How I Would Learn Cyber Security (If I Could Start Over)

If I could go back in time and learn cyber security, I would do a lot of things differently. If I could start over, I'd spend more time doing practical projects rather than focusing on theory. I would also prioritize learning a specific niche in the field and focusing on learning those skills. And above all, I'd adopt a better learning strategy for cyber security. Today, I walk you through an entire study plan to help you get into cyber security. I hope this guide inspires you to keep learning and continue your cyber security career.

I'm over 30 years old, semi recent graduate working at a Fortune 500 company as a security analyst! Follow along for insights into the tech industry, all things cyber security, and what to expect as a recent-grad and remote cyber security engineer.

Link to Learning How To Learn by Coursera:

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:13 - 13 Years of Coding/Cybersecurity
1:37 - Cyber Security is HARD
2:00 - First Mistake
3:44 - Second Mistake
4:47 - Third Mistake
8:17 - Fourth Mistake
9:42 - Replaced by AI
11:14 - AI for dummies like me
12:07 - My hopes and dreams
12:17 - Conclusion
12:41 - BONUS FOOTAGE
12:52 - Outro

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Welcome to Mad Hat. I'm a Cyber Security Analyst at an undisclosed Fortune 500 company. Here, we talk about tips and tricks on how to land a successful career in tech. If you are interested, make sure to hit that subscribe button!

How I Would Learn Cyber Security (If I Could Start Over)
How I Would Learn Coding (If I Could Start Over)

Sub count: 3,609

#CyberSecurity #Programming #SoftwareEngineer

[madhatistaken]

Do you have any regrets in your coding or cyber security journey?

Link to Learning How To Learn by Coursera:

Timestamps for convenience 😋:
0:00 ➡Intro
0:13 ➡13 Years of Coding/Cybersecurity
1:37 ➡Cyber Security is HARD
2:00 ➡First Mistake
3:44 ➡Second Mistake
4:47 ➡Third Mistake
8:17 ➡Fourth Mistake
9:42 ➡Replaced by AI
11:14➡AI for dummies like me
12:07➡My hopes and dreams
12:17➡Conclusion
12:41➡BONUS FOOTAGE
12:52➡Outro

[CyberFraudDawg]

I graduated HS at the top of my class, got full scholarship, chose community college over Northern Arizona University, dropped out of college with one class left...COLLEGE ALGEBRA!. Worked several jobs in a casino: food and bev, keno caller, slot operations then slot operations technician. Got a girl, lost a girl, lost the job, got a new job at Fry's Electronics, met a new girl, new girl is a computer geek, quit job for fraud job at bank, moved up from fraud analyst 1, fraud analyst 2, senior analyst, left job and moved to Washington state with girl, got new job in fraud, became senior analyst, bought a house, got married, lost a kid, had 2 more kids, lost the job, PANDEMIC, went back to college. We all have our own crazy and meandering path and no one goes from point A to point B.

[FlyingGreenTea]

I'm in my early 30's. Currently unemployed with zero savings and I'm starting my life all over again from scratch by learning Cyber Security because of bad decisions I made in my 20's. If there is anyone in their 30's and above, I wish you all the best and know that we still have a lot of time so don't worry. We got this!

[b_to_the_b]

I’m living in the golden age of information access

[kasseypotsel]

I am literally doing what you did right now. I'm in school right now, learning the basics. Thanks for the advice! And I'm 32 years old. I made some very stupid decisions in my younger years so I'm pretty much starting my life over.

[talostheking]

I think the ideal route is to apply for your Bachelors program, find an entry level IT job, and then begin studying your A+, Net+, and Sec+. After four years you'll have your degree, four years of and 3 entry level certifications.

[santonopoulou]

As someone in her 30's transitioning from software development to security I really appreciated this video. Great advice - and super entertaining <3

[lampario]

Just wanted to confirm that the "Learning how to Learn" course on Coursera is phenomenal. I worked through it as part of a free, online coding bootcamp I did, and I realized that the professor (Barbara Oakley) was actually one of my professors back in college. She's awesome. It was wild to find out she was my old engineering professor before I dropped out, lol.

It's worth taking the time to go through. Gotta realize that learning cyber is definitely a marathon. You're in this learning process for years - and probably the rest of your career. Slow down and work through these things!

[eps]

Your point on discrete math definitely resonated with me. Passed the class with a D and was relieved when my advisor told me I didnt have to retake it.

[dreamingtacos]

I graduated high school back in 2011 been working at warehouse since. Just now starting school for cyber defense at 29.

[dennyklein]

I’ve had a Cyber Analyst tell me that if he knew back then what he knows today he would have skipped his degree in college and invested that time into Certifications and Labs and would be where he is today a lot sooner.
He also advised me that if you goto college pertaining to IT it becomes pointless unless you are going for a very specific IT job that requires it.

[NotElliot]

One of the most underrated infosec yt channels I've seen. You deserve at least 500k subs. Keep goin' man

[rainyonrecord]

My path was fairly simple but I got stuck in tutorial hell and learning purgatory for a decent chunk of my time learning, I learned python with by doing the challenge called “100 days of code”, learned basic file system and system administration commands with Linux and Microsoft powershell & cmd, learned common exploits, installed kali Linux onto a ventoy usb, used a promotion code and signed up to hack the box, focused on networking for a bit, focused more on powershell after realizing how little I know about it, learned ruby and php with books from Amazon, learned malware analysis and basic reverse engineering along with a smidge of x86 assembly, did a bunch of try hack me ctfs, decided to study and research terms used in vulnerability reports on hacker news finally purchased hack the box’s pen testing specialist certification course, *passed* .

[darkin]

This 13 years of Hindsight recap is literally insanely valuable advice to receive as someone who is just starting in year 1 of Computing degree. Much appreciated you sharing so much in-depth breakdown of your journey as a fellow gaming nerd like me and so many of us.

[koolaid]

Bro, you and I literally went down the same road and hit the same issues. This video explains where a lot of us went wrong when entering this same career field.

[turtleswithbombs]

I'm honestly surprised to have found a channel as good as this. The content is great and surprisingly useful. Good job man!

[DitchOfficial]

Currently getting my BS In information system security and I felt so many of your points in my bones. Thanks for the vid. First time catching one.

[shyjy]

I feel like this can probably be applied to other degrees as well. I'm still considering a degree in electrical engineering or computer science as well (leaning more towards electrical engineering), and there are so so many sub fields to go into. The degrees themselves alone are very broad.

Thanks for the content!

[David-ceux]

Just graduated masters and got a job as a cyber security engineer but you literally described what I used to do - assignments, gaming and hoping for the best.

[nelsonperez]

Started to study it, changed majors a lot. Now I’m back. 1 year back. I’m glad to see someone give some key info.