Chapter 4
Break into
Cybersecurity by
Leveraging LinkedIn
By Dave Meece
Whether you are just starting out in your career or making the shift to cybersecurity, it can be intimidating to know how to start and where to direct your energy. Professional social networks such as LinkedIn provide a global career platform at your fingertips and endless resources to help. They can be such great resources for helping you with your career path. But how can you maximize your effort and ultimately land your first SOC job?
This chapter provides actionable tips for aspiring analysts on how to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to start or progress their careers. I also include some tips on interviewing and a fun challenge to join to help you grow your network.
Step 1
Choose a Focus
The cybersecurity industry is a mile wide and there are many different sectors to choose from. It can get especially overwhelming if you are just starting out. Deciding what career path to take can often be half the battle.
How should you think about choosing your path? I typically advise recent graduates to find a focus and really dig in and learn as much as possible about one area of cybersecurity.
For example, you could decide on jobs that fall under defensive (blue team), offensive (red team), or GRC (governance risk and compliance).
Blue team roles are the defensive teams within an organization. These include roles that require incident response and monitoring. Red team roles simulate adversaries and work on ways to exploit an organization's weaknesses so that it can guide higher-level security measures and strategies. Both red and blue teams typically work in a SOC or similarly named team that focuses on security operations. GRC roles usually sit on a different team besides the SOC and focus on things like vendor assessment and larger corporate security strategies.
Step 2
Identify Companies You Want to Work For
Once you have a general area of focus, pick three to five companies you would want to work at. Search the company on LinkedIn and then find people who work at those companies or who have your dream position.
From there, reach out to folks and simply ask for a 15-minute virtual coffee chat to learn about their position. By doing this, you can pick their brains about day-to-day tasks that their positions entail. This allows you to get a bird’s-eye view of what a SOC analyst at a given company does each day. Depending on your resources, paying for LinkedIn Premium will help you message more people. There is often a free trial available so you can see if this feature makes sense for you to keep long-term.
You should come away from these conversations with a better understanding of the types of tools and soft skills needed to succeed in this type of position. Also, be sure to find out what they like and dislike about the job. This will help make an informed decision on which type of career you want to pursue.
Personally, I have had great success by reaching out and asking for 15-minute virtual coffee chats. The questions I mentioned are very open-ended and typically get interesting responses or provide new ways of thinking about roles and development.
Step 3
Reach Out Directly to Hiring Managers and Recruiters
While you are reaching out to people with jobs that you want someday and building your network, you will also likely be applying to jobs as well. Another great way to leverage LinkedIn during an active job search is to reach out directly to hiring managers and recruiters to gain more information and details about the position. If you have any mutual connections, even better, as you can ask for an intro.
Try to keep perspective on the reality of applying to jobs and don’t let a lack of responses discourage you. Oftentimes, job titles aren’t accurate, or they were not written in the best possible way to attract the right candidates. By reaching straight out to folks, you can make sure of the exact job requirements. This will help you prepare for the interview and give you an advantage over other candidates.
Step 4
Post
Regularly
Think of LinkedIn as more than just a place to look for jobs and more of a forum to share advice or learnings that could help the larger community. Aim to post a few times a week about any learnings you have made or advice you can give based on interviewing experiences. You can also share interesting articles and provide your point of view. Ask a question in your post that will drive engagement and reach.
Consistent posting shows hiring managers you are dedicated to self-learning, and posting each day gives you more visibility on LinkedIn for hiring managers and recruiters to find you. And don’t forget to respond and engage with other people's posts as well. This will help your profile get more exposure.
Bonus: Join the 100-Day Cybersecurity Challenge
If you are interested in becoming a SOC analyst, pentester, cybersecurity analyst, or simply would like to advance your career, please check out my 100-day cybersecurity challenge: #cybertechdave100daysofcyberchallenge
I mostly designed this challenge for folks who are looking for their first position to break into the industry. However, it’s great for all levels of professionals to brush up on their skills. It doesn’t matter if you have zero years of experience or 20 years in the field, ALL levels are welcome to participate. The challenge helps folks get out of their comfort zone and get more exposure to recruiters and hiring managers.
