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How to Get Into Cybersecurity With No Experience

Looking for a career in cybersecurity but not sure where to start? We’re here to help you get into cybersecuirty.

Cybersecurity has been an ever-growing industry since computers were first developed and has grown rapidly in the digital age since the explosion of the internet. By 2028, the global cyber security market is expected to reach $366.10 billion.

It is now bigger than ever and a top priority for organizations around the globe – and we’ll take you through the steps of how to get into cybersecurity with no experience.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Before you get into cybersecurity, it’s important to know why it’s important in today’s world. In the 1970s and 80s, when computer systems were in their early stages of development, computer security threats were identified easily – things such as network breaches and malware existed, but weren’t really used for financial gain like they are today. 

Fast forward to 2022 and the scale of computer development and the internet in our digital world is all-encompassing – and so is the need to protect the more complex systems in existence today.

Cybersecurity is the application of various technologies, programs and controls to protect computers from cyber attacks, aiming to prevent breaches of data and other means of exploitation via computer systems.

What’s more, since the global COVID pandemic has seen many organizations switch to remote working, cybersecurity systems have had to become more robust to protect themselves from potential attacks.

How to Get Into Cybersecurity With No Experience

No matter your background or level of experience, it isn’t as difficult as you would imagine switching to a career in cybersecurity. According to a recent study by global non-profit (ISC)2, the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals is just under 3 million – so if you want to learn the skills, the work will be there for you.

Many cybersecurity professionals begin their journey to their career by self-teaching, but that alone won’t guarantee a job in the industry.

Research – and make the decision

The first thing to do when thinking of getting into cybersecurity is to do your research and decide. There’s a whole host of information on the web for free – but that won’t be enough to get you into the industry.

But don’t worry – you’re in the right place. We’ll take you through the steps to take, the available entry-level jobs you’ll be looking at and what skills you’ll need – both technical and otherwise.

If it sounds like your ideal career switch, follow the next steps and you’re sure to land that cybersecurity role in no time – it’s the ideal time to get into the industry.

1. Cybersecurity foundation course

The next move to make would be to find a course for beginners to cybersecurity – such as Coding Dojo’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp

Once you’ve been equipped with the basics of online security and learned the main sections of IT security and data protection, you’ll be mission-ready to jump into a cybersecurity role. 

We can ensure you’re job-ready by combining hands-on experience and knowledge of a host of popular tools such as Wireshark and Metasploit.

2. Seek out entry-level cybersecurity jobs

It’s time to get your cybersecurity resume job-ready! Once you’ve learned the basic skills and completed your cybersecurity foundation course, it’s time to ready your resume to send off for those entry-level positions.

Make sure you do your research for the roles you’re applying for and that it’s the right fit for you. Remember, cybersecurity is constantly moving and growing, meaning that you’ll never stop learning (just like in the rest of life) and so maintaining your curiosity and learning will keep you ahead of the rest.

Cybersecurity Skills Needed to Land a Job

We take you through the kind of cybersecurity skills you’re going to need to demonstrate – before, during and after your foundation course – if you want to land that all-important entry-level job.

Cybersecurity Soft Skills

Soft skills are the kind of skills that can be transferred from your previous experience or personal life. For cybersecurity, you’ll need:

  • A willingness and desire to learn – if you have the right attitude and willingness to understand all aspects of the cybersecurity world, you’re off to an excellent start. And remember – you never stop learning, especially in the fast-moving world of cybersecurity
  • Attention to detail – cybersecurity is a very technical, detail-oriented industry, and so having a keen eye for detail is a huge plus
  • Technical aptitude – even if you don’t know all of the technical aspects of cybersecurity right away, it’s good to have an understanding of technical terms, language and the ability to learn them quickly

Cybersecurity Hard Skills

Hard skills are the technical aspects of the role, specific to the industry. These include:

  • Penetration testing (or pen test) is the process of simulating an attack on a system to check it for any weaknesses. These are performed at every entry point into a company’s sensitive data to better understand how attacks might happen
  • A functional understanding of how operating systems work, are built and managed
  • An understanding of how cloud computing and networks operate
  • Understanding of how coding programs work, such as Java and Python

Types of Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

Entry-level cybersecurity jobs come in many forms and are dependent on the organization, their security needs and how big the cybersecurity team is. Below is a list of entry-level positions to look out for once you’re ready to take the plunge and start applying for roles.

