How to Get Into Cybersecurity Without a Degree

Key takeaways

While earning a degree is an excellent way to gain formal knowledge about cybersecurity, you can begin working in this field without a college degree.

• Instead of a degree, you might be able to break into the cybersecurity field by gaining relevant cybersecurity certifications, self-studying cybersecurity topics, attending boot camps, gaining experience through personal projects, and building key cybersecurity skills.

• Choosing an alternative path, such as a boot camp, can enable you to develop the necessary cybersecurity qualifications and skills in a short time, often within a year. 

• You can start a cybersecurity career without a cybersecurity degree through entry-level jobs like Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst level 1, IT security specialist, and junior security administrator.

Explore ways to get into cybersecurity without a degree and discover some entry-level positions in cybersecurity to consider. Afterward, if you’re ready to start building expertise in cybersecurity, consider enrolling in the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn fundamental cybersecurity concepts such as cyber threat intelligence, intrusion detection and prevention, threat modeling, incident response, and more in as little as six months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

How to get into cybersecurity without a degree

The cybersecurity field is experiencing significant growth thanks to the demand to keep businesses and individuals safe from hackers, cyberattacks, and security breaches. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that this profession will grow by 29 percent between 2024 and 2034 [1].

A degree is an excellent way to gain formal knowledge about a subject and build skills, and it may eventually be necessary as you seek to advance in your career. Still, it’s only one of the methods available to prepare for a cybersecurity career, and there are other ways to get into cybersecurity without a degree.

1. Earn a cybersecurity certification.

Consider building your resume with tangible credentials, like certifications and Professional Certificates, that validate your knowledge. There is a range of cybersecurity certifications available, covering a wealth of areas.

Some certifications you might consider include:

• CompTIA PenTest+

• CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• OffSec Certified Professional+ (OSCP+)

• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

• ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

2. Consider self-study.

Self-study is an excellent learning strategy with many options. It’s highly flexible, allowing you to take on as much as you want around your schedule and learn in a format that suits you best. You may opt for books, podcasts, online courses, or video tutorials. You’ll find many free options, but it’s vital to make sure you use credible sources.

3. Attend a cybersecurity boot camp.

Boot camps are a great way of building your practical skills and knowledge. Boot camps are usually run online by industry professionals, allowing you to learn and practice technical skills in a flexible way that suits your schedule. Boot camps are available at a range of levels, and often, beginner courses allow you to gain the skills you need for an entry-level role relatively quickly.

4. Build your cybersecurity experience.

In this fast-changing technical role, experience is essential. Some employers may give on-the-job training, but it’s still beneficial to have experience before you apply for a role to maximize your chances. Look for opportunities to gain experience in programming, analysis, database administration, or an IT role, if not in cybersecurity directly.

Experience can come from something other than paid work. Look for volunteer work or even get experience through personal projects. Gaining experience in an entry-level role, such as a systems administrator, junior penetration tester, or security specialist, can help you build your skills and professional background.

5. Develop essential cybersecurity skills.

Employers look for cybersecurity skills that are a mixture of technical and workplace skills. While cybersecurity is a specialized profession and requires you to understand programming, have knowledge of hardware and software, and know about network security, you also need the workplace skills necessary to work with others, solve problems, and think and work under pressure.

Below, you’ll find some essential capabilities to focus on developing:

Important cybersecurity technical skills

• Cloud security

• Wireless security

• Network security

• Operating systems

• Risk analysis

• Data analysis

• Programming and coding

• Ethical hacking

• Threat modeling

Important cybersecurity workplace skills

• Attention to detail

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Leadership

• Working under pressure

• Decision-making

• Critical thinking 

• Communication

• Curiosity

6. Network.

Building a solid network of cybersecurity professionals helps you learn new things, gain insights into working in the industry, access resources, and provide connections you might be able to use to gain employment. Check out professional organizations and the National Cybersecurity Society, online communities like NetSec Focus, and use professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. Attend networking events, conferences, and workshops in person.

7. Find a mentor.

Learning from more senior professionals helps boost your skills, gives you personal insight into a role, and allows you to avoid mistakes. A mentor may also answer any questions you have and advise you on an industry they know well. You’ll find formal mentoring programs where you work with a mentor, or it can be an informal relationship.

8. Strengthen your resume.

Work on tailoring your cybersecurity resume with the steps you've taken to build your knowledge in the field. Add any certifications or education you've completed, highlight the key skills you've developed, and list any experience you've gained through freelancing, volunteering, or other avenues.

Read more: How to Get into Cybersecurity

Can you get a cybersecurity job without a degree? 4 options

The positions below may not always require a degree and can be a great entry point into a cybersecurity career.

• Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst, level 1

• IT security specialist

• Junior security administrator

• Cybersecurity technician

Is one year enough to learn cybersecurity?

Although earning a degree in cybersecurity can take several years, choosing an alternative path, such as learning cybersecurity through a boot camp, can enable you to develop the proper cybersecurity qualifications and skills in a short time frame, often under a year.

Resources to help you build career confidence

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to get timely updates on popular skills, tools, and certifications in software development. Build or refresh your cybersecurity skills with our other free resources:

• Map out your journey: Cybersecurity Learning Roadmap: Beginner to Expert

• Watch on YouTube: How to Launch a Cybersecurity Career Without a College Degree

• Learn key concepts: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions 

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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