Can the average programmer get into the field of Cybersecurity or do you have to be amongst the best to enter this domain? | Sololearn: Learn to code for FREE!
New course! Every coder should learn Generative AI!
Try a free lesson
+ 40

Can the average programmer get into the field of Cybersecurity or do you have to be amongst the best to enter this domain?

Looking at other related threads in Q&A it seems like a knowledge of C/C++ and assembly? is required. But my guess is that just knowing these languages is not enough. Do you need to be a math genius or an expert in number theory? Or do the skills required depend on the role as there are a wide range of roles in this field from penetration tester to encryption algorithm designer etc. What are your thoughts? Does anyone have any experience in this area?

31st Oct 2018, 11:17 PM
Sonic
Sonic - avatar
18 Answers
+ 21
Thanks for your answers 「HAPPY TO HELP」, KatharinaSt. Kirk Schafer thanks. No specific role. The question is not about me but more about satisfying my curiosity and having a community based alternative to Google Search.
1st Nov 2018, 2:20 AM
Sonic
Sonic - avatar
+ 17
Yeah it can be very easy just need an experience to show up and ola you're Cybersecurity expert. It goes perfectly programmer + Subersecurity.... Good luck.... 💻
2nd Nov 2018, 11:12 PM
Florinn
Florinn - avatar
+ 8
It is not necessary that average programmers should go to the cybersecurity field. If they having the enough knowledge of programming but much knowledge of networking fundamentals then, he will be able to go to cybersecurity field. (REST OF THIS ANSWER :- I want also to become a cyber security expert. But as per the expert gives the security to an application, and other web servers, it must be knowing at least fundamentals of programming languages. Then he will be able to take responsibility to security.) If any one who wants to become cyber security expert, then first of all he knows at least basic knowledge of all programming languages. Here is the link for learning cyber security :- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cybrary.it/&ved=2ahUKEwioo7aR5b3fAhVQAHIKHdKCBgkQFjAAegQIBRAD&usg=AOvVaw1iARjBJLXz1TKPF1LtqkOq
26th Dec 2018, 3:17 PM
Bipin Tatkare
Bipin Tatkare - avatar
+ 7
No, you don‘t have to. Look at the OWASP Top 10 (e.g. XSS which is still one of the most widespread attacks/attack entry point nowadays) to get a first picture. I suppose there are good YouTube videos about those, too. Read books about that topic. Dive into hacking tools like Burp etc (but do not try to do automated attacks an live sites that do not belong to you, of course!!). Look at HTML code, HTTP headers etc via browser developer tools. You‘ll get into it soon if you are interested in that topic, I‘m sure. It‘s a really interesting topic! :-) If you have gained some experience (takes a while though) you can start participating in so called bug bounty programs. You can even earn money there if you are good enough. By the way, hacking is much about being creative.
31st Oct 2018, 11:49 PM
KatharinaSt
+ 7
cybersecurity is a very broad realm. what do you want to do?(e.g. secure networks, secure websites, analyze virus signatures) learning programming is an advantage (especially if you are going to delve into the code of a virus for example). however, knowledge of different operating systems are a must. this will give you an idea of how a system works. knowledge about networking is also important (servers, tcp/ip). command line (windows) and terminal (linux/mac) are your friends. 😄
1st Nov 2018, 9:49 AM
Lambda_Driver
Lambda_Driver - avatar
+ 6
Sonic im learning cybersecurity myself right now. Knowing how different OS's and platforms behave is the most important thing along with networking knowledge
1st Nov 2018, 2:44 AM
Xero
Xero - avatar
+ 6
lot of people have said very good and interesting things here... but your interest will determine how badly you want it and need it... if it just for knowledge based there are already prepared tools you can use on windows and most especially on linux(which has lot of them for free and badass too) but if you really want to be a badass cyber security guy you need to understand how the system it self work on the core part were you will be needing assembly, C and C++ which will allow you do lot of things your self("allocate memory and the likes) which python can also be added to it to broad up your C, and networking also is a must know.... and algorithm for breaking and creating new problems must be known too this is were mathematics comes in... i think on YouTube there are tutorials for math for programing some can still start with that.... but as a novice i love a saying in the cyber world "code it yourself" that why i don't love using tools and have started learning C and i do read up on networking too...
1st Nov 2018, 8:32 PM
✳AsterisK✳
✳AsterisK✳ - avatar
+ 5
Experience? Yes. Role dependency? Yes. Programming? It depends. Care to narrow down the role?
1st Nov 2018, 2:08 AM
Kirk Schafer
Kirk Schafer - avatar
+ 5
this are five programming language every Cyber security must know follow the link httpsckernoon.com/tagged/security?source=email-anon_935ae4b9e217--publication.newsletter
2nd Nov 2018, 6:10 AM
✳AsterisK✳
✳AsterisK✳ - avatar
+ 3
blackwinter but at least there are some necessary things one must learn
3rd Nov 2018, 10:18 AM
✳AsterisK✳
✳AsterisK✳ - avatar
+ 3
probably... blackwinter if you don't know were you are going or let me say can't predict how you are going to be or become you will get tired easily... that is you probably should know all what you need to become a cyber guy
3rd Nov 2018, 10:22 AM
✳AsterisK✳
✳AsterisK✳ - avatar
+ 3
blackwinter i get what you are talking about but one can still read the prerequisites up and start learning them one after the other.... almost 90% of programmers are self taught
3rd Nov 2018, 10:30 AM
✳AsterisK✳
✳AsterisK✳ - avatar
+ 2
TO be able to learn cybersecurity you need to have a slight knowledge in operating system along with networking .
1st Nov 2018, 7:31 AM
muraguri carolyne nyambura
muraguri carolyne nyambura - avatar
+ 2
Basic or advanced knowledge on c and cpp can be linked with cybersecurity so I think a programmer can only if he has idea about cybersecurity
1st Nov 2018, 10:36 PM
Andrew Watts
Andrew Watts - avatar
+ 2
you must be up to date with bleeding edge technology. Writing kernels and finding or creating worm holes in the code before the bad guys do.
2nd Nov 2018, 6:33 PM
Miguel
Miguel - avatar
0
Cyber security is more domain security than Programming. Programmers who are on more than average level can be there (I guess) further u need intelligence to be in there
13th Feb 2019, 5:06 AM
Arpan Bhattacharya
Arpan Bhattacharya - avatar
0
Further it is good idea to get ur programming level reach
13th Feb 2019, 5:07 AM
Arpan Bhattacharya
Arpan Bhattacharya - avatar
- 2
u must also be verh good in the networking field..know how gbe protocols work and behave...🔥
1st Nov 2018, 5:38 PM
bashiru yahuza
bashiru yahuza - avatar