Breaking Into Cybersecurity: A Realistic Guide for Career Changers
A straightforward look at what it really takes to start a cybersecurity career, based on nearly two decades in the field.
The Reality Check You Need
Let me start with something most career guides won't tell you: breaking into cybersecurity isn't as simple as taking a bootcamp and landing a six-figure job. After watching hundreds of people transition into this field over the past 18 years, I've learned that the most successful career changers are those who understand what they're getting into.
Cybersecurity isn't like the movie "The Net" or "War Games" (yes, I am that old!)
You won't be typing furiously in a dark room while dramatic music plays in the background. But here's what it is: one of the most rewarding, challenging, and future-proof career paths you can choose.
Cybersecurity isn't the Hollywood thriller you might imagine. There's no dramatic music playing while you type furiously to stop a cyber attack in progress. Most days, you'll spend time reviewing logs, updating documentation, attending meetings about compliance requirements, and explaining to colleagues why they can't use that convenient new app they found online.
However, what makes it worthwhile is that you're solving real problems that matter. When you prevent a ransomware attack, you're protecting someone's livelihood. When you secure a healthcare system, you help ensure that patient care continues uninterrupted. The work has a genuine impact, and that's something not every career can offer.
What Employers Want
The cybersecurity skills gap is real, but it's not what most people perceive it to be. We're not desperately hiring anyone with a security certification. I am looking for individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly to new challenges and emerging technologies.
Here's what I would look for when hiring entry-level security professionals:
Problem-solving ability matters more than technical knowledge. I can teach someone how to use a security tool, but I can't teach them how to think through complex problems systematically. During interviews, I often present scenarios like "A user reports their computer is running slowly, and you notice unusual network traffic. Walk me through your investigation process." The best candidates don't jump to conclusions; they ask clarifying questions and outline a methodical approach.
Communication skills are critical. You'll spend significant time explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. If you can't clearly articulate why a security control is necessary or what a particular risk means to the business, you'll struggle in most cybersecurity roles.
Curiosity and continuous learning are essential because the threat landscape is constantly evolving. The candidate who mentions setting up a home lab to experiment with different security tools, or who can discuss a recent security incident they have read about, demonstrates the mindset I am looking for.
A basic technical foundation is, of course, necessary, but it doesn't have to be extensive. Understanding how networks function, having some familiarity with operating systems (both Windows and Linux), and being familiar with basic scripting concepts will serve you well. You don't need to be a programmer, but you should be comfortable with technology.
The Most Realistic Entry Points
Based on what I've observed, here are the paths that work for career changers:
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst remains the most common entry point, but the role has evolved significantly. Modern SOC analysts spend less time staring at dashboards and more time investigating alerts that have been pre-filtered by automated systems. You'll learn to distinguish between false positives and genuine threats, document incidents accurately, and escalate them appropriately. The work can be repetitive, but it provides excellent exposure to different types of security tools and attack patterns.
IT Support with Security Responsibilities often provides a smoother transition for people coming from general IT backgrounds. Many organizations are adding security components to traditional IT roles. You might find yourself managing endpoint protection software, helping with security awareness training, or assisting with compliance audits. This path enables you to develop security skills gradually while leveraging your existing technical expertise.
Compliance and Risk Analyst positions are well-suited for individuals with backgrounds in auditing, project management, or regulatory compliance. These roles focus on ensuring organizations meet security standards and regulations. While less technical than other security positions, they provide valuable exposure to security frameworks and business risk management.
Cybersecurity Specialist in Non-Tech Industries can be an excellent option. Healthcare organizations, manufacturing companies, and financial services firms often require security professionals who understand the specific industry challenges they face. Your domain knowledge in healthcare, finance, or manufacturing can be just as valuable as pure security expertise.
Building the Right Skills
The certification landscape in cybersecurity is overwhelming, and much of the advice you'll find online is either outdated or overly focused on advanced certifications that won't help you get your first job. For entry-level positions, focus on these certifications in order of priority:
CompTIA Security+ remains the most widely recognized entry-level certification in the industry. It covers broad security concepts without going too deep into any particular area. More importantly, it's required for many government and contractor positions, which can provide stable entry points into the field.
