How to Get into Cyber Security: A Practical Guide for Beginners

So, you're thinking about getting into cybersecurity. Maybe you're tired of your current job, maybe you're fresh out of school, or maybe you've just read one too many stories about hackers stealing millions, and thought, “Hey, I could stop that.”

Well, you're not alone.

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields out there. According to the (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study in 2024, there’s a global shortage of over 4.7 million cybersecurity professionals. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 500,000 open positions, and companies aren’t just hiring from traditional computer science backgrounds anymore.

That means there’s a real opportunity here. Not hype. Not “tech bro” talk. Actual jobs, solid pay, and long-term career growth.

But I get it, starting out can feel overwhelming. What degree do you need? What if you don’t have experience? Do you have to be a genius with code? Is it all hoodie-wearing hackers and dark rooms full of blinking screens?

Let me stop you right there: cybersecurity is a lot more approachable than it seems. And the door is open to way more people than most think.

I’ve worked with folks who started out as teachers, baristas, accountants, you name it. What they all had in common was curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a bit of grit.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get into cybersecurity, including:

• Where to start (even if you have zero IT background)
• What skills really matter
• Which certifications are worth your time
• And how to actually land that first job

No fluff, no filler, just straight-up, real advice from someone who’s helped people make the switch successfully.

Sounds good? Let’s get started.

Why Cybersecurity Is a Great Career to Start Now

Tech jobs can feel intimidating. But cyber security? It’s one of the few fields where demand is high, the work is meaningful, and you don’t necessarily need a degree in computer science to get started.

Here’s why getting into cybersecurity right now makes a lot of sense:

1. The Demand Is High and Growing Fast

According to CyberSeek, there are currently over 457,398 cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. alone. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% job growth rate for information security analysts through 2033, which is way faster than most other jobs out there.

This isn’t just a hiring boom. It’s a long-term need. Companies across every industry - finance, healthcare, government, even nonprofits are scrambling to protect their data from breaches, ransomware, phishing attacks, and insider threats. They need people who know how to think like an attacker and stop one.

2. You Don’t Need to Be a Hacker Genius to Enter the Market

Forget what you’ve seen in the movies. You don’t need to sit in a dark room typing furiously into a terminal all day. Cybersecurity is a broad field. Sure, there are roles that involve coding, penetration testing, or reverse engineering malware, but there are also roles focused on compliance, training employees, analyzing risk, and monitoring alerts.

In other words, there's a role for you, whether you’re technical or more analytical.

3. Career Paths Are Flexible (and Pay Grows Fast)

One of the best things about cybersecurity? It’s not a one-lane road. You might start as a security analyst, then move into threat hunting, cloud security, incident response, or even management. And once you're in the door, upward mobility is real.

Here’s a rough idea of average U.S. salaries in 2024:

• Entry-level security analyst: $54,000 – $97,000
• Penetration tester (mid-level): $86,000 – $186,000
• Security architect/engineer: $175,000 – $283,000
• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): $243,000 - $400,000

And yes, some folks go from zero to six figures in under 3 years, with the right skills, experience, and effort.

4. You Can Work Remotely, or Anywhere in the World

Remote jobs in cybersecurity are everywhere. In fact, according to a 2024 report from FlexJobs, cybersecurity is one of the top 10 most in-demand fully remote fields. Many companies don’t care where you live, as long as you can secure their systems.

On the flip side, if you want to work on-site, there are opportunities in nearly every city, and even roles in law enforcement, defense, and national security.

5. The Work Actually Matters

This isn’t just about stopping hackers, it’s about protecting hospitals, schools, and people’s personal lives. Whether you’re preventing a data breach at a nonprofit or keeping a ransomware gang from locking down a hospital’s systems, your work has a real impact.

That’s part of why so many people who get into cybersecurity stay in it, they find the work meaningful. It’s not just another job; it actually feels good to be the one standing between someone’s data and a disaster.

So if you’re still wondering, “Is cybersecurity a good career to get into?”, I’d say yes. 100 times, yes. And you don’t have to be a lifelong tech expert to make it work.

Up next, we’ll get into exactly how to start a career in cybersecurity, step by step, even if you have no background or experience.

