Cybersecurity is a fast-growing and dynamic field that requires constant learning and updating of skills. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, you can always benefit from learning new Cybersecurity skills on-the-job. But how do you do that effectively and efficiently? Here are some tips and strategies to help you learn Cybersecurity skills on-the-job.
The first step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to identify your learning goals. What are the specific skills, tools, or concepts that you want to learn or improve? How do they relate to your current or desired role, project, or career path? How will they help you solve problems, perform tasks, or achieve outcomes? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your learning focus and set realistic and measurable objectives.
Absolutely, setting clear learning goals is crucial when diving into the field of cybersecurity. Here are some general steps to help identify specific skills, tools, or concepts: 1. Understand Your Current Role or Desired Career Path 2. Research Industry Requirements 3. Seek Mentorship and Guidance 4. Prioritize Skills and Tools
Cyber security is vast, identifying your specific area to start is crucial. Enhance your skills starting at specific point and penetrate to larger landscapes
We all know that cyber security is a very vast field, as it concerns about the data used in all types of digital communications. Learning cybersecurity on the job is not an easy task but not impossible too. To me, right process would be to gather the knowledge about cyber security career tracks first. second, choose the right track. Obviously, right track would be the one that excites you. And finally, gather knowledge from free or open source mediums initially. After that, start to practice. Cybersecurity is a term, where you are nothing without practice. In addition, follow and find some good mentors if possible.
Learn Cybersecurity skills on-the-job by actively participating in real-world projects, collaborating with experienced colleagues, and seeking mentorship. Engage in continuous self-learning through online courses, workshops, and certifications. Apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, stay updated on industry trends, and contribute to solving security challenges within the organization. Emphasize hands-on experience and adaptability to enhance Cybersecurity skills in a dynamic work environment.
The most effective approach to acquiring cybersecurity skills on the job depends on the individual's interests and their current job role. If their daily tasks do not involve incident management, threat hunting, or risk assessments, the opportunities for learning in this area are limited. In such cases, it is advisable to supplement with online courses and pursue relevant certifications. Organizations like ISC2, ISACA, GIAC, and SANS offer a wide range of cybersecurity courses, covering everything from fundamental to advanced topics, including governance, forensics, and penetration testing. Staying current is particularly crucial in cybersecurity, more so than in many other fields.
The second step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to find a mentor or a peer who can guide, support, and challenge you. A mentor is someone who has more experience, knowledge, or expertise than you in the Cybersecurity field and who can offer you advice, feedback, and resources. A peer is someone who has a similar level of experience, knowledge, or expertise as you and who can share insights, experiences, and best practices with you. You can find a mentor or a peer within your organization, network, or community, or through online platforms, forums, or groups.
One thing I found helpful when stepping into the cybersecurity field was actively seeking out a mentor. This doesn't have to be a formal arrangement; it can start with a simple conversation with someone whose work you admire. I reached out to a senior colleague who had a knack for explaining complex security concepts in a way I could understand. She became an informal mentor, offering invaluable advice and feedback. Similarly, I found a peer who was also new to the field. We shared resources and challenges, and our joint learning curve was steep but enriching. Don't underestimate the power of community in your growth.
Mentorship is a cornerstone of mastering cybersecurity skills. A mentor provides guidance, shares real-world experiences, and offers personalised insights, accelerating your learning. Additionally, peer learning, collaborating with colleagues, fosters a dynamic learning environment, leading to creative problem-solving and deeper comprehension of complex concepts. Building a professional network at events and conferences provides opportunities for mentorship and peer learning, fostering a culture of continuous development critical in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
Having a mentor or a buddy in cybersecurity is like having a trusty sidekick on your professional journey. They're the ones who've got your back, offering advice, cheering you on, and pushing you to be your best self. These mentors or peers aren't just there to guide you through the cyber jungle; they're also your go-to folks for bouncing ideas around, figuring out goals, and expanding your network. So, if you're dead set on rocking it in the cybersecurity world, my advice is to team up with a mentor or peer who can be your partner in crime on this awesome ride to success.
