So you want to get started in cybersecurity? Great! Perhaps you just saw some Hollywood hacker scene with the cliche "I'm in" and you also want to become a hacker (hopefully a good one - white hats we call them).

Perhaps you're not interested in any of that and simply just want to be sure about the prerequisites for what could be a stellar career. Here are seven of them:

1. Be willing to learn in a fast-paced environment

   The tech scene evolves rapidly and the effect of this means there's always something new. The evolution of multiple technologies and their implementations. So, don't expect to be a one-trick pony in this industry because you'll eventually run out of tricks to help you keep the future secure

   However, this is great if you enjoy learning about new technologies and not shy about learning on your feet - you're sure to never run out of exciting challenges as long as you're always willing to learn.

2. Coding isn't necessary but it helps

   There are multiple disciplines available within cybersecurity and not all of them require you to know how to write code. Some of these roles that don't require code knowledge are Compliance, Risk assessment, Information security management and other administrative roles which can be just as fun if you enjoy them.

   All the same, learning how to write decent code can provide you with more options to pivot within the industry. You don't need to be a badass coder, but the better you can write code, the better you can pivot (should you desire to).

   I'd recommend you pick up Python, as this is easier to learn and widely used within the industry.

3. Don't worry about not knowing everything

   As everything evolves rather quickly within the industry, you're certain to encounter new and unique problems. Don't get discouraged! That's why you're here; to help figure things out.
   There are multiple resources to help you figure it out, so be certain that you're covered by a resourceful community of security experts who are willing to hold your hand whenever you need help.

4. A.I will not take your job, they'll help you become a better

   Artificial intelligence is raising concerns across multiple industries about taking away roles and perhaps this could be your concern. Don't worry, Artificial intelligence is essentially here to help you not do the redundant work that you may encounter.
   Yes, there are some tasks you could find boring (I'll let you discover them for yourself) but necessary, A.I will undoubtedly save you time on these tasks while making you excel at the rest.

   P.S: I use A.I for the silliest of things, so don't worry. A.I helps to become better, not obsolete.

5. College is great but not necessary

   Perhaps you're wondering if a college degree is necessary to have a profound career in cyber-security, and the answer to that is: Not really.

   While college education offers some great benefits, it's not a necessary evil to get started or even scale your career as a cyber-security expert.

   There's a general unspoken agreement that a degree isn't necessary for a technical role for most roles in tech. However, if you decide to want to go into corporate tech, you should perhaps consider getting a related degree.

I just have a general rule: It's better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Should college be too expensive, there are affordable options - certifications!

1. Certifications are great but don't go broke on them

   Whether you're in college or not, certifications are a great way to get started. The best thing about certifications is they offer a guided path to learning and can be used in actively applying for paid roles.

   Certifications can be fun but the more you seek, the more there is to find and this comes at a cost.

   Most certifications are great, but if you're looking to specialize in a specific technology, I'll generally advise starting with a certification that focuses on your overall scheme of interest. Check out Cybrary.it to get started for free.

Conclusion

The scope of cybersecurity is inexhaustible, so you're sure to encounter a whole lot more than I have prepared you to consider within this article. However, if you consider all of the following, you're sure to handle most of the "whys" about getting started in cybersecurity and hopefully, you make that leap!