How Do I Start a Career in Cyber Security? Step-by-Step Guide

Getting into cyber security can feel a bit like staring at a giant puzzle without the picture on the box. But once you know the pieces, and the order they go in, it starts to make sense. Whether you’re starting from scratch or switching careers, here’s a step-by-step game plan that actually works.

Step 1: Learn the Basics (Without Overwhelming Yourself)

Before you even think about certifications or degrees, start by understanding what cybersecurity actually is.

You don’t need a textbook or a 4-year degree. Try these beginner-friendly resources:

• YouTube Channels like NetworkChuck, John Hammond, or Professor Messer
• Free courses on platforms like Cybrary, Coursera, or edX
• Google: Search terms like "how the internet works," "what is a firewall," or "basics of phishing"

Get comfortable with the basic terms: malware, firewalls, encryption, VPNs, phishing, vulnerability, and patching.

You’re not trying to become an expert overnight, you’re just building awareness.

Step 2: Choose a Focus Area

Cybersecurity is broad. If you try to learn everything at once, you’ll burn out fast. Start by picking one area to explore:

• Security Operations (SOC) - Monitoring and responding to threats
• Penetration Testing - Ethical hacking and finding weaknesses
• GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) - Policy, training, and regulatory stuff
• Cloud Security - Securing data on platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
• Network Security - Securing the internal network system of the data centers and servers of the organisations.

Don’t worry about choosing “wrong.” Many people pivot once they get some hands-on experience. The point is to give your learning direction.

Step 3: Build Practical Skills, Even Without a Job

You can’t get hired without experience... but you can build experience without being hired.

Here’s how:

• Set up your own home lab using VirtualBox or VMware. Practice using tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, or Kali Linux.
• Join online platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or RangeForce.
• Participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges or community events like PicoCTF (great for beginners).
• Volunteer to help local businesses or nonprofits improve their security, even basic stuff like setting up 2FA or password policies counts.

If you're consistent, these small wins build real skills and give you something to talk about in interviews.

Step 4: Get Certified (But Don’t Overdo It)

Certifications help you stand out, especially if you don’t have a degree or prior tech job. A few solid starter certifications:

• CompTIA Security+ - Industry-recognized, beginner-friendly
• Google Cybersecurity Certificate - Hands-on and affordable
• ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) - Brand new, low-cost, and designed for people breaking into the field

More advanced ones (for down the line):

• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
• CISSP (for seasoned professionals)
• OSCP (for penetration testing)
• CCSP (for cloud security)

But for now? Focus on 1-2 beginner certs max. Get certified, then start applying.

Step 5: Start Applying, Even if You Feel Underqualified

The hardest part for many people is this: applying when you don’t feel “ready.” Here’s the truth: no one feels ready when they’re starting out.

Start by targeting:

• SOC analyst roles
• IT help desk jobs (many people move into cyber from here)
• Entry-level GRC or compliance analyst
• Junior cybersecurity analyst jobs

Use your lab work, certs, and self-learning as talking points. Many hiring managers love seeing someone who’s taken the initiative to learn on their own.

Final Tip: Don’t Go in it Alone

Join communities like:

• Reddit: r/cybersecurity, r/netsecstudents
• LinkedIn groups focused on cyber jobs
• Local meetups or online Discord groups (like Cyber Mentor Dojo)

Asking questions, sharing progress, and getting feedback from others on the same path will keep you motivated and make the whole thing feel a lot less intimidating.

Coming up next, we’ll answer a big one: “Can I get into cybersecurity with no experience, or even no IT background at all?”

How to Get Into Cyber Security with No Experience or IT Background

Let’s cut to the chase: yes, you can get into cybersecurity without prior experience or a traditional IT background. And no, that’s not just internet fluff.

Some of the best people working in cyber today started in sales, teaching, retail, customer service, and even the military. What did they have in common? Curiosity, consistency, and the guts to try something new.

Here’s how you can do the same, no tech degree required.

Focus on Transferable Skills You Already Have

Are you thinking you don’t have anything useful to bring to the table? You’d be surprised. Cybersecurity is about more than just tools and firewalls. Soft skills matter a lot.

Here’s what hiring managers look for beyond the technical stuff:

• Problem-solving - Have you worked through tough issues under pressure?
• Attention to detail - Are you the type who notices small things others miss?
• Communication - Can you explain something complicated in plain English?
• Adaptability - Can you learn fast and roll with constant change?

