Page 55 - Cybersecurity Career Guide, 4th Edition

MYTH 3
You need a college degree.
Nope, entry-level jobs don’t require a college degree. A certification such as CompTIA Security+ will open many doors. See page 26 for more info. Prior military experience is also a plus.
MYTH 4
The only job in cybersecurity
is being a hacker.
Cybersecurity is an industry, not a job. Cybersecurity professionals are detectives, figuring out how break-ins occurred and “who done it.” They are doctors, curing IT systems attacked by malicious viruses. Cybersecurity professionals are prosecutors of cyber criminals and advocates looking out for the right to privacy in the digi- tal age. Above all, cybersecurity professionals are team players, because the many workplaces that rely on IT systems need expertise in all of these functions—and more. See page 34 for all the different types of positions. The possibilities are awesome!
MYTH 5
The best jobs are at the big tech companies.
With their cool-office vibe, Google and Facebook offer enviable careers in cybersecurity but, obviously, they are not the only companies out there that offer well-paying, respect- able tech jobs. Small tech-based companies also offer competitive salaries and benefits galore. But jobs in cybersecurity are available in every industry, including cybersecurity companies like Fortinet, and all government agencies. Private-sector companies generally pay more, but you may find the mission of protecting our national defense, for example, to be rewarding and self-fulfilling. See pages 44-53 for more information.
CYBERSECURITY CAREER GUIDE 55