How to Overcome The 5 Common Cybersecurity Career Roadblocks
A Practical Guide To Overcoming Common Pitfalls in Cybersecurity
“I think I chose the wrong career with Cybersecurity .. what do I do ??”
This was a statement someone said to me in a recent coaching call
This person was really demotivated as they felt their career was not moving forward not matter what how hard they worked
This is true for a lot of people in Cybersecurity unfortunately
Despite Cybersecurity being one of the best industries to work in .. it is not without its challenges
Cybersecurity professionals both new and experience can often face numerous roadblocks that can grind their careers to a halt
In this article .. I want to address the five most common ones and give some actionable steps to help address them.
1. Certification Overload
Easily the number one problem I see
I have lost count of the number of people who do cert after cert spending time and money and get nothing back
Not to mention these certs often have annual recurring charges that can pile up and cause a dent in your wallet !
Become a cert factory is one of the easiest ways to get burned out in cybersecurity
Many professionals make the mistake of pursuing multiple certifications without gaining enough hands-on experience.
This also leads to an unbalanced resume that looks strong on paper but lacks practical depth.
What To Do ?
Balance certifications with real-world experience: It’s essential to pair certifications with hands-on work to demonstrate your ability to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context. After obtaining a foundational certification, such as CompTIA Security+, prioritize internships, volunteer work, or lab projects that offer hands-on experience in network defense, penetration testing, and security audits.
Create personal projects: Build your own lab environments to practice different cybersecurity skills, such as setting up firewalls, detecting intrusions, or running penetration tests on vulnerable systems. Document your work to showcase your problem-solving abilities during job interviews. This will go much further than just doing another cert.
2. Not Learning Business and Communication Skills
Technical skills will get you into the industry .. business and communication skills will keep you there
I hate to tell you this but you will be spending more time interacting with non-technical people in Cybersecurity as you move up the ladder.
Being able to explain complex security issues in simple terms is essential for gaining buy-in from business leaders.
Otherwise this will become massive career roadblock and lead to frustration.
What To Do ?
Learn to speak the language of business: Familiarize yourself with business concepts, such as risk management, return on investment (ROI), and regulatory compliance. Understanding the business impact of cybersecurity decisions will enable you to communicate more effectively with executives and other stakeholders.
Develop communication skills Practice writing clear, concise reports and giving presentations that break down technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
3. Not Niching Down
There are lots of paths in Cybersecurity so do not fall into the trap of being a generalist
You want to be the “go to” guy for a particular topic be it PCI DSS or Cloud Security and not the guy who knows a little bit about everything
Trying to learn every aspect of cybersecurity without focusing on a particular area can prevent you from becoming an expert in any one domain, making it harder to stand out in a crowded job market.
The cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly, with new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, cloud services, and Internet of Things (IoT) security creating new areas of demand.
Specializing in one of these emerging fields can help you become a sought-after expert.
What To Do ?
Choose a specialization: Find out what interests you and invest time in gaining deep knowledge and hands-on experience in that specific field.
Build a portfolio: Showcase your expertise by creating a portfolio of projects that highlight your work in your chosen niche. For instance, if you specialize in cloud security, document your experiences with securing cloud platforms, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing best practices.
4. Getting Overwhelmed With The Landscape
Cybersecurity is the wrong industry to work in if you are not a fan of constant learning and upskilling.
The landscape constantly changes as new technologies and threats arise
This can create a feeling of overwhelm for professionals who feel like they can’t keep up with the latest trends, tools, and techniques.
What To Do ?
Create a learning plan: To stay current without feeling overwhelmed, develop a structured plan for continuous learning. Dedicate specific time each week to reading industry blogs, whitepapers, or research reports. Focus on credible sources like the SANS Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and cybersecurity thought leaders.
Attend conferences and webinars: Participate in cybersecurity conferences such as DEF CON, Black Hat, or regional InfoSec events. These conferences offer invaluable insights into the latest tools and trends and provide an opportunity to network with other professionals in the field. It also helps you focus on what are the key trends you should be spending time learning.
5. Lack of Networking and Mentorship
Not having a network can be a serious problem as you want to explore more career options
A lack of proper connections in the industry can limit career opportunities and make it difficult to stay informed about job openings or advancements in the field.
Do not wait until you face a career hurdle to start sending invites on LinkedIn !
How to Overcome:
Attend industry events and meetups: Get involved in local cybersecurity meetups or industry events, both virtual and in-person. Honestly in-person ones are the best as nothing beats face to face interaction for networking.
Seek out a mentor: Mentorship is invaluable for career growth. A mentor can offer guidance, help you navigate challenges, and introduce you to key industry contacts. Don’t hesitate to reach out to experienced professionals on LinkedIn or at conferences to ask for advice or mentorship.
Contribute to the community: Actively participate in online communities, write blog posts, or present at industry conferences to build your personal brand. This not only increases your visibility within the cybersecurity community but also positions you as a thought leader, opening doors to new career opportunities.
I hope this helped you out.
By addressing these challenges, you can position yourself for long-term success in this exciting and critical field.
Good luck on your Cybersecurity carer !