Cybersecurity is one of the most fascinating and rewarding industries as well. With the rapid increase in the number and cost of cybercrimes, a cybersecurity career has become a hot choice, as organizations across all industries are looking for skilled and qualified cybersecurity professionals who can help them protect their critical assets and data.
One of the biggest advantages of a career in this domain is that the demand for frontline workers is much higher as compared to senior-level roles. Organizations want professionals who can implement the security measures at the core of their operations. For example, the demand and number of jobs for information security analysts is much higher than for Chief Information Security Officers.
That being said, if you are a beginner, you have greater chances of getting into a cybersecurity job. You just need to know the right direction to get into this career path. So, in this blog, we will discuss how you can get into a cybersecurity career as a beginner, step-by-step.
Overview of the Cybersecurity Industry
The rapid advancement in technology and widespread adoption of the internet and IoT devices have led to an increased number of cybercrimes. Today, the attacks are highly sophisticated and hard to detect. Mostly, the damage has been done by the time organizations understand they are under attack.
We can now find several advanced cybersecurity tools and technologies to help detect and mitigate cyberattacks to minimize damage. There’s constant research going on, and new solutions are developed. The global cybersecurity market is expected to grow by $298.5 billion by 2028 with a growth rate of 9.4% (source: Markets and markets).
Moreover, employment in the cybersecurity industry is also exploding. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to grow by 33% by 2033.
These numbers indicate how rapidly the cybersecurity industry is growing and the tremendous opportunities it brings for students and professionals seeking a career in cybersecurity.
Can you get a cybersecurity job without any experience?
Cybersecurity, like any other industry, also offers several entry-level job roles that you can get into without having any experience. Of course, you will need a certain level of educational qualification, cybersecurity skills, and knowledge to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers to get into the job.
There are several key skills and foundational level knowledge that you need to acquire, along with soft skills like communication, problem solving, and critical thinking, to enhance your chances of getting hired faster.
How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity as a Beginner?
Now, let us see the step-by-step process of how to get a cybersecurity job without any experience.
1. Learn the foundational cybersecurity knowledge
Cybersecurity is a vast domain, and you must start by mastering the core concepts of cybersecurity, such as:
- Basics of networking, such as understanding of TCP/IP, common network protocols, and routing.
- Knowledge of various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Familiarize yourself with at least one programming language like Python or R
- Learn about the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability)
- Get knowledge of various types of evolving and emerging cyber threats.
You can build advanced knowledge over these core cybersecurity concepts.
2. Gain practical knowledge of various cybersecurity practices
Only knowing cybersecurity concepts theoretically won’t help. The competition for cybersecurity jobs is becoming difficult, and employers prefer candidates with practical experience as well.
So, you can test your cybersecurity skills and knowledge practically through:
- Setting up a virtual lab using VirtualBox or VMware where you can practice network configurations, scan vulnerabilities through Nmap, or test basic ethical hacking skills
- Participate in capture-the-flag competitions
- Enroll in online cybersecurity courses focusing on practical exercises.
Practical projects will help you build a portfolio demonstrating your knowledge to potential employers.
3. Get Cybersecurity Certified
There are numerous cybersecurity certification programs for beginners that are widely recognized among employers. These certifications validate a candidate’s expertise and strong foundational skills and knowledge required to perform entry-level cybersecurity jobs easily.
Some most popular entry-level cybersecurity certifications include:
- Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™) by USCSI®
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- GIAC Security Essentials, etc.
Earning these cybersecurity certifications can boost your credibility in the industry and help you get a cybersecurity job faster.
Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs
You can start applying to these entry-level jobs to get started with your cybersecurity career:
- Information Security Analyst
- Incident Analyst/Responder
- Junior Penetration Tester
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Network Security Engineer
- Information Security Specialist, etc.
You can start preparing and applying to these job roles for better hiring prospects.
Conclusion
For organizations, their data and infrastructure are of immense value, as they keep them functional and growing. With a growing number of cyber-attacks and an increasing threat landscape, the need for frontline cybersecurity talent is larger than ever, who can design and execute efficient cybersecurity measures. So, start by mastering the core fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, gain practical experience, get cybersecurity certified, and start your job hunt. With persistent effort, you can easily land to beginner-level cybersecurity job role without any experience. So, start your learning journey now.
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