Did you know there were about 2500 cyber-attacks in 2023 alone, with over 330 million people defrauded of their personal information online? Leading to a loss of about 3 billion dollars, in 2023 alone!
This fear of being attacked has led to several companies spending over 2 billion dollars on cybersecurity yearly.
This yearly amount being invested in cybersecurity makes It unarguably one of the most sought-after professions today.
With fewer qualified professionals and high demand, cybersecurity offers both excellent earning potential and less competition.
In this blogpost, we’ll be discussing how to start a career in cybersecurity, career paths for you as a cybersecurity expert, salary expectations, benefits and challenges you might face.
Why is Cybersecurity a Good Career Choice?
As the adoption of the internet spreads into almost every aspect of our lives, protecting digital spaces has become an important endeavor.
Every day, hackers devise new means to infiltrate systems and various organizations including the government, thus necessitating the need for experts who can outsmart these threats.
A career in cybersecurity positions you as the city watch, the type that uses his skill to safeguard people’s sensitive data, defend networks and secure critical infrastructures from being breached.
The field challenges you intellectually too, as there’s always something new to learn and stay ahead of, making it a perfect niche for curious minds who enjoy solving complex problems.
Besides the satisfaction of protecting people and companies, cybersecurity is known for offering competitive salaries and job stability.
Companies are constantly on the lookout for cybersecurity experts, so job opportunities are widespread and limitless.
So if you want a career with purpose, challenge, and mind-blowing rewards, cybersecurity might be the perfect fit for you.
Cybersecurity Career Paths You Can Explore
When considering how to start a cybersecurity career, it’s best to understand the various roles and paths within the field. This will help you find a path that matches your skills and interests.
When considering how to start a career in cybersecurity, it’s important to understand the two main types of roles within the field: technical and non-technical. This will help you find a path that matches your skills and interests.
Technical Cybersecurity Careers
1. Security Analyst
This is often the first step when you start a cybersecurity career, this role focuses on monitoring and protecting networks, identifying vulnerabilities, and responding to threats.
It’s ideal for those who enjoy investigating and problem-solving.
2. Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
If you’re interested in testing systems for weaknesses, then this might just be the best option for you.
This role allows you to think like a hacker to find security gaps.
However, learning how to start a cybersecurity career in ethical hacking often involves gaining experience in programming and understanding network security.
3. Security Engineer
As a security engineer, you will be charged with designing and implementing secure systems and networks.
This role requires technical skills and a good understanding of infrastructure, which makes it an excellent choice for those interested in building secure environments.
4. Security Architect
If you wish to work on large-scale security strategies, becoming a security architect could be the answer.
Here, you’ll design security frameworks to keep an organization’s entire IT infrastructure safe.
5. Incident Responder
Also known as a cyber incident analyst.
This role focuses on responding to security breaches.
If you like the idea of high-stakes problem-solving, this role may be ideal as it involves quick thinking and an in-depth understanding of how to handle cyber threats.
Non-technical Cybersecurity Careers
1. Cybersecurity Manager
Cybersecurity managers manage security operations and teams of various organizations.
Their responsibilities include managing policies and making sure that security protocols are adhered to.
They also focus on leadership, strategic planning and risk management so as to safeguard the organization’s assets and other data.
2. Compliance Officer (Cybersecurity Compliance Officer)
As a cybersecurity compliance officer, your role is to make sure that the organization meets all requirements related to data security and privacy
This role is ideal for those who have an interest in auditing and law.
This job role requires good communication and leadership skills.
3. Cybersecurity Sales Expert
A cybersecurity sales expert sells cybersecurity products and services.
As an expert here, you need to have strong persuasion and communication skills.
Cybersecurity experts work with clients to understand their security needs and then offer the most appropriate solutions based on that.
4. Cybersecurity Trainer
A cybersecurity trainer sensitizes teams and individuals on the importance of cybersecurity, they conduct workshops and make sure that people understand the risks and how to protect themselves online.
