People with cyber security skills are in demand nowadays. According to the Cyber Security Skills and the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure report, despite the UK having the most vibrant digital economies in the world, it’s lacking the cyber security skills base to match.
It goes without saying that getting a cyber security certification will be beneficial to your career as the job market is currently in need of such skills. It is worth noting though that there are a lot of cyber security certifications available out there so you might want to educate yourself about them first, then choose which one is is best suited for you.
1. Be thorough. Understand the prerequisites of the particular certification you want to obtain. After which, go through every domain in the study guides and make sure that you get a good grasp of every term outlined in them. To help you understand and retain the concepts better, come up with practical applications to connect them to.
2. Do not rely on one study guide. If time permits, study more than one reference to ensure that you get everything covered. Be careful not to use too much learning materials though as you may end up getting confused.
3. Enroll in a Certification Prep Course. Taking part of this will provide you with expert instruction and advice that will help you do better in the exams. If you have questions, this will serve as a great venue for you to get your questions addressed and maybe even clarify exam-related concerns that’s on your mind.
4. Network with people who are about to take the exam as well. Apart from interacting with people who are about to qualify for a cyber security certification while in the prep course, you can also join an online group for support. Doing so will allow you to exchange tips with each other as well as provide each other support through study groups, or group discussions. And if you don’t have budget to enroll in a certification prep course, this will be a cost-effective way for you to learn from other people.
5. Manage your time wisely. Chances are you’ll be using various methods to prepare yourself for your certification. If this is the case, make sure to budget your time among reading study guides, taking practice exams, attending group discussions or trainings, accordingly. Most importantly, don’t forget to factor in sleep in your schedule. Remember, your ability to focus and retain knowledge can get affected if you don’t get enough rest. This is particularly important on the night before your exam. You’d want to have a clear mind and be energised during your big day so that you can perform at your optimum.
6. Come up with a plan. Think of how you’ll take on each part of the exam. We all have our waterloo, so make sure you allot enough time for each domain, including the parts that you find the most difficult.
7. Take note of the marking scheme. Make sure that you understand the marking scheme of the certification you are about to take. Knowing the minimum passing score is also helpful. Having this down to pat will allow you to appropriate your time and effort accordingly.
8. Know your weak areas and focus on them. As you review for your exams, make sure to prioritise the domains that you have a hard time understanding. Spend more time studying and taking practice exams for those areas until you’re confident enough to tackle them.
Cyber security certifications can be hard to acquire, but getting qualified through a recognised provider can open new doors for you in your career. We hope you find these tips helpful as you try to add these certifications to your credentials.