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Starting roles as a cybersecurity analyst?

Veteran

Frankie Roman San Diego, CA

I'm looking to work as a cybersecurity analyst and I not afraid to start in a different position as long as it will lead to that role in a reasonable time frame. What recommendations do you have? I have no prior IT experience but I'm doing several things to make up for that. I have been completing CompTIA Security + coursework over the past month with IVMF/Syracuse University and am expected to have that certification early September. I'm also completing IBM cybersecurity online courses and I will be taking a Cybersecurity bootcamp at San Diego State at the end of September. On top of that I'll be starting my Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in October.

I'm doing as much as I can to make up for the lack of technical experience. I do have great confidence in my soft skills but I'm not sure how far that will take me.

27 August 2020 6 replies Military to Civilian Transition

Answers

Veteran

Frankie Roman San Diego, CA

Hi William,

Thank you for the information I've taken a look at both of the resources and sent a request on LinkedIn. My cyber experience has consisted of online learning programs through IBM, Coursera, Fortinet and Onward to Opportunity. I'm looking at getting my CompTIA Security+ this week.

Advisor

William Munroe Dunstable, MA

Hi Frankie,
There are a couple of organizations out there that helps vertans move into cyber security. Although most ask for a degree, the fast is that there are hundreds of thousands of opennings that no one can fill and a majority of the roles are for junior analysts. Take a look at
https://www.npower.org/ and https://www.icmcp.org/ - both have specific vertans focus.

My company is a cyber security training company and I am work with both of them and give them highly discounted training that leads to a security analyst level 1 cert. If you send me an email address or connect with my on LinkedIn, I will also send you all the training we offer through promotion - we have another one next week.

What is your cyber experience?

Best Regards
Will

Advisor

Jeff Martin Ashburn, VA

I’d suggest that you network at the target company or industry. Use LinkedIn to find people already working there and reach out to them. Ask them the process they used to get hired and ask them to help you navigate the hiring process and if they are willing, ask them to submit you as a referral. These activities require much more time on your part but in my opinion would greatly increase your chances for success. Good luck!

Veteran

Frankie Roman San Diego, CA

Great information. Thank you all!

Advisor

Carly Jones Boulder, CO

When job searching, look for tangential titles to "cybersecurity". I have seen needs for the cybersecurity skills set also tied to: Cyber Engineers, Cyber Admins, System Admins, Network Admins, Cyber Architects, etc. The job descriptions will fill in the details of domain space (what "boundaries" your job will reside within from an expertise perspective), and in an interview can ask "what's the day-to-day like?" to see if the particulars fit your job desirements. We are told these days "cyber is part of everone's job", so there is opportunity everywhere for the skills you are building.

Advisor

ACP AdvisorNet Staff New York, NY

Hi Frankie,

Thank you for your service, and for your question. After reading your question, I was able to locate a great resource that I think might be helpful in answering many of the questions you have. I've included a link to that resource below:

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/graduate-job-cyber-security-job-guide/

There's a lot of great information there on getting started in the cyber-security industry. Hope it helps!

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