In the digital age in which we are immersed, and even more so since the pandemic, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. And not just at the corporate or business level: the proliferation of connected devices in the home makes us more vulnerable to cyberattacks, so it makes sense to be prepared.
If you are interested in studying cybersecurity from scratch, you have come to the right place. We’ll give you some tips on how and where you can start studying cybersecurity.
Why study cybersecurity
A 2022 report by the security firm Kaspersky reveals that as many as more than 60% of SMEs worldwide have suffered from a ransomware attack. Since 2021, two years after the pandemic began, the growth in this type of crime has only increased. That year there were 32,500,000 infections; the following year, in the same time frame, there were 35,400,000. That is why society demands cybersecurity professionals to keep this type of crime at bay.
To give more context: in a March 2022 press release, the security firm Datos101 claimed that ransomware attacks increased by 253% compared to the previous year, with SMEs being the most affected.
Demand for jobs in the field of cybersecurity
An Observaciber report entitled ‘Analysis and Diagnosis of Cybersecurity Talent in Spain concludes that the country has a shortage of professionals specialised in cybersecurity. Today, it is easy to see that the demand for these professionals outstrips supply, which offers young people a very attractive career prospects in this field.
Revenue potential in the cybersecurity industry
The latest Remuneration Study 2023 prepared by Michael Page, a Human Resources and Recruitment consultancy firm, reveals that a junior cybersecurity specialist in Madrid with less than two years’ experience would earn an annual salary of between 25,000 and 38,000 euros per year. With experience of over ten years, the figure could be as high as 80,000 euros per year.
How to start studying cybersecurity
Before you even consider starting to study cybersecurity, you should be aware that you need a good foundation first. This is where you should start to study cybersecurity from the ground up.
- Learn the basics of computer security. LinkedIn Learning is offering a course entitled, precisely, ‘Fundamentals of computer security‘ in which you will learn about the legal perspective of software, standards and IT concepts to be taken into account. If you prefer something for free, AREANDINA (Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina) has published a complete guide in PDF with all the information you need.
- Develop technical and programming skills. On the internet you can also purchase courses to learn programming languages used in cybersecurity, including Python, C and C++, JavaScipt and SQL, among others. For example, Deusto Formación offers a complete course on Programming with Python. If you prefer free training, we suggest this ‘Programming for All’ course offered by the University of Michigan.
- Study a STEM career: science, technology, engineering or mathematics. It is very important to study a degree in some of the STEM subjects in order to have a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity. However, in some courses this may not be a prerequisite. Simply ask any questions you have beforehand.
These are two broad areas that you should have more or less covered before deciding to pursue a career in cybersecurity, but also others, such as knowing how the main operating systems and networks work, as well as having an intermediate or advanced level of technical English.
Where to study cybersecurity
In Spain, different universities and training centres currently offer the opportunity to study cybersecurity. Here are some interesting proposals:
- Cybersecurity course. Taught by Deusto Training the course lasts 200 hours and is designed to make you a professional capable of carrying out all the tasks of a cybersecurity expert. With this training you will obtain a diploma from Deusto Formación and an accredited qualification from the University of Salamanca General Foundation.
- The IMF Smart Education x Deloitte Cybersecurity School is offering a Master’s in Cybersecurity, one of the best according to the Financial Magazine ranking. It is a 100% online course suitable for recent graduates in computer science or telecommunications, engineers, mathematicians, etc.
- The European Online University offers a Degree in Cybersecurity Engineering in which you get a comprehensive view of cybersecurity, as well as a complete training in which you carry out analysis, auditing and testing tasks, as well as consultancy and management.
- The University Rey Juan Carlos offers a degree in Cybersecurity Engineering, a four-year training programme to become a cybersecurity professional.
- The official vocational training centre CESUR offers an advanced training cycle on Administration of Networked Computer Systems with Specialisation in Cybersecurity, both in-person and online. In addition, this training centre also offers exams to access the different official certifications for cybersecurity professionals.
