How do I get into cybersecurity?
Our last several blogs have been super specific to topics that have been relevant to things happening right now. Never a bad thing but sometimes it is good to stick to the basics. CyberUp has tons of folks who reach out to us with this very question, "How do I get into cybersecurity?" Although there isn't a simple answer to the question we thought it would be worthwhile to lay out the questions we are asked during the conversation and the advice we give.
Each conversation generally starts with three simple questions:
- What is your timeline/need to break into cybersecurity?
- What is your budget to get the training/skills you will need?
- What type of training do you think you will need?
Let's explain why these questions are important.
What is your timeline?
Given the recent global pandemic and even before, we had a lot of people reach out to us out of necessity. They found themselves out of work and exploring ways that they can support a family. The cybersecurity industry has done a fantastic job of marketing the demand for talent and the possibilities of earning a good income. All facts but it isn't as easy as it is made out to be. It is going to take some amount of time to go through a training or education program. Depending on the person's situation there are options. The longest option is a traditional college education. Both 4-year and community colleges provide good curricula but can take a bit longer for someone looking to transition quickly. The quickest option available is a pay-to-play bootcamp or stacking some certifications. There are several options out there like our partners at Fullstack Academy and they provide proven and short-term training options. Not as quick or long as the previous two options are programs like ours that provide pre-apprenticeship training. All three skill paths provide you with a foundational set of knowledge that should provide you with a baseline of skills necessary to obtain that first role.
What is your budget?
Let us start out by saying, CyberUp is committed to providing access to free and high-quality cybersecurity training so this isn't an endorsement to pay us for what we do, but a way to highlight that we are not the only option available. All three listed above are viable options and each have unique advantages over the other. There are efforts all across the country by companies who are reimagining how they are hiring and reducing the need for college degrees but let's be honest....we aren't fully there yet. A college degree still remains critical to someone's long-term success and upward mobility. If there isn't a time crunch and a person has availability to resources needed to pay for school, choosing one of the incredible cybersecurity programs created is always a solid option for someone. A bootcamp is going to require a larger upfront cost but the pace, curriculum, and time to the end goal, employment, can be much faster. Many of them are full-time programs that can end in just a few months. If the resources are there and the time-to-goal is important the cost may be worth it for an individual. Lastly, programs like ours also provide training and credentials required to obtain a job. However, we simply are not as fast as a bootcamp and we do not provide a degree. What we do provide is a part-time option suitable for folks that have full-time jobs and flexibility to learn at your own pace. There isn't a cost associated with the program but there is a rigor to the curriculum and demand that can be difficult if things are not prioritized right.
What type of training do you need?
This may be a strange question for most but we all learn in different ways and have different needs when it comes to education. If you are a person who needs due dates, homework, and accountability college or a bootcamp may be the best fit. Let's be clear, we require our candidates to put in the work and set high standards for someone to complete the program. We ask each person to commit to the program and put their best effort into completing their training. We have seen firsthand when someone makes an investment into themselves they bring a different attitude to the program. We have all heard the saying, "you get what you pay for," and this applies to programs like ours.
Ultimately, there isn't a "one-size fits all" option for any of this. That is why we start with these three simple questions. If you find yourself exploring a career in cybersecurity and not sure where to start...we recommend taking a few moments to think through these questions and make the right choice for you. Also, we are always happy to help advise so don't hesitate to reach out!
