How Much Programming Do You Need for Cyber Security?
Have you decided to pursue a career in cyber security? But you had the jitters at the last minute because you don’t have programming knowledge? Don't worry. In this guide, we will tell you what level of programming knowledge you require to succeed in cyber security. You may also question your institution management, teachers, and existing students whether you are seeking cyber security education, cybersecurity certificate programs, or bachelor's or master's degrees.
The answer to the need for programming knowledge depends on the industry you might want to work in and the designation of your work. For example, you may not require any programming knowledge for most entry-level jobs.
However, if you want to make a long-term career out of it and grow in your firm, you might require some programming knowledge. The level of knowledge required is not very high and is included in the curriculum of various cyber security degrees and certification programs online.
If you want to learn to code, we believe in a two-pronged approach as given below:-
Steps to Practice Programming Effectively
Although we have already mentioned that coding is not always required, you should start learning some amount of coding if you want to advance in your career. Many top-level cyber security professionals are not very well-versed in coding but have advanced in their careers with sheer determination and effort.
Now that you know that you have some requirements for the basics of coding, you need to start learning and practicing to hone your skills. Here are the steps that we recommend:-
1. Develop awareness of programming- Even if you are hired at a job related to cyber security that does not require programming knowledge, invest some time to develop your understanding in it. Cyber security certificate programs are a good start. Once you have the required understanding, you should try to look at the various codes and analyze for better practice.
2. Develop Programming Proficiency- This step does not mean that you need to become a coding geek. You just need to code basic stuff and troubleshoot the code. Also, you should have the skills to troubleshoot the code developed by others. If you can successfully do this, you will require the coding knowledge to grow in your career. You can also enroll in intermediate-level coding certifications to help you focus on your programming proficiency.
This two-pronged approach, where you develop awareness in the first year and proficiency in the second year, will help you master the skills required in your job. These skills will help you in your career at all stages, and help you stand out from the crowd.
Are there any specific job titles that require coding proficiency?
Some jobs do require coding proficiency. For example, if the job profile is for an engineer or developer, you can be assured that you would require coding. The exact list of jobs which require coding knowledge always varies. You can read the job description to understand the level of requirements.
The level of knowledge required for most jobs in cyber security is for object-oriented programming. You can use the language of your choice to learn to code. Python is one language that is used extensively. Also, if you want to learn to code, you can enroll in a cyber security degree program or a certificate program. One example of a program is given below:-
CIS 409 Fundamentals of Python at EC Council University
EC Council University, which is one of the premier universities in cyber security programs, offers this program to introduce programming to the students. It includes the basics of object-oriented programming and data structures. You will also learn the design of collection classes and inheritance and polymorphism in this program. This program is a compulsory part of the bachelor's degree in cyber security program at the EC Council University.
Conclusion
Thus, even if you are not aware of the programming knowledge, the basics will be taught at most reputed institutes in cyber security. Alternatively, you can also pursue cyber security certificate programs from top universities
To sum it up, although programming proficiency is not required for most entry-level jobs, knowing coding can help you advance your career. Also, understanding the cyber security code will help you better understand your field. Therefore, you should try various cyber security certificate programs to develop your knowledge and skills. Also, once you have coding awareness, you can upgrade to intermediate-level cyber security certificate programs to enhance your skills