What are the best ways for network security professionals to stay current with new technologies?

Have mentor Have lab , simulation Subscribe to vendor and associate news such as Hackerone, blogs, podcasts, magazines, webinars, … Els

- Take dedicated personal time for studying latest technologies. - Read white papers - Read scholarly articles on latest scientific advancements.

there is hardly a second to networking amongst 'networking security' professionals.. pun intended.. haha. but seriously.. part of being passionate about network security includes being in the loop with latest projects, products and startups. also keep a close eye on latest RFC's or if you are like me, even participate and contribute as new RFC mods happen at IEEE etc. this type of collaboration and being in the now is paramount to stay updated. next, I definitely think conferences like Black Hat and DEF CON are great at gaining the edge with hands-on using latest techniques etc. lastly, definitely invest generously in training. certifications like SANS GNFA has helped me immensely to build my foundations. I hope this helps. cheers

In my opinion, I consider continuous learning through online courses, attending webinars, and listening to podcasts is a plus.

Participate in Cybersecurity Events Meet with the New OEMs and Startups in the network security domain Reading reputed info sources - web, blog, domain focused sites Discussions with security experts

"The best advice I can give someone is to be hands-on; create your own labs at home using free resources on platforms like YouTube, and actively seek learning opportunities by asking your manager to be a part of projects aligned with your interests. Joining free groups, such as Meetup Groups, Discord channels, and LinkedIn groups, can also provide valuable networking and collaborative learning experiences."

Learning through practice is always the best way to progress professionally. To keep up-to-date with the current technologies, keep practicing and applying the theoretical knowledge acquired from different sources through different means which includes: setting up labs for practicing, getting different simulation software, applying what is learnt through on job practicing, involvements on different projects, engagements with experienced professionals on different initiatives which are freely available in the online communities, etc. The more you experiment regarding the new network security technologies including solving the challenges encountered in the process, the more you stay current with the trends in the field.

Participate in training programs and workshops offered by industry leaders, educational institutions, and cybersecurity organizations. These programs often provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge about cutting-edge technologies and tools.

Do not cut your IT budget or allow your organizational leadership to reduce the funds available to the IT org. Fight to keep the investment in security, otherwise the entire business operations and well-being are at risk and potentially compromised if hit with a cyber attack. Re-invest in your critical infrastructure and deploy the latest and most advanced security technologies available, otherwise you will be at risk and potentially face a more devastating and impactful loss in the future. Also never a bad idea to bring in a security consultant solely focused on cybersecurity.

As Nike says it, just do it: lab is a good start in getting your hands dirty, once you’re confident, involve some users by piloting that solution , test as many use cases as you can, and gather lesson learnt that will ease your way to production when the time comes.

You might engage with professional associations, online forums, communities and social media groups which dedicated to network security. Besides, you can register and participate in discussions, share insights and learn from the experiences of other professionals in the field.

Many industry leading manufacturers, MSSPs, distributors and IT resellers partner with existing and target customers to provide training at no cost. All of the major IT manufacturers actively sponsor and support local and regional trainings with monthly or annual events. Talk with your peers, vendors or IT firm about upcoming events and topics where you can actively contribute, learn, participate or sponsor. Whether it be a C-Level group, local or regional security firms and manufacturers are all focused and driven by the organizations they work for to network.

"I believe having a mentor in the IT/Cybersecurity space is invaluable; they can guide you in understanding different career paths, offer insights into handling various situations, and provide valuable advice. To obtain a mentor, it's crucial to network actively. Reach out to individuals who inspire you on LinkedIn, don't get discouraged if someone don't respond immediately or at all. Alternatively, consider connecting with someone within your company, allowing a natural mentorship to develop organically over time."

It's impossible for any one of us to know everything. We all lean on each other to fill in the gaps, so it's important to know who can mentor you. Mentoring others is a great way to share your knowledge and pay it forward, too.

Additionally, explore online courses on platforms like Udemy, YouTube, and LinkedIn. LinkedIn offers both free and paid courses to help you advance your career and enhance your resume . Don’t forget to actively participate in cybersecurity communities, such as the Hackone Cybersecurity Community, where you can learn from experienced professionals and stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Remember that the field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, so keep learning and adapting!

Hands-on Experience and Lab Practice: Set up a personal lab environment to experiment with new technologies, tools, and software. Practice implementing security solutions and troubleshooting network security issues to gain practical experience with the latest technologies.

Attend industry events and speak to as many vendors as possible even the ones you are already engaged with. Never assume you know exactly what a vendor provides or does, often they have new things being developed. Often you can discover new tools and techniques and sometimes the discussions inspire ideas that you had never thought of. Don't be afraid of the stall that nobody is visiting, they have more time to speak with you and often they are the ones where you discover amazing things.

The answer depends on how it is applied….Technologies you currently use should always be a priority. No point in looking to learn something new and shiny if it’s not used in your environment. Get the most out of your toolset first and align it to current threats and trends. New technologies only require insight when you’re using them.

Need some perspective. If you consider the total number of technologies out there, it would be next to impossible to learn or even keep up with the latest technologies. Also, it's not critical to know the latest technology until you know the ones you currently have, and determine whether they are able to do the job the new tech is offering. Not all new shiny things are worth knowing. However, Pineapple Pizza... bring it on!

It’s not solely about technology; it’s more about the business itself, what aspects of the business require protection, and the processes necessary for the business to succeed. Once we identify these processes, we can explore how technology can support these business activities and how people will utilize this technology. Unfortunately, even today, we tend to immediately adopt flashy technologies, hoping they’ll solve all our problems, only to realize later that we’re utilizing just a fraction of their capabilities.