ClearanceJobs chatted with Paul Rivera and Rob Dodson about their journey in starting the CyberOps Training Academy and some advice for the cybersecurity industry. Rivera is the CEO and founder of Def-Logix, Inc. and co-founder of CyberOps Training Academy, and Dodson is the lead instructor and co-founder of CyberOps Training Academy.
The Goal of the CyberOps Training Academy
Rivera began his career in software engineering, leading to the development of Def-Logix, a cybersecurity firm in national security. Finding the right people for open cyber positions was continually a challenge, given the gaps in hands-on experiences in candidates. While certifications are helpful, for many candidates, the practical skills are often missing. Rather than complain about the constant need for qualified cyber talent, Dodson and Rivera teamed up to create the CyberOps Training Academy. Dodson brings his extensive training background from military and government work and has helped create the tools and environment that can provide cybersecurity professionals with the necessary practical skills.
Born out of a desire to fill the cybersecurity talent gap, the CyberOps Training Academy is an accelerated cybersecurity training program designed to successfully prepare people with little or no background in IT for entry-level jobs in cybersecurity, a highly in-demand and lucrative career path.
The goal is to get employees on the same cybersecurity page with standardized skills. With colleges and universities on various pages with cybersecurity and industry needs, the CyberOps Training Academy not only reinforces knowledge, but it also provides hands-on learning experiences. Meeting the cybersecurity needs in national security requires a team approach with this critical learning opportunity, giving cyber employees more tools.
Important Considerations in the Cyber Industry
The world of cybersecurity is moving quickly. With new technologies, there are new vulnerabilities, so it’s important to continually be learning and growing, ready to find new ways to meet moving targets. It also requires a passion to keep up with the changes in industry. A mind with a bend towards problem-solving is key in meeting the cybersecurity field.
The bad actors are working 24/7, so it means that management and security professionals need to stay up-to-date with skill sets and changes. It’s an exciting field to be in, but it requires a personal drive to stay current and ahead of potential threats.
People don’t really know how vulnerable they are. We add devices continually without realizing how much information is being shared. So, there’s a real need for cybersecurity professionals who understand the risks and vulnerabilities of the current and future technology environment. Everything that you put into place is eventually going to be compromised, so you have to figure out how to stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
Advice for employers and job seekers in Cybersecurity Industry
Rivera encourages employers to develop and train staff. The cybersecurity needs will continue to grow, so continually training employees will ensure that the national security workforce is ready to meet the threats of today and tomorrow.
It’s also important to recognize and reward employees who are frontrunners in the cybersecurity field. With a high demand for skilled cyber employees, a key retention strategy is to move high performers ahead to keep them motivated.
Certifications are helpful, but it’s also important for job seekers to stay current with threats and new technologies. Employees who have scripting skill sets will be ahead of their competition in cybersecurity operations.
Dodson outlined a few categories of cybersecurity roles and jobs:
- Red Team – Offensive cyber operations – represent the “bad guys”
- Blue Team – Defensive cyber operations – represent the “good guys”
- Purple Team – Red Team and Blue Team working together to improve security
- Black Team – Government specialized cyber operator
- Management Team – the CISO folks that report to executive
While it can be challenging to know where to go, Dodson explains that there’s a job field for anyone who has the aptitude to learn. And in the cleared industry, there’s a big need for employees ready to fill roles on red and blue teams. However, there are many career paths, with multiple levels, so depending on what you want to do, you can find something to excel at quickly. And for the people who like to constantly be met with new challenges and learning opportunities, the options to jump back and forth with different teams and roles are available.
Connecting with the CyberOps Training Academy
Job seekers or employers interested in the academy can check out the coursework and learning opportunities that the CyberOps Training Academy offers. In order to build a strong cybersecurity workforce, it means building trained cyber professionals who are ready to meet the demands of the current and future digital landscape.
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