If you’ve worked in customer service, retail, or admin roles, you already have some of these. The trick is knowing how to frame them when you apply.

Start Building a “No-Experience Portfolio”

Your goal here is to show, not just tell, that you're serious.

Create a GitHub repo or Notion page where you document what you're learning:

• Labs you’ve done (TryHackMe, Hack The Box, etc.)
• Notes from courses or cert prep
• Projects like setting up your own firewall, or analyzing traffic with Wireshark
• Personal write-ups of what you learned from YouTube or blog tutorials

You’re not doing this to impress a senior engineer. You’re doing it to show growth, and hiring managers absolutely notice that.

Use Free and Low-Cost Learning Options

When you're starting from zero, blowing money on expensive bootcamps isn't always the smartest move. Start with free or low-cost resources like:

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate (on Coursera - $49/month)
• TryHackMe's “Pre-Security” and “Junior Penetration Tester” paths
• YouTube playlists (search for “Cybersecurity Beginner Roadmap 2025”)
• LinkedIn Learning (free with some library cards or employers)
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework – Learn how real-world attacks happen

These will help you start talking like a cyber pro, even before you’ve landed a job

Consider Entry-Level Jobs That Lead Into Cybersecurity

Not every company will hand over their digital crown jewels to a newbie, and that’s fair. But many will hire you into related roles that can fast-track your move into cyber.

Here are a few:

• IT Help Desk / Support Analyst
• Technical Support Engineer
• Junior SOC Analyst
• Compliance Assistant
• Risk Analyst
• Cybersecurity Internships or Apprenticeships

These roles often require basic tech understanding and good communication skills, which you can pick up quickly online. Once you're in the door, moving laterally into security becomes much easier.

Use the Right Wording on Your Resume

You don’t need to fake experience, but you should show effort. Analyze the cybersecurity job descriptions to get an idea of what to include and what not to.

Here’s how to list non-job work on a resume:

Cybersecurity Projects

• Built a home lab using Kali Linux and practiced basic exploitation
• Completed over 50 challenges on TryHackMe
• Studied MITRE ATT&CK Framework and documented real-world threat tactics
• Created phishing awareness training slides for a volunteer non-profit

That’s better than writing “aspiring cyber enthusiast” and hoping for the best.

It Won’t Be Easy, but it’s 100% Doable

You’ll probably get ghosted by recruiters. You’ll run into acronyms you’ve never heard of. You might feel like the least qualified person in the room. That’s normal.

But every single security pro you admire today? They started out not knowing what a port scan was, either. And here’s the thing no one tells you: most people won’t do the work. If you keep learning, applying, and showing progress, you’re already ahead of 80% of the crowd.

What Qualifications and Skills Do You Need to Start in Cybersecurity?

If you’re wondering whether you need a computer science degree, 10 certifications, or some kind of secret handshake to land your first job in cyber, good news: you don’t.

What you do need is a mix of curiosity, consistency, and a few practical building blocks. Let’s break it down into two parts: qualifications and skills.

Do You Need a Degree to Work in Cybersecurity?

Short answer: Not always.

A 2023 report from ISC2 showed that 47% of cybersecurity professionals entered the field without a cybersecurity-specific degree. Many didn’t have a college degree at all.

That said, having a degree can help, especially if you're aiming for government or corporate roles. Relevant degrees include:

• Cybersecurity
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Information Security
• Criminology (for certain forensic roles)

But if school’s not your path, certifications and hands-on projects can open just as many doors. More on that in a second.

Top Certifications to Kickstart Your Cyber Career

Certs aren’t magic, but they can get your resume past HR filters, especially early on.

Here are a few beginner-friendly ones worth your time: (We will see these in detail further in this article.)

Start with just one or two, don’t fall into the trap of “collecting” certifications without applying what you learn.

Core Skills Every Cybersecurity Beginner Should Learn

Cybersecurity isn’t just about hacking. Most roles involve a mix of tech, analysis, and communication. Here’s what you’ll want to get good at:

1. Technical Skills

• Understanding how networks work (IP, DNS, TCP/IP)
• Basics of Windows and Linux systems
• Firewalls, proxies, and VPNs
• Vulnerability scanning (e.g., Nessus, Nmap)
• Security tools (like Wireshark, Burp Suite, Metasploit)
• Writing simple scripts (Python or Bash can go a long way)

Tip: You don’t need to master all of these at once. Start with the ones that match your desired role (e.g., Linux + scripting for a SOC role).

