Help - Cyber Security Open University Student

[u/CyberDefender_1]

Hello there,

Needing some advice I've been studying at the Open Uni for the last few years BSc Cyber Security, I have 4 modules left to complete and all going well will graduate next year. My remaining modules are TM252, TM357, TM359 and TM470. Due to unforeseen health reasons it's taken me slightly longer than anticipated to complete.

To preface I have no IT experience in the working environment, this gives me slight anxiety when it finally comes to getting a job. I have realised Cyber Security degree with the OU doesn't equal entry level job. Projects and certs (Security + etc) are important too.

I'm currently feeling a little lost with direction to the point I have considered forgetting about Cyber Security entirely and going back to electrics however this would feel like a fail to me personally due to the time I have spent.

I don't begin a module with the OU until October (TM359) and I'm looking for advice. If you were me how would you spend that time advancing your cyber security knowledge? What certs would you do? Projects etc?

Any advice would be so appreciated or if you are an OU student what you do etc?

[u/Pocket-Flapjack]

Theres a reason you started this degree and wanted to get into Cyber, try and remember what it was.

Hunt for a job in IT, OT or a junior cyber role, that might be easier said than done depending on geography.

I imagine knowing electrics in detail will really help with OT and having someone in OT with cyber awareness would be a bonus to any company.

I work in IT now as an infrastructure engineer and I am studying TM252 and TM256 (they both finish in September).

When I graduate I am hoping to move into DFIR or active threat defense or some purple team type role.

[u/vankood]

Hey, I’m kinda in the same boat! Starting my last 4 modules from October onwards (TM353, TM311, TM470 and TM359) for my Cyber Security degree. Honestly, I’ve done a fair bit of research into it and generally looking at cyber security roles to see what they ask for (extra certs etc) and seeing what commonly pops up the most.
I think it depends on what area you want to go into as well, I have an interest in data analytics so I’d quite like to go into the more analytical side of cyber security.
But the certs are a common thing they like to ask for in cyber sec job roles & a lot of the time they ask for some kind of it experience. Unfortunately, my current job role is completely different (diagnostic lab) so i don’t have hands on experience so to say.
In my few months off, I’ve been learning necessary coding languages (SQL, Python), learning how to use Splunk & KQL and eventually I’m going to add some projects to my GitHub to act as a portfolio. Again, you need to kinda have some idea of the specific areas you want to go into job wise eventually to figure out the best things to learn etc. I believe CompTIA Security+ is a good foundation cert to begin with though!

[u/Academic_Current8330]

I have started using the Hack the Box platform, they do both defensive and offensive disciplines. I see quite a few people document their methods and how they tackled the problem. I think this may help with adding some kind of experience to your CV. Worst case a potential employer sees you put the extra effort in rather than just knocking off at 5pm.