Cyber security roadmap for beginners 2024

Understanding Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the process of protecting the digital information, computer systems, networks from the attack, invasion, or destruction. This comprises the prevention, detection, and then response against cyber threats. This is a pretty big domain, including a sub-domain like network security, information security, and application security, among others.

Step 1: Education and Base

Relevant Degree

This ensures an excellent educational background for a career in cybersecurity. Common degrees include:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science: It provides a solid foundation in wide computing, programming, and systems areas.
Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology: It is more of a practical degree that was focused on the administration and security of IT systems.
Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity: These are rather specific programs designed to offer focused knowledge of several aspects in the cybersecurity perspective.

Learn Network Fundamentals and Security Basics

Control implementation phase requires understanding the operation of the network. Some of the basics to be known are:
Networking Fundamentals: IP addressing, subnets, routing, switching.
Security Fundamentals: Concepts in Information Security; for example, the CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability.

Step 2: Technical Skills

Programming and Scripting

Take it as a core competence to develop good programming skills, since it will be used in many areas: automating tasks for cybersecurity professionals, performing malware analysis, creating security tools, etc. It’s highly recommended to at least have an understanding of the following relevant languages:

Python: This is actually the most used language when it comes to scripting and automation.
JavaScript: Really useful while working on web security.
C/C++: It can be used in low-level operations and secure software development
SQL: It is very useful for security in databases.

Operating Systems and Networking

Operating Systems— One should be accustomed to Windows, Linux, and UNIX. The system internals skills are useful in the process of looking out for vulnerabilities.
Networking— One should be accustomed to more information on network protocols, such as TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP, the network devices, network security appliances, tools, and so on.

Step3: Practical Experience

Hands-on Labs and Virtual Environments:

Complete the following online hands-on labs and virtual environments for cybersecurity:

Cybrary: Virtual labs with free and paid training.
TryHackMe: Hands-on cybersecurity with practical labs and exercises.
Hack The Box: Learn and Improve Penetration Testing Challenges.

Internships and Entry-Level positions:

Access work experience through internships as well as entry-level positions in fields like;

IT Support: Foundational Knowledge on IT Infrastructure
Network Administrator: Insight into what goes on into a network and how to secure it
Security Analyst: This is an entry-level role that involves monitoring and incident response

Step 4: Certifications

Certifications are proof of your skills, making you more attractive to any potential candidate. Some of the key certifications include:

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+
Overview: The basic conceptual level of certification that talks about conceptual cybersecurity. It discusses threats, vulnerabilities, attacks, risk management, and cryptography.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional, CISSP
Overview: An advanced-level certification that demands experience-rich professionals in the field.
Topics: Security and Risk Management; Asset Security; Security Engineering; Communications and Network Security; Identity and Access Management; Security Assessment and Testing; Security Operations; Software Development Security.
Certified Ethical Hacker
It covers Ethical hacking and penetration testing
Topics: Foot printing and reconnaissance, network scanning, vulnerability analysis, system hacking, malware threats, and social engineering.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
About: OSCP is one of the most well-recognized certifications for penetration testers.
Topics: Exploitation techniques, network attacks, web application attacks, and post-exploitation.

Step 5: Specialization

Cybersecurity is a broad field that offers diverse specializations. Here’s a possible roadmap when you follow your favorite topics and also based on your career interests:

Network Security – this area deals with the protection and monitoring of network infrastructure.
Skills: Intrusion Detection and Prevention, skills in managing firewalls, and VPNs.
Certification: Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, CCNA Security.
Application Security – this is about the protection of software applications from being exploited.
Skills: Secure coding practices, code review, and vulnerability assessment.
Certification: Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional, CSSLP.
Information Security Management – design and implement security policies, procedures, and controls.
Skills: Risk management, compliance, and governance.
Certification: Certified Information Security Manager, CISM; Certified Information Systems Auditor, CISA
Penetration Testing
Focus: Search for and exploit vulnerabilities
Skills: Ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, exploitation techniques
Certifications: Offensive Security Certified Expert, GIAC Penetration Tester

Step 6: Keep Yourself Current

Cybersecurity is a dynamic sphere. Constant self-development in respect to knowing the latest trends, threats, and technologies is key.

Stay Current with Industry News
Websites: Stay current with sites such as Krebs on Security, Dark Reading, and Threat post.
Podcasts: Tune to popular cybersecurity podcasts, for example, Darknet Diaries and Security Now.
Professional Communities
Online Forums: Energetically get involved in forums such as Reddit’s r/cybersecurity, Stack Exchange, and the InfoSec Community on LinkedIn.
Conferences: Volunteer at cyber security conferences, such as DEF CON, Black Hat, and RSA Conference.
Graduate Studies and Research
Graduate Program: As an option, take up a graduate-level study on Cyber Security or even an allied course.
Research: Conduct a research about anything cyber security-related topic and write some articles in relevant blogs and journals.

Step 7: Networking

Networking with other professionals quickens the process of headhunting for jobs or collaborations.

Professional associations
ISC2: Get access to some really great networking opportunities, resources and, security events.
ISACA: Get a strong global community of information security professionals.
Meetup and workshops
Local meetup: Grab the locally hosted cybersecurity meetups and workshop opportunities hence network amongst peers and mentors.
Online Webinars: Attend training sessions; webinars

Step 8: Career Growth

When you have gained experience and have developed an online presence in the field you enter the career growth stage.

Leadership
Security Manager: Manage teams of security professionals, and security projects.
Chief Information Security Officer : Manage security strategy and security operations for an organization.
Continuous Development
Skill Improvement: Continue to grow technical and soft skills.
Certifications: One can take up advanced certifications and specializations in the field.
Mentorship and Teaching
Mentor: Be a mentor to the newcomers entering the field and guide them.
Teach: Teach Cyber Security courses or consider conducting workshops.

Conclusion

A well-rounded career in cybersecurity requires a great deal of technical knowledge, lifelong learning, and hands-on experience. Therefore, the future cybersecurity professional following this general roadmap will be able to embark on a very successful career path in that dynamically critical area. Be curious, stay updated, and be safe

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Cyber security roadmap for beginners 2024