How to Write a Great Cyber Security Resume

Cyberattacks are occurring more and more frequently every day. Companies, large and small, need adept professionals with an excellent cyber security resume to protect their private information and that of their clients. Hiring people with extensive cybersecurity certifications is more crucial than ever before. 

Cyber security specialists are integral to creating networks. They’re more focused on security threats and system-wide incursions than training their fellow employees to deal with vulnerabilities. Therefore, cyber security specialists are vital when companies initially set up their networks. All good cybersecurity pros know precisely how to examine the security setup of a company from a holistic viewpoint, including everything from implementation to threat modeling, testing, specifications, and even a vulnerability assessment. Cybersecurity pros also fully understand all of the security issues associated with networking, operating systems, and virtualization software — and they need to in the face of recent attacks.

Cyberattacks by the numbers

According to one major security provider, ransomware attacks increased by 105 percent (year-over-year) in 2021, reaching a total number of 623.3 million attacks. Encrypted threats rose by 167 percent to 10.1 million. These totals are close to those of the years 2018 thru 2020 combined. According to a recent Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, the financial damages that cyber attackers have caused are also on the rise. In fact, those losses have increased almost sixfold, which is up from $10,000 (median cost per organization) in the year 2020 to $57,000 in 2021. 

Organizations have been responding to the growing threats by increasing their overall investment in cybersecurity by 39 percent. As cyber threats continue to rise, experts anticipate that cybersecurity spending worldwide will grow annually by 15 percent, from $262 billion in 2021 to a massive $460 billion by 2025.

A time of conflict

Cybersecurity has been a significant concern for corporations, governments, and even individuals for a long time now. However, the current Russia-Ukraine conflict has intensified the ever-expanding trend of attacks as they increase in size, sophistication, and sheer volume. President Joe Biden has urged American businesses to start shoring up their cyber defenses due to the growing, ongoing threat of cyberattacks on the U.S. These can pose immense financial, legal, and reputational risks for all those being targeted. 

As those threats become more prominent, cybersecurity budgets will continue to grow and create more jobs for cybersecurity specialists. That’s why anyone considering cybersecurity as their chosen field needs to be ready with a highly professional and eye-catching resume that will impress potential employers. So, here are a few excellent cyber security resume template examples:

Example #1

Carl Jones

555.555.5555 | Sometown, NY 10310 | [email protected] | LinkedIn URL

Information Technology Security Specialist

Developing, implementing, monitoring, and supporting information systems security programs

An IT security specialist with talent and a passion for aligning all phases of security architecture from planning to controlling, policies, processes, and procedures within operational goals and security standards.A consummate project leader with a wealth of proven experience in the direction of all phases of complex projects while also managing, mentoring, and motivating global team members.Extensive experience in the development and testing of cloud-based systems security architectures.

Technology Skills

Security:	Advanced intrusion detection user from IDS/IPS to DLP, SIEM, antivirus tools, vulnerability-scanning, proxy appliances, and Web gateways.
Systems:	Experience in working with virtualized/physical server environments, mixed Windows/Linux, and databases.
Programming:	Knowledge of C, CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, MySQL, PHP, and Perl

Experience

ABC Company, Anytown, NY | 6/20xx to Present

IT Security Specialist

Expert in overseeing the security of cloud infrastructure while also serving as the main point of contact for the investigation and resolution of security-related issues. Specialist in developing threat and vulnerability management policy and managing SEM (security event management) systems.

Virtually eliminated advanced persistent threats and security breaches from malware and also:

• Authored standard operating procedures and security architecture design documentation.
• Introduced security metrics to mitigate vulnerabilities by analyzing historical threats, implementing improved protocols, and addressing gaps/risks/violations.
• Trained 150 end-users on procedures, security processes, and risks via my company’s initial security education program being rolled out company-wide.

DEF Company, Anytown, NY | 1/20xx to 6/20xx

Project Lead & Network Administrator

Planned, coordinated, and directed network-related projects and multi-disciplinary teams. Accomplished many project goals on budget, on time, and aligned with corporate objectives.

Led business-critical IT initiatives implementation, including:

• Developing and launching a software-distribution system enterprise-wide to remotely deliver automated software updates to all network devices.      
• Founding and building an internal helpdesk and training technical staff for providing technical support to 1,500 users.

Education 

ABC University, Anytown, NY

Computer Information Systems Bachelor of Science

Example #2

Example #3

Resume objectives – cyber security specialist

In the ever-increasing virtual world of today, the job of a Cyber Security Specialist is integral to the safety of the web for people everywhere. If you become a Cyber Security Specialist, you will be responsible for protecting computer dealings for businesses via building a secure system. You’ll also have to stay updated on all of the latest technological innovations. Potential employers look for individuals capable of providing the necessary talents that their company needs and can show those talents (as well as their technical experience) in a well-written and concise resume.

