Cybersecurity professionals work for organizations to keep computer information systems secure. They analyse security needs, determine who requires access to which information, and help coordinate information security programs.
Depending on the type of job role and specialty in the industry, other responsibilities could include:
- Researching emerging cybersecurity threats and ways to manage them
- Monitoring systems for attacks, intrusions, unauthorized access, or illegal activity
- Designing new security systems or upgrading existing ones
- Using advanced analytic tools to determine emerging threat patterns and vulnerabilities
- Identifying traffic trends as well as potential weaknesses and implementing measures, such as firewalls and encryption
- Investigating security alerts, providing incident response, and reporting
- Coordinating with stakeholders on cybersecurity issues and providing recommendations
Competencies required for success as a cybersecurity professional:
Critical and creative thinking
Dependable
Complex problem solving
Inventive and flexible in a fast-paced environment
Communication and collaboration
Experience with computer systems and security tools
What you'll learn
Core skills
Cybersecurity professionals have a passion for securing systems and protecting data and have a keen interest in information technology. Core skills for cybersecurity professionals include proficiency in implementing information security measures and controls; communicating and managing risks; working with tools to monitor network activity to identify vulnerable points; and engaging with colleagues to act on breaches and resolve cyber threats. Cybersecurity professionals have prerequisite knowledge in network administration and system administration.
- Information security
- Cyber attacks
- Risk management
- Social engineering
- Open source intelligence
- Scanning
- Security strategy
- Vulnerability management
- Incident response
- Cryptography
- Cybersecurity job landscape