Beyond Firewalls: Does Cybersecurity Require Coding Skills?

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields and revenue in the cybersecurity market is projected to reach US$162.00bn in 2023.

When we think about cybersecurity, the first thing that may come to mind is the image of skilled hackers navigating complex computer systems, breaking through firewalls, and infiltrating secure networks. While this Hollywood-inspired notion holds some truth, the backbone of a robust cybersecurity strategy lies in coding.

Now back to the very obvious question - does cybersecurity require coding? The short answer is NO! Surprisingly, it’s possible to work in certain areas of cybersecurity without in-depth knowledge of coding. Of course, having coding skills can be highly advantageous and open up more opportunities in the field. But cybersecurity is a broad domain with diverse roles and responsibilities, and not all roles require coding expertise. 

What Does a Cybersecurity Specialist Do?

There are many job responsibilities that come under the domain of cybersecurity. Here, we’ll discuss the most important ones: 

✅ The primary responsibility of a cybersecurity specialist is to protect an organization's computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and data breaches. 

How do they do it?

• They deploy security measures like firewalls, encryption, and access controls to ensure the security of digital assets. 
• They continuously monitor security events and incidents to detect potential threats and breaches. 
• They respond promptly to security incidents, investigate the root causes, contain the threats, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

✅ Their second responsibility is to conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses in systems and applications. 

How do they do it?

• This is done by scanning an organization's systems, networks, and applications using specialized software tools to identify potential weaknesses and security flaws.
• Cybersecurity specialists work to remediate vulnerabilities and apply necessary patches and updates to keep systems secure.

✅ Another responsibility of cybersecurity specialists is to conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization's systems, assess the effectiveness of security defenses by simulating real-world attacks.

How do they do it?

• A team of ethical hackers carefully plans the assessment. They gather information about the target systems, networks, and applications to understand potential entry points for attackers.
• During the testing phase, the penetration testers attempt to simulate real cyberattacks. They use various techniques and tools to exploit vulnerabilities and weaknesses they've identified in the target's security defenses. 
• The goal is to gain unauthorized access to the system and data, just as malicious hackers might try to do.
• After the testing is complete, the penetration testers compile a detailed report of their findings and document the vulnerabilities they successfully exploited and provide recommendations on how to address and fix these weaknesses. 

✅ A cybersecurity specialist is also responsible for Security Policy Development and Implementation.

How do they do it?

• Cybersecurity specialists develop and enforce security policies and best practices within the organization. 
• They ensure that employees are aware of security protocols and comply with them to maintain a secure environment.

✅ Another responsibility is to provide security awareness training.

How do they do it?

• Cybersecurity specialists conduct security awareness training to raise awareness about potential threats, social engineering, and security hygiene.
• They educate employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices.

From Beginner to Advanced: What Skills are Required to Enter the Field of Cyber Security?

Here's a general breakdown of the skill sets required for a cybersecurity specialist at different levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Keep in mind that the cybersecurity field is vast, and specific roles within cybersecurity may have slightly different skill requirements.

Beginner Cybersecurity Specialist:

• Basic understanding of computer networks, operating systems, and hardware.
• Knowledge of common cybersecurity threats and attack vectors.
• Familiarity with security concepts, such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA).
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity tools, like antivirus software and firewalls.
• Entry-level programming skills (e.g., Python, Bash) for basic scripting tasks.
• Familiarity with common cybersecurity frameworks and best practices.

Intermediate Cybersecurity Specialist:

• Proficiency in network security, including firewall configuration and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).
• In-depth knowledge of operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.) and their security configurations.
• Strong understanding of cryptography and encryption algorithms.
• Experience with vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools (e.g., Nmap, Metasploit).
• Intermediate-level programming and scripting skills for automating security tasks and analyzing data.
• Familiarity with incident response procedures and incident handling.

