The Reality of Cybersecurity Jobs: Why Freshers Should Focus on Defense✨ Over Hacking

Hook: Many freshers enter the cybersecurity field with the dream of becoming elite hackers, inspired by movies and online courses.Reality check: Most cybersecurity jobs involve defending systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and responding to incidents rather than attacking them.

To get into cybersecurity, you need to understand that the field has various subdomains, and it’s crucial to choose the one that aligns with your interests.

First, we can explore the various roles in cybersecurity. I will also share my personal journey of entering the cybersecurity field.

Security Analyst: Monitors and protects an organization’s network by analyzing security incidents and responding to threats.SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst: Detects, investigates, and responds to potential security incidents in real-time, working within a dedicated operations center.Incident Responder: Reacts to security breaches or cyberattacks, mitigating damage and coordinating recovery efforts.Penetration Tester (Pentester): Simulates cyberattacks to find and exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, helping to strengthen defenses.Threat Intelligence Analyst: Gathers and analyzes data on emerging threats and cyber risks, providing actionable insights to protect the organization.

We’ve listed some of the most common and latest cybersecurity roles. Next, let’s explore the essential skills needed to succeed in this field. We’ll cover important skills that will be especially helpful for freshers starting their cybersecurity careers.

Essential Skills to Kickstart Your Cybersecurity Career: What You Need to Succeed

Strong Networking Skills: Understanding network segments is crucial for managing and isolating environments during attacks.Red Teaming: Networking knowledge helps identify vulnerable systems within a network.Strong Computer Fundamentals: A solid foundation in computer concepts is necessary for understanding and applying cybersecurity principles effectively.Programming Skills: Understanding programming concepts is vital for grasping how software functions and identifying vulnerabilities. While learning different programming languages can vary in syntax, the underlying concepts remain consistent. Additionally, scripting skills provide a significant advantage for automating tasks and developing security tools.Database Knowledge: Proficiency in database management is essential, as organizations rely heavily on databases to store critical information. Understanding how databases work helps in identifying and securing data vulnerabilities, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of stored information.

For freshers entering cybersecurity, it’s important to understand that roles often require a significant level of trust and responsibility, which means companies are cautious when hiring. Unlike the portrayal in movies, cybersecurity jobs involve much more than just hacking. Here are some entry-level positions suitable for freshers:

Junior SOC Analyst: Focuses on monitoring and responding to security incidents in a Security Operations Center (SOC).SIEM Engineer: Works with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to collect and analyze security data.Junior Blue Team Member: Concentrates on defensive techniques to protect and secure an organization’s network and systems.

The reality of junior pentester

It’s also worth noting that penetration testing (pentesting) roles are less accessible for freshers due to the complex rules of engagement and policies involved. It’s often more practical to start in an entry-level role to gain experience, and then choose a specialized path based on that experience. This approach provides a solid foundation and better understanding of the field, allowing for a smoother transition into more advanced roles like pentesting.

Another mistake freshers often make is investing in costly courses and paid internships without proper research. Many of these programs promise advanced skills with flashy titles like “ethical hacking” or “black hat hacking,” but they might not offer valuable learning experiences. Instead, conduct research on the instructors and verify the quality of the course content. For practical and effective learning, use free or affordable platforms like TryHackMe, which I’ve found to be extremely helpful.

Feel free to reach out to me in the comments or on LinkedIn if you have any questions or need further guidance.