How to land an entry-level cybersecurity job

Want to work in cybersecurity but can’t get past the “experience required” roadblock? You’re not alone in this frustrating catch-22. The cybersecurity field needs new talent now more than ever. CompTIA reportsOpens a new window U.S. cybersecurity jobs are growing 267% faster than the national average, with 470,000 security-related job openings posted in just 12 months.

The opportunity exists. You just need a strategy to break in. Let’s ditch the conventional wisdom and explore practical paths to landing that entry-level cyber security job, even without formal cybersecurity experience on your resume.

The cybersecurity job market is red hot

The cybersecurity workforce shortage isn’t just an industry talking point – it represents a genuine opportunity for newcomers. Cybersecurity Ventures projects 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positionsOpens a new window worldwide through 2025.

Organizations recognize this urgency. According to the Spiceworks 2025 State of IT Report, 53% of companies are increasing tech spending specifically to strengthen security defenses. Yet these same organizations struggle to find qualified candidates.

The competition remains tough, but the demand is undeniable. According to CyberSeek, an entry-level cybersecurity specialist can expect to make about $88,000 a yearOpens a new window , while a cyber crime analyst might earn $100,000 a year. These starting positions flow into more advanced roles like cybersecurity analysts and and cybersecurity consultants, which pull in upwards of $100,000 annually.

Also: Best paying tech jobs: Future-proof IT careers

Multiple paths into the security field

For recent graduates or IT newcomers

Just starting out? Focus on building hands-on skills that matter more to employers than degrees alone.

Your best moves include:

• Grabbing a CompTIA Security+ certification (the most requested entry-level security credential)
• Setting up a home lab to practice real security techniques (and documenting what you learn!)
• Creating small security projects that showcase your thinking and technical abilities
• Jumping into Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions to prove your skills
• Contributing to open-source security projects on GitHub

You can’t secure what you don’t understand. That’s why combining security knowledge with technical fundamentals in networking, systems, or development makes you significantly more valuable than someone who only has a theoretical grasp of security concepts.

For career changers with transferable skills

If you’re coming from another career, don’t automatically count yourself out. You’ve likely got more relevant experience than you might think. Former teachers excel at security awareness training, finance pros understand risk management, and ex-military personnel bring disciplined security thinking to the table.

Your winning strategy:

• Directly connect your existing skills to security scenarios in interviews and on your résumé
• Complete a targeted security bootcamp or certification program
• Tap your current professional network for security-adjacent opportunities
• Highlight the communication and analytical skills you possess that many technical security pros lack

Career changers often bring fresh perspectives on risk and problem-solving that security teams desperately need. Make them your signature advantage.

For current IT professionals pivoting to security

If you already work in IT, then you’ve got the inside track. Start taking on security tasks in your current job to build credibility.

Your action plan:

• Volunteer for anything security-related in your current position
• Get security certifications that complement your IT specialty
• Document every security improvement you implement in a professional portfolio
• Build relationships with security professionals in your organization
• Reframe your existing IT accomplishments to highlight security aspects

Many successful security pros started in help desk, system administration, or network roles. The key is to deliberately develop and showcase security expertise in whatever IT position you currently hold.

How to build experience when no one will give you experience

“But how do I get experience when every job requires experience?” It’s the eternal job-hunting paradox. The answer is to create your own experience.

As we touched on earlier, hands-on experience matters more than theoretical knowledge. Build a home lab where you can practice real security techniques. This doesn’t require expensive equipment – virtual machines on an old laptop can simulate an entire network. Thoroughly document your accomplishments as evidence of your capabilities.

Join bug bounty platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd, where companies pay you to find security vulnerabilities. Even small discoveries build legitimate credentials while potentially putting money in your pocket.

According to ISC2, 65% of security professionalsOpens a new window consider certifications the best way to prove knowledge. Pick certifications that match your target job – Security+ for general positions, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) for penetration testing, or SSCP for security administration.

Backdoor entry points to an entry-level cyber security job

Can’t find “Security Analyst” jobs open to beginners? Target these security-adjacent roles instead:

For recent graduates:

• IT help desk positions that include security incident triage
• Junior system administrator jobs with patch management responsibilities
• Technical documentation roles focusing on security procedures

For career changers:

• GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) coordinator positions
• Security awareness program roles
• Vendor security assessment jobs
• Security sales engineer roles (if you have sales experience)

For IT practitioners:

• Network administrator roles with firewall/Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) management
• System administrator jobs focused on hardening and patching
• DevOps positions implementing security controls
• Cloud administrator roles with security configuration emphasis

Build your security network (the human kind)

In cybersecurity, who you know often matters as much as what you know. The best jobs are rarely found on public job boards.

Online networking that works:

• Contribute to Spiceworks security forum discussions with thoughtful questions and answers
• Join security-specific Discord servers and Reddit communities like r/netsec
• Comment on security articles and join in security discussions on LinkedIn

In-person connections to pursue:

• Connect with local DEF CON Groups, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) chapters, or InfraGard chapters
• Volunteer at security conferences (free attendance plus face time with professionals)
• Participate in security hackathons or competitive events
• Join major cybersecurity professional associations like (ISC)², ISACA, or CompTIA

Identify security professionals with careers you admire, thoughtfully engage with them online or in real life, then ask them if they’d be open to a brief informational chat (say, 15 minutes) in which you ask them specific questions about how they got to where they are in their career.

Use red flags and green lights to decode job listings

When scanning postings for a promising entry-level cybersecurity job, watch for these warning signs:

• “Entry-level” positions demanding 3+ years of security experience
• Requirements listing multiple advanced certifications for junior roles
• Expectations for mastery across dozens of security tools
• Vague descriptions that don’t specify actual day-to-day responsibilities

Good signs to look for:

• Emphasis on fundamental security knowledge over specific tools
• Reasonable certification expectations (0-1 for true entry-level)
• Clear growth paths and learning opportunities
• Mentions of training programs or mentorship opportunities

Develop a security mindset

The most valuable asset you bring to an entry-level cyber security job isn’t technical knowledge – it’s how you think about problems. This security mindset includes:

• Examining systems by asking, “What could go wrong here?”
• Thinking like an attacker to spot vulnerabilities before they do
• Balancing security controls with business needs and usability
• Translating technical risks into business impacts everyone understands

Developing and demonstrating this mindset sets you apart from candidates who simply memorize tools and techniques. Show this critical thinking in job interviews by asking informed questions and explaining step-by-step how you’d respond to a phishing attack or ransomware scenario.

The cybersecurity field continues growing at an unprecedented rate. With strategic skill-building, networking, and a focused job search approach, you can land that crucial first security position – even without traditional experience.

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