The strong demand for cybersecurity professionals remains high, causing salaries to continue to increase. If you currently work in an IT role, perhaps a career change into SecOps provides some food for thought? The opportunity to earn a lucrative salary while performing a critical job definitely attracts tech professionals into cybersecurity.
If this career switch intrigues you, check out these strategies for transitioning from IT into a SecOps role. Depending on your tech career to date, the switch may or may not be easy. In either case, expect to take some classes and earn a few relevant certifications to qualify. Let’s take a closer look!
What Are the Best Strategies to Move from IT to a SecOps Career?
Take Advantage of Any Employer-Provided SecOps Training Opportunities
Companies currently struggle to hire enough cybersecurity talent, largely due to the strong demand mentioned earlier. As such, they increasingly look to their current employees as potential SecOps professionals. In fact, surveys reveal more tech employers now offer cyber training to workers interested in a career change.
If your current employer provides a pathway into a cybersecurity career, take full advantage of this opportunity. This arguably remains the easiest way to transition into becoming a SecOps professional. You receive the training and certification support you need, with a job waiting for you upon completion. It’s the right approach for this kind of career change.
Earn a Certification or Two in Cybersecurity
Technology professionals without an employer providing SecOps training need to forge a different path when changing their career. In this scenario, consider taking a few cybersecurity classes that result in you earning a certification. When added to a résumé of an experienced IT professional, your chances of attracting interest from companies remain high.
Self-training classes give you the most flexibility as far as studying on your own time while still employed. Of course, expect to pay for your own classes, books, and the certification test. These added costs illustrate the benefit of working for an employer that values the professional development of its staff.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification offered by the (ISC)² remains the industry’s gold standard. However, it requires a few years of professional SecOps experience. So consider focusing on earning a CompTIA Security+ certification as an early goal in your career transition. An Associate of (ISC)² cert also makes sense for entry-level cybersecurity professionals transitioning from general IT.
Are You Looking for a Career in SecOps?
If you want to explore a SecOps career, contact the expert recruiters at Redbud Cyber. As one of the top cybersecurity staffing agencies in the country, we can help get you started in the field. Connect with us at your earliest convenience.