Cyber Security Specialist (BP) self-test: Is this course the right one for me?
Test here whether a job as a Cyber Security Specialist with a federal certificate is right for you and whether the federal professional examination "Cyber Security Specialist" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of cyber security specialists with a federal certificate look like?
Cyber security is a sub-area of ICT management. Cyber security specialists with a federal certificate ensure that their company's communication and information systems are protected against data leaks and unwanted, harmful or criminal attacks from cyberspace. On the one hand, they work preventively by evaluating risks, taking suitable protective measures and training employees. On the other hand, they are deployed if a so-called "security event" should nevertheless occur - then it is their job to stop the data leak, fix vulnerabilities, etc. and thus minimize the damage as far as possible.
Your main tasks are
- Analyze and evaluate the security of the company's information and communication systems
- Monitoring the threat situation in cyberspace
- foresee possible threats to your company
- Take measures to increase safety
- Sensitize and train employees in cyber security
- Monitor systems and data in operation and detect security incidents
- Analyze security incidents and respond with appropriate protective measures
Cyber Security Specialists with a federal certificate are qualified to lead smaller teams in operations and can - depending on the size - manage projects or sub-projects. In larger companies, they often work in a team with other ICT security specialists and jointly implement the management guidelines for the security strategy.
As a rule, they work in medium-sized or large private companies in all sectors and in public institutions.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a Cyber Security Specialist?
Great!
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at job advertisements. Perhaps you will find some that only require the activities that suit you better.
Perhaps another, related training program would suit you better? For example:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities.
Target group - Who is the professional examination for Cyber Security Specialist with federal certificate suitable for?
The "Cyber Security Specialist (BP)" courses are suitable for people:
- with experience in ICT security, who are operationally active in cyber security and would like to develop further in this IT field and take on more responsibility.
- who are interested in the risks and dangers associated with digitalization and who want to use their IT knowledge and skills to combat and mitigate them and thus work in an increasingly important economic sector.
It is aimed at people with
- quick comprehension
- strong analytical skills
- Good system and process thinking
- Sense of responsibility
- Discretion and integrity
- Perseverance and good frustration tolerance
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- good knowledge of English
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you lack the necessary professional experience or are not operationally active in ICT security, look for a position in this area.
- Take a look at ourfree guides 3.1 "Initial and further training in IT" and 3.2 "Career change into IT". You may come across further training courses that are aimed precisely at people like you.
Requirements for admission to the federal professional examination Cyber Security Specialist (BP)
You must meet one of the following requirements for admission to the federal professional examination "Cyber Security Specialist (BP)":
- EFZ in an ICT profession and at least 2 years of professional experience in the field of cyber or information security
- EFZ in another (non-ICT) profession, completion of a higher general school education or equivalent qualification and at least 4 years of professional experience in the ICT field, including at least 2 years in the field of cyber or information security
- (other previous education) at least 6 years of professional experience in the ICT field, of which at least 2 years in the field of cyber or information security
- Successful completion of the Swiss Armed Forces cyber course and at least 1 year of professional experience in the field of cyber or information security
The cut-off date for proof of the required professional experience is the day on which the examination begins.
Please note: Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a course in preparation for the Cyber Security Specialist professional examination if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then up to you to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience in ICT or in the ICT area of cyber and information security, please contact the sponsor of the federal examinations, the Swiss ICT Vocational Training Association, directly. Totheir websiteyou can check your requirements and chances of admission free of charge and without obligation.
If you have too little or no professional experience, use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience in ICT or in the ICT area of cyber and information security, please contact the sponsor of the federal examinations, the Swiss ICT Vocational Training Association, directly. Totheir websiteyou can check your requirements and chances of admission free of charge and without obligation.
If you have too little or no professional experience, search for suitable jobs on job boards.
Subject matter and content of the training
The content of the courses offered by the various providers in preparation for the federal professional examination "Cyber Security Specialist" is based on the specifications of ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, the sponsor of the professional examination.