What your resume should say to prospective employers

When you apply for any position as a Cyber Security Specialist, your resume should tell a prospective employer that you possess excellent technical skills and exceptional education. Highlighting your abilities shows that you’re a great catch and have all of the aptitude and determination needed to keep up with the high demand that comes with a cyber security position. When you’re writing your resume, ensure that you consider any of your specialized proficiencies, security and computer experience, and all unique job-relatable competencies that you offer. Ensure that you’re listing all of those talents to keep your resume near or at the very top of the hiring manager’s stack of resumes.

Following is a list of some of the technical skills you’ll want to include in your resume:

• Attention to detail
• A strong desire to learn
• Fundamental computer forensics skills
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of cyber security across a variety of platforms
• A solid understanding of hacking basics
• Superior problem-solving skills
• Technical aptitude

Writing a great cyber security resume

The goal of an effective cybersecurity resume is to show potential employers that you have the following security experience: 

1. Attention to detail

2. Critical-thinking skills

3. Decision-making skills

4. Programming knowledge

These are all necessary for success in any cyber security position. Even entry-level cyber security resumes should be written to effectively impress the hiring managers of companies offering these jobs. If you’re an entry-level cyber security professional, you haven’t specialized in any cyber-security career role yet. However, you may have a computer science background (some programs have started offering cyber security-specific degrees). So, if you have a cyber security-specific degree, all the better. Either way, your resume needs to include the following: 

• Career statement
• Contact information
• Education
• Relevant skills
• Training
• Work experience

It should also be in a chronological format because it’s much easier for hiring managers to follow and scan while also reflecting the framework and order of effective security networks. Here are a few more formatting tips for what you should definitely include in your cyber security resume:

1. Use strong technical action verbs

Each of your important bullet points should consist of a different action verb that is descriptive, technical, and highlights each one of your core cyber security skills. When you write a cyber security resume, you’ll give it more energy, placing you squarely in an active role when describing all of your work — a simple scan from an employer will highlight these.

2. Show the depth and width of all of your cyber security experience and skills

In many cases, an applicant will be worried that a generalized skill set could be seen as a negative. However, if you’re a cyber security consultant, the exact opposite is usually true. As long as your cyber security resume shows that you were noteworthy in your divergent roles in the same industry, you can show you’re an expert via the accrued skills in those diverse areas.

3. Add your university projects to bolster your relevant security and other technical experience

If you currently have limited professional experience to list on your resume, several methods can demonstrate your interest in growing into your chosen career. Even if you feel like the experience isn’t nearly as technical as you would like, it can show your motivation for integrating yourself into the cybersecurity community.

4. Research the position & highlight your skills

When you’re writing a resume to land a cyber security role in any company, don’t forget to start by researching the specific role and position you’re applying for. Then, highlight the core skills you possess that are relevant to the position. Doing this will ensure that your resume will be properly targeted for that role and that it ends up making it past the initial stage of resume screening.

In addition, an effective cybersecurity resume should include:

• A creative header
• A resume objective and/or a summary
• A description of your experience in the field of cyber security
• Your educational history
• A concise list of your cybersecurity skills
• A complete list of your certifications, credentials, and safety clearances

Why cyber security certifications are so necessary

There are many certifications that can help provide you with access to exciting new positions if you have them on your cyber security resume, including but definitely not limited to: 

• Advanced Threat Analyst
• Certified Information Systems Auditor
• Certified Information Security Manager
• Certified Information System Security Professional
• Chief Information Security Officer
• Cyber Security Engineer
• Information Security Assessor
• Information Security Manager
• Penetration Testing Specialist

After you complete your cyber security resume, read it carefully, ensuring it contains only correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You should be applying the exact same attention to detail in your resume that you utilize in your cybersecurity work. Proofreading your resume several times is very important, and perhaps even having a friend or colleague read it would help. 

Remember, a great cyber security resume can help get your foot in the door. The next step is a successful interview. Being well prepared is key. It’s a good idea to practice interview questions and know your resume, experience, skills, and talents thoroughly. 

There are several Cyber Security Specialist job opportunities out there. Writing an excellent and effective cyber security resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers is an integral first step toward landing those jobs. Check out the following tutorial link for more info and plenty of information: Start Career in Cyber Security in 2022 – The Complete Course on Udemy.