There are only three simple rules for the challenge:
Rule #1
Write a post on your LinkedIn page every day for 100 days. For instance, this could be a new threat intelligence tool you learned about or something from an article or book you read.
Rule #2
Be sure to include my hashtag #cybertechdave100daysofcyberchallenge inside each post you make on LinkedIn.
Rule #3
Tell a friend in your network about the 100-day challenge and see if they would like to join the challenge with you.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to inbox me on LinkedIn. I’m a teacher at heart and want to see you succeed! I’m always open to new connections. Thanks!
– David (@CyberTechDave)
About the author
David Meece
David Meece is SOC analyst, passionate cyber mentor, and educator in the industry. He holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems and has a wide array of skills ranging from teaching to virus removal. He is passionate about cybersecurity and enjoys using his platform to teach people how to protect themselves and stay safe online.
Twitter
LinkedIn
Next Chapter
Navigating Your Cybersecurity Career as a SOC Analyst
Previous Chapter
Advancing Cybersecurity and Career-Readiness in Academic Institutions
Chapters
01
So You Want to Be a SOC analyst...
02
The Hard and Soft Skills Needed
to Crush a SOC Role
03
Advancing Cybersecurity and Career-Readiness in Academic Institutions
04
Break into Cybersecurity by Leveraging LinkedIn
05
Navigating Your Cybersecurity Career as a SOC Analyst
06
Becoming a Security Researcher:
5 Questions Answered
07
Positioning Yourself for a SOC Leadership Role
08
Balancing Your Career and Wellness: A Hopeful Message for the SOC Community
09
Change, Challenges, and Priorities
Back to Home
Chapter 4
Break into
Cybersecurity by
Leveraging LinkedIn
By Dave Meece
Whether you are just starting out in your career or making the shift to cybersecurity, it can be intimidating to know how to start and where to direct your energy. Professional social networks such as LinkedIn provide a global career platform at your fingertips and endless resources to help. They can be such great resources for helping you with your career path. But how can you maximize your effort and ultimately land your first SOC job?
This chapter provides actionable tips for aspiring analysts on how to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to start or progress their careers. I also include some tips on interviewing and a fun challenge to join to help you grow your network.
Step 1
Choose a Focus
The cybersecurity industry is a mile wide and there are many different sectors to choose from. It can get especially overwhelming if you are just starting out. Deciding what career path to take can often be half the battle.
How should you think about choosing your path? I typically advise recent graduates to find a focus and really dig in and learn as much as possible about one area of cybersecurity.
For example, you could decide on jobs that fall under defensive (blue team), offensive (red team), or GRC (governance risk and compliance).
Blue team roles are the defensive teams within an organization. These include roles that require incident response and monitoring. Red team roles simulate adversaries and work on ways to exploit an organization's weaknesses so that it can guide higher-level security measures and strategies. Both red and blue teams typically work in a SOC or similarly named team that focuses on security operations. GRC roles usually sit on a different team besides the SOC and focus on things like vendor assessment and larger corporate security strategies.
Step 2
Identify Companies You Want to Work For
Once you have a general area of focus, pick three to five companies you would want to work at. Search the company on LinkedIn and then find people who work at those companies or who have your dream position.
From there, reach out to folks and simply ask for a 15-minute virtual coffee chat to learn about their position. By doing this, you can pick their brains about day-to-day tasks that their positions entail. This allows you to get a bird’s-eye view of what a SOC analyst at a given company does each day. Depending on your resources, paying for LinkedIn Premium will help you message more people. There is often a free trial available so you can see if this feature makes sense for you to keep long-term.
You should come away from these conversations with a better understanding of the types of tools and soft skills needed to succeed in this type of position. Also, be sure to find out what they like and dislike about the job. This will help make an informed decision on which type of career you want to pursue.