Learning cybersecurity skills on-the-job is highly effective when you find a mentor or a knowledgeable peer. This approach provides real-world context and practical experience that theoretical learning alone cannot offer. A mentor or an experienced colleague can guide you through complex cybersecurity concepts, share insights from their personal experiences, and offer tailored advice on navigating various challenges. They can also provide hands-on opportunities to work on actual security projects, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real situations. This mentorship fosters a deeper understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices, accelerates learning through practical application.
A mentor, with their experience, can offer not only expert knowledge but also key insights and advice about your career. For instance, by enrolling in postgraduate studies in cybersecurity, you open the door to interactions with lecturers who are often experts in their fields and can become your mentors. Such studies provide not only the opportunity to gain formal knowledge but also the chance to build relationships with professionals who can help you understand the complexities of the industry, offer career development advice, and encourage you to take on new challenges.
The third step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to learn by doing. This means applying your learning to real-world situations, problems, or scenarios that you encounter or create in your work environment. Learning by doing allows you to test your understanding, practice your skills, and learn from your mistakes. You can learn by doing by taking on new or challenging assignments, participating in projects or tasks that require Cybersecurity skills, or creating your own simulations or experiments.
If you have the ability to set up a test or lab environment that is isolated from your production network then this is a great way to learn. Follow online training and at the same time use your lab to follow along. Many cloud providers offer trials so that you can follow their self-paced learning. Microsoft Azure allows you to sign up with a limited number of free credits to follow the Microsoft Learn training. This can be really useful to try out new technologies or to get started in the cloud
Within the context of the company we work for, there are many activities that can serve this purpose. An example could be activities related to the development and implementation of security policies. Working on a security policy, you learn how to identify and minimize risks, which is fundamental to cybersecurity. By creating a password policy, you learn the principles of creating strong passwords and managing them to protect against unauthorized access. Developing an access policy allows you to practically apply the principle of least privilege to limit the possibilities of security breaches. And a remote work policy will help you understand the security challenges outside the traditional office environment.
Nothing beats experiential learning. You can have an email signature of certs a paragraph long but it won't matter if you can't practically apply your skillsets. I'd also argue that writing should be a foundational skill set for cybersecurity practitioners. It helps you learn the subject matter while forcing you to clarify your thoughts. The end result of this practice is your ability to create clear and concise bodies of work that can be delivered to a non-technical VP or C-Suite to action based on business objectives and goals.
Deep dive! If you have the basics down, sometimes a good way to quickly learn is to deep dive into real-world scenarios! If you have the opportunity, take advantage of it, as it's a very fast way to gain the necessary experience and knowledge.
Learning by doing is a key aspect in building your Cyber Security skills. For me this journey was complimented by starting a part time Cyber Security Learning Assistant role at night. This meant I could consult to customer during the day on cutting edge cyber solutions in OT/ICS and during the night work with students on pen testing applications, cyber security processes and frameworks. This really does allow me to see the challenges my customers face in their SOC and operational teams and guides me in positioning products and services to alleviate this risk and pain.
The fourth step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to use online resources that can supplement your learning. Online resources include courses, tutorials, videos, podcasts, blogs, articles, books, or tools that can teach you Cybersecurity skills or concepts, or help you practice them. You can find online resources that suit your learning style, level, and pace, and that cover a wide range of Cybersecurity topics and domains. You can use online resources to learn new skills, refresh existing ones, or deepen your knowledge.
Start from basics, CIA, attacks etc. Terminology in cyber security is the key, if you know the terms and meaning of the terms. half of the work is done. 2nd step is to make connections in your company with the IT department, by this one can know how the practical work is done.
Use the technology in your advantage, you have many paths to follow: Enroll in online courses (like Jornada Profiss?o Hacker). Use platforms like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, or OverTheWire to engage in hands-on labs and challenges. Get involved in open-source cybersecurity projects on platforms like GitHub.
The online resource is more suitable for full-time working people. It's distance study and does not require you to attend at a particular time. Sometimes, you can bypass some of the introduction lessons; just focus on the part that provides the most value to you. In addition, online resources give you many choices. It has a long website for this service with a very reasonable fee. One of the notes is that you must check the course feedback to see if it's realistic. In my experience, many courses can be indexed on this website without strictly quality management or checking.
Explore a variety of online platforms and sources to get a well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity. Engage in hands-on labs and participate in Capture The Flag challenges to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. Develop a structured learning plan based on your goals and the specific areas of cybersecurity you want to focus on
Leverage online courses, tutorials, and educational platforms to supplement your on-the-job learning. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Cybrary offer a range of cybersecurity courses, many of which are designed to accommodate working professionals.
