Just getting that response back from a recruiter, getting that first interview, landing that first job - getting a foot in the door - can feel like a mountain to climb when you’re looking for a new job in a new field. This is true in many (all?) industries, and it’s certainly true in cybersecurity. It may even be particularly true in cybersecurity, which can sometimes come off as an intimidating world of dark arts practiced in dark rooms by hoodie wearing cyber wizards.
The good news is that working in cybersecurity is a lot less scary than that dark arts sort of world. And there are some relatively easy ways to improve your chances of getting that first interview and that first job in cyber. One of those ways is through studying - taking some cybersecurity courses or getting one or more cybersecurity certifications.
Some of the most frequently asked questions from students I work with on the MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity program are all about which cybersecurity certifications or courses they should pursue. I’m going to offer some recommendations on that topic here. This won’t be anything like a comprehensive list. It will be a good starting point though., and I hope these suggestions will serve you well and help get you closer to getting your foot in the door.
Entry Level Cybersecurity Certifications
Security+: CompTia’s Security+ has been the best known entry level cybersecurity certification for many years; it still is and is still highly respected. It’s a certification that many recruiters and hiring managers will be looking for when they’re assessing candidates. Security+ has come a long way since I took it, and now offers a nice range of online training options, study materials, virtual labs, and more.
Network+: Network+ is also from CompTia - and again offers that range of learning options and resources. Although this is not a cybersecurity exam, it is a very good foundational exam for getting into or advancing your career in cyber. As you build knowledge on how networks work, you are on your way to understanding how to best defend (or attack) them.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate: This certificate from ISACA is a newer entry in this space, and looks impressive. It’s focused on information security fundamentals, securing assets, security operations and response, and the threat landscape. The interactive online course is self guided and provides study guide materials and a lab package.
Approachable Entry Level Cybersecurity Courses and Training
Google Cybersecurity Certificate: This course, built by Google cybersecurity experts, is on Coursera and looks like another great fit for entry level or mid-career level learners. It covers cybersecurity frameworks and controls, programming for cybersecurity tasks, detecting and responding to cyber incidents, and more.
Cybrary: Cybrary offers a wealth of cyber training courses, covering the offensive and defensive sides of cyber. There are individual courses, certification prep, and career paths.
PluralSight: PluralSight offers cybersecurity training as well as a wide range of IT training. They have a large library of courses, and have been a popular IT training platform for many years.
Black Hills Information Security: I have to mention BHIS. They are prolific providers of great cyber training, and a lot of it is at zero or “pay what you can” rates. They provide a blog that’s full of educational goodness, webinars, and full training courses. I took a couple of their great threat hunting courses, and I can never recommend them enough.
Last but not least, here’s a Guide to Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Requirements from Indeed - who know a thing or two about jobs.
As I mentioned above, this is just a short, starter list that I hope some of you may find useful. There are lots more learning opportunities and resources out there, of course. If you have any favorites you’d like to recommend, please share them in a comment.
I am in the process of wrapping up the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. Great recommendations.
Thanks Patrick! Nice summation :)