CompTIA Network+ or equivalent networking knowledge is crucial because security is fundamentally about protecting network infrastructure and data flows. You don't need to be a network engineer, but understanding how data moves through networks, what firewalls do, and how VPNs work will make you much more effective in any security role.
Cloud fundamentals are becoming increasingly important as organizations migrate their infrastructure to cloud platforms. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all offer foundational certifications that demonstrate basic cloud literacy. Choose based on what's most common in your target job market.
Beyond certifications, hands-on experience matters more than credentials. Set up a home lab where you can experiment with security tools. Install a hypervisor, such as VirtualBox, and create virtual machines. Practice using tools like Wireshark for network analysis, Nmap for network scanning, and basic Linux command-line operations.
The Salary Reality
Let's address the elephant in the room: cybersecurity salaries are good, but entry-level positions don't start at $100,000 unless you're in a high-cost-of-living area or have significant relevant experience. Realistic salary expectations for entry-level positions (you can read these figures either in $ or Euros):
SOC Analyst: 45,000-65,000 in most markets
Junior Security Analyst: 50,000-70,000
Compliance Analyst: 55,000-75,000
Security Specialist (non-tech industry): 60,000-80,000
These numbers increase significantly with experience and additional certifications. After 3-5 years, you can expect to earn 80,000-120,000, depending on your location and specialization. Senior positions and management roles can command salaries of 150K or more in many markets.
The key is to view your first cybersecurity job as an investment in your future earning potential, rather than expecting immediate financial rewards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't try to learn everything at once. Cybersecurity is a broad field, and trying to master penetration testing, incident response, compliance, and risk management simultaneously will leave you overwhelmed and unfocused. Pick one area to start with and build depth before expanding.
Don't ignore the business side. Technical skills alone won't make you successful in cybersecurity. Understanding how businesses operate, what drives decision-making, and how to communicate risk in business terms is crucial for career advancement.
Don't expect immediate excitement. Your first cybersecurity job will likely involve routine tasks, documentation, and learning organizational processes. The exciting incident response and threat hunting work comes after you've proven you can handle the fundamentals reliably.
Don't underestimate soft skills. The stereotype of the antisocial security expert working alone in a dark room is outdated. Modern cybersecurity is collaborative work that requires strong communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.
Making the Transition
If you're serious about transitioning into cybersecurity, here's a practical timeline:
Months 1-3: Build foundational knowledge through online courses, books, and hands-on practice. Focus on networking fundamentals and basic security concepts. Start working toward your Security+ certification.
Months 4-6: Set up a home lab and begin practicing with security tools. Join local cybersecurity meetups or online communities to connect with like-minded individuals. Start tailoring your resume to highlight the transferable skills you've developed in your current role.
Months 7-9: Begin applying for entry-level positions while continuing to build skills. Consider contract or part-time opportunities that might provide easier entry points—network with professionals in your target organizations.
Months 10-12: Refine your approach based on interview feedback. Consider additional certifications or training based on the specific requirements you're seeing in job postings.
This timeline assumes you're dedicating 10-15 hours per week to learning and skill development while maintaining your current job. Some people move faster, while others need more time; however, having realistic expectations helps maintain motivation during the transition period.
The Bottom Line
Let me let you into a secret…
The most successful cybersecurity professionals aren't necessarily the most technical. They're the ones who can explain complex problems in simple terms. Work on this.
Cybersecurity presents genuine career opportunities for individuals willing to invest the time and effort required to develop relevant skills. The field requires individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to evolving threats and challenges. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it is a field where dedicated professionals can build rewarding, well-compensated careers while doing work that genuinely matters.
The key is approaching the transition with realistic expectations, focusing on building practical skills, and understanding that your first cybersecurity job is the beginning of your journey, not the destination. With persistence and the right approach, you can successfully make the transition from whatever field you're in now to a meaningful career in cybersecurity.
I am a cybersecurity consultant with about 20 years of experience helping European organizations establish resilient security programs. I am the founder of BARE Cybersecurity and hold CISSP and CCSP certifications. Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily cybersecurity insights and career guidance.
