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how can I improve my Cyber & Networking skills?

I'm currently a Beginner in Cybersecurity and also learning Cloud Services.
Cloud Security Engineer is a great domain and skill to learn, so I'm curious about it how its practiced and apply in industries.

networking cybersecurity techcareer techeducation infosec cyber-defense techgrowth cloudsecurity cyberdefence itskills penetration-testing cloudengineer cloudinfastructure cloudservices securityoperations
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

To boost your cybersecurity and networking skills, begin with the basics. Learn about Linux and Windows, networking concepts, and key security principles like common attacks, encryption, hashing, and authentication. Understand the reasons behind security controls and practice basic Python or Bash scripting to automate tasks and analyze data. Get hands-on experience with free platforms like OverTheWire, PicoCTF, and TryHackMe. For cloud skills, use Azure Learn free sandbox labs, AWS free tier, and Forage virtual internships to practice virtual networking, IAM, logging, monitoring, and secure architecture.

For cyber defense, focus on skills in SOC operations, intrusion detection, endpoint security, and incident response using free trials or community labs on platforms like CyberDefenders. Kaggle is great for analyzing security datasets, detecting anomalies, and improving your Python and data analysis skills, which are valuable for defensive and cloud monitoring. Combining hands-on labs with defensive practice helps you understand attacks and how to prevent them.

Networking, mentorship, and open-source contributions can speed up your growth. Connect with professors, alumni, and industry professionals for guidance and career advice. On LinkedIn, build a strong profile, use the “Find Alumni” tool, join groups, and send personalized connection requests. On GitHub, contribute to projects, engage with contributors, and showcase your work. Join Discord servers and Reddit communities like r/cybersecurity, and participate in Q&A on Stack Overflow or TryHackMe forums.

Attend free hackathons, volunteer opportunities, meetups, conferences, and career fairs to meet professionals directly. Stay engaged, ask for mentorship when needed, and maintain relationships by sharing progress and seeking advice. Contribute to open-source projects on GitHub, GitLab, OWASP, or Mozilla Security, and follow YouTube channels like Professor Messer, NetworkChuck, John Hammond, Simply Cyber, and official AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud channels. By following these steps, practicing hands-on, and actively networking, you can effectively prepare for a successful career as a Cloud Security Engineer.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Harsh
Thank you comment icon You `re welcome! Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
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Sean’s Answer

Hello Harsh. While I am not a security engineer I do work in systems, platforms and technologies for a global bank. Sounds like you are just getting a start in cybersecurity, so some good next steps would be to build your knowledge on what it takes to become a subject matter expert in your field. I would recommend first looking at the top certifications that are most widely accepted in the industry and getting a sense of the subjects they require you to be competent in. For example, the CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) requires you to have work experience, but that doesn't mean you can't begin exploring and learning the key domains covered by the test: architecture and design, data security, platforms and infrastructure, application security, operations, compliance, etc. Researching these areas can also help you learn if there is a particular area of security you want to focus in on. You can also benefit from looking at what the job landscape looks like. Use job boards and search sites to understand what job requirements are for junior level roles and ensure you develop competencies or qualifications in those areas. You will also learn about jobs in cyber security companies and roles in companies that have their own cyber security departments. Lastly, it helps to learn who the major corporate players are and what they are focused in on. You can browse their websites for subject matter and industry trends but also check out their careers sites. Try looking into companies like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler. Good luck in your pursuits.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Harsh
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Vianne’s Answer

If you’re a beginner, the biggest thing is to build a solid foundation before trying to jump into advanced cloud security stuff. Networking is huge. Learn how the internet actually works: IP addresses, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, TCP vs UDP, ports, firewalls, and basic routing. If you understand networking, cybersecurity starts making way more sense. You can use free resources like YouTube, Cisco NetAcad, or simple labs where you set up a small network and break it on purpose.

For cybersecurity, focus on fundamentals first. Learn about common attacks like phishing, SQL injection, malware, and brute force attacks, and more importantly, how they’re prevented. Platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box are great because they let you practice hands on instead of just watching videos. Even doing beginner labs consistently will help you build confidence.

For cloud, start small. Pick one platform like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud and learn the basics. Set up a free tier account, launch a virtual machine, play with storage, and learn what IAM (identity and access management) is. Cloud security in the real world is mostly about permissions, monitoring, and misconfigurations, not hacking like in movies. The more you experiment and break things safely, the faster you’ll learn. If you keep building fundamentals and practicing a little each week, you’ll be way ahead by the time you’re applying to college or internships.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is really helpful. Harsh
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Alexander’s Answer

Everyone will tell you to take courses, and you should, but what really helps is hands-on practice.
Build your own home lab (this is a game changer)

You don’t need expensive equipment.

You can:
Use virtualization tools like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player
Set up multiple virtual machines (Windows + Linux)
Practice networking, firewalls, and basic security setups

You can even use lightweight firewall systems like IPCop or more modern ones like pfSense.

Practice real-world scenarios

This field is all about exploring and problem-solving.

Try:

Setting up your own network and securing it
Simulating attacks and defenses (safely, in your lab)
Breaking things and fixing them (this is how you learn fastest)

Use beginner-friendly practice platforms
TryHackMe → great for guided learning
Hack The Box → more advanced challenges

Stay curious (this matters more than anything)

Cybersecurity isn’t just about memorizing, it’s about:
Exploring
Testing
Investigating how things work (and break)

Alexander recommends the following next steps:

Build your own home lab
Practice real-world scenarios
Learn basic networking + security
Start cloud basics (AWS/Azure)
Build small projects and document them
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roshini’s Answer

I would say try hack me is the best platform to start and also I would suggest you to do comptia sec + as a begainner this two would be the first step for you to take after this maybe based on you're interested domain cybersecurity you can upskill in defensive or offensive
Thank you comment icon Thanks for your encouragement! Harsh
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