How can you transition from IT to cybersecurity?

We always talk about transferable skills, but my own journey from IT-Administration into the lands of security has shown me, that a lot of the landscape stays the same behind the border. After all a lot of tasks boil down to understand how your environment usually works and behaves and identify what disrupted that. The skill to recognize and evaluate exactly this is not only transferable but exactly the same in the land of IT and the land of security. We do not need to limit ourselves being a citizen of just one of these domains, let's tear down the borders and think outside any artificial limits.

I started my career in a help desk support at telecom & ISP, to a network engineer at an industrial enterprise, before transitioning to Cybersecurity. Spent 4+ years doing system support, systems administration and network infrastructure related work. All that experience gained helped in security roles as a consultant especially when dealing with similar roles. Knowing concepts around the data lifecycle, overall IT/OT/technology project lifecycle stages, operating systems, basic networking concepts, TCP/IP flow. Will help. But before all this one needs clarity in terms of their interests in the field. That's why I created & published a 3 phase, 12 steps blueprint for "Getting started in IT & OT Cybersecurity".

Meet with your security team at the company you do IT for and ask them what they want to see in a Junior analyst work to know out those goals and objectives they give you and show your love and passion for security!

I strongly believe an IT professional already has what it takes to successfully transition to Cybersecurity with critical thinking and a risk mindset. These provide a strong foundation for moving into cybersecurity. Start actively supporting any security initiatives within your current organization. Offer to help the security team with projects, ask to sit in on meetings to learn, and collaborate with them wherever possible. This will help you gain exposure to the field and build relationships. Finally, Showcasing communication, collaboration, and an eagerness to learn security concepts will help make the transition.

As someone with an IT background who is interested in transitioning to cybersecurity, if your current company has its own security operations center (SOC), talk to your manager that you are interested in shadowing in the SOC, and they will coordinate with the SOC manager and pair you with a SOC analyst, who will train or show you how to investigate security alerts. Set up your home network lab with virtual machines. Install Linux OS on a VM, such as Kali or Parrot Security. Kali and Parrot OS come with pre-installed open-source security tools such as Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, etc. Learn to capture and analyze network packets, perform vulnerability scanning, and hack into Windows machines with Metasploit.

The CISSP certifications is great because it is generally accepted as a requirement for most cybersecurity jobs. It is not an easy one to obtain for extremely technical IT people as you will need to answer each question, thinking like management and not as a techie. If you will simply step back and think of every possible answer in that way then you can pass that certification, that is after many months of studying the "inch deep and mile wide" information that makes up the domains of study.

Look at entry level cyber certifications. CISSP and CISM are for someone with 5 years or more. Entry level certifications such as CompTIA Security + is good suggestion, and ensure you have a strong foundation in understanding networks if you are coming from another vertical. I tell everyone fundamentals are key!

It is also important to focus on a specific certification. The range of certifications currently is very wide, so making sure which one best suits our future line of work is essential. I recommend the SANS training roadmaps for all those who want to get involved from less to more in the world of Cybersecurity.

Strive for and invest in knowledge and use relevant certifications and certificates to demonstrate what you know. Cybersecurity is a very wide area. Knowledge can for sure be gained in multiple subjects but there is a value in specializing and focusing your efforts on more concentrated topics. And this is also something that I think is a good method for those who want to break into the cybersecurity field and those who are new to it. As your personal knowledge and experience grows there is more relevance to demonstrate what you know by adding a certification or certificate for that specificity. And do not forget to have fun. Study the things that you think are fun and the whole learning process will become multiple times easier.

For those already in information technology, there are a lot of aspects of cybersecurity that you may already be exposed to that will help get you started. With that baseline start digging into your interests and go deeper.

Create a home lab to practice your skills. Install and run free blue team security software such as Wazuh, Zabbix, ELK stack, Snort, Suricata, and Zeek. These tools can help you monitor, analyze, and respond to different types of cyberattacks, such as network intrusion, malware infection, denial of service, and more. Experiment and Test to learn what everyday logs look like for operating systems such as Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Learning and curiosity will help you improve your ability to detect and prevent malicious activities on your network.

The world of cybersecurity is vast and multifaceted, and gaining experience is about diving deep into its intricacies. While the journey might seem daunting, the plethora of avenues available means there's something for everyone. Whether it's volunteering, joining communities, or stepping into the professional world through internships, every experience is a building block. The key is to stay persistent, curious, and always be on the lookout for learning opportunities. After all, in cybersecurity, the learning never stops.

Start with your workplace. If you have a genuine interest in Cyber security, ask your employer how you can help . They might be able to offer you a temporary placement or secondment which may be a valuable way to gain knowledge and skills. Apply for an internal position and demonstrate your transferable skills and your passion and interest in Cyber Security. Definitely join a Cyber security community and attend webinars , do your networking, attend conferences to put yourself out there.

Cybersecurity is intrinsically woven into all aspects of IT. This makes it eminently accessible by those wishing to pursue a career in this multifaceted field. One approach would be to specialize in a field that you are passionate about, and gain niche skills while tracking market forces. Often many people who want to work in cybersecurity start working out as junior analysts in larger organizations doing narrowly defined tasks– while this is a great first step, you often find these people become disenfranchised due to the monotony of the work. I recommend you find a company that makes you wear lots of hats, build your general skill set up and then pivot yourself into a more focused role. Passion will take you far.

