{"id":126076,"date":"2022-10-12T05:49:45","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T12:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=126076"},"modified":"2022-10-12T05:49:47","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T12:49:47","slug":"lighthouse-labs-becoming-a-cyber-security-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/lighthouse-labs-becoming-a-cyber-security-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Take to Become a Cyber Security Expert? A Lighthouse Labs Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As data becomes the new \u201coil\u201d of the digital era, organizations are making it their top priority to protect this valuable asset. Today, cyber security sits firmly on the meeting agendas of companies and governments amid the rising number of cyber attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This heightened urgency for cyber security has created vast opportunities for those aspiring to start careers in the field. But a lack of clarity on cyber security has discouraged many from entering a field in dire need of talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we demystify the field of cyber security. What skills do you need to start a career in this field? Do you need to be a tech wizard to enter cyber security? Is earning a bachelor\u2019s degree the only way to become a cyber security practitioner?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To answer all that, we sat down with cyber security experts Ashley Mataya and Stephen Heaton from Canada\u2019s leading bootcamp Lighthouse Labs<\/a>. They offer firsthand insights into what it takes to start a cyber security career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Cyber Security Skills Experts Recommend You Should Have<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a technical skillset is imperative to becoming a cyber security professional, you’ll need more than that to break into the field. Below, we outline the top soft skills you must have to start your cyber security career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Problem-Solving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of cyber security likened to a chess game. Much like chess, you\u2019re constantly looking for ways to outsmart the opponent (cyber criminals)\u2014anticipating their moves and developing an adaptable strategy to protect your king or, in this case, your company\u2019s valuable assets. The only difference is that the stakes are definitely higher with cyber security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, \u201canyone who\u2019s a problem-solver is immediately important in cyber security,\u201d shares Ashley Mataya, senior manager of Cyber Security Partnerships for Canadian-based tech bootcamp Lighthouse Labs. To be fair, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are vital to all professions. That said, it\u2019s particularly key in IT security, where you\u2019re constantly challenged to develop swift and practical solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Curiosity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A 2018 annual report, titled The Life and Times of Cyber Security Professionals<\/em><\/a>, revealed that \u201c93% of survey respondents agree that cyber security professionals must keep up with their skills or else the organizations they work for will be at a significant disadvantage against cyber attackers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn cyber security, you always need to be willing to learn more because information becomes out of date so fast,\u201d says cyber security analyst Stephen Heaton. Not just that, cybercriminals also continue to evolve, formulating more advanced and sophisticated plans to exploit any vulnerabilities they can find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Team Mindset<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every 11 seconds, a ransomware attack takes place, according to Cybersecurity Ventures<\/a>. If you\u2019re a lone cyber security practitioner, it\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cyber attacks occurring daily. That\u2019s why cyber security is a team effort. Mataya shares: \u201cNobody is solving problems alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Communication is probably the most overlooked yet one of the most essential skills in cyber security. As a cyber security practitioner, you must be able to communicate risks and strategies not just to your team but also to non-technical folks, mainly business executives. Clarity in communication across departments is key in developing effective response plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you already possess the above skills, cyber security should be right up your alley. Of course, you would still need to equip yourself with the right technical skills to break into the field. This is where a cyber security education comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\nEnhance your cyber security skills in 12 weeks and get hired with the help of Lighthouse Labs.<\/p>\nLearn more about the program here.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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How to Get Started in Cyber Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A lot of misconceptions surround cyber security, two of which are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n