How to assess cybersecurity skills

Cybersecurity is fundamental to any resilient and successful business in an increasingly digitized world because it safeguards companies from increasing cyber threats. Because these threats are becoming more sophisticated, employers must hire cybersecurity candidates whose skills and expertise align with security demands. 

You can resolve cyber risks and maintain a thriving business with the right talent. To assist you in your search for a cybersecurity expert, read through this article. It outlines the most relevant skills needed for cybersecurity roles and discusses how to identify them in candidates with skills tests such as our Cybersecurity test.

What is a cybersecurity skills assessment? 

A cybersecurity skills assessment will help you select candidates or create a shortlist of top talent with the appropriate skills to succeed in a cybersecurity role. The assessment suits several career pathways, from analysts and network security engineers to cloud and application security specialists. 

It comprises tests relating to skills candidates actively need, including attention to detail, communication, cryptography, and problem solving. 

A cybersecurity skills assessment will help you narrow down the competition for positions and accelerate the hiring process by showing you the most suitable applicants. The test results can drive your decision by providing statistics about each candidate’s abilities when you create a shortlist of candidates for the interview process.

Cybersecurity skills assessments are also ideal for creating topics to discuss with candidates during the interview, where you can ask relevant cybersecurity questions.

Assessments typically contain various question types, such as essay-style and multiple-choice questions. You can add custom questions, too, to consider whether a candidate has more unique abilities or the personality traits and values to match your company culture.

Why are cybersecurity skills important? 

Hiring cybersecurity experts is critical for any company at risk of cyber attacks. Almost all companies use technologies in today’s digital landscape, requiring professionals to safeguard their hardware, software, and data systems from dangerous threats. 

Having expert measures in place keeps sensitive information safe, such as financial data, medical records, and customer payment details. Let’s review some examples of cybersecurity’s importance across multiple sectors.

Protects against cyber attacks and threats

With skills like risk assessment and management, cybersecurity specialists can identify potential threats to a company’s assets, data, and operations and implement safeguarding strategies. For example, phishing is a widespread cyber threat. In 2022, there were 300,497 victims of phishing in the US alone. 

Specialists can mitigate phishing risk to companies using their skills to:

• Educate employees about phishing, teach them how to spot signs of phishing, and share information about how to handle these situations

• Execute email filtering methods to spot and block phishing emails

• Implement authentication systems to verify the authenticity of emails and enhance security measures

• Add multi-factor authentication for specific systems to strengthen security

Data protection 

Professionals protect company data by implementing methods such as data encryption. They use protocols like Transport Layer Security to encrypt data because it passes between networks, so if a cybercriminal accesses the data in transit, they cannot understand it.

Other methods, such as data access controls, restrict access to ensure only authorized personnel can disclose, view, modify, or delete company data. This approach ensures the preservation, safety, and security of sensitive information.

Public safety 

Cybersecurity skills are paramount because they contribute to public safety. For instance, professionals use their skills to safeguard the systems in place to:

• Protect critical infrastructure

• Safeguard the public’s personal information

• Use communication channels of emergency services to ensure fast responses

The outcome of these steps leads to fewer individuals becoming victims of scams and easier recovery from cyber attacks. Specialists also work to reduce the risk of cyberterrorism, mitigating the risk of public panic and potential harm to civilians.

Compliance with the law

Companies must comply with regulations and laws to protect against data breaches and cyber threats. For example, different state laws include data protection laws that mandate how companies handle personal data. 

To comply with these laws, companies need professionals with cybersecurity skills related to legal compliance knowledge to implement robust systems to protect data. Failure to adhere to regulations could result in legal consequences, such as fines, penalties, and even lawsuits from people seeking compensation for damages, for example, following a data breach. 

Which skills and traits are important for cybersecurity? 

Several skills and traits are necessary to implement a solid cybersecurity system for your company. The right candidate will show their job-specific skills, such as a deep understanding of network security, alongside transferable traits like being an excellent communicator. A mix of hard and soft skills makes a candidate more likely to flourish as your employee.

Below, you can find more detail about the indispensable skills one needs to work in cybersecurity.

Network security 

Network security is a substantial part of cybersecurity because a robust network is the first defense against cyber attacks. It stops threats from entering your network and wreaking havoc with your company’s systems. 

