Getting started in the field of cybersecurity involves a combination of education, hands-on experience, and staying updated on the latest developments. Here's a list of top things you can do to kickstart your journey in cybersecurity:
Educational Foundation:
- Obtain a solid educational background in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Ensure that whatever field you pick is IT related and know that there is no such thing as a "hacker higher education", though there are specific skills that help you later on in life such as programming, software testing (QA/QC) or database management.
- You must have a broad vision in the beginning because you can not know what you like yet in this vast landscape. There is so much out there so explore!
- Consider pursuing a degree or certifications in cybersecurity. Certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) are widely recognized.
Learn the Basics:
- Understand fundamental networking concepts, protocols, and architectures.
- Familiarize yourself with operating systems, especially Linux and Windows.
- Invest time in understanding how networks operate, including OSI and TCP/IP models. Familiarity with protocols like HTTP, DNS, and FTP is crucial.
- It is really important that you have a broad vision in the beginning because you can not know what you like yet.
Programming Skills:
- Learn programming languages commonly used in cybersecurity, such as Python, JavaScript or Bash scripting.
- DBMS (Database management systems), API's and how these all tie together into the "technology stack" or the "stack" of an application. These form the backbone of almost every modern bigger application and are vital to your understanding of ethical hacking!
Cybersecurity Fundamentals:
- Gain a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, including encryption, authentication, access control, and security models. Understand the principles of least privilege and defense in depth.
- Gain a solid understanding of frameworks such OWASP or NIST. You can also refer to OSSTMM and PTES for more about standardized testing.
Hands-On Experience:
- Set up a home lab to practice and experiment with different tools and techniques. Virtual machines and platforms like VirtualBox or VMware can be useful.
- Or you can go to hackxpert, our custom-made labs for your hacking pleasure. We have a selection of more than 50 labs for you to try yourself and we are dedicated to expanding this more every day for free, forever!
Networking Knowledge:
- Understand TCP/IP, subnets, firewalls, routers, and other network components.
- Learn about VLANs, VPNs, and network segmentation. Understand how to analyze network traffic using tools like Wireshark.
- Cisco have an acadamy and offer some free courses.
Security Tools: Security tools are essential for cybersecurity professionals to assess, monitor, and enhance the security of systems and networks. Here is a curated list of common security tools along with their purposes:
7.1 Wireshark: A powerful network protocol analyzer for capturing and analyzing packets on a network.
7.2 Nmap: An open-source tool designed for network discovery and security auditing.
7.3 Metasploit: A penetration testing framework that facilitates the discovery, exploitation, and validation of security vulnerabilities.
7.4 Snort: An open-source intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS).
7.5 Burp Suite: A web application security testing tool used for scanning, crawling, and analyzing web applications.
7.6 Nessus: A vulnerability scanner identifying security vulnerabilities, configuration issues, and malware on hosts.
7.7 Wi-Fi Pineapple: A wireless penetration testing tool for auditing and assessing Wi-Fi security.
7.8 Hashcat: An advanced password recovery tool for cracking passwords using various attack methods.
7.9 OpenVAS: An open-source vulnerability scanner and manager.
7.10 Tcpdump: A command-line packet analyzer, similar to Wireshark but operating in a text-based console.
7.11 Sysinternals Suite: A collection of advanced system utilities for Windows, useful for system monitoring and analysis.
7.12 YARA: A pattern matching tool for identifying and classifying malware.
7.13 Cuckoo Sandbox: An automated dynamic malware analysis system.
7.14 Ghidra: A software reverse engineering (SRE) suite developed by the NSA.
7.15 ELK Stack: A log management and analysis solution for security information and event management (SIEM).
Web Application Security:
- Learn about web application security, including common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection (SQLi), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).
- Explore OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) resources to learn about common web application vulnerabilities. Practice identifying and mitigating these vulnerabilities.
- Or go check our a selection of some of the best cybersecurity courses on the market for 25% off, but you better hurry up because this coupon is only valid for the first 25 users!
Stay Updated:
- Follow industry news, blogs, and forums to stay current on the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices.
- Our blog
- The hacker news
Join Online Communities:
- Participate in online forums and communities where cybersecurity professionals share knowledge and experiences.
- Join our discord channel.
Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing:
- Understand ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies. Platforms like hackxpert, echoCTF, Hack The Box or TryHackMe & portswigger labs offer hands-on labs to practice & tutorials.
Soft Skills:
- Develop communication skills, as you’ll need to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Problem-solving skills are essential for analyzing and mitigating security incidents.
Professional Networking:
- Attend industry conferences like DEF CON, Black Hat, or regional security conferences. Networking with professionals can open up opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
Create an Online Presence:
- Build a professional online presence, such as a LinkedIn profile, to showcase your skills, projects, and achievements.
Specialize:
- Identify your specific interests within cybersecurity, such as penetration testing, threat hunting, or malware analysis. Tailor your learning path and certifications to align with your chosen specialization, like red/blue/purple team so you can target your learning path & goals.