Digital technology anchors today's complex global economy, with organizations around the world conducting nearly all of their business in the cloud. Data is collected and stored online, transactions take place over cloud-based payment portals, and consumers make nearly every purchase digitally. As a result, cybersecurity measures have become increasingly important, requiring businesses across all industries to invest in advanced cybersecurity protection.
Those interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career may want to know more about what types of knowledge and skills are required to succeed in this field. One question that many prospective students ask is, "Does cybersecurity require coding?" While many cybersecurity positions require candidates to be proficient in one or more programming languages, some cybersecurity career opportunities do not require coding.
Cybersecurity Roles That Require Coding
While some cybersecurity roles do not require professionals to have coding experience, there are many that do. These are some of the cybersecurity roles that require you to be proficient in at least one of the leading programming languages:
- Penetration tester/ethical hacker – A penetration tester is a cybersecurity professional, sometimes called an ethical hacker. Their job is to conduct security tests to determine the strength of the network and identify any potential vulnerabilities.
- Malware analyst – A malware analyst is a cybersecurity expert responsible for identifying and mitigating malware attacks.
- Security engineer – A security engineer is a leadership position in the field of cybersecurity. They are primarily responsible for developing strategies and implementing protocols that strengthen the security of the organization's network. In addition to identifying potential vulnerabilities within the network, they must respond to security attacks when they occur.
- Application security specialist – Application security specialists are cybersecurity professionals who specialize in mobile app security. They develop and strengthen security protocols for mobile applications, and they work to mitigate attacks when they occur.
- Forensic analyst – A cybersecurity forensic analyst is a specialized professional who works to investigate cybersecurity attacks. They are responsible for determining the cause of an attack and may provide organizations with recommendations for preventing similar attacks in the future.
Cybersecurity Roles That Don’t Require Coding
If you're wondering, “Does cybersecurity require coding?” the answer depends on the specific role you're aiming for. While coding is essential for roles like malware analysis and ethical hacking, many positions focus more on strategy and compliance without requiring coding skills. While many of the most common cybersecurity roles require professionals to be familiar with the leading coding languages, some do not require applicants to have coding experience. These are some of the cybersecurity roles that do not require candidates to have coding skills:
Security Policy and Governance
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, cybersecurity professionals who work in security policy and governance are responsible for developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies in an organization. These professionals are not responsible for developing the network architecture or security infrastructure, meaning they do not necessarily need coding expertise. Instead, they focus on creating a cybersecurity strategy that aligns with organizational goals and ensuring that it allows the organization to comply with industry regulations and cybersecurity guidelines. Security policy and governance professionals may be responsible for creating decision-making hierarchies for the organization, developing cybersecurity mitigation plans, or overseeing cybersecurity processes and procedures at an organization.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
A Security Operations Center Analyst, commonly referred to in the industry as a SOC analyst, is a cybersecurity professional who works to monitor the ongoing security operations at an organization. SOC analysts previously worked in person in a physical space where security operations were monitored on a consistent basis. Today, however, most SOC analysts can work remotely as they oversee operations using cloud-based technology. Since SOC analysts focus primarily on oversight and monitoring, they do not necessarily need to have coding experience. Some of the job responsibilities for this position may include:
- Monitoring logs on the network and updating the log analysis file.
- Creating incident response and recovery reports to identify security operations vulnerabilities and recommend future improvements.
- Data analysis is performed to create actionable insights for cybersecurity leaders regarding the best remediation steps to take in the future.
- Monitoring security operations to ensure that the organization complies with all cybersecurity policies, protocols, guidelines, and regulations.
Risk Analyst
A cyber risk analyst is a specialized cybersecurity professional who works to anticipate and predict when the next cyberattack may occur within an organization. As a critical component of the cybersecurity risk management strategy, a cyber risk analyst proactively works to strengthen the security of the network. Cyber risk analysts do not need to be coding experts, but they are often responsible for:
- Monitoring and evaluating emerging cybersecurity trends to determine potential risks.
