How to become a cybersecurity consultant

How to Become a Cybersecurity Consultant  

With the frequent occurrence of cyberattacks and security breaches, a career as a cybersecurity consultant is among the fastest-growing occupations in the technology field today. A cybersecurity consultant offers expertise to organizations to protect their critical information and systems from malicious attacks, and requires a high-level expertise in computer systems, networks, and security. This article explores how you can become a successful cybersecurity consultant and outlines the vital steps to becoming one.

What Is a Cybersecurity Consultant?  

A cybersecurity consultant is an information security specialist who provides advice and assistance to government, business and organizations on matters of computer security and data protection. A cybersecurity consultant reviews an organization’s security posture, identifies potential weaknesses in its security system, and encourages personnel to use secure practices and data authentication measures. By monitoring technology-related events, they are able to identify where threats are emerging, and to advise on how to address them.

Cybersecurity consultants assess risk, design and implement systems, develop policies and safeguards and educate personnel on security best practices and procedures. A successful cybersecurity consultant must also be able to identify and analyse complexities in situations and develop innovative solutions to challenges.

What Qualifications Do I Need?  

To become a cybersecurity consultant, you will need to possess a combination of technical and management knowledge. With the establishment of digital infrastructure, professions related to cybersecurity become more popular. As such, there are a few key qualifications you will need to obtain before you can become a successful cybersecurity consultant.

Education

The majority of educational institutions now offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in cybersecurity technology. This can be in the form of a certificate, diploma or even a bachelor’s degree. However, an understanding of the basic principles of computer technology and the fundamentals of computer networks and security systems is necessary, typically gained through the pursuit of a degree such as in computer science, information systems, technology or a related field.

Certifications

IT certifications are also important in the pursuit of a career in cybersecurity consulting. There are a number of certifications which you can attain to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of security technologies and systems. Some of the certification established by organizations include CompTIA Security+ (CompTIA, 2020), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (EC Council, 2020), GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) (GIAC, 2020), and CISSP (ISC, 2020).

Experience

Having the right qualifications is important, yet the ability to demonstrate hands-on experience and technical competency is just as, if not more important in the field. Working as an information systems technician, network administrator, and/or security analyst are all great entry-level jobs that allow you to gain the experience needed to become a successful cybersecurity consultant.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Consultant  

Once you have obtained the necessary qualifications and level of experience, you will be well prepared to become a cybersecurity consultant. Most consultants work on a daily rate, meaning they are employed to work as and when an organization needs them. A successful cybersecurity consultant is vital in helping businesses and organizations protect themselves from malicious attacks and cybercrimes. There are several steps which you can take to start a career as a cybersecurity consultant that are outlined below.

  1. Build Your Network

One of the most vital steps to becoming a successful cybersecurity consultant is to first build a strong network of contacts. It is important for consultants to have contacts with the right experts and organizations in their field, to enable them to spread awareness about their business and to align themselves with a trusted organization.

You can join cybersecurity professional organizations such as ISACA, Network, CompTIA, GIAC, and so on as ways of establishing and forging relationships within the industry. You can also attend different industry-specific conferences, seminars, and events as a way of demonstrating your expertise and knowledge.

  1. Create a Professional Profile

A professional profile is essential for establishing yourself as a potential security consultant. Create a portfolio of projects that you have completed, and highlight your certifications and experience. Use trusted professional portfolios such as LinkedIn and Portfolium to demonstrate your knowledge and abilities, and use online resources such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share industry news and updates.

  1. Demonstrate Your Expertise

Compose articles, blog posts and white papers and contribute to discussion forums and blogs to demonstrate your expertise and establish yourself as an asset in the industry. Attest to your abilities through your content and you will soon find yourself as a consultant of choice for many organizations.

  1. Create Your Own Cybersecurity Consulting Business

Once you have gained the necessary qualifications, experience and appropriate industry contacts, you can then launch your own business. You may want to consider joining a larger organization or setting up an office in a city or town to increase your credibility, or you may decide to work from home or remotely. Consider hiring additional staff members if necessary and register for an LLC status or become a freelancer.

  1. Offer High Quality Services

A successful cybersecurity consultant must also ensure they are providing excellent client services on an ongoing basis. In order to gain a reputation as the go-to expert, you must be able to consistently deliver work that meets and exceeds the expectations of your clients.

  1. Adhere to Professional Standards

One of the most critical aspect of a successful cybersecurity consultant is the need to practice professionally. A certification such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) signifies that you adhere to a set of professional standards and practices. Being a professional involves not only offering high-quality services, but also maintaining the highest level of ethical practices with utmost respect and integrity.

A career as a cybersecurity consultant can be a rewarding experience as well as financially lucrative. A successful cybersecurity consultant must possess a certain combination of qualifications and experience. In order to become a successful cybersecurity consultant, it is important to build a strong network, demonstrate your expertise and adhere to the highest standards of professionalism. With the right knowledge and experience, a successful career in cybersecurity consulting is within your reach.

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