Do I Need to Know Programming to Work in Cybersecurity?
Do cybersecurity professionals neeed to know how to code?
Students and aspiring cybersecurity professionals often ask: “Do I need to know programming to work in cybersecurity?“
Do I need to know programming to work in cybersecurity?
It’s a fair question, and a fairly common one. But what’s the right answer? Our recent 10,000 Cybersecurity Jobs Report, found that only 12% of entry-level cybersecurity jobs mentioned programming or coding ability as a requirement.
For starters, we have to consider the impetus behind this question. In many cases, the person making the inquiry is using this question to make a decision whether or not they are interested in working in the world of cybersecurity; it’s effectively an impromptu self-capability assessment. and as such an adequate response can not be as simple as a binary yes/no.
For many, programming brings up memories of an introductory computer science class from high school or college with a professor they barely understood, or the time they tried to learn python from a free online course and gave up on day 4, or memories of failing math — which has become inexpicably linked to technology for no justifiable reason.
My advice on this topic is pretty straightforward: If you work in security and you come across a piece of code, you should be able to explain what it does. Ability to code is an asset, not a liability. This technical skill helps candidates enhance their portfolio and resume, open up new avenues for project ideas, and help them stand out in a competitive job market. Bear in mind, listing a tool/technology/skill on your resume that you aren’t familiar with is setting yourself up for failure. For those students and security professionals looking to level up and add a new skill to their inventory, here’s where to start.
Programming Resources For Cybersecurity Professionals
Start by familarizing yourself with what web attacks look like. Hacksplaining is a free resource with interactive demos that helps with this.
Here’s a great Python 101 for Hackers course from TCM Security Academy.
FreeCodeCamp has a detailed, project-based programming course with a dedicated security section. Check it out. And yes, it really is completely free.
We’d love to hear from you: Do you need to know programming to work in cybersecurity? Share your thoughts here, and see what others think.
