3 answers
Bridget
Student
Dade City, Florida
1
Question
Updated
1018 views
"What skills or experiences made the biggest difference for you early in your cybersecurity career?
“If you were starting over today, what would you focus on learning first?”
“What helped you stand out when you were trying to land your first role?”
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3 answers
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
50
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Bridget
Early in a cybersecurity career, the biggest difference comes from strong fundamentals and hands-on practice. Learning how networks work, understanding operating systems (especially Linux), and knowing basic security concepts like vulnerabilities, authentication, and encryption helps a lot. What really accelerates growth is practicing in real environments—setting up labs, breaking things safely, and learning how systems fail instead of only reading theory.
If I were starting over today, I would first focus on networking basics, Linux, and scripting (Python or Bash), along with understanding common attacks like phishing, SQL injection, and malware behavior.
What helps people stand out when landing their first role is proof of effort. Personal labs, GitHub/Bitbucket projects, or even blog posts explaining what you learned show real interest. Employers notice candidates who can clearly explain how something works and why it matters, not just those who list tools on a resume.
Early in a cybersecurity career, the biggest difference comes from strong fundamentals and hands-on practice. Learning how networks work, understanding operating systems (especially Linux), and knowing basic security concepts like vulnerabilities, authentication, and encryption helps a lot. What really accelerates growth is practicing in real environments—setting up labs, breaking things safely, and learning how systems fail instead of only reading theory.
If I were starting over today, I would first focus on networking basics, Linux, and scripting (Python or Bash), along with understanding common attacks like phishing, SQL injection, and malware behavior.
What helps people stand out when landing their first role is proof of effort. Personal labs, GitHub/Bitbucket projects, or even blog posts explaining what you learned show real interest. Employers notice candidates who can clearly explain how something works and why it matters, not just those who list tools on a resume.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Starting a career in cybersecurity can be exciting and rewarding. Begin by building a strong foundation in networking basics, Linux and Windows systems, and key security concepts like authentication, encryption, and access control. Learning scripting languages like Bash or Python will help you automate tasks and solve problems more efficiently. Understanding TCP/IP networking, using tools like Wireshark and Nmap, and grasping basic cryptography and secure coding principles will give you a solid technical base. Reinforce this knowledge with hands-on practice through home labs, school competitions, or volunteering.
Communication and professional skills are just as important. Being able to read logs, write clear summaries, and explain technical issues simply will set you apart. Skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, adaptability, teamwork, time management, and independent learning are also crucial. Employers often look for potential growth as much as current skills.
To stand out, gain practical experience by building projects, showcasing your work on GitHub, and participating in challenges like capture-the-flag. Writing lab summaries and contributing to open-source projects show your applied knowledge. Use free platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and picoCTF for realistic problem-solving practice. Network through LinkedIn, GitHub, and cybersecurity communities, and take advantage of free courses and virtual internships from places like Cybrary and SANS Cyber Aces.
By continuously learning, staying updated, building projects, applying for internships or volunteer roles, joining online communities, and networking, you can become a well-prepared and competitive cybersecurity professional. Keep exploring and growing, and you'll find success in your cybersecurity journey.
Communication and professional skills are just as important. Being able to read logs, write clear summaries, and explain technical issues simply will set you apart. Skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, adaptability, teamwork, time management, and independent learning are also crucial. Employers often look for potential growth as much as current skills.
To stand out, gain practical experience by building projects, showcasing your work on GitHub, and participating in challenges like capture-the-flag. Writing lab summaries and contributing to open-source projects show your applied knowledge. Use free platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and picoCTF for realistic problem-solving practice. Network through LinkedIn, GitHub, and cybersecurity communities, and take advantage of free courses and virtual internships from places like Cybrary and SANS Cyber Aces.
By continuously learning, staying updated, building projects, applying for internships or volunteer roles, joining online communities, and networking, you can become a well-prepared and competitive cybersecurity professional. Keep exploring and growing, and you'll find success in your cybersecurity journey.
Patricia Enfanto
Senior Director Governance Risk and Compliance
3
Answers
Dracut, Massachusetts
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Hi Bridget,
Great questions — my answer may surprise you. For me, the technology didn't matter as much as being able to help others understand the issue, the impact and the potential resolution.
