Tip for the week: Sometimes the steps to reach our goals are simpler than we think.

Read Time: 3 minutes

Personal Story: 2 and a half years ago, I faced the largest uphill battle that I would have faced in my life yet; a much greater battle than getting laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. This battle that I was about to enter was breaking into the world of cyber.

I faced a lot of forces that pushed back on me, but after over 800+ hours of studying, networking, and persevering, I did what only a few have done; I broke into cyber. But, by no means was it easy; that is why I want to help you on your journey.

If I had to break into cybersecurity all over again, here are the 6 things that I would start doing NOW:

1. Research

To begin, I would conduct thorough research to determine which specific areas of cybersecurity interest me the most.

Understanding my interests will help me carve a path aligned with my passion. For comprehensive insights into different cyber/IT backgrounds, I would delve into educational content provided by experts like NetworkChuck, John Hammond, and Gerald Auger, Ph.D.

Each of these individuals represents a distinct field: Chuck in networking, John in pen testing, and Gerald in GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance).

Knowing what path you go down will immensly help you stay focused in your studies, cert choices, and even the labs you set up - being spread too thing will end up leading to burn out and sometimes even outright giving up.

2. Networking

Once I have identified my niche, I would focus on building a strong network within that area.

If I had to choose one consistent medium for networking, LinkedIn would be my go-to platform for connecting with professionals in my chosen field. Leveraging the 100 invitations per week limit on LinkedIn, I would reach out to as many relevant individuals as possible - remember, it is all about WHO you know.

After establishing connections, I would actively engage with their content and foster meaningful interactions. Maintaining a core group of 5 to 6 high-quality connections whom I interact with daily would be essential. Enabling post notifications and being one of the first to comment and engage would help me gain consistent and valuable visibility with these individuals.

3. Studying

With the foundation of a budding network and a clear niche, I would initiate my studies.

Starting with the basics is crucial, and for this, I would turn to Kevin Apolinario's comprehensive videos on IT basics available on his YouTube channel, KevTech IT Support; countless individuals have gained valuable insight into help desk work (like how to setup an Active Directory lab in your own home), and even how to format your resume and prepare yourself for job interviews. If that interests you, check out his stuff!

After mastering the fundamentals, I would progress to learning network fundamentals. Two reliable sources for free video tutorials would be Professor Messer and Paul Browning; can’t go wrong with free, but don’t look past the price, their training is second to none.

4. Practical Experience

To gain practical experience, I would employ several strategies:

• Set up a home lab: Creating a virtual environment using platforms like VirtualBox or VMware would enable me to practice various cybersecurity techniques. Experimenting with different tools and technologies within this lab setting would help me develop and hone my skills.

• Contribute to open-source projects: Actively participating in open-source projects related to cybersecurity would provide me with valuable exposure to real-world scenarios. Contributing to their development not only enhances my technical skills but also allows me to collaborate with experienced professionals in the field.

5. Visibility:

While studying and gaining practical experience, I would leverage the power of visibility to strengthen my professional presence.

By sharing what I'm learning, insights gained, and challenges overcome, I can showcase my expertise and growth. LinkedIn would serve as a valuable platform for this purpose, allowing me to reach a broader audience within the cybersecurity community.

️ 6. Build a Personal Brand:

Consolidating all the previous steps, I would then focus on building a strong personal brand. This would involve:

• Posting daily: Consistent content creation will keep me on the radar of professionals and potential employers.

• Engaging with others: Actively participating in discussions, offering valuable insights, and supporting others in the field will help me establish myself as a thought leader.

• Solving problems with posts: Sharing practical solutions or providing innovative perspectives on cybersecurity challenges will attract attention and showcase my problem-solving abilities.

• Educating others: Sharing my knowledge and experiences through educational posts will position me as a reliable source of information in the cybersecurity domain.

By following these steps, I would increase my visibility on LinkedIn, making it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to discover my skills and expertise. This proactive approach would be more effective than merely relying on the "OpenToWork" banner

📰 Linkedin Tip: Post quality content 3-5 times a week at the same time for a year; don’t worry about the impressions, likes, or comments - your focus is building a log of all of your labs, insights, and tips for others. People will start to take notice of your dedication as well as the things you share. This helps show that you can backup the things you put on your resume.

Conclusion

Breaking into the cybersecurity field requires a strategic approach, as well as a whole lot of vigor. By following these steps, you can create a strong foundation, gain practical experience, enhance visibility, and build a personal brand to stand out in the competitive market.

Don’t wait for tomorrow, what you can do today; setup a plan, surround yourself with individuals who will hold you accountable on your journey, find a mentor to help guide you through the weeds and give you valuable insights that others can’t, and dive in! Tomorrow you will thank you, and the only place is up from here.

See you next week,

David

If there are any specific topics or questions that you would like me to address in the newsletter, please feel free to reply to this email. I will be more than happy to add them to my list of upcoming topics.

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