A career in cyber security is incredibly rewarding. Each day practitioners are met with new challenges that test their problem solving and critical thinking skills. It rewards creativity and can make a tangible impact on a business, its customers and society. High levels of demand for cyber security expertise also means that it’s one of the best paying roles in tech with a great level of job security. However, cyber security professionals are in a never-ending arms race with hackers. Security threats are evolving all the time, and, with the amount of data businesses carry growing at a rapid rate to underpin AI innovation, the consequences of a breach are becoming more and more acute. This is why it’s so important for cyber security professionals to constantly upskill. It’s also critical to be fully versed in emerging trends, understand the risks and benefits, that will change the nature of cybersecurity and adapt their training accordingly.
Two of the most important major trends are AI and quantum computing – let’s take a look at some of the skills that you should start thinking about learning today:
AI
AI has already caused plenty of new security headaches for businesses – from generative AI powered phishing campaigns, synthetic fakes, self-evolving malware, to workers inputting sensitive data into LLMs. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as AI becomes more sophisticated so too does its potential to create more potent hacking attacks on an unprecedented scale. On the other side, AI also has the capacity to create an arsenal of new offensive and defensive tools for cyber security experts. There are already AI advancements for real-time threat detection, correlation of large data sets, and automated workflow management to supplement understaffed teams. Some practitioners are also using generative AI to simulate attacks and responses, to better prepare for the inevitable, and accelerate incident response. The list of applications goes on, but perhaps the most interesting use case is proactive threat detection – which will allow cyber security professionals to go on the offensive.
To fully get to grips with the benefits and challenges of AI it is essential to have foundational knowledge in both AI and data science. Acquiring skills such as prompt engineering so that you can better use gen AI tools is also important. Having a fundamental grasp of data will also better enable you to scrutinise results and detect potential errors in the tools that you use. AI naturally opens up a whole series of data governance challenges which will evolve rapidly in line with changing legislation. There are courses that offer certification for AI governance which includes learning how to develop, integrate and deploy trustworthy AI systems.
Given the scope of AI’s capacity to do both good and harm, it’s also important to get a good grounding in data ethics. This will enable you to recognise when an application of AI could or does cross a moral line.
Quantum computing
Like AI, Quantum has the capacity to utterly transform how we all live and work. For reference, quantum computing operates in a fundamentally distinct manner from conventional computers. Instead of relying on classical bits for data storage and processing, quantum computing harnesses quantum bits, known as qubits, governed by the principles of quantum mechanics.
Practically speaking, it opens the door to unfathomably powerful computing. Although this will have unprecedented benefits, it will also likely enable hackers to circumvent nearly all our existing cyber security measures. Luckily, it also opens the door to widespread use of quantum cryptography.
It may seem that quantum computing is still a long way off, but such has been the rate of advancements that it’s conceivable that we will start to see more mainstream use of it in the next decade. Ambitious cyber security professionals could become trail blazers in this sector if they start acquiring relevant skills now. Naturally, understanding the basics of quantum computing and cryptography is a must. Some organisations are already looking at how to make their businesses ‘quantum safe’. To do this they will need security experts who understand the risks and opportunities, and crucially, can devise a strategy to facilitate it. If you do become part of the first generation of quantum security experts, you will also have the opportunity to train other professionals and educate colleagues. Quantum skills shouldn’t be just for the academic community. Post-quantum cryptography is no longer just a futuristic concept, but a necessity in the present day. Anyone who works in the field and ignore its principles and techniques could be left at a severe disadvantage.
Consider developing your communication and writing skills. It will naturally help you in numerous ways in your current role.
Enduring skills for now and the future
AI and quantum computing are just two of numerous other trends that are adding complexity to our working lives. It’s now more important than ever that modern tech workers, in any field, have good communication and collaboration skills. As cyber security professionals grapple with technical complexity and information overloads every day. Facing increasingly complex problems and encountering information entering their ecosystems at lightning-fast speeds. Along with analyst’s predisposition to working alone, the current sate of incident response is a recipe for burnout.
Motivation for collaboration must become a priority in the culture of your cybersecurity organisation to rise to todays’ challenges. To successfully defend an environment requires a human-centred approach to cyber security. Cybersecurity professionals should encourage new channels of communication and build habits that efficiently move information to the right teams. Collaboration and communication skills in cybersecurity teams cultivate a culture of trust, connectivity, and agility to harness innovation and motivate team members improving overall resilience.
There are plenty of resources to help you on your upskilling journey, with custom learning pathways to fit every security role. It’s important to find a method and format that best suits the way you learn and can fit around your schedule, so it doesn’t become an inconvenience or burden. Remember, when you do acquire a new skill, find a way to apply it immediately to consolidate your learning, and share your knowledge. Done correctly, upskilling can be both professionally and personally rewarding – with the added benefit of making your career more lucrative and completely future proof.
Richard Beck, Cyber Security Practice Director at QA
