Here's how you can acquire the most in-demand skills for cybersecurity consultants in today's market.

?? Understanding the fundamentals is a great starting point for any cybersecurity consultant, but in today's landscape, it's crucial to go further. Skills like threat intelligence, incident response, and cloud security are highly sought after. For instance, cloud security is becoming vital as companies increasingly rely on cloud services, yet many organisations struggle to fill these roles due to a talent shortage (Talent International, EC-Council). Additionally, mastering offensive security, such as penetration testing, helps consultants stay ahead of cybercriminals by proactively identifying vulnerabilities (EC-Council). ?? What other emerging skills do you see becoming essential for cybersecurity professionals in the next five years?

I think that starting with the basics is key when pursuing a career as a cybersecurity consultant, as these foundational skills form the backbone of your expertise. Having a solid grasp of operating systems, especially both Linux and Windows, is crucial since many vulnerabilities are platform-specific. Networking knowledge, including understanding protocols like TCP/IP and IP addressing, is another area where consultants must be fluent because most cyberattacks exploit weaknesses in network infrastructure.

I am 36. I started my IT journey at 30. I had always been interested in PCs, Battle stations, networking, hacking (ethically), etc. I was in a slump, bartending and driving Uber. I had no idea where to start. Some say the value of certs is overstated, I'm not here to debate that. HOWEVER, if you need the fundamentals, an entry level cert like the A+, ITF+, AWS CCP, or Microsoft entry level Azure or Fundamentals courses can be found free on YouTube and let you get your feet wet at no cost, whether you actually take the exam or not.

1?? Get Certified: Earn industry-recognized certifications like CISSP, CISM, CEH, and CompTIA Security+. These credentials demonstrate your expertise and are often required by clients or employers. 2?? Develop Cloud Security Expertise: As businesses move to the cloud, skills in securing cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are essential. Learn about cloud-specific threats, encryption, and identity management. 3?? Master Threat Intelligence: Understanding how to gather and analyze threat intelligence helps you anticipate and respond to security risks. Learn about tools and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and open-source intelligence (OSINT).

To acquire the most in-demand skills for cybersecurity consultants, focus on building expertise in areas like risk management, incident response, and compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST. Gain hands-on experience with tools like SIEM, Splunk, and firewalls, while also mastering cloud security across platforms like AWS and Azure. Strengthen your knowledge of encryption, threat hunting, and vulnerability assessments. Keep up-to-date with certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH, and continually enhance your understanding of emerging threats like ransomware and zero-day exploits. Regular practice on platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box can further sharpen practical skills.

I have personally spent some time going down the certification path, and it has accelerated my growth. With that said, I don't just watch videos and take practice tests. I got a cheap, older Dell server and made a home lab. I learned Cisco IOS and packet tracer. I spun up virtual machines of different operating systems and watched tutorials to get started. I learned how to make a trial Azure tenant and set up Intune within it. I opened up a free AWS account and played with some of the free architecture. It doesn't have to cost money to get better, and there are options out there for many of the most commonly used technologies.

Once fundamental knowledge is gained, analyze/understand your strengths and area of interest. Advance you skills towards that particular specialization. Major categories of specialization are (i) Defensive- SOC, Incident response, Threat Intel, Threat Hunting, Vulnerability assessment and Various security platforms management across SOC/Network Sec/Endpoint Sec/App sec/Access security/Cloud sec etc (ii) Offensive- Penetration testing, Red teaming etc (iii) GRC- Governance, Risk management, Compliance, TPRM, Policy/procedures documentation etc Various methods to advance include but not limited to certifications, Industry experts conferences and workshops, Using lab environment to implement and configure solutions

?? Advancing in cybersecurity isn't just about knowledge—it's about specialising. Mastering areas like penetration testing or ethical hacking is vital, but consider emerging fields such as threat intelligence and zero trust architecture. ?? According to (ISC)2, the demand for skills in cloud security and AI-enhanced cybersecurity is surging. Practical labs, like those on platforms such as TryHackMe or Hack The Box, are invaluable for real-world experience. ?? Certifications such as CISSP and CEH are great, but niche certs, like GIAC's Cloud Security Essentials, are gaining traction. ?? What niche skills are you focusing on to stay ahead?

After mastering the basics, advance your skills by specializing in areas like penetration testing, ethical hacking, or digital forensics. Learn to use tools for vulnerability assessment and intrusion detection, and delve into cryptography and secure communication protocols. Pursue certifications such as CISSP or CEH to validate your expertise. Practical experience is crucial, so set up a home lab or use online platforms to simulate real-world cybersecurity scenarios.

