Ethan SeowHow To Get A Cybersecurity Job In Singapore in 2021
Updated: Aug 22, 2021
What Is Cybersecurity Like Today?
Cybersecurity has been and will continue to be an essential yet often invisible part of our everyday lives. The growth of the internet, digital services, online connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the exponential growth of the cybersecurity industry. Companies, government organisations and even individuals all rely on cybersecurity.
As hackers and threats online increase in their sophistication and strength, the cybersecurity industry needs to keep evolving and growing to keep up with these changes. As news of breaches and leaks continue to increase, communities have sprung up worldwide to talk about cybersecurity and discuss the latest trends in the industry to keep up. So naturally, interest in cybersecurity as a career has grown; everyone from fresh graduates to mid-career professionals are now looking to ride the wave.
According to a study done by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), the cybersecurity industry will grow to reach US$889 million in 2022, and with 70% of that comprising of cybersecurity services.
Would you like to be part of this exciting new industry?
Navigating a Vast & Blooming Industry
Trying to begin your career in cybersecurity can often be confusing.
Questions such as 'Where can I go to learn cybersecurity?' or 'What do I need to learn first?' are common for individuals looking to begin their cybersecurity education. Similar to software engineering, one can pick up cybersecurity skills in a variety of ways – there are universities offering cybersecurity courses, online programmes, training organisations and, of course, self-learning.
Not only is deciding where to begin a daunting task, figuring out which area of cybersecurity to pursue first is also a feat in itself. There are many programmes in the market, all offering multiple configurations of cybersecurity education depending on job scope, industry roles, certifications, team colours and more. While this gives you more choice in terms of what you can do in the industry, it also makes it hard to choose where to begin.
Cybersecurity is a highly dynamic and vast industry, with multiple specialisation options across different sectors and because of that, there are many options to pursue. Due to the nature of cybersecurity, there is no 'best path'. It depends on what area of cybersecurity you find yourself most interested in.
For instance, if you're drawn towards hacking and malware, being in the Red Team as a penetration tester or vulnerability assessor would be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you find defending against threats and different agents more enticing, sitting in the Security Operations Centre (SOC) as a Blue Team member is where you should be.
You may also find yourself playing management roles in the cybersecurity industry as a Purple, White, Green or Orange Team member whose jobs are to manage stakeholders within the company regarding digital security in a variety of ways.
Cybersecurity Roles & Job Scopes
We have listed the six most commonly identified teams below with the corresponding job scope and associated certifications. If you're new to Cybersecurity, researching into each job scope and certificate may be challenging and cumbersome. Hence, we highly recommend that you contact our Career Consultant who is dedicated to guide you through each step of the way from Career to Curriculum to Certification. Contact us at https://www.cfcsea.com/contact, or join our 1-hour How To Build Your Dream Cybersecurity Career Workshop for free.
Red Team
Job Scope
Offensive Security
Ethical Hacking
Exploiting Vulnerabilities
Penetration Tests
Black Box Testing
Social Engineering
Web App Scanning
Associated Certificates
Security+
SSCP
KLCP
GSEC+
CEH (Master only)
Crest CPSA
Crest CWAT
GWAPT
CREST CWS
CREST CMRE
GPEN
GPYC
GMOB
CREST CTIM
OSWP
GCIH
OSCP
Crest CRT
Crest CCT
CREST CCSAS
CREST CSAM
GAWN
GXPN
CISSP
OSWE
OSEP
OSEE
GSE
Blue Team
Job Scope
Defensive Security
Infrastructure protection
Damage Control
Incident Response (IR)
Operational Security
Threat Hunters
Digital Forensics
Associated Certificates
Security+
SSCP
CSX-PA
Crest CPIA
Crest CPTIA
GSEC+
CSA
GOSI
CHFI
ECIH
CSX-P
GBFA
Crest CRIA
GCIH
GCFE
GNFA
GCFA
GCTI
CISSP
GREM
GSE
Green Team
Job Scope
Improved logging capability, working to standardise and priorities important events
Better data for digital forensics and incident response cases