Candidates must show a solid understanding of network security, including network configuration, antivirus software, and firewall installation, which can:

• Enhance accessibility levels with two-step authentication

• Protect the network with software that frequently updates

• Help professionals act as network administrators and manage security from a central location to reduce worm and virus threats

Digital forensics

Digital forensics is necessary for cybersecurity because it helps to identify and investigate cybercrime events, such as security breaches. It collects, preserves, and examines the digital evidence left behind on computers, networks, mobiles, and other media devices. 

For example, if there are any changes in the data, a cybersecurity professional will use this to understand who was responsible for the hack.

Successful candidates will be familiar with digital forensics and how to use them to mitigate damage when responding to cybercrimes.

Programming

Cybersecurity experts can benefit from a sound understanding of programming and scripting languages. These skills enable them to write code for analyzing data and automating tasks. They might use Python to carry out data analysis and automate repetitive tasks. 

Risk assessment and management 

To enhance security efforts and excel in their roles, cybersecurity specialists need the capabilities to assess risks and manage them. Conducting a risk assessment enables them to:

• Determine the level of urgency

• Prioritize the most dangerous threats

• Make a plan to resolve the threats

• Allocate resources accordingly to ensure they deal with high-priority risks first 

This method involves decision-making abilities to act fast while providing the best possible outcomes.

Suppose a company is discussing a contract with a third-party vendor they haven’t partnered with before. To ensure the partnership won’t negatively impact the company’s security measures, a cybersecurity expert can perform a risk assessment to determine if they are legitimate businesses. 

Attention to detail

Attention to detail and vigilance enable cybersecurity professionals to detect risks, such as malware infections like viruses and ransomware. For example, they monitor network activities, looking for anything unusual. They must be scrupulous in their monitoring to notice even subtle abnormalities, because malware can often evade security barriers.  

Candidates with these abilities can spot potential risks early and react quickly to address the threat, for example, by isolating the infection from the rest of the network. This action prevents the infection from spreading, containing it within a single part of the network to minimize damage.

An ethical mindset

Candidates who want to work in cybersecurity must have an ethical mindset because it is a responsible role that gives access to sensitive information. For example, it involves the processing of users' personal data, which requires the ability to address potential risks to prevent the data loss, deletion, or disclosure to unauthorized parties.

As an employer, you need trustworthy individuals to handle this information while boosting your security measures.

Communication 

Anybody working in cybersecurity needs strong verbal communication skills, such as active listening and written communication, to convey information to others effectively. Since specialists typically deal with complex technical problems, they must find ways to explain these concepts to non-technical audiences, such as clients or management teams. 

They must know how to communicate clearly and without jargon to ensure others understand and can respond to matters accordingly.

Collaboration 

Similar to communication skills, cybersecurity requires collaboration skills to work effectively with others within the company, including management, IT staff, and employees in different departments. Bringing everybody together through collaboration is necessary because it helps coordinate efforts against cybercrimes and enhance company protection.

Problem solving

Cybersecurity professionals work in an environment where ever-growing threats require immediate action to mitigate damage. In the face of complex challenges, such as ransomware attacks or an employee unknowingly leaking sensitive data, experts must think logically and quickly using their problem-solving skills. 

They should identify the threat and assess its nature before implementing an appropriate response strategy. For example, in the case of a malware attack, they may have an incident response plan that works to contain the threat to one area, preventing its spread.

Willingness to learn 

As technology constantly evolves, cybercrimes become more sophisticated because criminals implement new tactics. To handle new threats, those working in cybersecurity must keep themselves informed and up to date with the latest trends in the field to modernize and strengthen security efforts. Therefore, they must be willing to learn and embrace changes.

A willingness to learn also means they can build on their credentials and training, gain more responsibility, and progress in their careers. 

Skills and traits tests

To find IT professionals proficient in cybersecurity, you can ask candidates to take the following tests to see if they have the applicable skills. That way, you’ll know you’re hiring a candidate with the appropriate mix of cybersecurity knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking ability, and other valuable traits.

Cybersecurity 

Our Cybersecurity test, created by an IT security specialist, is ideal for checking candidates' knowledge of the subject, including their ability to grasp threats concerning endpoints, networks, and the web. This test helps you find experts to fill your cybersecurity positions because it assesses their ability to respond to threats and attacks from cybercriminals and protect company information. 

Cryptography 

Cybersecurity experts use cryptography to ensure data integrity and strengthen security efforts. The Cryptography test assesses the skills of cryptographers, cybersecurity analysts, ethical hackers, and IT security managers who keep your company’s sensitive data safe. You can use this test to evaluate applicants you’ve attracted them with your cryptographer job description, for example. 