Personally, I have had great success by reaching out and asking for 15-minute virtual coffee chats. The questions I mentioned are very open-ended and typically get interesting responses or provide new ways of thinking about roles and development.
Step 3
Reach Out Directly to Hiring Managers and Recruiters
While you are reaching out to people with jobs that you want someday and building your network, you will also likely be applying to jobs as well. Another great way to leverage LinkedIn during an active job search is to reach out directly to hiring managers and recruiters to gain more information and details about the position. If you have any mutual connections, even better, as you can ask for an intro.
Try to keep perspective on the reality of applying to jobs and don’t let a lack of responses discourage you. Oftentimes, job titles aren’t accurate, or they were not written in the best possible way to attract the right candidates. By reaching straight out to folks, you can make sure of the exact job requirements. This will help you prepare for the interview and give you an advantage over other candidates.
Step 4
Post
Regularly
Think of LinkedIn as more than just a place to look for jobs and more of a forum to share advice or learnings that could help the larger community. Aim to post a few times a week about any learnings you have made or advice you can give based on interviewing experiences. You can also share interesting articles and provide your point of view. Ask a question in your post that will drive engagement and reach.
Consistent posting shows hiring managers you are dedicated to self-learning, and posting each day gives you more visibility on LinkedIn for hiring managers and recruiters to find you. And don’t forget to respond and engage with other people's posts as well. This will help your profile get more exposure.
Bonus: Join the 100-Day Cybersecurity Challenge
If you are interested in becoming a SOC analyst, pentester, cybersecurity analyst, or simply would like to advance your career, please check out my 100-day cybersecurity challenge: #cybertechdave100daysofcyberchallenge
I mostly designed this challenge for folks who are looking for their first position to break into the industry. However, it’s great for all levels of professionals to brush up on their skills. It doesn’t matter if you have zero years of experience or 20 years in the field, ALL levels are welcome to participate. The challenge helps folks get out of their comfort zone and get more exposure to recruiters and hiring managers.
There are only three simple rules for the challenge:
Rule #1
Write a post on your LinkedIn page every day for 100 days. For instance, this could be a new threat intelligence tool you learned about or something from an article or book you read.
Rule #2
Be sure to include my hashtag #cybertechdave100daysofcyberchallenge inside each post you make on LinkedIn.
Rule #3
Tell a friend in your network about the 100-day challenge and see if they would like to join the challenge with you.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to inbox me on LinkedIn. I’m a teacher at heart and want to see you succeed! I’m always open to new connections. Thanks!
– David (@CyberTechDave)
About the author
David Meece
David Meece is SOC analyst, passionate cyber mentor, and educator in the industry. He holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems and has a wide array of skills ranging from teaching to virus removal. He is passionate about cybersecurity and enjoys using his platform to teach people how to protect themselves and stay safe online.
Website
Twitter
LinkedIn
Next Chapter
Navigating Your Cybersecurity Career as a SOC Analyst
Previous Chapter
Advancing Cybersecurity and Career-Readiness in Academic Institutions
[ Step 1 ]
[ Step 2 ]
[ Step 3 ]
[ Step 4 ]
Choose a Focus
Identify the Companies You Want to Work For
Reach Out Directly to Hiring Managers
Post Regularly
Chapters
01
So You Want to Be a
SOC Analyst
02
The Hard and Soft Skills Needed to Crush a SOC Role
03
Advancing Cybersecurity and Career-Readiness in Academic Institutions
04
Break into Cybersecurity by Leveraging LinkedIn
05
Navigating Your Cybersecurity Career as a SOC Analyst
06
Becoming a Security Researcher: 5 Questions Answered
07
Positioning Yourself for a SOC Leadership Role
08
Balancing Your Career and Wellness: A Hopeful Message for the SOC Community
09
Change, Challenges, and Priorities
Back to Home