Cybersecurity is a broad field concerned with protecting users, computer systems, networks, and digital assets against various information theft and financial damage due to security breaches by criminal outsiders (“hackers”) or malign insiders. A common question that beginners ask about cybersecurity is its relation to coding: in essence, is it necessary to learn coding to pursue a career in cybersecurity? Even though there is a conception that coding is essential for entering the field of security, most entry-level cybersecurity jobs do not require coding skills. However, knowing coding is considered an asset, especially for mid-level and senior cybersecurity jobs. So, the answer to whether cybersecurity professionals need to learn programming code is not a straight yes or no. You may not need to master programming if you seek a career in cybersecurity; it depends on the nature of the job.
Cybersecurity professionals have a range of skills and knowledge in the following areas: vulnerability assessment, security tools, process development, and various regulatory and security frameworks, as well as project management and architecture of technology. Although people might think that all cybersecurity professionals have advanced coding and programming knowledge, that’s typically not true–each cybersecurity individual has a different set of skills. The only common skill that unites all these cybersecurity professionals is a security mindset that drives them to test organizations’ systems, tools, and processes for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Many cybersecurity professionals who may not even have computer science degrees usually develop their security knowledge and skills through hands-on experience in the field. The key to entering the cybersecurity industry is not a degree but a desire to learn and understand the functioning of technology and the associated exploitable weaknesses. Additionally, there are now various certifications that beginners can earn to learn the basics of cybersecurity. Formal training is usually not expected due to the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of the field.