It’s ideal for people who have a passion for teaching.
5. CyberSecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity consultants work with various clients to assess and improve security measures.
This includes assessing their current security infrastructures, identifying vulnerabilities and making recommendations.
This job area allows you to apply your knowledge across various industries, giving you flexibility and a variety of choices.
Learning how to start a career in cybersecurity requires both technical and non-technical skills, but finding the path that aligns with your strengths and interests is equally important too.
How Do You Kickstart Your Cybersecurity Career?
- Get Educated on the Basics
The first step in understanding how to start a career in cybersecurity is to build a foundation in computers and networks.
You don’t need to be a tech genius from the start—there are plenty of beginner-friendly ways to learn.
You could pursue a degree in computer science or cybersecurity, but if that isn’t an option, many online courses can introduce you to cybersecurity basics, such as understanding how networks work, what types of threats exist, and how data flows through different systems.
- Learn Core Cybersecurity Skills
Learning core cybersecurity skills is a huge part of starting a career in cybersecurity.
You need to be well familiar with the necessary tools and knowledge you’ll need, like understanding network protocols (such as TCP/IP), working with operating systems like Windows and Linux, and learning basic programming (like Python).
These skills are the building blocks for more advanced security tasks. They will give you an understanding of how different pieces of technology interact, making it easier to spot and solve security issues.
- Get Certified
Certifications are very important because they show employers that you’ve learned the needed skills and that you’re qualified.
Entry-level certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) are popular choices because they cover the essentials without requiring years of experience.
When you earn a certification, it shows that you understand fundamental security principles and are ready for an entry-level role in your field of expertise.
- Set Up a Home Lab for Practice
Setting up a home lab is a very practical and fun way to get hands-on experience.
You may wonder if this is essential for how to start a career in cybersecurity🤷♀️—the answer is, it’s very helpful!
A home lab can be as simple as a virtual environment on your computer where you can safely experiment with security tools, simulate attacks, and practice defending systems.
This experience builds your confidence and gives you practical skills that can make you stand out when applying for jobs.
- Gain Real-World Experience
Again, gaining practical experience is very important; not just to increase your chances of securing a job, but also to build your confidence that you are indeed good at what you do.
Look for internship roles, volunteer opportunities, or cybersecurity competitions like Capture the Flag (CTF) events.
Events like this let you put your skills to the test, working on real-life problems that cybersecurity professionals face every day.
Practical experiences are highly valued by employers and can make all the difference when you’re ready to apply for your first job.
- Apply for Entry-Level Jobs
After building up your knowledge and gaining hands-on experience, the final step in how to start a career in cybersecurity is applying for entry-level roles.
Roles like security analyst, IT support, or junior penetration tester are great starting points.
These roles allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, work with experienced teams, and learn even more on the job.
How Much Can You Earn as a Cybersecurity Expert?
A career in cybersecurity can be highly lucrative, with salaries varying by role, experience, and location.
Entry-level positions in cybersecurity careers, like Security Analysts or Cybersecurity Specialists, often pay between $60,000 to $90,000 yearly in the United States.
After gaining a few years of experience, you can transition to roles like Penetration Tester or Cybersecurity Engineer, where you earn as much as $100,000 to $120,000 annually.
For cybersecurity professionals, the pay is much higher.
Pay for senior roles, such as Cybersecurity Architect or Cybersecurity Manager, often reach between $130,000 and $160,000, and sometimes even more, especially in major tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
These roles require deep technical skills and also strategic planning abilities to counter complex threats.
Gaining specialized experience in areas like cloud security or ethical hacking can also open you up to more high-paying roles as companies increasingly seek specialized expertise to handle evolving cyber threats.
In Conclusion
With the increased threats of cyber-attacks and equally increased demand for cybersecurity experts, there’s never been a better time to launch your career in cybersecurity.
Are you excited to start this journey? If yes, don’t journey alone, take our cybersecurity course today, and let’s equip you with the skills, mentorships and experience you need to thrive in this dynamic field.
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