Is Cybersecurity Entry Level⁉️
A not so age old question...
This topic seems to REALLY wind some people up… So let’s chat about it. 😉
Quickly, if you happen to be getting started in cybersecurity, check out TechOneTwenty here: TechOneTwenty
It’s a resource I poured hours into, and it’s something I wish I had at the start of my career.
“A Practical Breakdown: Understanding Cloud & Security with Simple Projects You Can Do at Home”
Anyway, thanks for enduring the shameless self-plug.
Is Cybersecurity Entry Level⁉️
One of the comments I hear most often when sharing projects or my thoughts on the industry at large is that “Cybersecurity is not entry-level.”
Let me let you in on a secret about the people who say this: They don’t work in cybersecurity.
If they did, they would understand that cybersecurity is an umbrella term for an entire industry. And by its very nature, there are entry-level jobs available within said industry. Here are a few examples:
Security Operations Center Analyst
Security Administrator
Cybersecurity Support Technician
IT Helpdesk with a Security Focus
When people say, “Cybersecurity is not entry-level,” don’t be put off. They often back this up with a statement like, “To protect something, you must understand it.” I couldn’t agree more.
However, here’s what they really mean:
They don’t believe that, given the technical depth of areas like network security or security engineering, those specific roles are appropriate for an industry beginner.
Here’s a list of jobs that, in my opinion, are categorically not for beginners:
Cloud Security Engineer
DevSecOps Engineer
Penetration Tester
Network Architect
Next time you hear someone say this, remind yourself that they are probably projecting that they have not been able to find a role and don’t actually work in cybersecurity. 😉
Don’t be put off by these comments.
We need YOU, and we need YOU to want this career.
I understand the job market is tough right now, but it will improve. Peaks and troughs, ups and downs - it’s the nature of every industry.
People took a chance on me at the start of my career, and I hope to be able to do the same one day - paying it forward.
Thank you for reading: Keep it secure, keep it light-hearted!
WJPearce - CyberBrew
Sage advice as always. Also, don't let age concerns bother you either. There's a real need out there for capable and qualified talent. Do the 'knowledge' and get stuck in. :-)
I’m a mature student participating in a cyber range with a focus on vulnerability management. Doubt often creeps in. My subconscious is coated with fear: I’m too old, not smart enough, no experience, a minority. The odds appear stacked, but it’s feeling of doubt that fuels me. Sounds wild, but it’s true. This field captivates. I’m locked in and I’ll be damned if anyone tells me I’m incapable of understanding remediation or what SCCM is and why some practitioners hate it. So thank you
for providing an insightful article, it renewed my faith in the process.