2. Non-Technical Skills (That Matter More Than You Think)

• Critical thinking (Can you spot gaps or unusual behavior?)
• Communication (Can you explain technical issues to non-technical teams?)
• Research (Cyber changes fast, Google becomes your best friend)
• Writing clear documentation or incident reports

These are often what makes or breaks a junior candidate in interviews.

Where to Learn These Skills

You don’t need to spend a fortune; many of the best resources are either free or cheap:

• TryHackMe – Hands-on labs for real tools and attack methods
• Hack The Box (Beginner Academy) – Good for skill building
• LinkedIn Learning / Udemy – Great intro-level crash courses
• Open Source Projects – Follow GitHub repos and tutorials
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework – For threat detection and reporting
• Red Team Village / Blue Team Village (online events) – Free training from working professionals

Cybersecurity Certifications (And Which Ones Actually Pay Well)

If you’re trying to break into cybersecurity or move up the ladder, certifications can be a solid investment. But with so many options out there, the question becomes: which ones actually matter? And better yet: which ones actually pay well?

Why Certifications Matter (Especially Early On)

In a perfect world, companies would hire based on skills and potential. In the real world, HR folks and hiring managers often look for certifications as proof you’re not just winging it.

Certs can:

• Get your resume past automated filters
• Show you're serious about the field
• Help you compete for junior-level roles
• Serve as a foundation for more advanced learning

But not all certs are created equal. Some are respected across the industry. Others are... well, let’s just say they look better on LinkedIn than in a hiring conversation.

Top Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certifications

If you're just starting out, these are the most beginner-friendly and well-recognized options:

These are low-cost, respected, and can be completed in just a few weeks or months.

Mid to Advanced-Level Certs (Where the Money Starts Getting Serious)

Once you’ve got a year or two under your belt, these certifications can open doors to higher-paying roles:

These require more hands-on knowledge and some real-world context, but they’ll move you into that six-figure salary range faster than a second bachelor’s degree ever will.

What’s the Highest Paying Cybersecurity Certification?

As of 2024 data, the top earners in cybersecurity typically hold these certifications:

These aren’t beginner certs, they often require several years of experience and real-world project work. But they’re worth aiming for once you're deeper into your career.

Fun fact: According to Skillsoft’s 2024 IT Skills and Salary Report, CISSP and CISM are consistently in the top 10 highest-paying certs across all of IT, not just cybersecurity.

Final Thoughts on Cybersecurity Certifications

If you're early in your journey, don't stress about chasing high-level certifications right away. Start small, build your foundation, and get some hands-on experience. Certs should back up what you know, not be the only thing you have.

And when you’re ready to level up? Pick a cert that fits the kind of job you want, not just the one that pays the most on paper.

Conclusion: Is Cybersecurity the Right Fit for You?

If you’ve been wondering how to get into cybersecurity, here’s the short version: you don’t need to be a genius, have a degree from MIT, or know how to code like a hacker in the movies. What you do need is curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn, even when it’s frustrating.

Cybersecurity is one of the few career paths where someone with zero tech background can go from novice to earning six figures in just a few years. And we’re not talking hypotheticals, there are thousands of real people doing exactly that right now. You could be one of them.

Start small. Get familiar with how networks work. Take a beginner-friendly course. Earn a cert or two that aligns with the job you want. Build a lab at home. Follow people in the industry on LinkedIn. Ask questions. Apply to jobs, even if you don’t feel 100% ready.

Every pro in this field was a beginner once. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to keep showing up.

Author Profile:

Bishal Anand

Bishal Anand is the Head of Recruitment at Ace Technologies, where he leads strategic hiring for fast-growing tech companies across the U.S. With hands-on experience in IT staffing, offshore team building, and niche talent acquisition, Bishal brings real-world insights into the hiring challenges today’s companies face. His perspective is grounded in daily recruiter-to-candidate conversations, giving him a front-row seat to what works, and what doesn’t in tech hiring.