Are you creative and inventive? A role in cyber security could be perfect for you! But which one and where should you get started?
Are you good at brainstorming new ideas? Do you like to test your own theories and methods rather than always following the rules? A creative and inventive person likes to think outside of the box, which can be a desirable asset in many jobs.
In cyber security, creative and innovative thinking can be an essential trait in defensive and offensive roles. Many areas of cyber security require creativity and inventive solutions when faced with complex problems.
Read on and discover our cyber security skill tree for people who are creative and inventive. It will help you see which areas of cyber to focus on and envision your path to job success!
Relevant cyber skills to unlock
Someone with a creative and inventive personality will find it easier to develop their skills in:
- Programming - involves creating or using computer software to perform a particular function.
- Debugging - finding and resolving flaws in code.
- Penetration testing - an offensive red team tactic used to attack networks and test security by finding vulnerabilities in web apps and software.
- Software design and development - you can combine programming skills with offensive and defensive cyber security strategies to build and maintain security programs.
- Log analysis - the examination of event logs and log files to uncover different logins as well as actions taken.
Bookmark this page to keep track of this skills checklist and mark them off as you get comfortable in certain areas!
Penetration Tester
What is a Penetration Tester?
Penetration Testers, or Pen Testers for short, work to ensure a company’s security setup protects the network. They do this by using offensive techniques to attempt to hack and bypass the company’s security measures.
By ’ethically hacking’ into a company’s system, a Pen Tester helps uncover vulnerabilities before a real cyber criminal can exploit them. The Pen Tester highlights these flaws to the defensive security team, such as the Security Software Developers, to fix the issue.
How are my traits relevant?
A Pen Tester needs plenty of creativity to think like a cyber criminal and try different attack methods. You’ll have to get experimental with your offensive techniques and need defensive security knowledge as you continuously try to breach what the defensive team has built.
This exciting role will keep you on your toes as you experiment with innovative offensive techniques and develop new programs!
A Pen Tester needs plenty of creativity to think like a cyber criminal and try different attack methods.
Specific skills to unlock on the Penetration Tester skills tree:
- Software design and development
- Programming
- Penetration testing
Security Software Developer
What is a Security Software Developer?
A Security Software Developer innovates and creates security programs that protect computer systems and digital data. Any software-based business can benefit from the expertise of a Security Software Developer to safeguard its information.
Security software development is a varied role that includes the research, development, testing, deployment and maintenance of software to prevent security breaches. Other tasks undertaken by a Security Software Developer may include:
- Monitoring database use
- Running penetration tests regularly and before releases
- Reviewing and updating vulnerable code
The role requires knowledge of defensive and offensive cyber security techniques to predict potential cyber attacks and know how to prevent and defend against them.
Security software development is a varied role that includes the research, development, testing, deployment and maintenance of software to prevent security breaches.
How are my traits relevant?
A Security Software Developer uses their creative skills to visualise potential threats. They will constantly experiment to develop fresh and inventive software designs to thwart new methods of attack. Producing and updating new software requires plenty of creativity and innovation!
Specific skills to unlock on the Security Software Developer skills tree:
- Programming
- Debugging
- Software design and development
- Penetration testing
- Log analysis
Want to see how a Security Software Developer could have stopped a real-life cyber attack? Read our blog post on the TalkTalk data breach!
Do you see yourself in any of these intriguing roles? Whichever jobs your personality traits match up with, remember that every cyber security job requires diverse and transferable skills.
There is plenty of room to move between roles throughout a cyber security career. You may shift from a Forensic Investigator role to an Incident Responder or start your career in Pen Testing and end as a Security Engineer. The opportunities are endless!
Like the look of some of these jobs? Then have a go at building your skills towards your dream career with CyberStart Game – a fun and easy way to try cyber security!
