What skills are essential for cybersecurity specialists?

Coding is essential for the success of cybersecurity specialist. Ive always recommended Python as the language that cybersecurity folks specialize in due to the number of security frameworks and open source libraries it has. Automating is a key component within cybersecurity for repeatable tasks and to perform fuzzy tests for web applications. If you’re in the cloud, it is used for building out sophisticated security frameworks.

I would say it depends on the role you are in. I think we make the mistake of seeing cybersecurity professional/ specialist into one thing. Cybersecurity has different domains and it’s broad while some roles may require understanding coding such as for App security roles, some might require scripting such as python to automate stuff, then some require IaC skills versus Java, PHP or HTML … but there are also many roles which require zero coding. It really depends on the role and domain. So navigate accordingly!

Emotional intelligence is far more important than coding, because you have to keep your cool in the face of those who say that coding is a critical skill. I've known and worked with some of the best DFIR folks in the business, who didn't code. Not Python, not anything. I've worked with some folks who can code really well, but were wildly unsuited for a DFIR role. I code in Perl...it helps me get the job done and a lot (a LOT) of folks use the tools I provide as EXEs, but some folks turn up their nose at the use of anything other than <programming language>.

Absolutely, having a diverse skill set in coding and scripting languages is crucial for cybersecurity specialists. It enables them to understand and address vulnerabilities at various layers of web development. Proficiency in frameworks and the ability to secure them adds another layer of expertise, ensuring a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Habilidades Técnicas: Conhecimento profundo de sistemas: Arquitetura e gerenciamento de sistemas operacionais (Windows, Linux, etc.) Software de rede (firewalls, roteadores, switches, etc.) Virtualiza??o e tecnologias de nuvem Proficiência em linguagens de programa??o: Python, Bash, PowerShell Experiência em outras linguagens (Java, C++, etc.) é um diferencial Compreens?o de protocolos de rede: TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, etc. Criptografia e autentica??o Experiência em ferramentas de seguran?a: Scanners de vulnerabilidade, ferramentas de análise de malware, etc. Sistemas de detec??o de intrus?o (IDS) e sistemas de preven??o de intrus?o (IPS)

Every cyber security specialist need to understand networking and system administration as most security threats are linked to networks.

It's like becoming a human doctor one should go with body atanomy , similarly in Infosec Network is like respiratory system and TCP/UDP are like inhale and exhale . So, obviously one should have strong knowledge of network in Information Security.

Systems seldom standalone. Knowing communication definitely helps catching communication pitfalls. Being a system administrator allows the cybersecurity analyst to know how systems are configured and run and find the pitfalls.

In cybersecurity, networking and system administration skills are vital. Networking expertise ensures the secure design and management of network infrastructures. System administration involves configuring and maintaining systems, applying security patches, and monitoring for vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity specialists must understand these domains to safeguard against threats, implement robust security measures, and respond effectively to incidents, creating a comprehensive defense against cyber risks.

If you don't know networking, you don't belong in cybersecurity, let alone IT. Networking is how tech communicates, and it's CORE knowledge for any mid-senior level IT role, cybersecurity especially. It's not just using tools and working with their output. You need to understand on an innate level how networks work. Having some experience working in entry level IT jobs where you're installing and configuring network equipment is fantastic experience.

Cryptography plays an important role in ensuring Confidentiality and integrity, those are essential fundamentals of security.

Cryptography and encryption play pivotal roles in cybersecurity. Proficiency in cryptographic algorithms and protocols is essential for securing sensitive information. Cybersecurity specialists use encryption to protect data during transmission and storage, safeguarding it from unauthorized access. A strong understanding of cryptography is critical for designing secure systems, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authentication in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Knowing how cryptography and encryption works is massively important. It's a core skill that separates a sysadmin from a cybersecurity engineer. It's not as simple as knowing what encryption to use. It's WHY you should use it. Maybe you need a faster encryption and can accept something less secure, or perhaps you need to understand what vulnerabilities certain algorithms contain? It's a massively important skill, that most basic cybersecurity certifications will cover.

En ciberseguridad, es crucial entender la criptografía y el cifrado, su evolución y aplicación práctica, además de identificar métodos obsoletos como el MD5. Este algoritmo de hashing, antes popular, ahora se considera inseguro debido a su vulnerabilidad a colisiones. Con la llegada de la computación cuántica, desafíos significativos se ciernen sobre los cifrados actuales, especialmente los basados en factorización de números grandes como RSA que podrían quedar deprecados. Los profesionales deben prepararse para estos cambios, investigando y adoptando técnicas de criptografía cuántica avanzadas para asegurar la protección en un entorno digital en constante cambio.

Absolutely, expertise in cryptography and encryption is paramount for cybersecurity specialists. Knowledge of symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing, digital signatures, and certificates allows them to implement robust security measures in web development. Understanding encryption algorithms like AES, RSA, and SHA, along with avoiding common cryptographic errors, plays a crucial role in safeguarding data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity, mitigating risks such as data breaches and identity theft.

Certainly, ethical hacking and penetration testing are vital skills for cybersecurity specialists. Knowledge of common web attacks and tools like Burp Suite, ZAP, or SQLmap enables them to identify and address vulnerabilities. Adhering to ethical hacking principles and standards, such as the OWASP Top 10, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and PCI DSS, ensures a systematic and thorough approach. These skills empower cybersecurity specialists to enhance the security and resilience of web applications and systems by proactively identifying and mitigating potential threats.