With scenario-based questions, this test ensures candidates know how to exchange data securely between parties, store data safely in a database, use authentication methods to safeguard documents, and understand public and private key cryptography.

Communication 

The Communication skills test screens candidates for excellent communication skills in the workplace, both in-person and virtually. This test assesses their ability to communicate verbally, listen actively, and interpret non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions. It then assesses their written communication and ability to understand messages and determine next steps.

Critical thinking 

The Critical thinking test is an online test that helps you find candidates who can use analytical skills to analyze information, evaluate it objectively, and make an informed decision. It provides candidates with single or multiple statements addressing complex problems and asks them to choose the correct answer using logic.

Problem solving 

Like the Critical thinking test, the Problem solving test considers how a candidate responds to complex scenarios. It looks at schedule keeping, data interpretation, logical reasoning, prioritization, applying order, and drawing conclusions from textual and numerical information. The test times your candidates when they answer the questions, which means candidates must think and react quickly.

Cybersecurity skills assessment FAQs

Do you still have questions about assessing the skills needed for cybersecurity? If so, browse the frequently asked questions below for extra information.

How can I evaluate a candidate’s practical cybersecurity knowledge during the hiring process?

You can use specific skills tests to evaluate practical cybersecurity skills in candidates. For example, tests featuring real-world scenarios will analyze how candidates use their problem-solving capabilities to handle security challenges. TestGorilla’s Cybersecurity test reveals candidates with real-world skills to protect end-user services, computer networks, and cloud platforms from attacks.

Should I prioritize certifications when assessing cybersecurity skills in candidates? 

Cybersecurity jobs don’t necessarily require certification, but these credentials can help to solidify a professional’s expertise and dedication to the field. Nevertheless, there is no need to rely solely on certificates to find your next hire. Several ways to discover suitable candidates include skills-based assessments that identify hard and transferable skills.

How important are soft skills when hiring cybersecurity professionals? 

Candidates need industry-specific skills, such as data management and network security to work in cybersecurity roles, but soft skills are just as essential to thrive. For example, candidates need excellent verbal communication skills to convey tech-heavy information to stakeholders with little or no knowledge of technology. Time management is another soft skill that’s essential for responding to breaches and attacks.

How can I ensure a fair assessment of cybersecurity candidates?

A skills-based assessment is an excellent way to ensure fairness during the hiring process for cybersecurity candidates. The skills tests that comprise an assessment enable candidates to provide evidence of their capabilities in the cybersecurity landscape, including their familiarity with network security, programming, and digital forensics. You can review the results and make an educated decision without the risk of bias. 

How TestGorilla can help you find a skilled IT person with cybersecurity proficiency 

At TestGorilla, we help you enhance the hiring process using results-driven assessments. Our tests thoroughly assess candidates to ensure their fit for your company, providing results that go beyond interviews and resumes. Some of our top benefits include:

• Hard and soft skills testing. The ideal candidate for a cybersecurity role has a mix of hard skills, like networking and system administration, and soft skills, such as attention to detail and logical thinking. With our extensive collection of tests, you can create assessments to ensure your candidates have the technical abilities and the personal attributes to work effectively.

• Customization. You can customize your assessments by adding custom questions to find the ideal talent to join your company. This feature enables you to gather more specific information from candidates who have applied to your company or the individual role. You can write up to 20 custom questions or browse the TestGorilla library of pre-written questions.

• Save time and resources. Finding the perfect cybersecurity expert takes time, but TestGorilla speeds up the process by comparing candidates quickly through test results. After applicants complete the assessment, you can review the percentages to see who is more likely to succeed due to their skill set. 

Best of all, getting started with TestGorilla is simple. Book a free 30-minute live demo with a sales team member to see how our platform works and how to get started.  

Get started with TestGorilla

Companies rely on cybersecurity professionals to protect themselves and their customers from cybercriminals. Since most industries use the internet and digital technologies to operate online, cybersecurity skills are necessary for small businesses, large enterprises, and everything in between. This correlation means the demand for cyber specialists is high, but an advanced level of protection requires skilled individuals.

You can find these experts with TestGorilla. It takes minutes to create a cybersecurity skills assessment, and it’s easy to begin, free of charge. Get started with your free plan today.