Building a Successful Cybersecurity Career Foundation

Cybersecurity professionals must master the fundamentals to build a successful career and tackle complex challenges effectively.

### Journey to Success in Cybersecurity: Building a Strong Foundation
* 💼 Reflecting on a decade of growth, I began my cybersecurity career earning between **$24,000 and $36,000 a year**, and now I earn **$500,000** as a principal security engineer at a top tech company.
* 📚 Despite being an average student with limited real-world experience, I learned the importance of **mastering the fundamentals in cybersecurity**, such as networking and coding, which laid the groundwork for my success.
* 🛠 Hands-on experience is crucial; I started with small internships, installed VPN servers, and tinkered with technologies, emphasizing the need to **set up a cybersecurity lab** to practice skills.
* 📈 The landscape of cybersecurity has evolved, with current demands for skills in **cloud security**, **offensive security**, and the ability to **secure IT systems**, which are increasingly **hosted on the cloud**.
* 💻 I encourage aspiring professionals to **experiment with technologies**, set up websites for **practical experience**, and engage with the community to **learn from others in the field**.
* 🔍 It's vital to challenge yourself and push your limits, as success in cybersecurity requires **dedication, continuous learning, and a solid understanding of core concepts** like **encryption and databases**.
* 🚀 Ultimately, **mastering the fundamentals** is the key to making advanced topics easier and achieving **long-term success** in the cybersecurity industry.

How I Would Learn Cyber Security If I Could Start Over | Amazon Principal Security Engineer

Loi Liang Yang

Journey to a Successful Cybersecurity Career

The speaker reflects on their 10-year journey in cybersecurity, starting with a low-paying job and average academic performance.

They emphasize the importance of getting the fundamentals right in areas like networking, computing, and coding.

The speaker's real-world experience through internships and challenging tasks helped them find their passion in cybersecurity.

Getting the fundamentals right is crucial for a solid foundation in cybersecurity.

While a computer science background can make the transition easier, those without IT experience may find it challenging.

Companies are more likely to hire candidates with relevant experience, making it important to excel in interviews and understand key concepts.

Becoming obsessed with cybersecurity is essential for success, and hands-on experience is key.

Setting up a low-cost cybersecurity lab with a Raspberry Pi and Kali Linux is a great way to start.

Staying updated on industry trends and in-demand skills, such as cloud security, is crucial for job searching and career growth.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Skills in the Cloud Era

Azure and Google Cloud security are crucial, with a focus on offensive security and bypassing EDRs.

Many businesses are deploying their IT systems on the cloud, aiming for seamless operation to generate revenue.

Aspiring cybersecurity professionals should gain hands-on experience with cloud technologies and security tools to demonstrate their skills and secure a job in the field.

Gaining hands-on experience with vulnerable server versions and trying out payloads is essential.

Joining local cyber security meetups and interacting with professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance.

Focusing on challenging tasks, continuously pushing personal limits, and mastering core concepts like encryption, networking, and databases are key to success in the field.