
Self-employed individuals can work as an independent cyber security consultant or work for an employer as part of a team. You may also work as an independent consultant through an agency. Some roles do require you to receive security clearances, especially if they are for a private firm or government agency that deals with highly sensitive information.
When setting yourself up as an independent cyber security consultant, there are certain things to take into account. Firstly, you need to be very familiar with the internet and computer technology. It is always good to include this in your educational background, even if you don’t get involved directly in the IT world. However, it is important to demonstrate these skills because of the growing need for these professionals within the private sector. You should also take some practical lessons so you can build up practical experience. Taking part in online courses like Hacking Team and CCNA Training will give you a solid foundation.
You will find there are many different fields of work available when you are self-employed as a cyber-security specialist. Some of these fields may include web content writing, website designing, product designing, online marketing and management, software design and development, and so on. Depending on the specific role you are interested in, you may need to take additional education to meet the requirements of your particular job.
The higher positions, such as those in management and leadership positions, typically take a more formal education. These positions are generally held by consultants who have already gained some years of experience in the field. Usually, these positions require candidates to have already completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or business administration. Most bachelor’s degrees required to become a cyber-consultant require at least a year of full-time study.
A job as an entry-level consultant usually only requires about two years of formal education. Many of these jobs will also require certification, which will likely come from an accredited university. This may be necessary to perform the duties of a cyber-security professional in corporate environments.
There are a few positions that are open to consultants who are self-employed. Some companies will choose to develop their own internal cyber security professionals through hiring the best and most eligible candidates. This is often how companies begin to develop their own expertise. Other companies may hire consultants from time to perform specific tasks for them. For example, some companies will use consultants to improve customer service and increase the company’s response time when customers call with problems.
Self-employed consultants may also find job opportunities in smaller companies who are looking to add a qualified cyber consultant to their staff. Feeder jobs, as these are called, are often a great way for consultants to experience the world of cyber-security without having to shell out a large amount of money to do so. These types of positions are often not pay very well, but they do offer consultants the chance to network with other companies and gain work experience that can serve as a springboard into bigger positions. A consultant working as a feeder or freelance hacker for larger companies may also be able to secure work from private companies who have needed an experienced consultant on staff to deal with specific issues related to their business operations. The independent consultant will have to take care of his or her own resume, search for job openings, and apply to work with companies that are seeking someone to fill in their system weaknesses.
For the average person who is interested in pursuing a cyber-security career, there are plenty of entry-level positions to choose from. These positions range from a data analyst to a systems analyst, and the positions available do not depend on what the person has done in the past. There are many jobs in all areas of the cyber world for someone who wants to be an independent cyber consultant. Those interested in a general information technology position might want to consider entering the cyber arena as a program engineer, a network administrator or a systems manager. As more businesses and corporations look to utilize computer technology in their daily operations, more entry-level positions will become available. Let 360Cyber be your cybersecurity consultant.