Cybercrime is never going away for the same reason crime itself will never go away—it’s human nature. Thus, people and companies will always be vulnerable. Crime pays, as the saying goes, and this holds true for cybercrime as well. The law may catch up with online criminals eventually, but until it does, there are millions to be made.
And financial gain isn’t the only reason people commit crimes; some people do it for the sheer thrill and to impress their peers. This holds true in the insular world of hackers.
If you’re interested in tech, the rebellious, skills-driven world of hacking may be alluring. You can acquire the same skills and get the same experience but apply yourself toward positive ends by becoming a white hat or ethical hacker. A great first step to take is acquiring a foundational CompTIA Security+ certification.
The Difference You’ll Make via the CompTIA Security+ Certification
The cost of a data breach is high—IBM places it at $3.92 million on average. As you acquire your CompTIA Security+ certification and embark on a career as a cybersecurity professional, you’ll feel the satisfaction of directly impacting your organization’s bottom line through your contributions to the company and its online security. It always feels good to make a direct impact, to work for a purpose. What’s more, you’ll also be ensuring the safety of the general public. This notion may be particularly attractive to you if you’re coming from a military background, as you may already have the protective instincts and training in hardware and software to easily transition into the cybersecurity field.
The Skills You’ll Learn by Earning the CompTIA Security+ Certification
By studying for, taking, and ultimately passing a CompTIA Security+ certification exam, you learn a great deal, building the foundation for a successful and long-term career in cybersecurity. You’ll learn to install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices. You’ll learn to perform a threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques—becoming a master of getting out ahead of threats. You’ll participate in risk mitigation activities. And you’ll be taking the first step toward becoming a subject-matter expert on cybersecurity, operating with an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations. The hackers know the laws because they enjoy breaking them. You’ll ensure they can’t, or stop them before they do.
What’s Involved in Getting the CompTIA Security+ Certification?
If you’re excited about cybersecurity and working in the field, CompTIA Security+ is a great place to dive in, particularly because there are no prerequisites to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification (though if you don’t have CompTIA A+ or CompTIA Network+, it helps to have previous experience in the security field). Let’s take a quick look at what it takes to get this certification:
- It’s a 90-minute exam.
- It’s roughly 90 questions.
- The questions are both multiple choice and performance-based, simulating how you’d apply yourself in the field.
- The exam costs $339, which is a solid investment in your future. According to PayScale, the average salary range of a network engineer with this certification varies from $42,000 to $95,000.
Next Steps After the CompTIA Security+ Certification
Once you have the CompTIA Security+ certification, you’ll likely move into a position working in cybersecurity. Everyone—people, companies, government organizations— needs cybersecurity. That need only continues to grow, so as a cybersecurity professional, you’ll be in demand and enjoy high job security. The internet is fast becoming the modern battlefield, while mobile devices and smart cities are integrated further and further into our lives, so opportunities in cybersecurity will continue to present themselves. You’re moving into a booming field.
Consider the next level of certification you want to acquire to keep your career in cybersecurity on its upward trajectory. You can continue climbing up the ladder with other cybersecurity certifications from CompTIA, such as CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), CompTIA PenTest+, and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), or consider certifications from other certifying bodies such as Cisco.
As you continue to build your portfolio of skills through these certifications, a wider vista of potential positions will open up to you. Your entry-level position with the CompTIA Security+ certification may be as an engineer on the service desk, but as you build your skills and experience—potentially with further certifications—you can move upward through positions such as cybersecurity analyst or architect or perhaps serve as a network engineer or systems administrator. From there, you’ll start eyeing positions such as manager, director, and perhaps eventually chief information security officer.
So contact New Horizons Career Development Solutions for a free consultation on cybersecurity training and how you can get started today!
