Cybersecurity is the mechanism set in place by cybersecurity experts to curb practices such as hacking and other related attacks. More often than not, the attacks may be directed towards mobile phones, laptops and computers, and any other electronics, which safely store data. With the fast advancement in technology, people tend to store their data in computers, mobile phones, and devices such as hard disks and flash disks, electronics that can be easily accessed by most. 

Cyber-attacks range from password attack, zero-day exploit to a man-in-the-middle attack. Therefore, hackers aim to break into any system and acquire information or data through unauthorized access. This article, therefore, aims to look into some of the qualities an individual needs to be in the field of cybersecurity. Further, the article will delve into the necessary qualification for one to be in the field of cybersecurity. 

Education background of cybersecurity specialist

Like any other profession, which requires completing certain courses and compulsory education and training, so is a cybersecurity specialist. For an individual to become a cyber-security specialist, that person needs to have acquired knowledge and skills in computer science and programming. For programming, one is at liberty to undertake programming as a degree, to learn, understand and master the language of programming. In addition to this, one needs to complete several certifications such as (CISSP) Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Systems Administration and Network Security (SANS), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). All these depend on one’s area of interest, but in most instances, individuals end up taking up two minimum. 

Knowledge in such fields gives cybersecurity an upper hand in dealing with and predicting any anticipated attacks on a civilian’s electronics. It is notable that with the rise of cybersecurity crimes, institutions have resorted to the inclusion of various courses and subjects about cybersecurity. This enables open-mindedness on the side of the students, who, in the end, are ten equipped with the necessary skills to tackle any unauthorized access to a civilian’s electronics at any given moment. 

More often than not, students choose to get into cybersecurity diploma, a program that goes up for six months, which in the end equips students with the right skills and knowledge to face any cybersecurity threats. Consequently, through the courses, students can comprehend and put to use the ethics and policies in the field of cybersecurity. 

Important qualities for success as a cybersecurity analyst

Statistics indicate that employers rely on and depend on academic qualifications, overlooking an individual’s personality more often than not. It is, however, necessary to look at one’s personality straits to decipher whether an applicant may be suitable for the position. 

To attain, or rather get to grasp the knowledge and bring out the expected outcome, a cyber-security analyst needs to possess some qualities. Such include composure, altruism, inquisitiveness, diligence, responsiveness, scepticism, and modesty, just to mention a few.

 To thrive in the field of cybersecurity, one needs to have the quality of composure, a quality that will be of great importance since, from time to time, the entities protected by cybersecurity analysts always end up being under serious and life-threatening attacks. 

To this end, with composure, one can calmly handle the matter at hand. Similarly, a cyber-security analyst needs to possess the quality of diligence, a concept that would enable one to follow up pending matters to prevent backlog. This would also require one to be keen to detail since attacks may come at any given moment/ time. 

Thirdly, a cyber-security analyst needs to be responsive at all times, which enables and creates space for openness in the workplace. This, in the end, bars blames on a specialist in case a threat emerges. Scepticism is another quality of a cyber-security specialist, which brings out the need to trust one’s instincts. More often than not, to possess this quality, a cyber-security analyst needs to reason like a hacker to set up barriers to such threats.

Further, on the same quality, it is necessary to note that no one should be trusted to access classified information, even in big firms. Altruism, as a quality, on the other hand, prompts the cybersecurity analyst to help and protect individuals against any form of cyber threat. To that effect, a good cybersecurity analyst may need to interact with the employees of a given company to build trust. 

 In the field of cyber-security, one is required to be modest in such a way that they should not seek attention but rather work to meet the needs of an organization and curb any anticipated threats. Lastly, to be productive as a cyber-security analyst, one needs to grasp the quality of inquisition, a quality that pushes a cyber-security analyst to think creatively and be curious on matters of anticipated threats.