There are numerous security professional designations that are time-consuming & difficult to achieve. But they are worthwhile to complete to differentiate candidates who are seeking an information security position. EXAMPLES include: CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+ There are numerous U-TUBE & ALISON training courses that are free to provide both basic & advanced knowledge (especially for security areas that you've not had exposure to yet) There are numerous directions security professionals can strive for in advance training including: * General IT security support * PENTEST * Honeypots * Corporate A/V * EMAIL SPAM * Advanced multi-tier corporate Firewalls, * IDS * Windows security ADMIN * SOX * Privacy laws * Security awareness trainer

Cybersecurity and IT are constantly in flux. I subscribe to different newsletters and whitepapers (I like Recorded Future News for IT news), security alert subscriptions, webinars (some paid and some free), Huntress and Control Alt Protect have some good stuff out there. I also follow subreddits like r/MSP, r/Cisco, r/selfhosted, etc.

?? Staying relevant in cybersecurity requires constant learning, given the rapid technological changes. Key skills in demand for 2024 include expertise in SIEM tools like Splunk for threat detection, proficiency in programming languages such as Python for automation, and knowledge of AI applications in cybersecurity to stay ahead of evolving threats. Additionally, areas like penetration testing, cloud security, and incident response remain crucial. ?? Engage with the community through forums and groups, and consider certifications like CISSP or CEH to validate your expertise and maintain competitiveness in the job market ? What skill do you find most challenging to acquire in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, staying updated is crucial due to rapid technological changes. Continuously learn about new threats and security practices by following cybersecurity news outlets, joining professional networks, and participating in webinars and conferences. Subscribe to security podcasts and newsletters, and engage with the cybersecurity community through forums and social media groups to discuss current issues and solutions. This ongoing engagement ensures you remain relevant and informed in the ever-evolving field.

A seguran?a cibernética evolui rapidamente, tornando o aprendizado contínuo essencial. Mantenha-se atualizado seguindo fontes de notícias de seguran?a, participando de webinars e conferências, e assinando podcasts e boletins informativos. Conecte-se com a comunidade através de fóruns e grupos em redes sociais para discutir problemas e solu??es atuais. Esse engajamento garantirá que você esteja sempre à frente das amea?as e tendências emergentes. ???? #Seguran?aCibernética #AprendizadoContínuo #Webinars #Podcasts #ComunidadeSeguran?a #TendênciasCibernéticas

In cybersecurity consulting, soft skills are as important as technical expertise. Effective communication is essential for explaining complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Strong problem-solving skills help tackle unexpected challenges, while project management abilities ensure successful oversight of security initiatives. Teamwork and high ethical standards are also crucial. These interpersonal skills can distinguish you in the cybersecurity field, enhancing your ability to deliver impactful and trusted solutions.

Communication and negotiation are absolute must-haves. Cybersecurity work often means convincing someone to go some change (for example: apply a new policy).

Learn business talk. The people you interact with won't necessarily be IT people. They won't have an idea what you are talking about. Just question yourself, does this person need to know about this? Is it in their role? If its not, then pivot and change it to a language they can understand. They will always appreciate it and make sure to call that consultant back who made them understand why X and Y is important and can be explained without the jargon.

In cybersecurity consulting, legal knowledge is crucial. Familiarize yourself with data protection laws like GDPR and HIPAA, and understand the implications of digital evidence handling. This expertise is essential for compliance and effective management of sensitive information during data breaches or cybercrime investigations. A solid grasp of legal standards ensures that your consulting practices align with regulatory requirements and supports the proper handling of digital evidence, enhancing your credibility and effectiveness in the field.

Regulatory and Legal knowledge on security plays a critical role and it is as important as technical and operational area in the cyber security world. Various regulations like HIPPA, GDPR, PCI DSS etc with respect to industries and geos plays a critical role in establishing standards, governance, compliance etc. Understanding the Data retention/location compliances, Set of guidelines on Technical controls, Responsibilities of various stakeholders, Implications of breach and breach notification time frames etc would help to ensure compliance and effectively handle evidences.

When a major data breach occurs, the legal ramifications can be costly if there were also privacy law violations. Often huge $$$ penalties are assigned to the major data breaches which make the news & impact 000s of folks. Additionally, internal & external AUDIT constantly verifies security & privacy compliance for all best practices & legal requirements. However, STATE AUDITORS or examiners may also directly check certain types of business or companies for legal compliance & FINE anyone who is not in compliance. Companies have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the security & privacy of all data entrusted to them. The LEGAL side is highly important to have right to protect interest of company & all highly sensitive information