How to gain work experience in cyber security
Looking for a career change into cyber security? Discover how you can gain some practical experience whilst working remotely.
Updated on: 23 July 2021
With the current rise in cyber attacks due to the global pandemic, the career opportunities within the cyber security industry have vastly increased.
Organisations have centred in on improving their cyber security strategy and with this, the use of bug bounty sites has become even more rewarding for cyber security professionals to use.
What are bug bounty sites?
Vulnerability reward programs (VRP) or bug bounty sites are platforms that allow external cyber security professionals to report security threats to organisations. Tech industry leaders will use these platforms to offer massive rewards in order to keep their data protected.
“A bug bounty is a reward that is paid out to developers who find critical flaws in software. The bounty can be monetary reward, or being put into a “hall of fame” list for finding the bounty, or gear from the company giving the bounty, or any combination thereof.” – Open Source Technology Improvement Fund
Bug bounty sites are perfect for training and established cyber security professionals to build up their practical skills and add to their work portfolio. There’s no interview process like a usual job, it’s purely about whether you have the right cyber security skills.
With all the work done via the relevant organisation’s platform, you can bug bounty hunt from home and when it suits you – including alongside your cyber security training.
Why do organisations offer bug bounties?
By opening up the opportunity to spot any cyber vulnerabilities or threats to external cyber security professionals, organisations minimise the possibility of criminal hackers doing it first. It has now become an effective and proactive security strategy.
Industry leaders and their bug bounty sites
As global tech leaders, Google invests a huge amount of money into rewarding ethical hackers. In 2019, Google handed out over $6.5million worth of rewards for bug bounty hunters.
At the beginning of September 2020, Google announced it is increasing the amount ethical hackers will receive for identifying cyber security risks. This comes as cyber attacks have vastly increased throughout the global pandemic.
Google’s bug bounty website: https://www.google.com/about/appsecurity/reward-program/
Microsoft
Microsoft has an extensive bug bounty reward program that is constantly expanding. With so much software to keep protected, Microsoft offers generous rewards.
Depending on the area they find a vulnerability, cyber security professionals can earn up to $250,000 per bug.
Microsoft’s bug bounty website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/msrc/bounty
This bug bounty reward scheme covers Facebook and all its products, including WhatsApp and Instagram. In 2019, Facebook rewarded over $2.2 million to bug bounty hunters from over 60 countries.
Facebook’s bug bounty website: https://www.facebook.com/whitehat
Why choose a career in cyber security?
Starting a career in cyber security opens you up to a world of incredible benefits.
- High salaries (even at entry level)
- 0% unemployment rate
- Fresh challenges everyday
If you’re making a big career change into this thriving industry, we know it can be daunting. At Learning People, you are fully supported into your first role.
Our Career Services team is on-hand to guide you on creating the perfect CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile as well as sharing application and interview techniques. They’ll also teach you how to identify and communicate to employers any transferable skills you have.
Become an Ethical Hacker
The cyber security industry is crying out for more ethical hackers. To be in demand you need to ensure you have the right skills.
Our cyber security collections ensure you begin your new career on a level playing field. No matter your previous experience, you will gain the technical knowledge to find career success.
Beginning with the fundamental concepts of being an IT professional through to EC-Council’s unrivalled CEH training, you will stand out to future employers for all the right reasons with our Certified Ethical Hacker collection.
Hear from a Learning People student
Bohdi was looking for a new career opportunity when he enrolled onto our cyber security training. He had no previous experience in this area but now has gained a wide range of industry leading certifications.
Bohdi is already reaping the benefits of his training and is really pleased with the results.
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