- Performing security audits and risk assessments.
- Performing security repairs and software upgrades as needed to protect the network.
- Monitoring security access to identify any potential data breaches.
Compliance Manager
As organizations around the world become more heavily dependent upon data analysis to make decisions and develop long-term strategies, government agencies and industry associations are frequently implementing and changing regulatory guidelines. As a result, cybersecurity experts must have professionals in place responsible for ensuring that organizations remain in compliance with these standards. A compliance manager is responsible for creating a risk analysis process at an organization and setting controls that mitigate those risks. In addition, they are responsible for creating policies and procedures that ensure that the organization remains in compliance with the top industry standards and regulatory guidelines.
Cybersecurity Awareness Trainer
Cybersecurity awareness trainers have the unique opportunity to bring the complex world of cybersecurity to other professionals who may not be familiar with the most advanced techniques and extensive cybersecurity protocols. Cybersecurity awareness training is becoming more popular among organizations worldwide, particularly those most interested in improving their staff members' knowledge of cybersecurity risks and prevention methods. Cybersecurity awareness trainers are specialized cybersecurity professionals who can develop training materials and offer educational experiences for those who do not work in the field of cybersecurity.
Vendor and Third-Party Risk Manager
Both third-party risk management and vendor risk management play a crucial role in any organizational risk management strategy. A cyber vendor and third-party risk manager is a cybersecurity professional who works to develop and implement risk management practices for organizations that partner with outside vendors and third-party companies to offer products and services to their customers. These cybersecurity professionals are responsible for identifying the risks that may be associated with outsourcing, creating plans for business continuity in the event of a third-party or vendor cybersecurity attack, and creating strategies that improve trust among key stakeholders.
Incident Coordinator
Cybersecurity incident coordinators and incident responders are responsible for responding to cybersecurity attacks that occur within an organization's network. Primary responsibilities include:
- Collecting and identifying intrusion artifacts that were used in the attack.
- Coordinating technical support to respond to and mitigate the attack quickly.
- Performing data analysis after the attack to create actionable insights about the attack.
- Updating cybersecurity defense techniques and protocols that can be used to mitigate future attacks.
Benefits of Learning to Code for Cybersecurity
While coding is not a requirement for all cybersecurity jobs, there are benefits to learning how to code if you want to enter this field. The following are several leading benefits of learning to code for cybersecurity:
- It allows you to detect vulnerabilities within a security system better. Having an advanced understanding of programming languages will allow you to identify prospective security issues better and improve prevention efforts within your organization.
- You can detect security breaches as quickly as possible. Your coding knowledge can make the difference between detecting a security breach immediately versus missing the warning signs of an attack.
- You can better understand the architecture of the security systems you are working on. Being able to code gives you the ability to evaluate and analyze network security architecture and, ultimately, allows you to strengthen that architecture for your organization.
Will a Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Teach Me How to Code?
Whether your cybersecurity bachelor's degree program includes coding will depend on the school you enroll at and your chosen program. In general, most bachelor's degree programs in cybersecurity require students to complete some courses that focus on programming languages.
At Champlain College Online, our cybersecurity bachelor's degree program requires students to complete coding courses focusing on Python, such as Introduction to Python and Security Scripting with Python. These code-specific courses are ideal for those who want to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in cybersecurity, as they allow students to become familiar with the language and enhance their coding skills.
Does Cybersecurity Require Coding? Develop the Core Competencies Required for this Growing Field at Champlain College Online
Cybersecurity is a growing field expected to gain prominence in the coming years, particularly as advanced technology continues to reshape the top-performing industries around the world. At Champlain College Online, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program that equips students with the practical and technical skills required to pursue a variety of professional opportunities in cybersecurity. In addition to programming skills, this program emphasizes digital security and investigation techniques that allow students to become proficient in the leading cybersecurity practices. Request more information about our online degree programs today.
