Tips To Get Started With Your Cybersecurity Career Without Experience

Cybersecurity has become an important part of organizations today for the number of cybercrimes has been on the rise for the past few years. As we rely more and more on technology, the overall attack surface has also increased a lot. Organizations are therefore actively seeking a huge number of skilled cybersecurity professionals now.

So, if you are looking to make a career in cybersecurity and do not have the relevant experience, and wondering how to get started in this exciting and rewarding career path, then in this brief guide we will tell you step-by-step methods to land your first cybersecurity job.

Why cybersecurity?

You may also have a question about why chose the cybersecurity domain. Is it worth getting into? Well, the need for cybersecurity professionals is undeniable. As per a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cybersecurity market is expected to reach a staggering $40.8 billion by 2026. This huge number indicates the ever-growing importance of securing an organization, its digital infrastructure, and sensitive data. Furthermore, ISC2 has also reported a cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.4 million professionals by 2025, indicating huge opportunities in this career path.

Cybersecurity professionals also get huge salary packages which can reach up to 6 figure mark in some entry-level cybersecurity jobs depending upon the company and location you are working in. Not just salary, the motive to get into this field should be to safeguard organizational and public data.

How to start your cybersecurity career?

Build strong foundation

• Education

A cybersecurity degree can be a great help to provide a strong foundation in this domain, however, it is not the only path. You can pursue a bachelor’s in computer science, information security, or any other related field to be eligible for this career path. Apart from these, there are several online courses, boot camps, and cybersecurity certifications that will help you gain basic knowledge and cybersecurity concepts.

• Essential skills

Once the foundation is built, you must aim to gain relevant cybersecurity skills, both technical and non-technical. Learn the basics of networking, operating systems, and cryptography. Also hone your soft skills like communication and collaboration skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, team player, etc.

Gain Practical Experience

• Cybersecurity Certifications from Industry

After gaining the necessary theoretical knowledge and essential cybersecurity skills, you must aim for practical experience. Industry certifications like Certifications like Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™), CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are highly recognized by employers. These cybersecurity certifications validate your cybersecurity knowledge and commitment to this field. You can research different certifications and select the one that best aligns with your career goals.

• Build a home lab

Home lab refers to the simulated environment where you can safely practice different cybersecurity techniques, test vulnerabilities, patch systems, and software, etc. By setting up a home lab and using a home lab using free virtual machines, you can experiment with various cybersecurity tools and gain necessary hands-on experience.

• Contribute to open-source projects

You can also contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects to check your knowledge and cybersecurity skills. It will be a great way to demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. You can leverage platforms like GitHub to find projects and collaborate with other cybersecurity aspirants and professionals to learn from their experience as well.

Getting started with work

• Internships and volunteer opportunities

By doing internships you can gain invaluable real-world experience that will help you get opportunities to full-time positions. Volunteering your cybersecurity skills to NGOs or educational institutions will also help showcase your experience in this domain to employers.

• Freelancing or contract work

You can also consider working as a freelancer for a starting experience. Leverage platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find contract cybersecurity works. These works will help improve your cybersecurity skills and knowledge and provide you with exposure to real-world cases. It will also help you connect with future employers.

Landing first cybersecurity job

• Build a strong and attractive resume

Customize your resume for each specific job application. Always highlight your cybersecurity skills and relevant experience, even from internships or volunteer work. You can use keywords from the job description and it will increase the chances of your resume getting noticed.

• Crack job interview

This is the final and most important step. Be confident with what you know and what you don’t know. Highlight all your knowledge and experience and ace the interview. That’s it. You will land your first cybersecurity job.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry that offers a challenging as well as rewarding career opportunities. With dedication and hard work, by acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge, and following the right career path, you can land your first cybersecurity job. Remember, this is a dynamic field where new threats and technologies always emerge. So, be prepared to update yourself regularly. Cybersecurity certifications will help you get the latest knowledge and stay relevant in the industry.