Gaming Your Cyber Career

CISA. CISM. CISSP. CEHv8. GSEC. OSCP.

Just to list a few. If you’re a cybersecurity practitioner (or looking to become one) you know these token-like random character strings are actually various cybersecurity certifications. Cyber certs can open doors to new jobs and pay grades, but OMG (that’s not a cert) all the certification options can get overwhelming. So how do you know which cert is right for you? To help answer this question, think of something more fun: video games.

Video games come in various genres, and different games test different skills in players. The same is true of certs. Here is a brief list of some of the top cyber certs and their video game equivalents.

Security + : Minecraft

Minecraft gamers create new worlds with blocks; virtual, 3-D cubes that fit together to become any world or map the gamer can think up. Security +, too, is a building block. Security + is the basic, entry-level certification for cyber newcomers. It serves as a launching point to other certifications and it is foundation upon which careers are built.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Assassin’s Creed

Assassin’s Creed is an open world game that allows gamers to play as stealthy, athletic assassins who use hidden blades to take out authoritarian Templars. Creed gamers, especially of the original 2007 game, know the long process of intelligence gathering before an attack. Players must scan the weak areas and vulnerabilities of their enemies prior to attack. This process would be familiar to CEHs. The CEH cert, which teaches the principles of penetration testing, emphasizes the thorough research that must go into a security assessment, including port scans, network sweeps, and vulnerability scans.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): NBA 2K GM Mode

The NBA 2K series is very popular among fans of the sport. Within the game, players can opt into General Manager (GM) Mode, where they get to play the role of a GM, in addition to being a player on the court. As GM, gamers need to consider the long-term success of their franchise. They need to think about the monetary value of their players, consider trades with other teams, and invest in the right draft picks to build their teams. This long-term, strategic, and business-focused perspective is similar to a CISSP mindset. As managers of their security teams, CISSPs need to balance security knowhow with business considerations.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): Borderlands

Borderlands is a first-person shooter game that calls for players to battle aliens on an abandoned planet. At the beginning of the game, players choose to play as one character and follow that specific story line. Each of these characters has specialized skills and weapons unique to him/her. All in all, Borderlands is a niche game. From the hand-drawn cartoon graphics, to the alien enemies, to the specific skill set and weapon choice of each player, Borderlands is attractive to gamers who are looking for specific experiences. The CCSP cert also focuses on a very specific sector: cloud security. The CCSP cert will teach candidates how to manage risk in a cloud environment, a place as conceptual as Borderland’s alien planet.

You Know the Games. Now Get the Console.

All this talk of video games probably got you ready to play some. Play all these games and more on a new PlayStation 4 Slim or Xbox One using CyberVista’s current promotional offer for our CISSP Prep course.