If you want to learn cyber security, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you the information about the question that Can I teach myself cyber security. It’s tailored toward people with little to no experience in this field and who don’t have formal education in computer science or another technical subject. Whether you want to use your new skills for fun or get hired as an entry-level network security engineer, this guide will help you.
What you will learn
Teach yourself security, or skip it altogether? In a way, you’re already ahead of a lot of people looking to make a change in information security: you’ve realized there is a lot to learn. Unfortunately, though, that means you also have to realize there isn’t an easy fix. To become truly valuable in IT security, it will take time—years and years at times—to master what goes into these roles. It may seem like jumping through hoops just to get an entry-level job as a Security Analyst. However, what goes into those hoops will help prepare you for future hurdles and responsibilities as well as opportunities for advancement.
Can I teach myself cyber security?
Although it’s easy to see IT Security as a linear path from no experience to full-blown consultant, remember that there is more than one way to get involved in information security. Even if you didn’t enter into information security with an MBA in your back pocket, you can make strides towards your goals. In fact, pursuing certifications and learning on your own is far better than not doing anything at all. You may be surprised at how much of your job search revolves around being seen as knowledgeable—even with no previous work experience.
What you need to know for cyber security
Here’s what it takes to protect yourself. Whether you are using a credit card, buying tickets online or connecting your devices to Wi-Fi networks, it’s good to know what steps you can take to minimize risk while online. Here are some tips that you should follow: Consider protecting your mobile device by setting up a passcode on your phone and also enabling remote erase capabilities.
You can do so by going into settings and looking for Find My iPhone/iPad or similar services on other platforms. You should also make sure all of your software is updated regularly and that any password managers are synced across all of your devices. It’s also worth considering a password manager, which can be useful if you use multiple accounts and find it hard to remember all of your different logins.
Another useful step is to encrypt all of your devices, particularly any laptops or mobile devices, which may contain personal data. You can do so by enabling FileVault or encryption software on Windows and Mac computers. iPhones, iPads, and Android devices have built-in encryption capabilities that are enabled automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone/iPad or device protection services.
It’s also worth noting that even passwords should be protected with a password manager so they cannot be easily guessed by anyone who finds them.
The plan for learning cyber security
There are two ways to approach learning how to become a cybersecurity expert. One way is self-directed learning, which means seeking out information on your own—books, blogs, webinars, and tutorials—and then putting it all together in a meaningful way for yourself. The other method is formal education through a degree program at an accredited college or university.
Both have their advantages and drawbacks, but if you want to seriously pursue cybersecurity as a career (or hobby), you should probably start with formal education. You’ll get hands-on experience at work in an environment that has been vetted by your school’s faculty and administration. Schools will also offer internships and special programs that can help bridge gaps in experience and possibly even get you placed with a private firm when you graduate.
The great thing about attending college is that, in many cases, your education is completely free. There are scholarships available for both STEM and non-STEM fields of study, especially when you consider private schools. Private schools also generally have smaller class sizes so you’ll get more one-on-one attention from your professors. Depending on where you go to school and how many credits you earn, it can also be a faster way to graduate with a degree in cybersecurity than self-directed learning.
Set daily goals
If you’re serious about learning how to hack, then you’ll need to stay on top of your game. Spending an hour or two each day working through a course or studying other resources will keep you sharp and help you absorb new concepts more quickly. But simply planning your time isn’t enough—you also need to be realistic about how much time each task takes and make sure you actually follow through with your goals. It can be easy to get derailed when it comes to learning cyber security because there are so many different topics that require attention—so take advantage of tools like Trello and Google Calendar to keep yourself organized!
Build your knowledge base
What’s more important than certification in cybersecurity is building your knowledge base. The easiest way to do that is by signing up for a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and by getting involved with IT forums. There are plenty of MOOC providers, including Udacity, Coursera, edX, and Codeacademy. You might be surprised by how much you can learn online.
Once you’ve finished one course, check out another one to expand your skillset and expose yourself to new ideas and concepts. And while you should focus on learning as much as possible through books, MOOCs, and blogs—you also need hands-on experience; so why not consider contributing to an open-source project or doing some kind of research or hackathon?
Practice what you learned
The best way to get better at cyber security is to practice what you’ve learned, including in a safe and controlled environment. The most important thing you can do is find a group of like-minded people who want to learn from each other. If you’re already working in IT, your colleagues will be great resources for learning about real-world situations. Otherwise, there are plenty of online communities where beginners can share their experiences and ask questions: try places like /r/netsec or /r/cybersecurity on Reddit or StackExchange’s Security page if you’re interested in getting started that way.
Get help if necessary
It’s not uncommon for engineers and web developers to spend a few hours Googling how to solve a problem with their computer. Sometimes, it’s tempting to try and fix your own problems instead of getting someone else’s help—that way you learn more. But while trying to fix things by yourself is tempting,
when it comes to cybersecurity, it can be dangerous. Because of how interconnected everything is, one vulnerability could lead to your entire system being compromised—and who knows what that could mean for privacy or money laundering or any number of other negative outcomes? If you want to become an expert in cybersecurity, there are plenty of resources available online; most companies will also provide you with guidance if you ask for it.
