If you’ve ever considered a career in cybersecurity? If so, it’s important to know if a career in cybersecurity requires programming.
Cyber security is one of the most popular professions to enter as the world becomes more digital. There are countless cyber security positions that vary in how the operator secures data and information systems.
Much of this work in cyber security can also require varied skill sets. Those skill sets will depend on the specific role you occupy. In addition, whether or not you need programming will depend on your specific job description.
Let’s dive a little deeper into answering the question of “Do cyber security jobs require programming?”
Skills You Need In Cyber Security
There are numerous “hard” skills involved in cyber security. You must be able to understand cyber terminology — terms.
Cyber terms like patches and breaches will become a part of your everyday language.
You’ll also have to understand the latest trends in IT and data security. Staying ahead of hackers means knowing what different types of security measures and improvements are coming.
There are also soft skills for cyber security that will be a necessity of the job. Communication with other members of your organization who aren’t well versed in cyber security is important for these roles.
You need to be able to communicate to them what actions they’ll need to take, what threats your organization may face, and how to recognize a potential threat before encountering it.
Additionally, this may involve having patience with professionals who don’t have experience discussing or handling cyber security issues.
What Cyber Security Analysts Do
What individual cyber security jobs require will vary depending on the organization. Many cyber security jobs entail managing an organization’s information security.
However, others include more educational elements. These elements are meant to make different team members aware of cyber threats.
Below is a brief summary of some common duties for a typical cyber security professional:
- Perform regular monitoring of organizational network security to determine if any breaches have occurred
- Install security software with instruments such as firewalls and encryption to secure sensitive data
- Report on the causes, impacts, and mitigation recommendations for security breaches
- Undergo penetration testing, which determines how vulnerable the network is to an attack by simulating an attack
- Stay up to date on trends in information security
- Develop, share and implement cybersecurity best practices for the organization’s operating systems
- Discuss potential improvements to system security with IT staff
- Assist other employees when they require cybersecurity training on new security products
Cybersecurity is a great profession to pursue based on the market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 32% by 2028. This is much higher than the average for other positions. With a median average pay of roughly $98,000, it’s also a high-paying profession.
Does Cybersecurity Require Programming?
Yet, the question still remains…does cybersecurity require programming?
Turns out, the answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. The amount of programming a cybersecurity professional has to do depends on the specific job. Programming knowledge is not a requirement for all cybersecurity jobs. But it is for some, and it can help you advance your career, and skills in programming can also help you pursue more job opportunities dealing with cybersecurity.
Though not all jobs in cybersecurity require programming, programming skills are beyond useful to have. It will not only open up more avenues in the industry, but it will also help you establish a better grasp of the core concepts around information security and protecting networks.
If you ever plan to advance to high levels within the field of cybersecurity, programming will be a skill you’ll want to possess. It can be the difference in pursuing cybersecurity as merely a job versus pursuing cybersecurity as a potential long-term career.
Do Cyber Security Engineers Code?
Entry-level cybersecurity jobs don’t necessarily require coding ability. The higher you advance in the profession, the more knowledge you’ll need to hold about how to interpret lines of code.
Understanding programming languages is essential to stay ahead of hackers who have an intimate knowledge of these systems as well as how to exploit them.
While there are numerous programming languages available, not all are created equal. The best programming languages for cybersecurity software engineering are listed below:
- SQL manages databases and data stored within them.
- PHP is a server-side language for website construction.
- JavaScript is one of the web’s primary languages along with CSS and HTML.
- Python is great for automating scripts that make your role as a cybersecurity professional more efficient.
- C and C++ are two of the most powerful programming languages, more so than Python or JavaScript.
The languages C and C++ can run on Mac, Linux, or Windows operating systems so they’re incredibly versatile. C is a lower-level programming language while C++ essentially represents an upgrade to it.
Overall, cybersecurity coding involves using programming languages intended to protect networks and systems from malicious actors attempting to hack into the operating systems.
Is Cyber Security Right For Me?
You may be asking yourself if a cybersecurity career is right for you. It can feel intimidating to enter cybersecurity based on its seemingly technical nature. You may also feel as if you’re unqualified to pursue these types of jobs.
But if cybersecurity interests you, there’s no reason not to pursue a career in it. There are also a number of non-technical cybersecurity jobs.
There are also technical jobs you can get by learning programming and coding. It all depends on what you’d specifically like to do.
What is one of the great aspects of looking for cyber security entry-level jobs?
One of the best parts of entry-level cyber jobs is that there is something that will appeal to everyone. Entry-level cybersecurity job requirements differ depending on the role.
Whatever type of cybersecurity job you’re interested in, you’ll need the training to enter the field. Cybersecurity jobs require specific skills in general and a skill set you’ll need to master.
Powered by WOZ programs can provide that training and offer you the tools you need to excel in a cybersecurity career. No matter which cybersecurity skills your role requires, Woz U can help you master them.
You can start gaining the knowledge you need to enter a lucrative, fulfilling career in cybersecurity.
Powered by WOZ programs can help you tackle your next great challenge and be in control of your life. Learn more or get started today!
Sources
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-2
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-5
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-6
