You're navigating the competitive job market. What network security skills should you prioritize?

Besides understanding LANs, WANs, TCP/IP, firewalls, and IDS, proficiency in network security also involves: 1. Vulnerability assessment and Pentesting. 2. Responding to incidents effectively and quickly. 3. Monitoring suspicious network traffics. 4. Security auditing. 5. Endpoint security. 6. Additionally to be on top of other applicant's, Cloud security fundamentals :) That's it from my side.

List can be very big, but some of the very useful things are : - network forensic using tcpdump and wireshark - SIEM - IDS/IPS - Deception technology - cloud security

Build a home lab to practice and solidify your understanding of network security fundamentals. Set up a virtual environment using tools like VirtualBox or VMware, where you can experiment with different network configurations, protocols, and security measures. Create scenarios to test your skills in implementing firewalls, configuring IDS, and applying encryption techniques. This hands-on experience will not only reinforce your knowledge but also provide tangible examples to discuss during job interviews, demonstrating your practical understanding of cyber basics.

Understand SIEM solutions like splunk, IBM Qradar, alien vault. Firewall deployment and create ACL according to company requirements. Use IDS/IPS systems as well to prevent from intrusions. Web application firewall to filter out web traffic 🚦, endpoint security solutions + mobile device management system. Basic of LAN/WAN, subnetting, VLan, network segmentation, also understand encryption to achieve CIA.

Immerse yourself in the cybersecurity community to stay ahead of evolving threats. Subscribe to reputable security blogs, podcasts, and newsletters like Krebs on Security, SANS Internet Storm Center, and The Hacker News. Participate in online forums and discussions on platforms like Reddit's r/netsec or Stack Exchange's Information Security. Consider joining local cybersecurity meetups or attending virtual conferences. Create a personal threat intelligence dashboard using tools like Feedly to aggregate and organize the latest security news and threat reports, helping you develop a comprehensive understanding of the current threat landscape.

Develop your secure design skills by taking on real-world projects. Volunteer your services to local non-profits or small businesses to help assess and improve their network security. This practical experience will allow you to apply concepts like defense-in-depth and least privilege in actual environments. Additionally, pursue relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to validate your knowledge in secure network design. Create detailed case studies of your projects to showcase your ability to design and implement secure network architectures during job applications.

You have to familiar with NIST framework as well as GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPPA about their deployment and compliance audit. Also you have to understand which frame is better for your organisation compliance policy.

To boost your compliance knowledge, start by thoroughly studying one or two key regulations relevant to your target industry. For instance, if you're interested in healthcare, focus on HIPAA; for finance, prioritize PCI DSS. Create a study group with peers to discuss and interpret these regulations, simulating real-world scenarios where you need to apply compliance requirements. Develop a compliance checklist template that you can use to assess network security measures against regulatory standards. This tool will demonstrate your practical understanding of compliance issues to potential employers.

Invest time in learning a scripting language like Python, focusing specifically on its applications in network security. Start with simple scripts to automate tasks like log analysis or configuration checks, then progress to more complex projects like creating a custom intrusion detection tool. Familiarize yourself with popular SIEM tools by using their free trials or community editions. Build a portfolio of your automation projects on GitHub, showcasing your ability to streamline security processes. This repository will serve as tangible proof of your automation skills to prospective employers.

Enhance your soft skills by seeking opportunities to present on network security topics. Offer to give talks at local tech meetups, create educational videos for platforms like YouTube, or write blog posts explaining complex security concepts in simple terms. Join or start a cybersecurity book club where you can practice discussing technical topics with peers. Participate in capture the flag (CTF) competitions to hone your problem-solving skills under pressure. Document these experiences in your resume and professional profiles, highlighting how they've contributed to your overall skill set as a well-rounded network security professional.