Safer Change Management including integrity monitoring
Full coverage monitoring including improved Anti-Virus and End Point Protection on systems
Anti-Virus and End Point Protection on systems
Associated Certificates
Blue Team Certifications
Network+
CREST CNIA
CCNA
CCNP
CCDE
CISSP
GSE
Purple Team
Job Scope
Facilitate improvements in detection and defense
Sharpened the skills of blue and red team members
Effective for spot-checking systems in larger organization
Associated Certificates
Combination of Red and Blue team
GCIA
CSSLP
CISA
GMON
GCCC
GSNA
CISSP
GSE
Orange Team
Job Scope
Inspire coders and architects to be more security conscious
Benefit from current exposure to evolving security threats
Offensive critical thinking included in builder’s intrinsic thought pattern
Decrease in overall security bug count over time
Associated Certificates
Either Red or Blue team
A+
Cloud+
Server+
GICSP
GSEC
Azure SEA
AWS CSS
GCSA
GCWN
GRID
GPPA
GDSA
PCSA
AWS SAP
GDAT
CISSP
GIAC ICS:612
Crest CRTSA
GSE
White Team
Job Scope
Provides audits on infrastructure
Ensure compliancy with existing security policy
Management of stakeholders and maintaining policies
Associated Certificates
GISF
SSCP
GSEC
CNDA
CGEIT
CAP
GLEG
CRISC
GISP
CCISO
GSTRT
CISSP
CISM
GSE
Are There Prerequisites Before Entering Cybersecurity?
Another common question for those looking to enter the cybersecurity industry is 'What skills do I require before learning cybersecurity?' or 'Do I need to know programming?'.
The short answer is: it depends. Depending heavily on your career destination and the programme that you are applying for, some curriculums may offer introductory courses in Python, Linux and Windows fundamentals as part of their training.
At Centre For Cybersecurity, our XE Basics Course (also known as Beginners’ Course) equips all beginners with the necessary skillsets that will allow them to advance to more complex cybersecurity training. This allows people with no background in programming or cybersecurity to have a leg up in entering the cybersecurity market.
If you are looking for more information to get a better footing in cybersecurity, learning the fundamentals in networking, Linux and Windows will help build a solid foundation for your cybersecurity education. Below are some relevant resources that we have found:
Cybersecurity Foundation Resources
1. Networking Fundamentals
For building general knowledge in networking fundamentals, check out https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/global/fi_fi/assets/docs/SMB_University_120307_Networking_Fundamentals.pdf
Watch this YouTube channel for a comprehensive overview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2D1o-aM-2s&list=RDCMUCK4ji45I-zxeWXAFKmu3p6Q&start_radio=1&rv=n2D1o-aM-2s&t=0
2. Linux Fundamentals
It is always best to learn with a Linux system by your side to be familiar and explore commands and their piping.
Free Linux Training (Note: some content is out of date but the overall course is relevant): https://linux-training.be/
Linux fundamental by tryhackme to be used with their free hands-on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz-ybaXdlGU&list=PL0iJrrpaWpyW9FQqI_TMJiuGpLJrXGVvA
3. Windows Fundamentals
Helpful resources: https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/library/libraries/projects/ita/moac_mta_98-349_2e-windows-os.pdf
Practical hands-on training: www.hackthebox.com and www.tryhackme.com
Centre For Cybersecurity Singapore
Securing Your Future in Cybersecurity
Our mission at Centre For Cybersecurity is to secure the future of Cybersecurity personnel through top-notch care and guidance in training, certification and career fulfilment. Hence, we are fully committed to providing our students with an end-to-end cybersecurity programme that covers career roadmap planning, theoretical & hands-on training in the relevant areas, certification planning and job placement.
We seek to build the cybersecurity ecosystem in Singapore to be one of the top in the world and look forward to having you be a part of this up-and-coming industry.
Still Having Qualms About The Cybersecurity World?
We hope that you have found this article useful. If you like to enquire more on how to enter the cybersecurity industry in Singapore, feel free to contact us and our dedicated Career Consultant will guide you through each step of the way from Career to Curriculum to Certification, or join our 1-hour How To Build Your Dream Cybersecurity Career Workshop for free.
