Part 1 Exploring cybersecurity careers

Whether you have just finished school and are entering the workforce or you are looking to make a change from your current path, launching a new career journey can be daunting. The cybersecurity career field has grown significantly in popularity both because of its importance to our world today and because it offers a hot job market. However, what really is cybersecurity? What career paths are available to someone seeking to launch a cybersecurity career? What skills do you need, and how do you go about choosing the right job?

These are all questions we will examine and answer in the first three chapters of this book. Chapter 1 defines cybersecurity and explores its history. We will talk about the role that cybersecurity plays in our world as well as some of the ideology often seen in the industry. In chapter 2, you’ll get a better idea of the breadth of cybersecurity roles as we talk about some of the more common jobs in this field. We will discuss the characteristics that are most important for being a successful cybersecurity professional. Then chapter 3 describes key challenges and obstacles that make it difficult for some to enter this career path. We will map out the types of career progression you can commonly expect and dive deeper into the skill sets that you may have and may need to develop.

So get ready—you’re about to discover the exciting, challenging, and often dynamic landscape of cybersecurity. By the time you finish part 1, you will have a far greater understanding of the road that lies ahead for you.