As our world becomes more reliant on mobile and Internet computers to complete various daily duties, the security issue becomes more pressing. As a consequence, there will be greater demand for engineers in Cyber Security.
Cyber-security is an intriguing sector of IT (information technology) that is suitable for those who appreciate a challenging endeavour. The sector is ripe with opportunity, and we’re about to exhibit why a career in Cyber Security is an excellent (and rewarding!) decision.
You can opt for the advanced cybersecurity course to get extensive knowledge about preparing for your GATE exam and earn a cybersecurity certification online. The major subjects related to cybercrimes and cybersecurity are mentioned below:
- Data Collection and Processing
- Operational Security Management
- Security Strategies
- Security Economics and Policy
- The role of Intermediaries
Let us take a closer look at the following issues to know how to be an engineer in cyber-security:
What is a Cyber-Security Engineer?
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Cyber-security engineers create and deploy various network solutions that are secure to protect against cyber-attacks, hackers, and other relevant threats. Also, they test and monitor those systems regularly, ensuring that the entire system’s defences are updated and functioning properly.
The role of Cyber-Security engineer is frequently referred to as Web security engineer, IT security engineer, or data security engineer. Moreover, in smaller firms that can’t hire a specialist in Cyber-Security, the work of a Cyber-Security engineer is occasionally wrapped into another IT function.
What Does a Cyber-Security Engineer Do?
A Cyber-Security Engineer’s tasks and roles include the following:
- Assess the organisation’s security requirements and set best practices and standards in response.
- The complete security measures required to secure an organisation’s systems, data, and networks are designed, maintained, implemented, upgraded, and overseen.
- Replying to the entire network and system security breaches associated with it.
- All security and network concerns and incidents are investigated and resolved.
- Conduct penetration testing regularly.
- Taking the necessary security precautions to protect the organisation’s existing data and infrastructure.
- Conducting scans and tests to recognise any system and network vulnerabilities.
- Participating in the process of change management.
- Support in the investigation of any security breaches.
- Managing day-to-day administrative responsibilities like maintaining and reporting communication lines that are open with the necessary departments within the organisation.
The duties and responsibilities of a Cyber-Security professional or engineer are relatively similar to a security analyst. A Cyber-Security professional or engineer creates and maintains systems, but a security analyst is primarily interested in placing the system through its paces and breaking it down.
Cyber-Security engineers should have the listed qualifications in general:
- A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or systems engineering is required.
- Two years of expertise performing tasks related to Cyber Security like detection of incident and response, also forensics.
- Extensive knowledge of firewalls and the different forms of endpoint security, including their operation, functionality, and upkeep.
- Node, C, Python, Java, Ruby, Power Shell or Go, are examples of languages and tools.
- The ability required to operate in a frequently, fast-paced, stressful setting
- Have a great problem-solving ability and excellent attention to detail.
- Essential to stay updated on the latest hacking tactics and trends related to cybersecurity.
It’s important to note that diverse organisations may have fewer or more qualifications or place a lower or higher value on any of the above-listed requirements.
What’s the Demand for Cyber Security Engineers?
As per this employment outlook analysis, the requirement for Cyber-Security engineers is expected to expand at a rate of 12% between the year 2016 and the year 2026, quicker than the average for different occupations. The requirement for Cyber Security engineers will continue to expand as governments, enterprises, and other organisations become more reliant on the enhanced digital platforms.
As per the Cyber-Security experts, by 2021, there will approximately be three and a half million employment openings in the Cyber Security field. Nevertheless, the news is that the need for Cyber Security professionals will grow at a similar rate (at least from a business owner’s standpoint).
According to a Forbes story from a few years ago, Cyber Security is “the rapidly expanding job with significant skill gaps” According to the ISACA research, by 2019, there will be a global shortfall of 2 million Cyber Security specialists. And now we’re in the year 2021, and things are only getting worse.
Cyber Security experts also forecast a significant increase in annual cyber-crime damage costs, from $3 trillion in 2015 to $6 trillion by the year 2021. As a result, global spending on cyber-security is predicted to exceed $1 trillion between 2017 and 2021.
Even though many organisations are employing Cyber-Security engineers, the following ten organisations are at the top of the list.
- BAE Systems
- Microsoft
- Check Point Software
- Symantec
- FireEye
- Cisco
- Lockheed Martin
- IBM
- Amazon Web Services
- CyberArk Software
Taken together, these projections provide a rosy picture for people who are interested in pursuing a career as a Cyber-Security engineer. Cyber-Security engineering might be considered a “recession-proof job.”
So, now that you know what a Cyber Security engineer does, their creation, and how safe the profession is, you’re probably wondering where to begin.
Let’s have a look at how to be a cyber-security engineer by following the steps below.
The Career Path of a Cyber Security Engineer:
We’ve already known the requirements for becoming a Cyber-Security engineer, along with the scope of their tasks.
To begin, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in a Cyber Security-related discipline. To mention a few, these fields include computer science, computer programming, information security, computer engineering, and software engineering. Corporations used not to care if an applicant didn’t hold a degree, but a growing number of companies require one. So, first and foremost, get your official education in order.
A candidate for a master’s degree in cyber-engineering can then continue her or his study, focusing on closely related subjects in the field of Cyber Security. If you desire to work as a Senior Engineer in Cyber-Security, you’ll need that master’s degree even more. Also, opt for Stanford advanced computer security program to get in-depth knowledge of cyber-security.
After that, you should try to gain some minimal work experience. According to conventional thinking, an aspiring Cyber-Security engineer should work for three years before making a formal move. This number changes based on how much and what kind of work experience a potential candidate has.
Last but not least, there’s certification. Certification benefits you in two ways. First, it provides you with knowledge and additional skills that will be useful in the future. Second, it gives the hiring organisation verifiable proof that you are aptly trained for the role you are looking for.
Conclusion:
Working in cybersecurity necessitates various talents, based on the role you hold and the firm you work for. Penetration testing or the practice of testing a network, computer system, or web application to find vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit; risk analysis or the process of defining and analysing cyber threats to a business, and aligning tech-related objectives to business objectives; and security assessment and a process that identifies the present security posture of an information system or company, as well as improvement recommendations, are all tasks that cybersecurity workers are responsible.