As more of day-to-day life happens in the virtual space, the need for cybersecurity is on the rise. The demand for these roles has already outpaced the available talent and that demand is only expected to grow. Currently, there are more than 1 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide, with roughly 500,000 of those in the United States alone.
While these are worrying figures for companies with cybersecurity needs, it also represents a great opportunity for job seekers who are looking to transition into the industry. Here’s some information that can help guide you if you’re considering a career change into cyber security.
Benefits of a Career in Cybersecurity
The inherent benefit to joining a growing industry is that it gives professionals a lot of options and mobility moving forward in their career. Cybersecurity offers high job security, especially once you’ve spent some time in the industry and can accumulate the experience you lack currently.
Lots of opportunities also means more variety. Some cyber security positions deal with the nitty-gritty tech work most think of when they hear “cyber security,” and need skills like coding and data analysis. Other positions are more collaborative, though, working with colleagues or customers to prevent security threats and detect and respond to them when they happen. In these roles, problem solving and interpersonal skills are just as important as tech knowledge.
Whatever role you serve in the broader cybersecurity ecosystem, odds are you’ll be able to make good money doing it. The average base salary for an entry-level security analyst in the United States is around $72,000 in 2022. Average salaries rise to around $88,000 for analysts with 5 years of experience and $102,000 for experienced professionals (10+ years in the industry), so it’s also a career with a lot of room for growth. Companies are often willing to invest in training for entry-level employees that will help you gain the skills you need to advance into roles with more responsibility and higher pay.
Types of Cyber Security Jobs that Don’t Need Experience
By and large, the roles you can get without experience will be at the entry-level. Most often, you’ll be working under a more senior analyst as part of a team that monitors and maintains the network or information security of a company. This could involve tasks like performing routine tests on the system, identifying and analyzing risks, preparing reports from system data, or reviewing performance logs to check for suspicious activity or potential vulnerabilities.
For more social job seekers interested in cybersecurity, there are also customer-facing roles in this area that you can get without prior experience. This includes roles like customer support or IT support agents, who work with users of a system to troubleshoot issues or help them resolve security concerns.
Typical Requirements for Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs
Even cyber security jobs that don’t require any work experience in the field of cybersecurity will still often have certain skills or qualifications that employers want to see on a resume. Here are some of the specific things you’re likely to see on an entry-level cybersecurity job description.Log Out
Necessary Cybersecurity Skills
It’s right there in the name: cybersecurity professionals work with computers and technology. While roles at the entry level don’t require the same implementation and development expertise as a full cyber security engineer, even the most basic role in this industry will require some technical skills. This often includes a basic knowledge of scripting in languages like PowerShell, Java, or Python. It also helps to have a working knowledge of network security controls, databases, and the command-line interfaces of operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Along with technical skills, there are some soft skills that are highly desirable across cybersecurity positions. Foremost among them is communication ability. You’ll often be the one telling leadership about vulnerabilities or issues and need the ability to express these concepts in layman’s terms. It also helps to have an analytical mind and strong creative problem solving abilities, especially in roles that involve identifying and investigating breaches or hacks.
While some cybersecurity jobs are independent (or even remote), these tend to be held by more experienced professionals. As an entry-level candidate with no experience, it’s more likely you’ll be working as part of a team, which makes collaboration and teamwork skills very helpful for these roles.
What Education Do Cybersecurity Professionals Have?
Most successful cybersecurity candidates hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, though this doesn’t need to be in cybersecurity. A degree in a general technical field like information technology or computer science can get you far. For investigative roles, degrees in fields like computer forensics, criminology, or criminal justice can also be beneficial.
Many more senior professionals in cybersecurity also hold a Master’s degree, often an MBA in Information Systems or an MS in a cyber security field. While this isn’t necessary for entry-level roles, it can help you to advance more quickly along your career path, and will help you application get noticed for any cybersecurity role.
Along with degree programs, there are also certifications you can get in various cyber security disciplines. Some of the most sought-after include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification. The training for these certifications can vary from a few weeks to multiple years, and usually involve passing an exam or completing a project in addition to the associated course work. While these aren’t necessary for entry-level roles, getting a relevant certification can be a good way to stand out as a candidate without professional experience.