The fifth step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to seek feedback and improvement. Feedback is essential for learning, as it helps you identify your strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities for growth. You can seek feedback from your mentor, peer, manager, colleague, client, or user, or from yourself through self-assessment or reflection. Feedback can be formal or informal, verbal or written, positive or negative, or qualitative or quantitative. You can use feedback to improve your skills, performance, or outcomes, or to adjust your learning goals or strategies.
Um dos principais pontos! Feedback é necessário para que possamos evoluir, seja do líder, do liderado… feedback é algo utilizado para construir a sua carreira!
Solicit feedback from peers, managers and mentors to identify areas for improvement. Use constructive criticism to refine your cybersecurity skills and enhance your performance. By actively staying updated with the latest trends, you can effectively develop your cybersecurity skills while working in the field.
Solicit feedback from colleagues and supervisors on your cybersecurity work. Use their input to identify areas for improvement and further learning.
The sixth and final step to learning Cybersecurity skills on-the-job is to keep learning and updating. Cybersecurity is a dynamic and evolving field that requires you to stay on top of the latest trends, threats, technologies, and best practices. You can keep learning and updating by following Cybersecurity news, events, publications, or experts, or by joining Cybersecurity communities, groups, or associations. You can also keep learning and updating by revisiting your learning goals, reviewing your progress, and celebrating your achievements.
Once you have reached a certain mastery in the field you chose to specialize in, you will still need to be up to date with the latest news and practices. Possible sources of news could be forums such as the r/cybersecurity sub on Reddit. Don't hesitate to take part to cybersecurity events for they are a great way to get hold of the latest practices and talk with other experts in your field !
When you are free or during lunch break, try to collaborate with colleagues from different departments to understand how cybersecurity integrates with various business functions. This approach will provide you with a holistic view of cybersecurity within the organizational context.
Here are some suggestions on how to keep learning in this field: - Subscribe to cybersecurity newsletters, - Follow and reach out cybersecurity professionals on Linkedin (you'll be amazed how many people are willing to have a quick coffee chat), - Ask your community which security conferences and events they have found valuable - Keep exploring and reading about new threats, challenges, and different technologies This industry is constantly evolving and cybersecurity professionals need to find repeatable ways to keep pace and contribute.
I will be brief and direct. In my opinion, we need to keep in mind that is essential to develop both our soft and hard skills to reach higher positions.
In my experience, cybersecurity is a continuously evolving field. Stay updated on the latest threats, best practices, and technologies through industry publications, conferences, and ongoing education.
Knowledge not forwarded is lost take the knowledge you have learnt and : Make a course about it Write an article on LinkedIn or even make a YouTube video about it Believe me that nothing forces you to learn something more than teaching it
The best way to learn cybersecurity skills on the job can vary depending on the individual and the specific work environment. However, here are some suggestions that can generally be helpful: 1. Shadow experienced professionals 2. Participate in team projects 3. Seek mentorship 4. Continuous learning and training 5. Hands-on practice 6. Stay informed 7. Network with cybersecurity professionals Remember that cybersecurity is a continuous learning process, and building expertise takes time and effort. It is important to remain curious, proactive, and adaptable in order to succeed in this ever-changing field.
Manager Cyber GRC and Awareness @ NSW Treasury | GRC, Security Architecture, Awareness
Find a mentor that is the best thing you can do to your career whom you can seek advice and feedback freely and who can guide your learning to achieve your goals although this is hard to get in some organisations. The other recommendation is to implement your learning the best learning is at the job and by doing things. You can always polish your skills by implementing your learning at work and do things. Have a can do attitude and try to get involved.
One example I can share is to identify security gaps in the organisation and research on what can be done improve the security posture. Propose a plan with clear outcomes which will give the trust that you are capable of implementing the change. Ideally implement in a test environment but can be negated if documented very well. Then do the job!!
I believe that shadowing and observation offer a unique and valuable learning experience by providing a close-up view of experienced cybersecurity professionals in action. This approach complements formal education and other learning methods, always assisting me in acquiring practical skills, industry insights, and the professional behaviors necessary for success in the field.