Students often wonder how to become a cyber security specialist without a degree. In order to achieve this goal, individuals must be willing to teach themselves the fundamental skills they need to become a cyber security professional, as well as enroll in online courses. There are many different online learning platforms that provide free or affordable courses in cyber security, networking, and programming.

• After all, one good recommendation from the right person can land you your dream job in cyber security.
• For data, this field protects information by building structures for backups and encryption.
• The top 11 nations on Earth have more than 4 million positions that need to be filled.
• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 32 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1].
• Hands-on experience is invaluable in IT and equally important for those wanting to break into cyber security without a degree.

First and foremost, it’s important to carefully curate the projects you include in your portfolio. Select a diverse range of projects that highlight your abilities and demonstrate your versatility. This could include examples of websites you’ve designed, coding projects you’ve worked on, or even freelance work you’ve completed. Modern apprenticeships offer anyone over the age of 16 paid employment combined with the opportunity to learn.

Develop your skills.

It’s important to embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. By continuously learning, adapting, and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, individuals how to become a security specialist can position themselves for success in the ever-evolving field of cyber security. Building a strong network in the cyber security industry is essential for career growth and professional success.

• When listing your skill for cyber security jobs, ensure that you do not sell yourself short.
• These new arrivals bring a wealth of experience and entirely new perspectives on how to protect business and consumer data.
• A cyber security analyst, or IT analyst, monitors and evaluates a company’s tech infrastructure.
• Enroll in Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate to learn in-demand skills and become job-ready in about six months.
• Security software developers are the same as traditional software developers except that they only focus on security.

These weak spots can be found in various components, including software, hardware, or even human processes. To make your portfolio even more engaging, consider adding testimonials or reviews from previous clients or colleagues. You could also include a section for blog posts or articles you’ve written, showcasing your expertise and thought leadership in your field. The primary responsibility of a pentester is to find all the possible security vulnerabilities on a given system, then find ways to fix them.

How much can you make? Cybersecurity salaries by role

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of cybersecurity jobs is expected to increase by 32 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1]. Since cybersecurity professionals frequently work with teams to resolve and prevent issues, you’ll also want to develop soft skills such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, and adaptability. You can also check out these in-demand cybersecurity jobs and entry-level jobs, and this career guide that points you toward detailed articles on specific entry-, mid-, and senior-level roles. To become a cybersecurity specialist, you should complete a formal education—like a degree or a cybersecurity bootcamp—in information security or a related subject. The following section explores the requirements for becoming a cybersecurity analyst. In addition to creating structures to protect interconnected devices, professionals in this sector safeguard sensitive assets for applications and data.

This can take the form of other, related work experience, or it can take the form of a structured internship or other formal hands-on learning. This role is critical because oftentimes data breaches come from inside the organization, either intentionally or accidentally. An alternative career path to becoming a Cyber Security Analyst with its major challenges, possible benefits, and some unconventional ways to hack your way into it. They demonstrate your commitment to professional development and set you apart from other candidates. This allows them to tailor their learning experience according to their needs and preferences. These vulnerabilities, essentially weaknesses within a system, present opportunities for cyber attackers to exploit.

For employers

They not only validate professionals’ skills and knowledge but also provide a competitive edge in the job market. With the ever-increasing demand for skilled cyber security experts, obtaining relevant certifications can significantly boost career prospects and open doors to exciting opportunities. Working in the field of cyber security without a degree is possible with the right skills and determination. By gaining hands-on experience through internships or self-study, individuals can develop the necessary knowledge to excel in this industry.

As an ethical hacker, you can try out even more attack vectors (like social engineering) to reveal security weaknesses. This field of cybersecurity goes by many names, offensive security, red team, white hat hacking, and ethical hacking among them. If you work in offensive security, you’ll take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. You’ll do this by playing the part of the intruder, trying to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. Certifications in cybersecurity prove to hiring managers that you have a tangible credential and a certain level of expertise. For example, the CompTIA Security+ is a popular entry-level certification that validates you have the core skills needed for a cybersecurity job.