Four Crucial Steps to make a Lucrative Career in IT Security

Getting started in any profession is challenging and so is the case with digital security or cyber security. Security professional’s salaries are generally higher than those in other IT fields, but how do you get your foot in the door in this lucrative career field?

In this article I am not going to break some earth-shattering news. Instead, I want to refresh your mind a little and provide some simplistic approaches to motivate you.

Making the transition from IT practitioner to IT security professional requires four things.

1. Stay Updated

Security is composed of numerous interlocking disciplines. Mastering one discipline will help you stay employed. Gaining a thorough understanding of related disciplines will help you excel. For this you need to acquire and expand your knowledge to keep yourself updated. This will separate you from the rest.

2. Develop Certification Roadmap and Certify

IT security certification means commitment and dedication towards career transition. Create a certification roadmap to define and map out your transition goal. You can also approach training institutes to help you carve a roadmap based on your goals.

If you are creating your own roadmap, start with product certifications and then move towards more appropriate advanced certifications such as CEH, CHFI, CISSP, CSSLP, CISA etc. The certifications will also ensure that your resume is standing out in the crowd and demonstrating your commitment towards IT security career.

There are many great books and free training resources on the web that are available for self-paced study. Classes are also offered at institutes including Simplilearn (located over the world). Many classes are in “boot camp” style; they try to cram material that is worth of many months into your head within a short period of time.

3. Develop a Professional Network

True professionals learn through the power of the Rolodex. You need to develop a network of security professionals. Make your network diverse in both discipline and industry. People who work in hospital, university or school security will see the world very differently from those who work in manufacturing sector. Diverse associations will help you think outside the box.

You can check internet for appropriate groups in your city.

4. Find Mentor and try Volunteering

Mentors are of enormous value in helping you master your discipline with fewer bumps and mishaps than trying to do it all by yourself. Finding a good mentor will demonstrate your dedication and desire to transition.
The on job experience makes you learn at a faster pace and if they like your work as an intern, they might just offer you a full-time job. Even if they don’t offer you a position, you can add the experience to your resume to build your IT security street credentials.

Conclusion

There are many paths that lead to transitioning your career. It just requires you to take that first step. If you are looking forward to make a lucrative career in IT security, considering relevant certifications can be of great help. This is one industry sector, which demands additional certification apart from your degree and experience. Furthermore, employment for information security professionals has always been on the verge of growing even in the depressed financial market.