Becoming a Cyber Security Pro

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Hello to all the cyber pros out there.

Question for you pros is: What courses should I take to go from beginner to advance in cyber security?

Thank you

Arrey

Hey Arrey,

That is a great question and there are many choices, here is what I would suggest:

Entry-level: GIAC Security (GSEC)
Entry-level: CompTIA Security+ (Sec+)
Mid-level: Logical Operations CyberSec First Responder (CFR)
Mid-level: CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CSA+)
Professional-level: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Expert-level: CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
Expert-level: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

This is just a recommendation, however some of the other hosts might be able to add to this thread.

@Arrey-Ashu127,

Context is key and gaining experience is the key. What I mean by this is that you must put your goal here into an actual working context. If you want to move from beginning to advanced. You begin with certification to get your foot into a place like a SOC (Security Operations Center) as a working professional. It is in the environment that you'll gain experience that will lead you to become a CyberSec Pro.

Now, I don't mean to say that Wes says is not correct, he's right, you'll need more knowledge to earn the certification.

The CyberSec area is not just about implementation (as important as that is) but also monitoring and responding to the live environment.

The additional cert that I would recommend would be looking at the CCNA CyberOps (we've just finished the Cisco Cybersecurity Fundamentals the 1st of 2 exams needed to obtain this certification.

Thank you Wes and Ron,

so as a beginner, can I just dive in without any knowledge of fundamental IT skills? When I say IT skills, I mean things like networking, operating system, database administration, some basic programming? Is knowledge in these areas needed or no?

Thank you

@Arrey-Ashu127,

You can and you should are two different things. For example, my experience would say no. I do not believe without a good knowledge of networking fundamentals, computer operating systems and general security knowledge. It is not going to be very possible for you advance your career as an CyberSec Professsional. You'll be able to get more skills as you move through the working world but it doesn't help if you have none and dive in. For example, just because I swim in a pool of calm and clear water doesn't mean that I should be diving off of a cruise liner into the middle of the North Atlantic.

Yet, just as I say so. The Cisco CCNA CyberOps certifcation (2 exams, 1 certification) has no prerequisite knowledge required for you to obtain this certification goal. My serious recommendation from experience is that is not a great idea but I'm not Cisco either. You can take either route. But without the foundational knowledge, you'll may find yourself in deeper waters before you know it and lose interest a lot quicker and find achieving your goal is not going to be easier.

@Ronnie-Wong Thank you Ron. Basically what you are saying is, it is best to get the fundamentals first before diving in correct?

@Arrey-Ashu127,

Yes. Remember that the certification will help you get a job but it doesn't help you keep the job. Only by gaining real experience will you become the CyberSec Pro you want to become!