Working in Cyber Security: “Learn as much as you can on the job, and also on your own”
What is it like to work in cyber security? We ask some of the members of the team in Symantec. Today, we hear from David Nathaniel Samuel, Senior Technical Project Manager.
How long have you been in this role?
Two years.
How did you come to work in the field of cyber security?
I started out as an Identity Access Management Admin. My role was to provision different kinds of access to applications and services to staff and employees of a huge casino and hotels group. This made me think about how many things could go wrong if the wrong person has access to a system, application, or service. The role of cyber security in this was huge and I wanted to be a part of it. Think of it like cops, guards protecting people.
What advice would you give to someone who wants a job like yours?
Passion for this field is crucial if you want to excel. Start with the basics and don’t get intimidated by all the fancy terminology that people use when it comes to cyber security. Certifications like CCNA, MTA Security Fundamentals, and Comptia will help in getting to know the basics. There are lots of self-paced learning materials available on the internet these days too, which is helpful.
Is the course you studied at university relevant to the job you have now?
No.
What do you think are three qualities someone who wants to work in a role like yours needs to have?
· Keeping up to date with skills, news and events in the industry
· Finding the root cause of an issue, i.e. investigation skills
· Ability to articulate security to someone in layman’s terms
Any other tips, advice or anecdotes you would like to add?
Learn as much as you can on the job, and also on your own. Follow or read cybersecurity-based magazines issued by vendors like ISC2.
Check out the Security Response blog and follow Threat Intel on Twitter to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of threat intelligence and cyber security.
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