As digital transformation continues to advance across every sector, business requirements for cybersecurity professionals will advance with it.
In today’s business climate, cyber security professionals are essential to the sustainability of organisations.
If you are considering a career in cyber security or are looking for your next cyber security job, here are three things you might like to consider.
Three things to consider when applying for a cyber-security job.
Start-Up or established giant?
The size and age of an organisation will affect the type of work you do as a cybersecurity professional. As a cybersecurity professional in an established organisation, you’re likely to have more direction, management, and well-defined processes to work to. You are also more likely to have a defined role that is likely to be focused on risk management (risk controls, audits, monitoring, and business advisory services rather than operations.
Large organisations usually have a standard model of first, second, and third lines of cyber security defences in place. This means that top-level management, risk management and compliance, and internal audit functions collaborate to monitor the effectiveness of cyber security controls.
Start-Ups typically afford their employees a greater level of autonomy. It’s likely you’ll be responsible for all three lines of defence yourself. If you are new to cyber security you may prefer to learn your trade within a large organisation where you’ll be well supported by policy, procedure, and advice from seasoned colleagues.
Your CV.
The personal statement.
Many CVs begin with a personal statement that outlines who you are, how you work and a short summary of your skills and experience.
If you choose to include one on your cyber security CV, offer a short and high-level overview of your expertise as well as a short summary of what sets you apart from other cyber security experts.
Your skills and experience.
Your technical skills should be detailed toward the top of your CV. Things to include are
- the programming languages you can use
- any security tools you are proficient in
- your hands-on experience, such as vulnerability management, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and network security.
Your qualifications.
Cyber security is a technical arena and so it’s likely you’ll boast plenty of academic and professional accreditations. Make sure you offer a full and comprehensive list of all your achievements.
If you are actively working toward a qualification, you should also add these details; for example, ‘OSCP – Completion by (date)’.
Your soft skills.
Soft skills are becoming incredibly important to employers, so it’s important to include all your soft skills on your Cyber Security CV.
Cyber security is complicated. Your communication skills, your empathy and patience are critical as you work to help non-techie people understand and apply highly technical concepts.
Where you can, highlight these skills in practice. Offer examples of effective communication and leadership in your previous roles.
Always upskill.
Never stop learning and upskilling. Technology and Cyber are always changing and there will consistently be new challenges to tackle. Evidence your love and enthusiasm for cyber security by demonstrating your willingness to learn and develop your craft.
Your professional development could be self-taught, through online research, or via formal accreditations.
Areas of study might be popular tools and techniques, changes in legislation or advances in the sector. If you have a particular specialism, you may need to refine your learning to keep it relevant, otherwise, keep your learning broad. This will give you a great springboard at your interview to discuss what interests you.
More information on cybersecurity jobs?
If cyber is your area of interest, or you’re looking to recruit a cyber team, you may like to browse through these related articles.