A cybersecurity specialist lacking penetration testing skills is akin to a mechanic unable to disassemble an engine. These capabilities are essential as they enable the examination of how a system operates and the identification of potential vulnerabilities or actions contrary to its intended purposes. While some skills can be acquired through rigorous study and experimentation, others are inherently rooted in artistry and creativity.

Definitely the skills, tools, and experience in penetration testing is essential. A set of tools to run through, such as password cracking, vulnerability analysis, etc, can help catching vulnerabilities automatically. Meanwhile manually hacking through the code and configuration files. Knowing software vulnerabilities with code scanning experience definitely helps.

You need to know ethical hacking and penetration testing to be able to understand and develop security solutions as a cyber security specialist.

Ethical hacking and penetration testing are integral aspects of cybersecurity. Ethical hackers, or white hat hackers, simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems. Penetration testing involves systematically probing and assessing the security infrastructure to uncover potential entry points for malicious actors. Mastery of ethical hacking techniques is crucial for proactive threat mitigation, ensuring that security measures are robust and resilient against real-world cyber threats.

Users are the weakest link in your organization. You can setup the best tools, have the tightest technical controls, but if your users are poorly trained, that doesn't matter when they just let the hackers walk right in. Being a good communicator with high charisma is a fantastic skill to have, 2nd to being able to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical userbase (Ie, executives). If you can't communicate effectively, you'll struggle in cybersecurity.

It's important to be able to speak clearly and concisely on cybersecurity strategy and policy, as well as to be able to convey technical information to individuals of different levels of technical comprehension.

Absolutely, communication and collaboration skills are essential for cybersecurity specialists. The ability to convey technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing, facilitates effective teamwork with web developers, security analysts, and stakeholders. Utilizing communication tools such as Slack, Zoom, or GitHub enhances collaboration, enabling efficient sharing of ideas, feedback, and conflict resolution. These skills not only contribute to a productive work environment but also help build trust and rapport with colleagues and clients in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

Usually a system consists of many devices that are interconnected. It will have some UI for system administrators and analysts. You need to know communication well to know how they communicate, how system opens up port forwarding, which is a good entry points for hackers.

En el entorno colaborativo de la ciberseguridad, la comunicación efectiva es clave. Los profesionales deben dominar dos aspectos: explicar temas complejos de seguridad en términos sencillos para no expertos, como stakeholders y usuarios finales, para facilitar decisiones informadas. Simultáneamente, es crucial una comunicación técnica precisa con colegas en seguridad y desarrollo, enfocándose en los detalles y actualizaciones. Herramientas como Slack, Zoom y GitHub son fundamentales, propiciando conversaciones estructuradas, reuniones virtuales interactivas y colaboración efectiva en proyectos, lo que resulta en un equipo bien coordinado y transparente.

More complex tasks, like building a cloud system or creating access software, depending on the knowledge and application of foundational technical concepts, including; Network configuration and management Firewall installation Programming Administration of various operating systems

Like everything else, a system is in front of you. You, the cybersecurity analyst, need to think fast, have a plan and tools how to hack the system. In the boot camps, everything was planned, worked the way you expected. In a real life system, especially it had been hardened, nothing works like the book said. You need to be able to think fast, adjust your ways to find cybersecurity vulnerabilities quickly. You don’t have a lot of time to do it. Often CEH works are in an isolated environment. It’s not connected to internet. You need to find way to work in an isolated environment.

Each security threat is unique and thus the specialist need to be able to analyze and find a solution to the threat this is very complex and requires thinking outside the box.

La resolución de problemas y el pensamiento crítico son esenciales en ciberseguridad, mejorando la ciberresiliencia para enfrentar amenazas digitales. El pensamiento crítico permite no solo resolver problemas de manera efectiva, sino también anticipar riesgos potenciales y desarrollar estrategias proactivas para mitigarlos. La ciberresiliencia se nutre de esta habilidad para adaptarse rápidamente a las situaciones cambiantes, aprender de los incidentes de seguridad y mejorar continuamente las prácticas de protección. Por lo tanto, el pensamiento crítico no solo es una herramienta para resolver problemas existentes, sino también un elemento clave para construir una defensa cibernética más robusta y preparada para los desafíos futuros.

Problem-solving and analytical skills are important when it comes to incident response, threat hunting, and also vulnerability analysis. The ability to think critically and logically is key to making informed decisions, even when under pressure.

Stay updated with the security news. Subscribe to vulnerability alerts to keep your systems safe. Monitor your applications for deprecations, outdated dependencies etc. Educate the fellow developers and users to avoid cyber attacks. Prevention is better than fixing a compromised app.

First of all, choose your Cyber Security path. Choose between offensive/defensive/purple teaming. Then get into the path. You are always welcome to change your path and it's not difficult to change blue teaming into red teaming. You just have to have a strong basic then you have to change the mindset/style of hacking. Thats it. "Never Stop Learning!"

In my experience, knowing and understanding Systems Design is crucial to be able to understand how the resources and assets work together to be apple to defend and protect.