Security is becoming an increasingly hot topic lately in the technology and engineering industries. Security breaches are common, and companies find themselves vulnerable to hacks and attacks due to a lack of security protocols. Many companies out there are looking for security professionals, and LinkedIn is one of the go-to sources where they can find new staff members.
In more than 200 countries as of 2021, LinkedIn had more than 740 million users, including executives from every Fortune 500 company. According to Global Web Index, LinkedIn is regarded by company decision-makers as a top source for IT news and information, with users consuming valuable and influential insight on security within their LinkedIn feed.
Also, security-related themes raise the dangers and vulnerabilities that are exposed at an alarming rate, increasing the urgency and significance of cybersecurity among businesses today. Ever wonder why Linkedin is so popular amongst security professionals? Let’s have a look at how cybersecurity professionals can use Linkedin.
Why do Cybersecurity Professionals Use Linkedin?
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, helping professionals find the right job and advance in their careers. Nearly 60% of LinkedIn users globally as of January 2022 were between the ages of 25 and 34. In contrast, only 2.9% of the social media network users were over 55. Additionally, 20.4% of users on the professional social network were in the 18 to 24-year-old age bracket.
By 2025, there are expected to be 1,034.56 million active LinkedIn users worldwide.
Cybersecurity professionals use LinkedIn to build their professional reputation, connect with other cybersecurity professionals and share their thoughts on security topics.
The site offers many features that can be beneficial to Cybersecurity professionals looking for an edge in the job market, such as:
- A searchable database of jobs and internships across industries.
- A place to build your professional network with other users who share similar interests or work in similar fields.
- A platform where you can share your resume, cover letter, etc., with employers searching for new hires (identical to LinkedIn’s “Profile” feature).
Linkedin – A Perfect Platform to Contact Like-Minded Professionals
Cybersecurity professionals are a pretty tight-knit group, and Linkedin is the place where they can interact with one another.
Cybersecurity professionals use Linkedin to network with like-minded individuals. They also use it to find jobs, recruit new talent, and engage with industry thought leaders.
If you want to impact cybersecurity, you need to be on Linkedin. Here are some ways cybersecurity professionals can use Linkedin for contact information:
Find Recruiters
If you’re looking for a job in cybersecurity, LinkedIn is a great place to find recruiters who specialize in recruiting people with experience in this field.
Connect with Experts in Your Field
One of the best ways to keep up-to-date on all things IT security is by following experts in your field on social media, including LinkedIn. You can also join groups on LinkedIn that allow members to share content, ask questions, and debate ideas related to cybersecurity topics such as compliance regulations or emerging threats.
Join Groups Related to Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity professionals can join groups related to their specific area of expertise or general interest in cyber security. These groups allow users to share information about cybersecurity topics, ask questions of other members, and build their knowledge base. Some popular groups include “Cyber Security Professionals” and “Cyber Security Jobs.”
Preparing Your LinkedIn for a Cybersecurity Career
In the right hands, LinkedIn can be a powerful resource for job hunters. Making the most of LinkedIn’s features and tools is vital if you want your profile to get noticed and effectively market your business. Cybersecurity experts can find suitable LinkedIn jobs matching their skill set. Statistics show that 210 million job applications are made monthly, and 40 million people use LinkedIn to look for work weekly.
Here are some tips on how to prepare Linkedin for a Cybersecurity career:
Add a Professional Photo
It’s important to represent yourself professionally on LinkedIn. Add a headshot with minimal background, and make sure the photo is high-quality. A good tip is to use an image in front of a plain white wall to crop it to different sizes easily.
Fill Out Your About Section
This is where you’ll tell people what you do and why they should be interested in you as a cybersecurity professional or recruiter. Include what makes you unique and how your experience aligns with their needs. If they’re looking for someone who has worked with specific technologies, mention those too!
Develop Your Interpersonal and Communication Skills
In the world of cybersecurity, interpersonal skills are essential. You need to communicate effectively with others to understand their needs and concerns and explain your ideas and experiences. You’ll also need to ensure that your communication style is appropriate for the situation at hand — whether it’s with a client or a coworker at another company — so that people feel comfortable working with you.
Monitor Trends in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is constantly changing as new threats emerge and attack techniques evolve. To avoid these threats, you must know what’s happening in the industry and where it’s headed next. That way, you’ll be prepared when you apply for jobs or make career changes. Press Tab to write more.
Specialize in a Particular Cybersecurity Area
You can specialize in several areas within cyber security, including application security, network security, and data loss prevention (DLP). Each area has its unique requirements and training programs. Some even require Certifications. So choose wisely and do your research before choosing one over another.
Get a Cybersecurity Certification
You’ve decided on a course of study, begun coursework, stayed current with industry news, and improved your communication skills. Finding a mentor or an internship is a little more complicated because these things depend on more than just your actions.
You are working hard. Therefore it’s time to show the world you are committed to your journey.
Certifications can help you stand out from other experts in this business and many others by communicating your dedication to your chosen field.
Build Up Your Cyber Knowledge Base
It’s essential to understand how hackers operate so you can better defend against them — but it’s also important to know what tools and techniques they use so you can use them yourself. Hacker attacks on Linkedin are common. Nearly 93% of the members of LinkedIn, or 700 million individuals, have had their personal information made available for purchase online.
Therefore, learning about standard hacking techniques like phishing and social engineering and advanced methods like spear-phishing and session hijacking is a must.
How are Linkedin Profiles a Goldmine For Hackers?
A hacker can get your password, email, and personal information from your LinkedIn profile. Hackers are using Linkedin as a platform to gain access to sensitive information.
This is because LinkedIn profiles are one of the internet’s most popular social media sites. Professionals in all fields use it to connect with others and build their networks.
But hackers are also taking advantage of this popularity and using it as a tool to steal your personal information.
LinkedIn is not just used by businesses or recruiters anymore; it’s also now being used by cyber criminals who have found a new way to target individuals with their attacks. And they are doing this through their Linkedin profiles.
Employees in Cyber Security
As an employee, attempt to limit the particular information you disclose in the public domain about the systems of former companies on LinkedIn. Describe your experience in broad strokes rather than going into specifics regarding the strategies employed by each firm.
How do Cybersecurity Professionals Protect Themselves on Linkedin?
Cybersecurity professionals are a high-value target for attackers and usually have a lot of sensitive data on their hard drives. This makes them a prime target for phishing attacks.
Here are some tips from the experts on how to protect yourself from these attacks:
- Don’t click on links in emails or messages that you didn’t expect to receive. If you receive an email from someone you know asking for your password, it’s probably not legitimate.
- Set up two-factor authentication (2FA). This provides an extra level of security by requiring your login credentials in addition to something only you can access — like your phone or fingerprint.
- Use strong passwords that aren’t easy to guess — even if they’re long! A strong password should be at least 16 characters long, include numbers and symbols, and contain at least one capital letter and one lowercase letter. Don’t use common passwords.
- Install security software on all your devices (including mobile devices!) so that viruses can be blocked before they reach your machine.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a booming career field and one that is expected to grow even more in the future. Using Linkedin can help cyber security professionals get more work. As you begin searching for a cybersecurity job, you must simultaneously learn about cybersecurity and Linkedin. It can be easy to miss out on how to utilize Linkedin for your professional goals best.
Networking is great for finding potential employers and working on your professional reputation. Beyond that, these professionals have all sorts of tips for LinkedIn users if you’re interested in finding out more.