How to Get Started in InfoSec: Tips, Certifications and Career Paths

In a time when it’s crucial for business data to be safeguarded and protected from hackers and breaching attempts, there is a significant need for information security (infosec) professionals who can help keep an organization’s IT infrastructure secure. Keeping critical apps and data inaccessible to unauthorized users, keeping malware at bay, preventing physical and logical damage to systems, and safekeeping information assets from phishing and ransomware all require not only users’ awareness of these threats, but also the ability of infosec professionals to mitigate these risks. Threats have intensified in both scale and sophistication, resulting more and more often in high-profile security breaches, data loss or theft of systems.

Whether through in-house IT professionals or through the help of consulting companies, all businesses eventually need the expertise of an infosec professional or team that can evaluate the risks and the security of their information over time. Experienced, skilled employees are highly sought-after by employers, but many organizations also invest in training current staff and entry-level professionals that can be prepared to address the specific needs of the business while, at the same time, developing stronger loyalty.

Talent development through the use of certification programs is often a priority, especially in larger organizations. Upskilling employees ensures better protection of a company’s strongest asset (information) while also banking on the particular organizational knowledge and vested interest in the company that these professionals already have.

Thinking About a Career in Infosec?

So, if you are interested in a career in infosec or want to advance your already-established one, this might be the best time. The current IT skill gap and the expansion of the threat landscape actually provide great opportunities for new professionals ready to take the plunge and meet the challenges of this new era. Positions that are often advertised for include (Read more...)