STARTING A CAREER IN CYBERSECURITY
Are you a newbie in the cybersecurity world or still trying to figure it out?
Have you been wondering how to start your cybersecurity career?
Here is a guide to help you get started. This guide comprises of courses to get you started. Most of the materials are free to access.
Cybersecurity has many fields that one can venture into. This guide will not be covering all of them. However, it’s important to have a baseline from which you can venture into any field of your choice. Some of the possible fields one can venture into include
1. Network Security
2. Secure Software Engineering
3. Cloud Security
4. Digital Forensics
5. Penetration Testing
6. Cyber Governance
7. Cryptosystems
NB:
1. No prior exposure to cybersecurity needed.
2. This is not the one-time guide of learning cybersecurity, but my sentiments based on my experience.
3. This is not an endorsement to any of the courses shared.
4. Four areas are covered in this guide (Networking, Operating Systems, Programming, Cybersecurity Fundamentals). It is recommended to follow this path of study.
5. All resources shared are free!
1. Networking
◇ Importance
▪ Any system relies on some communication network.
▪ It forms a baseline of understanding how cyber incidences occur.
◇ Skill Acquired
▪ How to design and configure networks
▪ Communication protocols and ports
▪ Troubleshooting networks
◇ Resources
▪ Networking Essentials — Cisco Networking Academy : https://www.netacad.com/courses/networking/networking-essentials
▪ Cisco Packet Tracer — Cisco Networking Academy
— https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer
2. Operating Systems
◇ Importance
▪ Windows 10/11 — You probably are using a computer running on these.
▪ Windows Server — Used by more than 60% of enterprises organizations.
▪ Linux — Majority of back-end servers run on a Linux distribution. Your android phone is running on a modified Linux version.
◇ Skills Acquired
▪ Windows — how to maneuver around the Windows environment and filesystem.
▪ Windows Server — set up an active directory and managing users, groups and setting permissions.
▪ Linux — understanding the filesystem, basic Linux terminal commands.
◇ Resources
▪ Windows 10/11 — if you are viewing this on your computer, you should be good to go. However, just in case you need a refresher here’s a link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2r-p7xc7c4
▪ Windows Server 2016/2019 — YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrtYDS5WKR0&list=PLYogJ_kxL1wTesq-vNxEc8tjDOHvszeWf
▪ Linux Unhatched — Cisco Networking Academy : https://www.netacad.com/courses/os-it/ndg-linux-unhatched
▪ Linux Essentials — Cisco Networking Academy : https://www.netacad.com/courses/os-it/ndg-linux-essentials
3. Programming
◇ Importance
▪ Python
— Used for creating most of the tools used in cyber world
— It’s an easy language to learn since its syntax is easy to read.
▪ HTML
— Used for rendering webpages.
— Most systems today are running behind a web application.
◇ Skills Acquired
▪ Python
— Think algorithmically.
— Design, develop, and improve computer programs.
— Model problems in Object-Oriented programming.
— Understand the software development process.
— Learn how a program is executed in a computer environment.
▪ HTML — designing and creating a website
◇ Resources
▪ Python For Beginners — YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uQrJ0TkZlc
▪ Programming Essentials in Python — Cisco Networking Academy : https://www.netacad.com/courses/programming/pcap-programming-essentials-python
▪ HTML Introduction — Tutorialspoint : https://www.tutorialrepublic.com/html-tutorial/
4. Cybersecurity Fundamentals
◇ Importance
▪ Learn what cybersecurity is and its potential impact to you.
◇ Skills Acquired
▪ Understand the most common threats, attacks and vulnerabilities.
▪ Understand how businesses protect their operations from attacks.
◇ Resources
▪ Introduction to Cybersecurity — Cisco Networking Academy : https://www.netacad.com/courses/cybersecurity/introduction-cybersecurity
