In a world where everything from your fridge to your friendships is online, cybersecurity isn’t just a career rather it’s a responsibility inflicted upon each one of us. For the upcoming generation, this field offers the perfect blend of purpose, challenge, and reward.
As someone with close to 30 years in this field, I often reflect on how I got here starting from a young professional with no clear path, to a leader in a field that continues to evolve by the minute. Today’s generation faces an overwhelming landscape filled with options, uncertainties, and noise. Choosing cybersecurity might seem daunting but let me offer some perspective and guidance.
Why choose cybersecurity? Because every click, tap, and swipe today creates digital footprints, and someone needs to protect them. Cybersecurity professionals defend individuals, businesses, and even nations from threats that are becoming smarter by the second.
With the rise of AI, cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than ever. Attackers now use AI to automate phishing, craft deepfakes, and breach systems with speed and precision. As systems grow smarter, so must we. Staying ahead isn’t optional rather it’s a survival.
But make no mistake: this isn’t a field for the faint-hearted. The stakes are high, and the urgency is real. It demands curiosity, grit, and a thirst to outthink the bad guys. You’ll face challenges like keeping up with evolving threats, understanding complex systems, and working under high-pressure situations. Yet, for those who thrive on learning and love solving real-world puzzles, there’s nothing more thrilling.
So, where do you start? Begin early. Learn the basics of networking, operating systems, and coding. Join cybersecurity communities. Get your hands dirty with Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges. Follow ethical hackers, read up on breaches, and understand how they happened. Take courses on platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or Coursera.
Expect detours. You might feel lost at times, but keep your goal in sight. This field will challenge you, inspire you, and stretch your limits. And like they say, “with great power comes great responsibility.” In cybersecurity, we add accountability to that power.
Finally, remember this: cybersecurity isn’t just a job, it’s a mission. And the digital world needs defenders now more than ever. If you’re ready to protect, problem-solve, and make an impact, this might just be your calling.
By Faisal Khan
Associate Director – Information Security & Compliance
Recognized among the Top 100 Cybersecurity Leaders in the Middle East
