How To Stay Current in Cybersecurity
Spoiler Alert: You can’t. Not fully.
Now 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 we answer, how can you stay current in cybersecurity?
Let’s take look at 3 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 job. Although this is not a reporting newsletter on the latest news, you will find a lot of relevant write-ups and subjects to learn about within Cybersecurity.
Other newsletters in the space that are worth checking 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 (curation of Detection Engineering content)
2) 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.
Some Meetups or Conferences to consider are BSides, and SANS Summits.
3) 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, 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.
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.
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.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, staying current in Cybersecurity is essential to succeed in a rapidly evolving field.
By following Cybersecurity blogs and newsletters, attending conferences or local meetups, and participating in online communities, you'll be well-equipped to stay current with new and emerging Cybersecurity threats and technologies.
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