Cybersecurity as a career option

Trishneet Arora, 26 years old, is the founder and CEO of TAC Security, an IT security company which focuses on providing specialized services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The tale began when Trishneet got his first computer when he was a 11-year-old. Soon he started to experiment with it. Because of his fascination for computers, he failed in the class VIII examination and completed his class X through open learning. 

Arora has authored books on cyber security, ethical hacking and web defence like “The Hacking Era”, “Hacking TALK with Trishneet Arora” and “Hacking with Smart Phones” along with several technical manuals, and has given countless lectures, workshops and seminars. He has worked closely with the Punjab and Gujarat police departments helping them resolve many cyber-crime cases and training them on cyber-crime security. Arora’s company. 

He was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 2018 Asia list and Fortune (magazine) 40 Under 40 2019 List of India’s Brightest Business Minds.

Cybersecurity has become one of the most in-demand career choices for the youth today. This career deals with efforts to protect organizations from cyber attacks and safeguard their digital information. It ensures protection and security of various online systems, networks, data, information, and applications by protecting against malware, virus attacks, data thefts, information hacking and leakages, system and network security breaches, application breaches by unauthorized users, etc.

Everything nowadays seems to rely on the internet and computers – from entertainment, and communication to transportation, medicine, shopping, etc. Even banking and financial institutions run their business online.As a result, Cybersecurity is essential to govern the conduct and manner of interactions between and computer systems.

5 reasons to consider a career in Cybersecurity

1. To be a part of a thrilling, interesting field: In our digital age, cybersecurity plays a vital role in ensuring online safety, as well as the safety of all the essential systems that support our daily lives, including electricity, transportation, and financial institutions. As a cyber security professional, you’ll be working to keep critical infrastructure secure, and will constantly face engaging challenges.The most common are Critical infrastructure security: which deals with critical infrastructure like the electricity grid, water purification plants, traffic lights, shopping centers and hospitals; Application security such as antivirus programs, firewalls and encryption programs which ensure that unauthorized access is prevented; Network security which ensures that internal networks are secure by protecting the infrastructure and preventing access to it; Cloud security which is a software-based security tool that protects and monitors the data in your cloud resources and Internet of things (IoT) security. IoT refers to the wide variety of critical and non-critical cyber-physical systems, like appliances, sensors, televisions, Wi-Fi routers, printers, and security cameras.
2. To be part of a dynamic industry: The nature of cybersecurity is dynamic.You would be able to learn and test your skills against state-of-the-art techniques and software,almost every day. You could also specialize in the various aspects of cyber security. 
3. To be in a stable profession:According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of Cybersecurity Analysts is projected to grow at 37% from 2012 to 2022. This is much faster than the average.With such a need for cybersecurity experts and the need for many, many more in the future, you can be assured that your skills and expertise will be most sought after.In a world where even our kitchen appliances and cars are connected to the internet, cyber criminals have endless opportunity to cause chaos and cybersecurity will remain in the forefront as a desired career choice.
4. To use your entire skillset: Since every aspect of our lives could be impacted by cybercrime, there’s an opportunity for everyone to be a part of this field. You can draw on your skillset from prior experience, such as in administration or accounting.

What should you do to become a Cybersecurity Expert?

1. First, get an undergraduate degree in a computer-related field.
2. For those still pursuing an undergraduate degree or those who have finished their graduation, enrolling in additional courses such as Cryptography, Computer Networks, Software, and Hardware Security and Network, Computer Security, Programming in C, Software as a Service (SaaS) and Software Engineering would be an added advantage.
3. If you have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, then think of Master’s degree programs in a related field.
4. Get a cybersecurity certificate starting from the beginner level and proceed to medium and advanced levels.

Above all, it is important to learn things practically, and while choosing an institution, choose one that will give you maximum opportunities to learn and practice your skills. Private and Government cybersecurity cells, internships, seminars and conferences can also provide good practical learning experiences in cybersecurity.

Wrap up lines

If you have queries in choosing a career, you can approach a career counselor who can help you in deciding the right career path. A career in cybersecurity is a commitment. New challenges will keep popping up. A career in this field will involve life-long learning. You will have to continuously upgrade your knowledge and skills and work to understanding new technologies that emerge.