. This is why many people want to know the best way to learn cyber security and proceed with this lucrative career.
The world is increasingly becoming dependent on technology and this dependency will continue by every second. However, with the rise in technology, cyber-attacks are also on the rise. These attacks are getting sophisticated and evolving, posing a danger to your sensitive data.
Jump To
- What Is The First Step To Learning Cyber Security?
- How To Learn Cyber Security For Beginners – Which Resource To Choose?
- Demand for Cyber Security Professionals
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Not only for organizations but cybersecurity is needed for personal computers, tablets, mobiles, and laptops. Heavily regulated industries, small businesses, healthcare, and the country’s military are often at risk of suffering irrevocable damage due to data breaches.
This is the reason why cybersecurity has become essential and you should know how to begin learning cyber security. It has become the most sought-after career option.
Keep going to know how to learn cyber security from scratch and if it’s a viable option for you.
How To Start Learning Cyber Security From Scratch?
Let’s look at a few steps that will get you started in learning cyber security.
i. Self-assessment
The first and foremost thing that you need to do to learn cyber security is to determine how much of it you know and what more you want to know and in how much time.
ii. Have realistic expectations
When it comes to setting your goals, you need to keep them realistic. Know what is achievable by you and determine your goals accordingly.
iii. Determine why you want to learn about it
Evaluate why you are interested in pursuing cyber security. Is it for getting a well-paying job or is it for gaining knowledge in the field or expanding your horizons?
Best Way To Learn Cyber Security – Which Resource to Choose?
If you are considering learning cyber security, but do not know where to begin, read our guide. Following the below-mentioned steps will help you be successful in your field of study.
a) Enroll in a college program
There are many top colleges and universities offering degree and master’s programs in cyber security. The biggest advantage of taking a traditional campus-based program is you can learn the concepts of cyber security from the best instructors in the world.
These programs will equip you with the skills required to defend against cyber-attacks and data breaches. Plus, you will also get career services or coaching and mentoring.
There are also several part-time cybersecurity master’s degree programs for working professionals. You can also search for how to learn cyber security for beginners to know about good courses. They will all provide you with a certified degree and diploma if you meet the prerequisites, making you totally employable.
b) Internship
An internship after/during education could prove to be a critical step toward learning cybersecurity. Many times, employers demand work experience when it comes to cyber security jobs, even for entry-level positions. Putting your knowledge of cyber security to work in a real company setting can speed up your skill development.
As an intern, you will get to work with experienced practitioners, and you may also work with a wide range of security software.
c) Supplement it with online courses
You can also opt for online courses. This could be the best way to learn cyber security if you’re a working professional who doesn’t have time for a regular program. It is extremely important to go for a credible and reliable source for training in cyber security.
Many renowned online education platforms like edX, Coursera, Udemy, and Udacity offer cybersecurity training.
The best part of an online course is you can study at your own comfortable pace. Also, you can take the training from anywhere in the world. In addition, these courses also offer flexible hours of study so that you can get the training according to your schedule. All these online programs are taught by industry experts.
Those of you who want to know how to start learning cyber security from scratch can start your search online to find the best introductory, foundation-building degree and specialized programs online.
d) Clear a certification
Getting a certification like CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CSA+, CompTIA IT, and Cisco CCNA can benefit cybersecurity professionals, especially cybersecurity analysts. Many employers demand certifications when you apply for a job. Professionals also take boot camps along with certifications.
If you are thinking of getting into the jobs of information assurance analyst, security administrator and IT security engineer, you should get the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC for learning specific skills.
It is one of the most sought-out certifications in the cybersecurity industry. For IT project management or security engineering, you should get the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) from ISACA.
e) Read books
Want to know how to learn cyber security for beginners? The most important thing is to read books on cybersecurity every day. Create a habit of daily reading.
Books are the best way to learn about the basics of cyber security and how cyber security is needed. You will also learn about stories of cyber incidents and gain insights into the industry.
Note: Reading daily for an hour in your chosen field will make you an expert in three years.
f) Free tutorials
For those of you who are not interested in enrolling in a paid course but want to get started, you can try free tutorials and videos. You can simply hop on to YouTube if in doubt about what to choose.
g) Go for audiobooks
Audiobooks are a great option for those of you who do not have time or have a crazy schedule for taking any kind of courses or classes on cyber security.
Audiobooks are easy to listen to. You can listen to them while doing household chores or on your commute. These books can be played on your phone with your screen off.
h) Bootcamps
Bootcamps are extensive course of study that prepares you for a specific profession. Bootcamps offer practical training. They can be as long as six months; some are part-time, while others are full-time. You will learn real-world issues and how to solve them.
i) Practice
Practice is an important part of how to start learning about cyber security. The more you practice the more proficient you will become in different software. If you want to practice with real-world examples, CompTIA Labs is a great option. Download free tools like Wireshark and practice with them.
This option identifies the skills that you are not strong in and proceeds quickly through the topics that you are good at so that you can focus on areas where you need practice.
Demand for Cyber Security Professionals
Firstly, you should know that the demand for skilled workers is increasing constantly in this field. But there is a lack of talented professionals in the pool. We are quite sure you’ll be quicker to search for how to start learning cyber security now.
Cyberseek noted that between 2019 and 2020, there were 171,000 openings for Information Security Analysts, but only 125,000 workers were employed in those positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a growth of 31% in hiring for
Cybersecurity Analysts between 2019 and 2029, which means the growth is much
faster than average in other fields.
Considering the ever-increasing cyber-attacks each year, cybersecurity’s importance
is on the rise these days. The market for well-trained and experienced cyber security
professionals will continue to grow.
So, in some ways, a degree in cyber security could be a worthwhile investment.
How to start learning about cyber security if you ponder, luckily, there are many traditional campus-based, online courses and free learning resources that can help you learn cybersecurity and build a career in it. Before picking the mode of study, there are a few factors to consider.
FAQs
Q. How long will it take to learn cyber security?
A. With regular study, you will need to spend two years or more learning the basics of cyber security. A bachelor’s degree takes 4 years and a master’s program will take 2 more years.
This much time is needed to fully understand and be able to apply the basic cyber security concepts. This time also depends on the background of the person and how much in-depth they want to learn cyber security.
If you want to specialize in a specific area, you will have to get enrolled in a boot camp which will take three or six months. It is important to consider when and how to begin learning cyber security, so that you finish your learning in time.
Q. Can I learn cyber security without coding?
A. The majority of cyber security entry-level positions do not require coding skills. However, when it comes to some mid-level and upper-level positions, you should be able to understand and write code.
Q. Can I study cybersecurity without a degree?
A. Yes, you can. One doesn’t need a cyber-security degree to become an expert. Few certifications and knowledge are enough to take you far in this field. Online courses but a related degree in IT or computer science always have an edge.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is in demand and this demand will continue to grow. The primary reason for this growth is the ever-evolving technologies and the threat posed by hackers to sensitive info online. Cybersecurity is a complex subject and to master this you need expert-level knowledge.
Hopefully, our post on the best way to learn cyber security helped you in understanding everything that you need to know from basics to certifications to online courses and so on. We suggest you go for a full-fledged degree program and a certification to get the needed boost in your career.
