3 Ways to Stay Current in Cybersecurity
Spoiler Alert: You can’t. Not fully.
Facetious remarks aside let’s ask the question, Why is staying current so important?
It enables you to be better equipped to handle new and emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies.
With Cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, it's crucial to be aware of the latest strategies and tools that can help protect yourself, and others against them.
That being said, at times it will feel like drinking out of the firehose when trying to keep up with all of the various Cybersecurity news sources.
It is not too realistic to stay on top of EVERY new piece of cybersecurity news and content. Once I realized that, my mindset shifted into something that fits my work and life, rather than always chasing the next thing.
At the end of the day, goals never stopped a goalie. You still keep going.
So then we answer, how can you stay current in cybersecurity?
Let’s take look at 3 possible ways.
1) Read cybersecurity blogs and newsletters
Subscribing to cybersecurity blogs and newsletters is an easy and efficient way to stay updated on the latest news and trends in the field.
My newsletter, for example, provides you with curated Cybersecurity topics and insights to help you learn the actual job. Although this is not a reporting newsletter on the latest news, you will find a lot of relevant write-ups like this one
and subjects to learn about within the field.
Other newsletters in the space that you can check out are:
Dark Reading (broad news based), Krebs on Security (crime news based), The Cybersecurity Pulse (Startup focused security news curation) with and Detection Engineering (a curation of Detection Engineering content)
2) Participate in online communities
Joining online communities, such as cybersecurity forums or social groups, can provide you with a platform to ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from other professionals.
Reddit, Discord, and Slack groups are great resources to learn more within the Cybersecurity space. I would recommend going this route before going to conferences, as online Cybersecurity communities are free.
I can guarantee that if you have a question to ask, there are others who have had the same question, and these kind of communities are a way to crowdsource and build a repository of solutions. Remember to contribute as well, as the only payment in these free communities is to be helpful.
From here, you can build rapport with others in the community, and learn from those who are maybe a few steps ahead of you in their path.
3) Attend conferences or meetups
Attending conferences or meetups is an excellent way to network with other cybersecurity professionals and learn about the latest trends and innovations in the industry. It’s a good opportunity to hear from experts in the field. Many cybersecurity conferences offer workshops and training sessions to help you stay current with your skills.
Keep in mind, there is a cost factor with this option. Local meetups through the Meetup app are many times free. This is why going this route is often better after having done points 1 and 2 above.
Some Meetups or Conferences to consider are BSides, and SANS Summits.
Finally, the most important thing you can do to stay current in cybersecurity is to keep learning and growing. Take courses, attend training sessions, and apply these 3 ways outlined above for continuous development.
Wrapping Up
Remember, staying current in Cybersecurity is essential to succeed in a rapidly evolving field. But you shouldn’t overly stress on the sheer amount of Cybersecurity news out there.
By following Cybersecurity blogs and newsletters, participating in online communities, and attending conferences or local meetups, you'll be well-equipped to stay current with new and emerging Cybersecurity threats and technologies.
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Well said!