So, you are asking yourself, “Can I teach myself cybersecurity and skip the educational training?” The short answer is yes and no. Of course, you can learn anything independently, but you must ask yourself, “Is my knowledge going to be complete, or will I have knowledge gaps that I am not even aware of.” There are many important reasons to complete a formal education in cybersecurity before working in information technology.
Why Complete Cybersecurity Training vs Self-Study?
Getting a feel for cybersecurity by reading some articles and downloading a few tools is a great way to get a feel for the job. However, there are many benefits to completing a cybersecurity training program. They include:
Comprehensive Curriculum
One of the best benefits of getting complete cybersecurity training is the lack of knowledge gaps. You will have a complete understanding of cybersecurity, from Anti-virus to Zero-Day Attacks. With self-study, you may learn only a portion of what you would at CyberTex. Take the time to complete the 45-week Network Engineer program and prepare for a lifelong career in information technology.
Support System
You will have a support system when learning in the classroom. Instructors and fellow classmates are there to help when you have questions. They are also a great network to help you find a job or advance in your career. Don’t go it alone; join the collective.
Hands-On Learning
One of the benefits of completing the cybersecurity training at CyberTex is the hands-on training in real-world scenarios. You will work with physical and cloud hardware, industry-standard hardware, and software you will use on the job. Paying for expensive hardware and software while learning alone can be challenging. CyberTex has the latest software and access to many cybersecurity tools that you could only dream of.
Safety & Liability
Your employer will want assurances that you can harden a network and stop a cyberattack. Losing confidential information or server uptime can be costly, and IT employers wish for a fully trained and dependable network engineering specialist to manage the network infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Career Services
Another great benefit of attending CyberTex is the career services we offer after graduation. We help you build a strong resume, prepare for interviews, and match you with jobs you are passionate about. Once you have completed the program and know what specialty interests you, we will help you find a job in the tight-knit IT community.
What Does a Cybersecurity Specialist Do?
A cybersecurity specialist is vital to any organization. Hackers and bad actors are always looking for vulnerabilities, and a cybersecurity specialist can plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s networks and computer systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a cybersecurity specialist does the following:
- Monitor network and computer systems for security breaches
- Investigate a security breach if one occurs
- Implement firewalls, encryption, and other security measures to protect sensitive information
- Complete penetration tests to find vulnerabilities before hackers do
- Stay abreast of current cybersecurity trends
- Install updates and new security products
- Implement backups and disaster recovery plans as needed.
- Educate employees on security standards and best practices
What Do I Learn in the Cybersecurity Module of the Network Engineer Program?
The first step to becoming a cybersecurity specialist is completing the Network Engineer program at CyberTex. Those who complete the cybersecurity module of the Network Engineer program will be able to:
- Analyze and Interpret Traffic/Data
- Distribute Tools and Procedures to Organizational Employees
- Penetrate Networks and Find Vulnerabilities
- Manage the Incident Response Team
- Use Computer Forensic Tools to Research and Remediate Cyber Attackers
- Create Policies and Procedures for Organization Security
What Else is Part of the Network Engineer Program Curriculum?
Several courses supplement the cybersecurity curriculum in the Network Engineer program. These courses include:
Computer Essentials – a review of installing, configuring, and maintaining computer equipment, mobile devices, and software for end users. You will learn how to properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document common hardware and software issues.
Computer Repair & Troubleshooting – a review of the protocols and procedures for troubleshooting and providing customer support for basic scripting, cloud technologies, virtualization, and multi-OS deployments.
Computer Security Essentials – a preparation course for the CompTIA Security+ exam that teaches how to install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices. The course reviews threat analysis, risk mitigation, and policies, laws, and regulations awareness.
Operating System Fundamentals – a review of Microsoft Windows within a domain infrastructure. You will learn how to protect and maintain Windows devices and their stored data.
Operating System Advanced – a review of the installation process of Windows Server OS and its basic roles and features.
Server Operating System Advanced – a preparation course for the CompTIA Server+ exam and a review of the installation, configuration, and management of server hardware and operating systems.
Cloud Operating System – a course about Cloud Services and fundamentals knowledge of cloud workloads, security and privacy in the cloud, and cloud pricing.
Linux OS Essentials – a preparation course for the Linux+ certification exam and a review of configuration, management, operation, and troubleshooting of Linux-based servers.
Computer Networking – a course on deploying wired and wireless devices, network documentation, basic data centers, virtual network concepts, and network hardening techniques.
Final Thoughts
So, the long answer is that you can start by becoming familiar with different articles and basic tools about cybersecurity. However, the meat and potatoes of your cybersecurity training will come in the form of a traditional classroom education. This will allow you to get hands-on experience with the industry-standard hardware and software you will use during your role as a cybersecurity specialist. Let CyberTex prepare you for a lifelong career in network engineering and cybersecurity.
Want to Learn More?
IT careers have become essential not just in Austin but globally, and there is no better time to pick up than now. In 2021, Austin was ranked #1 in Best Tech City for IT jobs by CompTIA, and the demand is only growing.
Ready to start a rewarding and challenging career in IT as a network engineer? The Network Engineer Program at CyberTex prepares you for advanced computer networking and security jobs. You will learn the skills and abilities to set up, install, configure, repair, and manage modern computer networks and their security.
Contact us today to learn more about our Network Engineer program.