The 5 Best Cybersecurity Jobs for People with No Experience
1. Information/IT Security Analyst
Average salary: $83,000 a year
Education required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science (or related field)
An Information Security Analyst designs and implements the security tools that protect computer networks from hacking and other attacks. They are often also involved in developing the security practices and safeguards for the software and systems used in an organization.
Bear in mind that there are different levels of this position. Some cybersecurity analyst positions may require up to 3 years of experience, though this doesn’t necessarily need to be directly involved with network security or security systems. Expertise in programming languages like Python and Java, web development, or other aspects of the broader information technology world are often just as desirable.
To thrive as a security analyst, you need to have a working knowledge of computer security systems and applications, including firewalls and antivirus/anti-malware protection. Proficiency in a range of operating systems is also a plus, including iOS, Windows, and Linux. As far as soft skills, you’ll need strong written and verbal communication skills as well as a sharp eye for detail.
2. Junior Penetration Tester
Average salary: $80,000 a year
Education required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT
Penetration testing lets organizations find vulnerabilities in their system security by having a person try to break in. This role can also go by the job title ethical hacker, and uses the same tools and technologies as unwelcome hackers to identify security issues for businesses.
Penetration testers need to have an in-depth understanding of network and online security systems, including technical knowledge of things like firewalls, routers, and servers. You’ll also need strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and the ability to both see the big picture and notice details within it. Some coding skills are also often required. Since these individuals work with sensitive information, they may also need to have security clearance, depending on the type of organization you’re working for.
In addition to (or in lieu of) a Bachelor’s degree, some companies want applicants to be a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), so you may want to look for a training program in this area before starting your job search if this seems like a career you’d like to pursue.
3. IT Support Specialist
Average salary: $55,000 a year
Education required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT
This is one of the roles in the cybersecurity industry that’s ideal if you like interacting with customers and clients. An IT specialist’s primary duties are resolving issues with security programs and providing guidance to help users access their account or troubleshoot other problems they may be having. They are often also responsible for maintaining, monitoring, or improving the security architecture.
While you do need to know the basics of computer networks, hardware, and software to be a support specialist, it’s just as crucial for a candidate to have strong interpersonal and problem solving skills. Experience in customer service is a definite plus, even if that experience has nothing to do with technology or security.
4. Cyber Crime Investigator
Average salary: $53,000 a year
Education required: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a technical field
Other job titles for this role include Cyber Forensics Analyst, IT Incident Responder, and Digital Forensics Technician. This is a great career for someone with a background or interest in criminal justice, detective work, or law enforcement, using many of the same procedures and strategies as these more analog investigative roles.
The main duties of a Cyber Crime Investigator involve collecting evidence to solve digital crimes like hacks, ransomware or malware attacks, and identity theft. This could involve recovering deleted or hidden data, analyzing systems and logs to gather evidence, or interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects. Investigators also prepare reports on what they find and may even testify in court about their findings.
Depending on the organization, you may be required to pass a background test, drug test, or psychological exam to be hired as a cyber investigator. Along with basic technical knowledge, this role requires strong analytical and critical thinking skills, an inquisitive mind, and strong writing skills to prepare legal material and documents.
5. Security Auditor
Average salary: $60,000 a year
Education required: Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or cybersecurity certifications such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Security Auditors ensure that everything in a company’s security systems is in compliance with government regulations and the company’s standards. They also conduct audits of the system, suggesting changes that would improve its efficacy and use, and providing documentation that tracks its performance.
This role does require a strong grasp of coding, algorithms, and other similar tech skills, but they don’t need to be acquired in a security setting. It’s also helpful to have existing knowledge of business and privacy laws, though companies will often provide training on the specific compliance guidelines their systems need to follow.
Starting Your Cybersecurity Career
Like we mentioned earlier, one of the great things about a career in cybersecurity is that there’s ample room for advancement. Taking on a role as an auditor or analyst is a great first step to a career as an engineer or manager within the sector, and your earning potential will rise substantially as you climb that ladder. The bottom line is, if you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, now is a great time to get started.