10 MOST POPULAR CYBERSECURITY SKILLS TO DISPLAY IN 2024

As per recent research by ITGovernance.co.uk; 114 publicly disclosed security incidents in October 2023, accounted for 867,072,315 compromised records, bringing the year’s total to over the 5 billion mark. This is a massive revelation so far! Adding to the fuel, Cybersecurity Ventures expects global cybercrime costs to grow by 15% per year over the next three years; reaching USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025. This is where a cybersecurity specialist or an expert cyber professional shall leverage big benefits in times of business adversities.

Cybersecurity is the simple practice of securing computer systems and networks against unauthorized access or being damaged or inaccessible by mitigating sensitive information and leaving it vulnerable. The purpose of cyberattacks is the illegal access to data, extortion, morphing the competitor’s business identity, disrupt smooth business activity, and severely damaging reputation.

Cybersecurity’s Role in Global Business Landscape:

• Confidential data protection
• Assists in preserving Reputation
• Enhances productivity
• Assists the remote work culture
• Offers better data management
• Helps educate and train the workforce
• Improves cyber posture
• Enhanced Regulation compliance
• Maintains trust and credibility
• Streamlines access control
• Supports IT team

10 Popular Cybersecurity Skills to Master in 2024:

SKILL 1: NETWORKING AND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

Learning networking will help in understanding the technical aspects of data transmission; that work toward securing the business data. System administration is all about configuring and maintaining computing systems.

SKILL 2: OPERATING SYSTEMS AND VIRTUAL MACHINES COMPREHENSION

A core understanding of the operating environments such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS is a must. Virtual mechanisms allow for training and research in an isolated environment and assist in maximizing your cybersecurity skills.

SKILL 3: NETWORK SECURITY CONTROL

Network security control is all about taking measures to enhance the security of a network. This is about understanding how routers, firewalls, and other devices work. A cybersecurity expert is a trained professional leveraging a firewall to filter and prevent unauthorized traffic onto the network. They are trained in intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, virtual private networks, and remote access.

SKILL 4: BLOCKCHAIN SECURITY AND CODING

Programming languages such as C, Python, C++, Java, and others are the future of cyber privacy. These languages are the power nucleus that helps in amplifying your coding language. Cryptography becomes easy with these languages as it assists in solving a variety of cybersecurity problems. Blockchain captures the basic nature of the crypto domain, making it difficult for intruders to compromise.

SKILL 5: CLOUD SECURITY

Hybrid cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and others are a great way to enable organizations to stabilize cloud infrastructure by storing data and running applications smoothly.

SKILL 6: RISK IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT

It is always a better option to be prepared than sorry. Risk identification does exactly that. It enables cybersecurity professionals to identify and develop or outsource appropriate ways to combat cybersecurity threats.

SKILL 7: LOGICAL REASONING

Cybersecurity experts apply their technical capabilities to reasoning for troubleshooting problems. It not only offers long-term solutions to the problems; but cracks the obvious nature of the issues.

SKILL 8: ADAPTABILITY

With technology evolving faster than ever before, it is time to prepare for cybersecurity threats well in advance. This is where adaptability comes in; that is fostered by quality cybersecurity certifications by credible credential providers. These allow us to stay updated with relevant tech and industry changes.

SKILL 9: AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION

Development and application of automated systems are becoming increasingly popular; which calls for an efficient workforce to evaluate the risks and benefits of using them in the organization.

SKILL 10: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Effective Technical vocabulary, expertise, risk assessment skills, and efficient performer make up being a great communicator across teams and with the stakeholders. It is essential for a cybersecurity expert to be able to effectively communicate the problem, discuss the details, and probable resolve; thereby transitioning the results to the business top-tier.

3 Essential Cybersecurity Certifications 2024:

1. CompTia Security+

Ranking among the best offerings today, CompTIA presents the cybersecurity credential that targets building your skills in security functions and IT security.

• Time to complete-40-50 hours of self-paced material and a 90-minute exam
• Who can benefit- Network and cloud engineers, security administrators, IT auditors, security engineers

• United States Cybersecurity Institute (USCSI®)

Ranked among the top cybersecurity certification providers around the globe, USCSI® is the name recruiters look for during the interviews. It offers graded cybersecurity programs for beginners, mid-level, and expert cybersecurity professionals. Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS™) is designed for the top cybersecurity experts looking to upgrade to the specialist level and expand their playfield beyond their current operations. A cyber leadership role awaits at the end of the tunnel with CSCS™.

• Time to complete- 8-10 hours per week ‘Anytime Anywhere’ self-paced eLearning study kit
• Who can benefit- Experienced cybersecurity specialists with years of expertise in IT looking for a higher pedestal meatier cybersecurity leadership role

• Microsoft

This program offers a foundational understanding of the cybersecurity realm of affairs.

• Time to complete-Preparation time varies, exam time 45 minute
• Who can benefit- IT professionals, cybersecurity students

Highlight Your Cybersecurity USP in:

1. Resume
2. Be targeted
3. Include personal projects
4. Summarize major projects
5. Next Interview
6. Research well
7. Share suggestions
8. Highlight your experience gained over time
9. Bring spotlight on real-world problems

Final Word:

Cybercrime Magazine reports 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the next two years; that clearly sets the alarm ringing for all the cybersecurity aspirants to make it big this year. Be among the top cybersecurity experts in the coming years and take the wave of cyber resilience to another pedestal.