Advanced Cybersecurity Specialist:

• Expert-level knowledge of cybersecurity principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Deep understanding of advanced cybersecurity tools and technologies.
• Extensive experience in conducting thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
• Proficiency in secure software development practices and secure coding principles.
• Knowledge of cloud security architecture and best practices for cloud environments.
• Ability to design and implement complex security solutions and architectures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to handle sophisticated cyber threats.
• Expertise in malware analysis and reverse engineering.
• Experience in conducting digital forensics investigations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills for leading cybersecurity teams and collaborating with stakeholders.

It's important to note that the cybersecurity field is continuously evolving, and specialists need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, threats, and technologies. Continuous learning and professional development are crucial for cybersecurity professionals at all levels to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats and defenses.

✅ Jobs in Cybersecurity that Require Coding

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of this profession and what their main responsibilities are, we’ll explore different job roles in cybersecurity that require coding experience: 

Security Analyst / Cyber Security Analyst: 

Security analysts are responsible for monitoring security systems, analyzing security incidents, and responding to potential threats. They often use programming and scripting to automate tasks, conduct data analysis, and develop custom security tools.

Based on data from the US Bureau of Labor and Services, the year 2021 saw a total of 163,000 Information Security Analysts, out of which only 300 were self-employed. Furthermore, the employment rate in this sector reached an exceptional 100 percent, indicating a nearly unheard-of level of full employment.

Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker: 

Penetration testers, also known as ethical hackers, simulate cyber attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. They use coding to develop and customize exploit scripts, tools, and payloads for conducting penetration tests.

Security Software Developer / Engineer: 

Security software developers create and maintain security applications and tools used in the cybersecurity industry. They need coding skills to design and implement secure software, as well as to fix vulnerabilities in existing applications.

Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst: 

SOC analysts are responsible for monitoring security alerts, investigating potential incidents, and coordinating incident response efforts. They may use coding to automate tasks, analyze logs, and develop scripts for threat hunting.

Malware Analyst / Reverse Engineer: 

Malware analysts and reverse engineers dissect malicious software to understand its behavior and develop countermeasures. Coding is essential for writing custom scripts and tools to analyze and deconstruct malware samples.

Security Consultant / Cybersecurity Consultant: 

Security consultants work with clients to assess their security posture, provide recommendations, and implement security solutions. They may need coding skills to customize security configurations and develop tailored solutions.

Incident Response Specialist: 

Incident response specialists investigate and mitigate security incidents in real-time. They often use coding to analyze logs, conduct memory forensics, and develop scripts to contain and remediate incidents.

Security Automation Engineer: 

Automation engineers in cybersecurity focus on developing automated security workflows, integrating security tools, and building custom automation scripts to streamline security operations.

IoT Security Specialist: 

Internet of Things (IoT) security specialists focus on securing connected devices and IoT ecosystems. Coding is essential for understanding device firmware, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing IoT security solutions.

❌ Jobs in Cybersecurity that Do Not Require Coding

Despite being a highly technical field, cybersecurity does have a place for non-coders! It provides some excellent opportunities for people who are not good at coding, but are willing to work in cybersecurity: 

Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance: 

Professionals in this area focus on creating and implementing security policies, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards, and conducting security audits. While an understanding of technical concepts is essential, coding might not be a core requirement for these roles.

Risk Assessment and Management: 

Cybersecurity risk analysts evaluate potential threats and vulnerabilities in an organization's systems. Their focus is on risk assessment, reporting, and recommending security measures. While technical knowledge is vital, advanced coding skills may not be mandatory.

Security Awareness Training: 

Educating employees about cybersecurity best practices is critical for any organization. Individuals in this role might not require coding skills but should have a good grasp of cybersecurity principles.

Forensics and Incident Response: 

While incident responders and digital forensics experts often encounter malware and suspicious files, their primary focus is on identifying and mitigating security incidents, analyzing attack vectors, and preserving evidence for investigations. While some scripting knowledge can be beneficial, extensive coding expertise is not always mandatory.

Security Sales and Consulting: 

Sales and consulting professionals in the cybersecurity industry need strong communication and interpersonal skills to understand clients' needs and propose appropriate security solutions. Coding might not be a primary requirement for these roles, although a basic technical understanding is advantageous.