There is no question that now is a great time to break into cybersecurity as a career. (ISC)² research shows the shortage of skilled security resources is approaching 3 million globally. Getting into this line of work can be approached from many different angles. Whether you are an experienced professional looking to make a pivot into security or a college student exploring the field, the right preparation, network and credentials can make all the difference. We asked three cyber professionals about their journey into security and the advice they would give to up-and-comers in the field. Here’s what they shared. Certification helps direct your security focus Michael Banks, a cybersecurity engineer with Amazon Web Services, first got a taste of

Understaffing in cybersecurity teams remains a major challenge for organizations, with 62% of respondents in a recent ISACA survey saying they are struggling with it. And even though the number of understaffed organizations fell by seven percentage points from last year, staffing issues are making some organizations more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Concerns over the ability to respond to threats are widespread, according to ISACA’s State of Cybersecurity 2020 Survey Part 2 report, which gathered responses from 2,000 respondents in 102 countries. Only 21% of respondents in “significantly understaffed” organizations say they are completely or very confident in their organization’s ability to respond to threats, while those who designate their cybersecurity teams as “appropriately staffed” have a 50% confidence level. The

With breach rates growing and cyberattacks becoming a daily occurrence for business, IT leaders are looking to beef up their security teams. This is good news for anyone who is considering a career in information security. But as new talent begins to navigate breaking into the field, many may wonder: What skills should I focus on developing for a security career? Most security hiring managers are looking for a blend of skills and backgrounds. Here are 10 things you need to enter the cybersecurity workforce today. Technical prowess While some career paths in security may not require technical skills, many demand a clear and solid understanding of the tools and tech required. Whether learned through an educational program or on

Demand is up for cybersecurity solutions and services as businesses try to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey of technology firms, industry association CompTIA found that customer inquiries regarding cybersecurity were up by 36% in April -- second only to inquiries about communications, collaboration and A/V technologies. The increased demand for cybersecurity and collaboration technologies makes sense in light of the sudden increase in work-from-home (WFH) numbers. The ranks of remote workers shot up as a result of stay-at-home and lockdown directives issued by governments in efforts to manage the spread of COVID-19. Recent (ISC)2 research indicates that 96% of organizations moved some staff to remote work during the first several weeks of the COVID-19

(ISC)² has sent a letter to Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in support of proposed bipartisan legislation that would direct the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with relevant agencies, to establish “grand challenge” competitions to achieve high-priority breakthroughs in cybersecurity, including expanding our cybersecurity workforce, defending against artificial intelligence threats, and protecting our nation against cyberattacks. The proposed Cyber Leap Act of 2020 can be read here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/60A3EF97-3FE3-47D9-A5B9-04E2A8AE2200 In a press release issued by Senator Rosen, who is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, she said about the bill: “We put our nation at risk if we don’t invest in our cybersecurity workforce and infrastructure. As our world becomes more digitized, I’m proud to help introduce this bill