How to become a cybersecurity professional in Singapore?
Becoming a cybersecurity professional in Singapore. Where to begin?
Cybersecurity is one of the most fast-paced and in-demand industries today. There are many hats (pun intended) for one to choose from under the cybersecurity umbrella, like Security Engineer, Security Analyst, Malware Researcher, Penetration Tester, Security Auditor, Incident Responder, Digital Forensic Specialist, etc.
To be a successful practitioner, one has to be passionate about learning and professional growth. We have provided some tips and curated a few resources in this article to help you navigate your way into cybersecurity.
Disclaimer: This is not a complete and comprehensive list and are our personal recommendations; it is not an endorsement in any way, shape, or form.
Tip #1: Exploit free/subsidised learning resources
The cybersecurity industry is ever-changing, so it is important to keep up-to-date and stay relevant with the latest news and exploits. You can utilise your SkillsFuture credits on discounted Udemy courses for exam preparation or look out for some exam vouchers or course discounts from platforms like LinkedIn group(s), AWS, or even Reddit! Remember to do your own diligence and not fall prey to deals that are too good to be true. Or if you’re currently a student holding onto a .edu email account, many of these sites do offer subsidised/free accounts.
Luckily for us, gamified learning is especially popular within the security industry, and here are some sites that offer hands-on cybersecurity learning:
PortSwigger Academy (It’s free!)
Brought to you by the team behind BurpSuite. BurpSuite is an integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications. It is the bread and butter of many penetration testers.
HackTheBox Academy (Freemium)
Jumping straight into HackTheBox weekly boxes and challenges might be too hard for some of us. HackTheBox Academy has cybersecurity courses for every skill level to help you learn and practise them at your own pace.
Immersive Labs Digital Cyber Academy (Free for students)
Immersive Labs is popular among large organisations to upskill their staff with skills, knowledge and experience. Currently they are offering free access for students in Singapore and a few selected countries.
Youtube (It’s free!)
Youtube is another go-to source for cybersecurity related learning material. It is filled with free training and tutorials from different content creators. You can find a video that is catered for your current competency. Check out this article, The Best cybersecurity youtube channels of 2021, where it lists the top cybersecurity youtube channels.
Tip #2: Use LinkedIn to research the company of your interest and look up your interviewer, which may help you prepare for your interview.
Create a LinkedIn profile to stay connected with your peers and lecturers and use it to build your professional brand online. All major tech companies have a presence on the platform and recruitment and hiring managers often use LinkedIn to stay connected or scout potential candidates.
Not sure how to create a good profile? Check out this article from LinkedIn.
Tip #3: Check out job postings for current industry trends and certification in demand.
In the cybersecurity fields, there are a number of tracks a professional can take to demonstrate competencies. If you just googled “which security certification should i get first” you will be bombarded with different posts with varying opinions.
Certificates are not a guarantee when it comes to employment but it does open up opportunities where such qualification is a requirement (e.g. project specification).
The road map below depicts all well recognised certifications which are best suited for your field of specialisation.
Tip #4: Networking/Joining a Community of Practice
Believe it or not, one of us landed his first security job by connecting with a security manager who was the speaker of an event hosted by SGInnovate. Never underestimate the power of networking! Joining a community of practice allows you to connect with like-minded professionals and it can provide you with an invaluable group that you can reach out to when the need arises (i.e a reference, a new career opportunity, industry knowledge, and more). You also get the opportunity to learn and grow from those who have walked the path before you. Establishing a meaningful connection with someone in your current field, or even outside of it, can open doors for you down the road that you might not ever have anticipated.
Check out upcoming events in Singapore using the link below:
P.S. Computer networking is important too!
We hope the resources provided are helpful as you chart and navigate your career in cybersecurity.
If you have any tips that you like to share with us do leave them in the comments section below. Till then, stay safe and keep learning!
- Merlin 💛
