Cybersecurity for Beginners: What Do I Need to Know Before I Start my Degree?
It's hard not to think about cybersecurity these days. With hackers making the news on a regular basis, targeting businesses large and small, cybersecurity has never been a bigger issue.
Going back to school to prepare for a career in cybersecurity makes sense: it's an important field in the modern world for those with the right education and training.
You don't have to have an education in computer science when you begin your degree. However, there are a few things that it can be helpful to know as you prepare to earn your cybersecurity degree.
Basic Computer Skills
If you're interested in cybersecurity, it's likely that you have a computer and know how to use it. Silly as it may sound, this is a good start. Even the introductory classes in your curriculum will be easier if you have basic computer skills. Think of it as like knowing basic conversational French before taking a class in French literature. You may not feel like you have a mastery of the language, but it will make a world of difference in your understanding of the material.
Knowledge of Cyber Security
Do you know the difference between ransomware and phishing? Can you explain the difference between a virus and a Trojan? Knowing and understanding these basic cybersecurity terms can help make new material seem less overwhelming. Knowing the basics can help make the whole world of cybersecurity feel more familiar.
Reading technology news, including sites like CNET, The Verge, and Ars Technica, can help you understand basic cybersecurity concepts and how they apply to the real world. The more your familiarize yourself with this material, the easier it will be to understand when you study it.
Understanding Basic Cyber Security Measures
This might seem counterintuitive at first; after all, if you're planning to go back to school to study cybersecurity, why would you want to learn cybersecurity concepts beforehand. The idea is not to master this subject before you begin school, but to give yourself a primer on how cybersecurity works so that when you begin your education, you will be in a better position to apply what you learn.
Although you will learn more advanced cybersecurity concepts in school, there is a lot you can learn with minimal research. For example, reading up on different types of cybersecurity certifications can give you an idea of the scope of the field, and the types of skills required. In researching certification, you might also learn the sort of work you will be doing as a cybersecurity specialist, or key terms that you will come across. Before you start classes, have some fun going down rabbit holes, learning cyber security basics.
Are you fascinated by the world of cyber security? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security - Cybersecurity Track, ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated rate of study. For more information, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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