  1. Cybersecurity Specialist/Analyst

This role is responsible for maintaining an organization’s automated systems and databases.

  1. IT Auditor

An IT auditor plans and conducts audits against the company’s systems, presenting findings on any weaknesses and offers guidance on future protection.

  1. Incidence Responder

This role investigates security breaches and utilizes digital forensics to understand why and how a breach occurs, providing reports on their findings and help protect from future threats.

  1. Cybersecurity Engineer

Engineers are tasked with designing and implementing measures to protect networks, systems, and applications from any potential threat via virus or hacking and effectively troubleshoot any network issues.

  1. Penetration Tester

A pen tester discovers the weaknesses in current security systems by imitating a cyber threat to protect against real ones.

What Is the Average Cybersecurity Starting Salary?

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing industry and with the global progression towards remote working and more advanced computer systems, the need for cybersecurity professionals will only increase.

The industry was worth $153.16 billion in 2020 and that number is only going to grow.

While it varies from state to state, starting salaries in entry-level cybersecurity jobs are approximately $87,000. The average salary for a cybersecurity analyst is around $105,000 per year, as reported by the New England Institute of Technology.

10 Ways to Learn Cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity Bootcamp

Our part-time online course is the perfect first step to gaining the all-important skills to enhance your resume to cybersecurity. Covering everything from the necessary technical learning to hands-on experience, our 24-week bootcamp has everything you need towards that ultimate cybersecurity job.

Cybersecurity Degree 

A degree in cybersecurity would of course be an excellent pathway into a cybersecurity career, but remember degrees take an average of 3-5 years to complete. While the qualification may give you an advantage, it’s not an absolute necessity to get into the industry – especially if you want to get into the career sooner.

Cybersecurity Certifications

There are several certifications in cybersecurity, many require a certain level of experience or prior qualifications. Upon completion, our bootcamps offer certifications such as CompTIA Security + and the more advanced CySA+.

Cybersecurity Books

A number of books on cybersecurity are fantastic ways to increase your knowledge of the subject and continue your learning outside the classroom. 

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation by Jon Erickson, The Art of Invisibility by Kevin Mitnick and Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon are three to look out for, but there are hundreds.

Cybersecurity Blogs

Make sure to follow and keep up-to-date in the digital world by engaging with cybersecurity blogs such as Coding Dojo’s. As we’ve said, the industry is constantly growing and the first place to hear the latest news and trends will always be online.

Cybersecurity Workshops

Workshops could be a great way to top up your knowledge and delve into more specialized subjects once you’ve got to grips with the basics of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Training Videos

An excellent way to learn and with a plethora of resources available online, check out training videos for further education and how-to guides.

Cybersecurity Podcasts

Fully immerse yourself in the cybersecurity world by plunging into the top podcasts in the industry. This is an excellent way to learn for beginners and experts alike. Check out Unsupervised Learning and Darknet Diaries.

Cybersecurity Courses

While there are a number of courses available across the globe, our bootcamp offers the most rigorous, insightful and career-ready program for getting into cybersecurity. 

Join Cybersecurity Groups

Get social on the scene by joining cybersecurity groups online – connect with like-minded people, learn from experienced heads and sharing your own journey can always add value to your learning. Plus – you never know where that next job might come from.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to kick-start your new career in cybersecurity, you know what to do. With salaries reaching up to $500,000 per year for some higher-ranking roles – and the industry only growing – there’s a huge demand for new professionals in the cybersecurity industry and who knows where you might end up.

With a whole host of resources available online, bootcamps like ours offer the skills and knowledge the industry is calling out for and continuously surrounding yourself with new material – now you know how to get into cybersecurity with no experience.