The cybersecurity industry is booming as organizations across all sectors work to strengthen their defenses against increasingly sophisticated attacks. This has created an enormous demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals who can help assess risks, implement security programs, and respond to incidents.

While many cybersecurity roles require full-time on-site work, there are also abundant opportunities for experienced networking professionals to break into cyber consulting through remote contract work. Consulting allows for flexibility and the ability to work with different clients on short-term projects. It’s an excellent way for networking experts to diversify their skills and experience in the high-paying and fast-growing cybersecurity domain.

Skills To Develop

While networking skills and experience form a strong baseline, it’s important to complement them with core cybersecurity competencies relevant to assessing and improving the security of modern networked infrastructure and applications. Here are some skills networking professionals should focus on developing:

Network Security Assessment

Being able to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other security issues affecting organizational networks is a must. Learn tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and network scanning/penetration testing techniques. Understanding network infrastructure security best practices will also help you advise on improvements.

Cloud Security

As organizations adopt cloud-based systems and migrate workloads, cloud security expertise is immensely valuable. Learn how to securely configure services from AWS, Azure, and GCP and perform risk assessments of cloud environments.

Endpoint Security

Evaluate the security of workstations, servers, IoT devices, and their configurations. Get familiar with endpoint detection and response tools, anti-malware solutions, and operationalizing endpoint hardening standards.

Identity and Access Management

Identity is the new perimeter. Master implemented and audited IAM controls across networked infrastructure using services like AWS IAM, Azure AD, Okta, etc. Understanding zero-trust principles is also important.

Compliance Auditing

The ability to evaluate organizational security controls and processes against compliance standards like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS and provide remediation guidance will open doors to assessment/audit consulting projects.

Communication Skills

Strong technical communication skills are equally important to clearly explain findings, recommendations, and advice to non-technical stakeholders. Continuously practice presentation and reporting skills.

Focus on gaining a few key certifications like the Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops, CompTIA CySA+, and CISM to showcase skills and credibility when pursuing cybersecurity consulting work. Maintain hands-on experience by setting up home labs to practice on.

Finding Opportunities

With the skills defined, the next is to look for actual consulting projects and opportunities. Here are some of the best ways to do so:

Online Cybersecurity Marketplaces

Platforms like Cynet, X-Force Exchange, and CyberGRX are dedicated security services marketplaces connecting vendors to organizations looking for cyber consultants. Browse ongoing projects and pitch qualifications for consideration.

Vendor Security Services Websites

Large cybersecurity software and service providers maintain consulting divisions. Check career sites for openings or partnerships with companies like Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, CrowdStrike, etc.

Professional Networks

LinkedIn is a goldmine – connect with cybersecurity recruiting/staffing firms, follow companies & recruiters, and join groups. Engage consistently, and your profile will surface for relevant roles.

Direct Outreach

Research organizations in your target industry verticals and reach out, introducing qualifications and interest in an assessment project. Be clear about your remote/contractor status to find receptive clients.

Conferences and Events

Attend both virtually and in person if possible. Engage speakers and sponsors, and hand out business cards. Many consulting contracts have started from chance conference meetings.

Government Contract Bidding Sites

Federal, state, and local governments regularly put out Requests for Proposals for cyber initiatives. Sites like Sam.gov and BidSync are good places to look.

Have an ongoing process of prospecting, researching, and connecting with suitable clients to maintain a steady stream of potential consulting projects. Quality over quantity when applying.

Building An Online Presence

A strong online presence establishes credibility and allows potential clients to learn about your expertise before contacting you. Develop the following:

Professional Website

Highlight qualifications, experience, case studies, client testimonials, etc. Use it to also promote blog/thought leadership content.

Blog/Thought Leadership Content

Publish regularly on technical topics, industry trends, and best practices. Drive traffic from social sharing and build domain authority over time.

Social Profiles

Well-optimized LinkedIn and Twitter profiles showcasing engagements. Post/share relevant updates to nurture connections.

Multimedia Assets

Create short videos, recorded webinars, and presentations demonstrating communication skills for social sharing.

Online Certifications

Display all earned cybersecurity certifications and profiles on the website for easy validation of skills.

Reputation Score Sites

Claim and optimize profiles on sites like Credly and Crunchbase that evaluate professionals in certain domains.

Stay active across channels to consistently promote your availability for projects and cultivate an authority status that builds trust with prospects over time. Consider hiring a consultant to optimize visibility.

Crafting Proposals

When prospects reach out or a public opportunity matches your expertise, submitting a compelling proposal is critical to winning work. Here are the keys to effective proposals:

Understand Requirements

Carefully review the scope of work, deliverables, and timeline defined by the client to address all points accurately.

Showcase Relevant Experience

Highlight 2-3 of the most similar past projects you’ve led with outcomes. Convince the ability to address this problem.

Proposed Methodology

Outline the steps and processes you will follow to complete the work successfully within budget and deadline.

Detailed Work Plan and Timeline

Back up methodology with a Gantt chart work breakdown structure and calendar milestones to instill confidence.

Competitive Costing and Fees

Provide a well-structured fee quote after benchmarking market rates. Offer flexibility for negotiation.

Resources and Staffing Details

If needing assistance, introduce the credentials of your extended team lending their expertise.

Risk Mitigation Strategy

Address potential issues and have contingency plans to reassure clients of a smooth delivery.

Value Proposition

Emphasize the benefits and ROI the client gains by selecting your proposal over the competition. Request decision deadline.

Test draft proposals by mentors/colleagues and refine them based on feedback to maximize quality before submission. Effective presentations often lead to winning contracts.

Negotiating Effectively

Assuming your proposal meets requirements, negotiating the finer points of an agreement is another skill that impacts outcomes positively. Here are best practices:

Have Alternative Positions in Mind

Know in advance which areas are open to adjustment versus items that are non-negotiable as per your parameters.

Listen Actively Before Responding

Pay close attention to concerns or constraints expressed by the client before countering to address them directly.

Compromise on Small Items Strategically

Offering minor concessions early on secures trust for larger asks down the road. Pace it well.

Seek Mutual Understanding

Reiterate key points until both parties are on the same page to avoid misunderstandings affecting the relationship.

Address Emotional Aspects Respectfully

Deal with objections professionally without losing patience or coming across as aggressive.

Keep the Best Interests of the Client First

Emphasize how negotiated terms still deliver superb value and solutions primarily for their objectives.

Get Agreement in Writing

Confirm resolved and unresolved matters documented to memorialize understandings reached to ensure smooth execution.

With preparation and deft communication skills, you can strike deals that balance the needs of both sides to start projects off on the right cooperative foundations.

Ongoing Success Strategies

Once engaged, focus fully on delivering top-quality work as promised to uphold your reputation and increase prospects of repeat/referral business down the line:

Maintain Deadlines and Budget

Carefully manage scope, schedule, and costs as per contract terms to avoid time/money overruns and souring relationships.

Communicate Progress Regularly

Keep the client updated on milestones via status reports and meetings as defined to address issues promptly and showcase progress.

Solicit Feedback Iteratively

Request input throughout to ensure work remains on target based on their evolving needs too via surveys/discussions. Make adjustments.

Deliver High-Caliber Final Product

Exceed expectations with a thoroughly tested, well-documented end product handled seamlessly at handover with training support.

Address Post-Project Needs Promptly

Be available within the agreed support window for queries and improvements. Handle promptly to leave a highly positive final impression.

Request Testimonials

An objective account of the value derived builds social proof for attracting similar opportunities from new prospects too.

Maintaining Long-Term Relationships

As mentioned, occasionally touching base with past clients can help nurture long-lasting relationships that lead to repeat business opportunities down the road. Here are some additional strategies for maintaining successful long-term relationships with cybersecurity consulting clients:

Send Timely Status Updates

Even after project completion, sending clients periodic but informal status updates (every 3-6 months) on their security ecosystem keeps you top of mind. Brief notes on the latest happenings in their industry vertical or updates on tools/services used can achieve this.

Share Relevant Content

Provide a regular stream of informative content through your blog, social media, and newsletters that clients may find beneficial. Promote any events/webinars you organize related to your expertise.

Give Access to Security Resources

Establish a paid client membership program providing ongoing access to monitoring dashboards, tool certifications, training modules, and documentation libraries as value adds for maintaining security programs.

Circle Back on Anniversaries

Around project anniversary dates, congratulate clients on accomplishments, and offer complimentary security health checkups or retrospective reviews of progress made since the engagement.

Attend Client Events

When invited, make it a priority to attend relevant client conferences and internal IT summits to network and provide on-site support and seminars to strengthen advocacy.

Offer Contingency Services

Highlight incident response, log monitoring, and advisory desk services available for urgent after-hours needs alongside routine maintenance contracts.

Obtain Referrals

Delighted clients provide the best recommendations and lead to new prospects within their spheres of influence. Earn this visibility through exceptional lifelong service and support.

Maintaining a long-term outlook focused on continuous value creation through various touchpoints helps nurture strong advocacy and repeat contracting opportunities from happy clients.

Common FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to kickstarting a remote cybersecurity consulting practice:

How do I price my consulting services?

When determining rates, research standard industry rates based on your experience level and certifications. Consider full-day, half-day, and hourly rates. Benchmark competitors, but don’t undersell your value. Provide flexible packages and payment terms.

What contract terms should I offer clients?

Typical contracts span 6-12 months duration with options to renew. Scope changes involve additional fees approved upfront to avoid scope creep. Obtain deposits and make payments milestone-based. Clarify IP, confidentiality, and termination clauses to protect both parties. Use standardized agreements for consistency.

How do I manage multiple projects effectively?

Invest in project/time management tools like Asana, monday.com, or MS Project to organize workload across jobs. Set clear weekly availability. Delegate portions where possible to assistants. Buffer schedules account for potential delays. Establish communication protocols to update all stakeholders regularly.

What insurance should cyber consultants carry?

It’s recommended to secure Errors and Omissions insurance ( also called Professional Liability insurance) to protect yourself from risks like claims of negligence and poor work quality. General Business Liability additionally covers risks to third parties from business operations. Check coverage requirements for your local region/industry.

How do I get my first clients without experience?

Leverage personal/professional networks to find potential clients receptive to a new startup. Offer deeply discounted trial/pilot projects to build reviews. Pursue opportunities through platforms amenable to newbies. Sharpen communication/proposal skills and constantly learn from mentors to increase credibility over time as experience grows. Passion and perseverance are key.