5 key skills that can make you a cybersecurity expert

The internet, smartphones, quantum computing, and other forms of technology are revolutionising every aspect of human life, including how we communicate, bank, shop, work, obtain the news, and entertain ourselves.

These technological advancements have also created myriad opportunities for offenders to commit various forms of online crime, often referred to as cybercrime. With the increased adoption of technology, the rate of cybercrime has also grown. Incidents of data theft or bank customers being scammed of their hard-earned money within minutes have shaken many people’s faith in tech. 

With hackers and online fraudsters posing greater damage to humanity, the way we leverage technology to fight back and win against these attacks will determine the future of tech. Fortunately, with advancing technology, the capability to foil cybercrimes before they occur and even protect people when they occur is equally possible.

As businesses are moving towards online and cloud storage, the requirement for cybersecurity is even greater now, and clearly, the world is currently amidst the cybersecurity arms race. Another dimension to cyber attacks has been added by the deeper penetration of smartphone devices as they can be connected to a whole range of important networks including the organisational networks, which can be jeopardised too. 

Companies have realised that cybersecurity is the strongest pillar of their organisational fortress, and protecting it is a must. However, they are struggling to find talented people to build a robust cybersecurity framework. With cyber threats and attacks increasing in frequency and sophistication, the demand for cybersecurity professionals far outpaces the supply.  

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and so we aim to share a few pointers that will help to build a promising career in cybersecurity. 

Here are five skills that anyone working in cybersecurity must have:

Malware analysis 

Malicious software is used by cybercriminals to harm individuals and organisations. Because of its versatility, malware is the most prevalent type of cyberattack. It might range from a virus to a severe ransomware attack. Malware analysis involves employing methodologies and technologies to examine suspicious files for malware. 

The procedure is designed to detect and neutralise possible threats. This realistic and practical method of malware analysis allows analysts to comprehend the malware's operations, goals, and potential impact. They study and evaluate individual malware samples, typically within a confined environment known as a sandbox. 

Malware analysis plays a vital role in threat intelligence operations.

Another important aspect is “threat modelling”. Threat modelling is very crucial in strengthening cyber security. Pursuing threat management is crucial since threats can be identified quicker and dealt with before they become troublesome.

Threat modelling is a method of improving network security by identifying objectives, mapping vulnerabilities, and creating countermeasures to prevent or mitigate the effects of cyberattacks against the system

Understanding of operating systems

The core of any computerised peripheral is the operating system, which takes instructions from users and orchestrates different components of the device to execute a process. To become a cyber security expert, it is essential to understand how operating systems handle requests from the process and identify gaps. With every new operating system version, every OEM strives to fix bugs. Threat actors would try to exploit these known gaps in operating systems and activate the malware. As a cyber expert, it is important to know about operating systems and device configurations.

Network scanning

One of the most common problems with internet systems is that it is difficult to comprehend or even understand the basics for a layman. While a home-based system is already complex, the ambiguity of bigger organisations and their systems, where hundreds and thousands of systems are interconnected, increases drastically. 

The process of finding all active hosts on a network and mapping them to their IP addresses is known as network scanning. Port scanning is the technique of sending packets to certain ports on a host and evaluating the answers to learn more about the host's operating services or to find possible vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity enthusiasts wanting to master security operations should fully understand network scanning since this is one of the most sought-after skills of cybersecurity professionals.

Application security

We are in the era of a mobile-first economy where digital is becoming a way of life. Mobile and desktop app usage has increased exponentially, allowing users to perform actions at the tip of their fingers.

On the other hand, risks associated with it are also growing at a faster rate. Post-pandemic, there has been a lot of increase in cyber attacks posting a severe threat to society. 

One must know that cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field with enormous opportunities. There is a clear indication that the need for qualified cybersecurity professionals is going to increase with time. 

Laws and regulations

There are several cybersecurity rules that you should be aware of to know how to use the internet and protect people and organisations from becoming victims of cybercrimes. 

Apart from these cybersecurity skills, you also have to ensure that you stay updated with new hacks and keep learning new tools, given that cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field.

This article was first published in October 2022.