Have you heard of the new evolving role in cybersecurity, “Content Engineering"?🤔 . . same here.💨
I recently came across the Udemy course “Blue Team Content Engineer: The Complete Career Guide” by Malik Girondin, a defensive content engineer @ Security Blue Team🔐. His course provides in-depth insights into strategies for launching a successful career as a content engineer.
Content engineering in cybersecurity has been around for a while within companies such as TryHackMe, HackTheBox, etc., while recently, other cybersecurity training institutes have begun to adopt this role.
The content engineering role can be seen as a technical writer role that involves writing technical documentation such as instruction manuals, user guides, and other documents that explain complex information in a clear and concise manner for software or applications.
Content engineering refers to the practice of organizing, structuring, and managing content in a way that makes it more valuable and accessible to users. It involves using various tools and strategies to create, publish, and manage content for different platforms and audiences.
In my understanding, content engineering in cybersecurity simply involves developing and presenting cybersecurity content in the form of guided lab walkthroughs, gamification, CTF (Capture the Flag) challenges, and videos, aiming to provide an engaging knowledge experience for customers (students).
Content Engineer: Roles and Responsibilities
To strive as a content engineer requires quite a lot of skill sets, not limited to:
- Critical thinking: ability to analyze and evaluate information, consider different customers' perspectives, and make reasoned judgments.
- Creativity: ability to present real-world case studies that engage customers (students).
- Teamwork and communication: the ability to collaborate with other team members to deliver a given task.
- Technology: Ability to use various technology software to deliver ideal content (e.g., cybersecurity tools, e.g. Linux, python/bash scripting, Digital Forensics, hacking tools, cloud platforms, etc.)
- Self-development: ability to work independently via research, upskill yourself via certifications and personal projects, etc.
Key Note: Content engineering is inherently technical. In essence, you develop practical real-world case studies through building and testing technical content, with the aim of upskilling both individuals and businesses within the cybersecurity community.
Job Domains in Content Engineering
Most recent Job openings in Content Engineering include roles such as
- Defensive/Blue Team Content Engineer
- Cloud Security Content Engineer
- Offensive/Red Team Content Engineer
- Purple Team Content Engineer
- DevOps Content Engineer
- DevSecOps Content Engineer
Note: Each of these roles has technical requirements that a candidate must meet.
Essential Tools You Need as a Content Engineer
- DaVinci Resolve (Video Editing)
- YouTube (upload video content)
- Medium or Hashnode (Technical blogging sites)
- Canvas (Design)
- Markdown (Content development)
- Github
- Google Docs or Notion
- Google Sides
- Parallels Toolbox (Screen video record)
- Google-Fu or Google Dorking (research skills)
- Feedly (News aggregator for Cybersecurity )
- Collaboration Tools (MS Teams, GoogleWorkspace, Trello, etc.)
Examples of Job openings
NB: This roles might be open or closed. Check the website out
- Junior Content Engineer — Defensive Security @ immersivelabs
- Defensive Content Engineer (Global) @ HackTheBox
Getting Started in Content Engineering as a Newbie (My Take)
To get started in content engineering as a newbie, my recommendation is to first identify the domain you want to specialize in. Next, build your technical skills by creating projects and showcasing them through platforms like Medium or Hashnode, or by creating YouTube videos.
Then, explore job descriptions and requirements related to your chosen domain (whether it’s blue🔵, red🔴, cloud☁️, or purple🟣) and work on leveling up your skill set to align with these expectations. Additionally, don’t forget to optimize your LinkedIn profile by setting a job alert, and consider reaching out to experienced content engineers for mentorship.
Lastly, you can be a freelance content engineer. The pay is really great, with students earning $200 per box. This is an amazing way to build your brand, technical skills, and finances.
Closing Thoughts
Content engineering in cybersecurity serves as the cornerstone for delivering comprehensive, engaging, and user-friendly cybersecurity content, facilitating a dynamic learning experience for students while catering to the evolving landscape of cybersecurity education.
Regardless of the specific domain of content engineering you wish to specialize in, I recommend checking out this video, “Day in the Life of a Content Engineer,” and a Udemy course by Malik Girondin.
