How do you Choose which Cyber Security Course to Take?
It is always hard to know which is the best cybersecurity training course to do when you are presented with a saturated market. It’s an important investment, not only financially, but also in terms of your time and effort. You need to ensure that the course you choose aligns with your goals and provides a worthwhile return on your investment. To avoid disappointment, performing due diligence is very important to ensure that you don’t get led down the garden path and end up with a qualification that isn’t recognised by the industry.
Here are some tips:
Career Goals: What type of cybersecurity career do you want and where do your interests lie – penetration testing, security analyst, architect? What is the course offering and is it relevant to the career goals you have set? Some offer a broad overview of cybersecurity concepts, others specialise in specific areas such as national security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. Ensuring that the course aligns with your career aspirations will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your desired role.
Quality of content: Ensure the material is up-to-date, comprehensive, and is presented in a way that aids understanding and retention. Technology, especially cybersecurity is constantly changing so outdated information can be unhelpful and in the worst case scenarios, damaging.
Your experience level: What, if any, experience do you have in cybersecurity? Are you a beginner or just topping up the skills you already have? There are many entry-level cybersecurity training courses available that teach the basics but there are also specific courses if you’ve already built up some experience.
Credibility of provider: The credibility and reputation of the course provider is vital. Certifications from recognised and respected institutions or organisations carry weight and are likely to be more valued by employers.
Real-World Application: Theoretical knowledge is important, but practical, hands-on experience is what really prepares you for real-world challenges. Courses that offer lab exercises, practical projects, or simulations will provide you with invaluable experience.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Courses can range from free online resources to expensive degrees so it’s important to consider what your budget is, what time you can commit and what your potential return on investment is. Also take a moment to think about what potential income you could earn vice what you want to earn and how long it will take you to take steps up the career ladder.
Reviews & Recommendations: Feedback from previous students can provide valuable insights into what the course was like and help you to make a choice as to whether it’s the right one for you. Post reviews and recommendations on the courses you took via the Marshal Supplier Map (see the homepage – if the company you trained with isn’t listed, let us know).
Post-Course Opportunities: Some courses offer job placements and networking opportunities, look out for these as it will help to take the worry away from what you do post-course.