The course material is divided into 13 modules:
- Leading and promoting teams (Module 674)
- Obtaining and processing information about threats (Module 679)
- Checking the security of the ICT infrastructure (module 680)
- Detecting and defending against attacks on ICT infrastructures (Module 681)
- Handling security incidents (Module 682)
- Analyzing and interpreting databases (Module 683)
- Examine systems digitally forensically, i.e. for evidence of criminal activity (Module 684)
- Ensure vulnerability and patch management (i.e. ways to eliminate them) in the company (module 685)
- Advise and train clients professionally (Module 686)
- Delimiting systems and defining requirements (Module 687)
- Calculating and budgeting expenditure for ICT projects (module 688)
- Evaluating IT solutions (Module 689)
- Planning, managing and monitoring projects (Module 690)
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire this knowledge?
Great!
If you are only partially interested in this specialist certificate, take a look at other specialist certificates in the ICT sector, e.g. the more business-oriented"Business IT specialist with federal FA".
If you are more interested in ICT security and less in taking on management and leadership tasks, take a look atFurther training and further education in the field of ICT and cyber security hereto.
Obviously, the typical areas of responsibility of a cyber security specialist with a federal certificate are not your world. Take a look at other further training courses instead. Onhttps://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs and the scope of services included vary slightly depending on the provider. On average, the following costs can be expected for the 2- or 3-semester courses:
- Course fees: approx. CHF 15,000; half of this will be refunded to you after passing the federal examination (federal contributions)
- Fee for the federal professional examination: CHF 3,200
- Some providers charge additional costs for enrollment, simulation tests, etc.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 18,200 for course fees and the federal examination?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance: Check with the school of your choice to see if they offer a special discount for paying in full upfront.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed money immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed money immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
The courses are part-time, last 2 or 3 semesters and comprise approx. 520 teaching units. There are various teaching formats to choose from:
- Face-to-face teaching on up to four half-days (during the day, afternoon and/or evening, Saturdays) per week (for 2-semester courses) plus additional time for class preparation and follow-up as well as self-study time
- Pure online teaching with individually organized self-study units and regular meetings in the virtual classroom
- Combined face-to-face and online teaching (blended learning) with self-study units, virtual and real meetings (workshops, classrooms, etc.)
Depending on the duration and type of course you choose and your learning habits, you should expect to spend between 12 and 20 hours per week preparing for the Cyber Security Specialist professional examination.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study time?
If you don't have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over four semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
How does the professional examination to become a Cyber Security Specialist work?
The examination for the federal certificate as a Cyber Security Specialist consists of three parts:
Part 1 / Cyber Security: 5 hours of practical case work (weighting 60%)
Candidates receive a task (in English) and must demonstrate their job-specific competence as a Cyber Security Specialist by completing the task (in English or German) in a simulated practical situation.
Part 2 / Projects and Business Administration: 2 hours in writing (weighting 20%)
Candidates work on a realistic practical task in a written assignment and thus demonstrate their skills in project management and job-specific business management topics.
3rd part / Leadership and communication: 45 minutes oral (weighting 20%)
In an oral case study and in a technical discussion, the candidates prove that they have the necessary personal and social skills for team leadership and communication as a Cyber Security Specialist.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Bring in your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Regular preparation and follow-up of the lesson material
- Committed cooperation in group work, case studies etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Practicing exam situations, e.g. in simulation exams and hacker labs
Diploma and title
Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and may use the following recognized and protected title:
"Cyber Security Specialist with federal certificate"
The English translation is:
"Cyber Security Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the federal professional examination?
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or theSponsor of the vocational examination for ICT vocational training in Switzerland.Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options.Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or kinesiologists, autogenic or mental training.
If you are not confident about taking the federal professional examination, some schools will not leave you empty-handed after successfully completing the preparatory course: if you have successfully completed all modules, you may receive aschool certificate.
As a rule, the preparatory courses also enable you to successfully take the examination to acquireinternationally recognized certificatessuch asCompTIA Security+.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or theSponsors of the Swiss ICT vocational training examination. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or kinesiologists, autogenic or mental training.
No, the course for the federal certificate as a Cyber Security Specialist (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. You will find a large selection of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Cyber Security Specialist is probably not the right training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. You will find a wide range of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch
That's a half-hearted result: working as a Cyber Security Specialist doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. You will find a wide range of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch
Training to become a Cyber Security Specialist is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin