How to Get Started in Cybersecurity With No Experience

Written by: East Carolina University® • Sep 12, 2024

A Team of Cybersecurity Professionals Gather Around a Monitor in a Server Room.

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, and organizations need the expertise of cybersecurity professionals who can defend against those threats. However, when cybersecurity firm Forta surveyed 400 security professionals in 2024, 45% of respondents reported that their organizations faced challenges in protecting systems and data because employees didn’t have sufficient cybersecurity skills and expertise.

With organizations eager for employees who have strong cybersecurity knowledge, now is a great time to enter the field. Knowing how to get started in cybersecurity is the first step on the path to a rewarding career. It’s important for individuals who are considering a degree in information and cybersecurity technology to learn how to begin working in cybersecurity, particularly if they have no experience.

Cybersecurity Professionals Are in Demand

Risks to cybersecurity take many forms. For example, organizations need to protect themselves from:

Malware, which is malicious software that can spread computer viruses or enable hackers to gain access to confidential data
Denial-of-service (DOS) attacks, in which hackers inundate an organization’s automated systems with traffic to shut down those systems
Ransomware, which allows hackers to take control of an organization’s systems and demand that the organization pay a ransom

Careers in cybersecurity also extend across a variety of areas. For instance, cybersecurity professionals can carve out careers that concentrate on:

Designing systems and networks with strong cybersecurity components
Developing specialized cybersecurity software and services
Identifying and assessing risks to organizations’ cybersecurity
Managing access to systems and data
Responding to breaches in cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Career Outlook

For anyone who is just getting started on a cybersecurity career, it’s important to know that the employment outlook is bright. Positions for information security analysts are predicted to increase by 32% between 2022 and 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That significantly exceeds the BLS’s projected growth rate of 3% for all occupations during the same time frame.

The BLS attributes the strong demand for information security analysts to factors such as:

Growth in cyberattacks
Increases in remote work and e-commerce, both of which necessitate strong cybersecurity controls
Expansion in digital healthcare services, which will require providers to strengthen their cybersecurity to protect patients’ information

Potential salaries are also attractive, with the BLS reporting a median annual salary of $120,360 for information security analysts as of May 2023.

Cybersecurity Offers an Array of Entry-Level Positions

When beginning a cybersecurity career, individuals can start in several entry-level positions. For example, new cybersecurity professionals can work as:

Information security analysts. In this role, individuals carry out responsibilities such as monitoring to ensure that organizations have implemented best practices in cybersecurity, reviewing information to identify suspicious network activity, and implementing firewalls and network updates.
Penetration testers. These professionals conduct tests to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s cybersecurity. Also known as ethical hackers, they recommend steps that organizations can take to address vulnerabilities.
Application security engineers. Concentrating on software development, application security engineers work to ensure that new software incorporates strong security controls. They also work with software developers to test new software before it is released to ensure that it can defend against security risks.
Computer forensics analysts. When working as computer forensics analysts, individuals focus on how a cyberattack or cybercrime occurred. For example, they identify how a hacker was able to gain access to systems, gather evidence a hacker may have left behind, or find information that could reveal the hacker’s identity.

Given the range of possible entry-level careers, newcomers to the field have the opportunity to focus on the aspects of cybersecurity that align with their interests.

How to Get Started in Cybersecurity: Six Steps

While there is no single path to an information systems career, people who want to learn how to get started in cybersecurity can benefit from following certain steps that can pave the way to entering the profession.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Relevant Subject

While not necessarily required, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field such as computer science is a great starting point for a career in cybersecurity. For example, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Technology (BS in ICT) can equip individuals with skills and expertise in areas such as cybersecurity best practices, network security, digital forensics, security within software development, and cyber risk management.

2. Select a Career Path or Specialization

It’s important for people who aspire to work in the field to consider which area they would like to pursue, such as penetration testing or application security. It benefits both cybersecurity professionals and their potential employers to find career paths that match their interests.

3. Continue Self-Guided Learning

As they begin pursuing careers in cybersecurity, individuals can independently explore a range of options for enhancing their knowledge and skills. For example, they can join online cybersecurity forums to expand their expertise. They can also participate in open-source projects and hackathons to strengthen their skills.

4. Develop Cybersecurity Skills While On the Job

After landing an entry-level job in cybersecurity, cybersecurity professionals need to continue building their skills. As new cyber threats emerge, it’s important to take advantage of professional development opportunities to learn new skills.

5. Consider Earning Certifications in Cybersecurity

Certification is a great way to strengthen cybersecurity credentials and demonstrate knowledge in specific aspects of the field. Some certifications include:

CompTIA’s CompTIA Security+ certification, which demonstrates competency in core cybersecurity functions
Amazon Web Services’ AWS Certified Security — Specialty certification, which shows expertise in security related to the AWS cloud computing environment
Cisco’s Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, which is evidence of information technology skills in areas such as networking and security

6. Pursue Other Opportunities to Enhance Cybersecurity Skills

Cybersecurity professionals also can take advantage of other avenues for expanding their skills. For example, they can:

Attend cybersecurity conferences
Build networks with other cybersecurity professionals
Join professional organizations that focus on information technology and cybersecurity

Knowing How to Enter Cybersecurity Could Lead to a Rewarding Career

Starting a cybersecurity career is a great option for people who seek challenging work in a growing profession. Helping organizations protect their data and systems represents a chance to conduct meaningful work that employers value. Anyone with an interest in cybersecurity should explore the East Carolina University® online BS in ICT with a Cybersecurity Concentration degree completion program to learn how it can help them achieve their career goals.

Offering a real-world curriculum that features best practices and trends in cybersecurity, the program could establish the foundation for a fulfilling career. Start your journey in cybersecurity education with ECU today.

Recommended Readings

Network Administrator Job Description and Overview

Cloud Computing vs. Cybersecurity

Sources:

Amazon Web Services, AWS Certified Security — Specialty

Cisco, CCNA

CompTIA, CompTIA Security+

Executive Office of the President, Office of the National Cyber Director, National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: Unleashing America’s Cyber Talent

Fortra, 2024 Fortra State of Cybersecurity Survey Results

GeeksforGeeks, “Top 10 Cyber Hacking Competitions — Capture the Flag (CTF)”

Indeed, “Guide to Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Requirements”

Indeed, “How to Get a Cybersecurity Job With No Experience”