1. What skills or experiences made the biggest difference early in my cybersecurity career?
The single most impactful skill for me was the ability to communicate effectively with every level of the organization — from technical analysts to senior executives. Cybersecurity is never just a technical problem; it’s an organizational one. And the people you need to influence often have very different levels of technical understanding.
A few examples from my early career:
• Explaining risks to executives: I had to translate highly technical issues into clear business impacts. Instead of saying “outdated configurations,” I learned to say “this vulnerability could lead to data exposure affecting X customers.”
• Coaching technical teams: I had to break down policy or compliance requirements into practical steps teams could act on quickly.
• Escalating issues: When something needed to be elevated, the message had to be clear, concise, and actionable. You often have only a few seconds of someone’s attention—so every word matters.
These communication moments often made the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged issue.
2. If I were starting over today, what would I focus on learning first?
Math!
It sounds surprising, but I truly wish I had paid more attention in math class.
Cybersecurity relies on math in more ways than most people expect:
• Metrics: Measuring the effectiveness of controls, tracking vulnerabilities, showing progress.
• Trend analysis: Identifying patterns that indicate improvement, deterioration, or emerging risks.
• Goal tracking: Knowing whether your program is on pace requires comfort with percentages, growth curves, baselines, and variance.
Math isn’t just about numbers — it’s about communicating them clearly. And in cybersecurity, being able to present metrics in a meaningful way is a differentiator.
3. What helped me stand out when trying to land my first cybersecurity role?
What stood out wasn’t a certification or a technical achievement — it was how I communicated.
• I could explain complex topics simply, which made people trust that I understood them deeply.
• I could adjust my message to my audience — technical for engineers, big‑picture for leadership.
• I listened well, asked very clear questions, and offered solutions, not just problems. This demonstrated my ability to try and work toward fixing the issue, not just reporting it.
In cybersecurity, communication isn’t a “soft skill.” It is a core skill — one that builds credibility, helps to quickly address a situation make a decision, and makes people want to work with you.
Great questions — my answer may surprise you. For me, the technology didn't matter as much as being able to help others understand the issue, the impact and the potential resolution.
1. What skills or experiences made the biggest difference early in my cybersecurity career?
The single most impactful skill for me was the ability to communicate effectively with every level of the organization — from technical analysts to senior executives. Cybersecurity is never just a technical problem; it’s an organizational one. And the people you need to influence often have very different levels of technical understanding.
A few examples from my early career:
• Explaining risks to executives: I had to translate highly technical issues into clear business impacts. Instead of saying “outdated configurations,” I learned to say “this vulnerability could lead to data exposure affecting X customers.”
• Coaching technical teams: I had to break down policy or compliance requirements into practical steps teams could act on quickly.
• Escalating issues: When something needed to be elevated, the message had to be clear, concise, and actionable. You often have only a few seconds of someone’s attention—so every word matters.
These communication moments often made the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged issue.
2. If I were starting over today, what would I focus on learning first?
Math!
It sounds surprising, but I truly wish I had paid more attention in math class.
Cybersecurity relies on math in more ways than most people expect:
• Metrics: Measuring the effectiveness of controls, tracking vulnerabilities, showing progress.
• Trend analysis: Identifying patterns that indicate improvement, deterioration, or emerging risks.
• Goal tracking: Knowing whether your program is on pace requires comfort with percentages, growth curves, baselines, and variance.
Math isn’t just about numbers — it’s about communicating them clearly. And in cybersecurity, being able to present metrics in a meaningful way is a differentiator.
3. What helped me stand out when trying to land my first cybersecurity role?
What stood out wasn’t a certification or a technical achievement — it was how I communicated.
• I could explain complex topics simply, which made people trust that I understood them deeply.
• I could adjust my message to my audience — technical for engineers, big‑picture for leadership.
• I listened well, asked very clear questions, and offered solutions, not just problems. This demonstrated my ability to try and work toward fixing the issue, not just reporting it.
In cybersecurity, communication isn’t a “soft skill.” It is a core skill — one that builds credibility, helps to quickly address a situation make a decision, and makes people want to work with you.