Cybersecurity is a team sport- so give your resume some backup: be an active contributor on GitHub; join professional organizations like SANS, ISC2, or ISACA; or even volunteer at local schools or libraries to help others make their lives more secure. Not only are you adding more experience to your resume but you're showing potential employers that you're not just doing this for a payout- you're seriously passionate about the work!

Update your resume AND your LinkedIn profile. Make sure to utilize the 'About' section where you can tell a bit about yourself (incl. ongoing studies/certs, professional motivation). Use it because that's your space to outline what you want and/or where you're headed.

I believe that the necessity to update your resume arises from your acquisition of knowledge about cybersecurity through reading, studying, and training. The guiding principle should be to enhance your understanding of technology concepts, grasp the fundamentals of security, comprehend risk concepts, controls, and recognize the interconnected nature of these elements, all aimed at creating a safer environment for all stakeholders.

Understand that the resume is just a foot in the door. An effective resume gets you an interview. After that it's all about your personality, skills and experience. All the Cyber security key words in your resume will not help you in the interview if you don't have the experience and/or knowledge to back them up. Better to highlight transferable skills and any certifications or real experience with Cyber security that you may have achieved. It is important to show passion, hunger for knowledge, team spirit and analytical mindset in your Cyber security interview.

It is essential to tailor a resume to each and every job application you submit, make use of the job posting, and add more relevant skills to your application for the position.

If you are currently working in IT, get with your cyber security group and see if you can get involved. Learn what area appeals to you and see if you can transition with your current employer. Most employers will be looking for experienced cyber professionals, the best way to transition may be with your current employer. The next best is an internship.

?? From Automation Engineering to Cybersecurity ??? I successfully transitioned into cybersecurity, leveraging my IT skills and a passion for technology. With a background in industrial automation and a passion for continuous learning, I first started by learning from videos on Youtube, after that I studied some Cisco and Code Red IT and Cybersecurity courses and recently I even promoted the exam for Certified Ethical Hacker, to solidify my expertise. Key takeaways: Stay current, use your IT background, be courious, stick your nose into technology, get certified, seek support, and follow your passion. Grateful for the opportunities and excited to connect with fellow cybersecurity enthusiasts. It's never too late to chase your dreams!

When networking it's extremely important to be consistent starting out on your journey to obtaining a cybersecurity role. In your current organization connect with individuals in the information security department the reach out for guidance.

Nowadays being on social networks is a must for a cybersecurity professional. Twitter, Linkedin, Reddit, etc., are a great source of new knowledge and trends. News about incidents, new vulnerabilities, exploits, etc., is information you need to know if you work in cybersecurity, and they are out there, on social networks. So make a profile, follow interesting people and stay informed.

Start by becoming an expert in the basics, grasping the essential ideas. Add a professional edge to your CV by adding qualifications and professional training to strengthen your credibility. Get experience, participate in online classes and laboratories, and push yourself with Capture the Flag (CTF) activities. Your network is what makes you rich; engage with like-minded individuals, participate actively in forums, and attend cybersecurity conferences. It's not a one-size-fits-all process, so personalise your approach, edit your resume, look for mentorship, and apply for positions that fit. By following these steps, you can ensure that your move to a cybersecurity profession is not only smooth but also full of fascinating opportunities.

I started my cybersecurity career by first understanding what it took to design, deploy, and manage a network of information systems and data. I then took these skills and applied a security 'wrapper' around it all. Seeking out and working in different environments like private, public, federal, and state sectors was a huge plus and helped give me perspective on the security frameworks I needed to apply in order to be an effective cybersecurity pro.

Cybersecurity as a career is not for everyone. I have seen people getting into this field because of the salary but it takes more than reading a book or doing a course. Cybersecurity becomes part of your life because its a mindset, thinking how to break and identify that something has been broken. Discipline, dedication, consistency with reading and research on a daily basis. Working really long hours without thinking about remuneration. Food for thought

As a former network and system administrator for a small ISP.I researched how to securely configure Cisco devices and harden Linux servers. Highlights of my self-driven cybersecurity experience include: Deployed a SIEM to aggregate and analyze network flow logs and other security event to detect anomalies and incidents. Proactively hardened network devices and server configurations following CIS benchmarks and other guidelines to reduce attack surface. Stayed on top of emerging threats by continuously expanding my knowhow of tools and techniques to better secure infrastructure against adversaries. The hands-on experience helped transition into cybersecurity and required continuous learning to defend against the evolving threat landscape.

Deciding where you would like to spend your time in the cyber-world would be best before you kick the door in. In brief, do you want to write scripts, perform attacks, and utilize advanced techniques to test the cloud, company network(s), computers, or servers? If so, being on a Red Team as a Pentester may be up your alley. On the other hand, do you like battening down the hatches and fortifying your cloud, network, or servers while testing machines to industry standards? Then, a Blue Team is where you'll be welcome. In short, and at the risk of oversimplifying cyber-positions, knowing where you want your energies directed and what will excite you daily will help get you started and keep you happy in this ever-changing field.

Though certifications are important to show one’s capability in cybersecurity but first thing first is strong basics in networking technologies , understand the protocols , LAN and WAN , OS etc and then plan slowly with basic security certifications like ComTIA and then gain experience on the job . Don’t expect to get big role as soon as you get any certifications, start with whatever you get and build upon that.It takes years to become solid security professional so start slow and gain knowledge and advanced certifications.