How To Think Like A Cyber Security Expert (and succeed in CyberStart Assess)
Tips to train your brain to think like a pro
In our free, online programmes to help students learn about cyber security, the first challenge many students come across is how to train their brains to think like a pro.
Whether you’re currently taking part in one of our programmes or are just interested in getting into cyber security, you’ll find our top tips useful in training your brain to think like a cyber security expert.
- Don’t be afraid of trying lots of different approaches
Too often, people stick to the same familiar routines when faced with a challenge. The role of a cyber security expert is to think outside the box and find new paths to solve problems. If the technique you are most familiar with isn’t working, it’s easy to get frustrated. Don’t be afraid to research new approaches and try other people’s techniques. Which brings us nicely on to tip number two.
2. Searching the internet is not cheating
Learning about technologies and techniques, looking at other people’s code and building from existing knowledge is not cheating; it’s being a great security researcher. Search engines are your friend. Make sure you use them to help you solve tricky challenges. The answers will be there somewhere.
3. Don’t get stuck in a rut
When you have spent hours trying to solve one question, it’s easy to lose motivation and desire to continue. Sometimes it is best to step away, take a break and refine your approach. You’ll find that you come back with new ideas and inspiration to get back on track.
4. Don’t be discouraged by details you are yet to understand
There will be many concepts and details in the programme challenges, and the cyber security as a whole, that you’ve never seen before, but don’t let that stop you! If you look at new code that you don’t recognise, look for what you do know and use that to unpick the rest of the challenge. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of information but always go back to your basic problem solving skills and start from there.
5. Make the computer do the work
As talented as you might be, computers can of course perform tasks and operations much quicker than us mere humans! That’s why it’s worth investing your time in learning a programming language. Learning a language such as Python will allow you to script a solution that solves the problem quicker with less manual input. Sometimes challenges may require you to complete a task faster than you could manually, others require you to repeat solutions so many times that it wouldn’t be physically possible. Learning to script is a skill that is invaluable in cyber security and will help you through all phases of our programmes (and your later career!).
So, are you ready to think like a pro and start cracking some seriously tricky cyber security challenges? Head over to our programme websites to find out how you can get involved.
Interested in our programmes? Check out where you can build your cyber security knowledge for free!
UK 13–18-year-old student programme: Cyber Discovery https://cyberdisc.io/medium
USA 13–18 year-old girls student programme: Girls Go CyberStart https://ggcs.online/medium
USA 18–year-old and above college student programme: Cyber FastTrack https://cyberft.io/medium
