Cybersecurity is defined as the practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital threats or attacks. As more companies rely heavily on digital systems, a career in cybersecurity is now more popular and in demand as it would cost businesses more money if their systems were breached versus hiring qualified professionals who can close security gaps. Some of the roles you can take are Network Engineer Support, Information Security Analyst, Technical Support Analyst, and IT Audit Assistant to name a few.
Getting started in this industry takes more than having a degree in computer science and strong technical skills. Of course, these will give you a competitive edge when it comes to the hiring process, but beyond that, you need to consider improving your nontechnical skills as well.
Here are some of the skills you should also develop in order to thrive and become successful in the field.
Critical thinking and problem solving
A career in cybersecurity involves a lot of critical thinking and creating solutions that you think are the best for the organization. This is an industry that continuously evolves, so professionals in this field must learn how to quickly adapt while paying attention to the finest details. By developing these skills, you will become better equipped to face challenges that cybersecurity brings.
Working well under pressure
Cybersecurity professionals must be ready to jump in and act fast as cyber threats are expensive and time sensitive. Being able to think on your toes and to strategize with your team is key to solving issues that need both strong technical and soft skills.
Excellent communication skills
Explaining your strategies and collaborating with different people are essential in cybersecurity. You may need to communicate technical concepts to those who may not have a background in cybersecurity within the organization, document how you solved issues, and even collaborate with other teams or departments.
Openness to learning new things
Cybersecurity is ever evolving, and cyber threats get more complex as years pass. Gaining more knowledge and technical skills and staying up to date with the latest trends are key to handling different attacks with confidence. They also give you a competitive edge among your peers.
As with any career, having a good foundation will open up opportunities for you early on and give you the confidence to become better at what you do. Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) offers a degree in BS Information Technology with a major in Network and Cybersecurity.
MMDC's Program Coordinator for IT Programs Adrian Ablir shares how this degree program stands out. “Networking and Cybersecurity are facilitated using the PPC (Projects, Problems, and Cases) model. Learners work on a project, solve their identified problem, or apply key concepts from actual case studies,” he says. “This approach readily exposes our learners to act like Network Engineers and Cybersecurity Professionals who generate, process, and build IT knowledge as early as their second year of college. In contrast to common approaches of lecturing on principles or holding off the projects to the last few months of the term, our program allows the learners to see these principles in action or subject them to their own utilization at the onset of their learning experience.”
To learn more about MMDC and their programs, visit https://www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
