The Top Pathways to Becoming a Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity is a thriving field that benefits from a diverse workforce. This means there could be an avenue for you, whether you have absolutely no experience in cybersecurity, have a general background in IT, or have some qualifications but no real-world experience.

1. No qualifications and no experience in cybersecurity

2. Some IT experience but no cybersecurity qualifications

3. Some qualifications but no relevant IT experience

One of the things that makes cybersecurity such an attractive pathway is that you don’t necessarily need a tonne of IT experience or knowledge to get started. Instead, it’s more important to possess problem-solving skills and an investigative mindset. If you’re a complete beginner looking for your start in cybersecurity, consider:

Once you’ve dipped your toes into the water with some real-world experience, pick a short course in your area of interest.

Some excellent courses for you could be:

You should also check if there are any compulsory security clearances or industry certifications you need to obtain to get into your dream role. Some employers may even assist you in getting these clearances or certifications, so it’s always worth asking if you get to the interview stage!

Some entry-level roles to consider include include:

A background in IT can get you really far in your journey towards becoming a cybersecurity professional, as you’ll already have many of the practical computer skills you need to get started.

To pivot your career from being an IT generalist to a cybersecurity specialist, consider:

An easy way to pivot from IT to cybersecurity is to think about how your current role can tie into a cybersecurity role.

For example, if you currently work as a network administrator, you might do well in digital forensics or network security. If you work as a web developer, a career in web security or security software development might make perfect sense for you.

If you haven’t decided on a specialisation yet, you might want to dive into a broad course that covers the expansive and rapidly-changing environment of the cyber security field.

If that’s the case, these courses might be perfect for you:

Speaking to those who are already in the cybersecurity industry and getting to know their background and the pathways they took can be a great springboard for your own journey. 

If you’ve already obtained a cybersecurity qualification, you’ll likely have a solid understanding of best practices and regulations. All you need is some relevant experience to really launch your cybersecurity career. You can build your experience by:

You might want to start off in a generalist IT role in order to pick up a plethora of technical skills at once. You could also offer to help out with cybersecurity projects at your workplace, developing practical skills on the job. 

While advanced degrees aren’t necessary in the cybersecurity world, you’ll still want to have some sort of qualification. This ensures you have an up-to-date knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and risks, and helps you become more employable.

If you have a non-technical background, a qualification is particularly important in equipping you with the tech skills you need to succeed. 

Cybersecurity is a really broad field, so it’s worth drilling down into the areas that most interest you. From becoming CISCO certified to learning the ins and outs of IT security, Training.co.nz is the go-to hub for all budding cybersecurity professionals.

There’s a pathway for everyone in cybersecurity, whether you’re a complete newbie, an IT generalist, or someone with a mix of experience and education.  

Launch your cybersecurity career by exploring our available courses and certifications.