How to Get into Cybersecurity

By Dr. Novadean Watson-Williams and Dr. Karen Hand  |  09/04/2026

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field as organizations face increasing threats such as ransomware breaches, malware attacks, phishing, and system exploitation. In fact, many companies experienced data breaches between January 2022 and May 2026, according to Tech.co.

As a result, there is a need for skilled cybersecurity professionals who can address rapidly evolving security threats and handle security breaches. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has further complicated cybersecurity, making it easier for malicious hackers to conduct attacks.

Where to Pursue Cybersecurity Career Paths

Given the severe financial and reputational consequences of a cybersecurity breach to an organization, cybersecurity professionals are extremely critical in many fields, such as:

• Education
• Information technology
• Government
• The military
• Healthcare
• E-commerce and retail
• Finance
• Telecommunications
• Transportation
• Logistics
• Energy and other critical infrastructure

Potential Career Paths in Cybersecurity

There are a variety of roles available in the cybersecurity field. Some typical cybersecurity roles include:

• Information security analyst
• Network/systems administrator
• Computer network defense analyst
• Digital forensics analyst
• Information technology auditor/compliance specialist
• Penetration tester/vulnerability analyst
• Cybersecurity consultant

What Do Cybersecurity Professionals Do?

Cybersecurity professionals protect organizations, networks, systems, and data from digital threats. As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, prospective employers across various industries seek professionals with security expertise, problem-solving skills, and technical backgrounds to prevent and respond to security incidents.

To protect sensitive, proprietary information from security breaches, cybersecurity specialists also implement security policies and train employees in cybersecurity procedures. These IT professionals safeguard valuable assets, such as network infrastructures, hardware, cloud systems, and software platforms.

Working as a cybersecurity professional can be satisfying due to the variety of the work that cybersecurity professionals do.

How Do People Get into Cybersecurity Jobs?

Most people in cybersecurity have some type of computer background. However, people with other backgrounds – such as the arts, healthcare, and criminal justice – can also find their way into cybersecurity.

The typical path for getting into cybersecurity involves these steps:

• Earn a degree in cybersecurity or a related field
• Gain real-world cybersecurity experience
• Develop core technical cybersecurity skills
• Build essential soft skills
• Earn industry certifications
• Network with peers and mentors

Earn a Degree in Cybersecurity or a Related Field

Typically, a bachelor’s degree is helpful for people seeking to pursue a cybersecurity career. Examples of relevant degrees include computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence.

Some students also choose to further their education by seeking a master’s degree in cybersecurity. This type of degree is beneficial for people who possess the right experience and qualifications, desire to enhance their research skills, and want to pursue leadership opportunities.

Gain Real-World Cybersecurity Experience

New cybersecurity professionals often pursue volunteer opportunities to build solid experience. For instance, they may volunteer, pursue internships, or work part-time for nonprofits or local community organizations to acquire the expertise needed for entry-level jobs.

Other ways to gain experience in this industry involve:

• Working in low-level cybersecurity jobs, such as IT and helpdesk positions
• Building a home lab to practice using different cybersecurity tools
• Participating in capture-the-flag competitions and online cybersecurity challenges

Develop Core Technical Cybersecurity Skills

Job roles in cybersecurity require technical knowledge in key areas. These areas include security information and event management (SIEM), intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), endpoint detection response (EDR), and penetration testing tools. In addition, cybersecurity professionals should have a working knowledge of firewalls, computer networking, operating systems, incident response, and ethical hacking.

Hiring managers also expect cybersecurity professionals to understand legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines to effectively protect organizations.

Build Essential Soft Skills

While technical skills are critical for entering the cybersecurity field, soft skills are equally important. They can also be useful in standing out from other candidates when seeking an entry-level role or a higher-level job.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST®), these soft skills include:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Resilience
• Strategic thinking

Cybersecurity professionals also need analytical skills to detect attack patterns, anomalies, and possible threats. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be especially helpful in this type of data analysis, since AI can access and sort through large datasets more quickly than humans.

Working in teams is an essential quality for cybersecurity professionals. They must build relationships, negotiate with others, and solve problems. In addition, they may manage projects and be responsible for ensuring team members meet deadlines.

Earn Industry Certifications

Obtaining professional cybersecurity certifications can be useful for enhancing one’s professional knowledge. Some popular certifications include:

• CompTIA® Security+®
• CompTIA® Network+®
• CompTIA® Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+®)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP®)
• Certified Ethical Hacker® (CEH®)
• Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®)
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP®)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
• Google® Cybersecurity Professional
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP®)

Note: It is important to check the education and work experience requirements needed to be eligible for industry certifications. Education/training different from that of a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and/or a specified amount of work experience may be required. Please check with the administering body regarding requirements.

Network with Peers and Mentors

For seeking entry-level or more advanced opportunities in cybersecurity, networking with peers and mentors is also helpful. Investopedia® observes, “Networking involves exchanging information and ideas, primarily within a shared interest group, to build professional relationships and remain informed about industry developments.”

Joining professional organizations and going to meetups is a great way to network with other cybersecurity professionals and hear about internships and new job opportunities. It can also provide opportunities for mentoring, as well as opportunities to gain new cybersecurity knowledge and learn new techniques. Networking allows cyber professionals to learn from others’ experiences and broaden their understanding of the industry.

Why Cybersecurity Continues to Grow

Cybersecurity continues to evolve as organizations face increasing threats to their systems, networks, and data. From security analyst roles to governance, risk, and compliance positions, the cyber field offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals with different backgrounds and skill sets.

While there is no one single path into cybersecurity, earning a degree, gaining real-world experience, obtaining industry certifications, and building a professional network can position an individual to pursue meaningful opportunities in this field. In the future, cybersecurity professionals will play a critical role in helping organizations protect sensitive information, manage risk, and respond to security incidents.

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at AMU

For students who want to expand their knowledge of networking concepts, securing databases, information security, and other aspects of cybersecurity, American Military University (AMU) provides an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. In this degree, adult learners can take courses in biometrics, cryptography concepts, and computer and network security. Other courses include cybercrime, cyber warfare, and IT security planning and policy.

This B.S. in cybersecurity offers five concentrations so that students can tailor their education to meet their professional goals. These concentrations include:

• General
• Digital forensics
• Critical infrastructure
• Privacy and surveillance
• Wireless and mobile security

For more information, visit AMU’s information technology degree program page.

Note: This program has specific admission requirements.
NIST® is a registered trademark of National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Computing Technology Industry Association® and CompTIA® are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc.
Security+® is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc.
Network+ ® is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc.
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+®) is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) is a registered trademark of International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP®) is a registered trademark of Offsec Services, LLC.
Certified Ethical Hacker® and CEH® are registered trademarks of EC-Council International Limited.
Certified Information Security Manager® and CISM® are registered trademarks of Information Systems Audit and Control Association.
SSCP® is a registered trademark of International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.
CCNA® is a registered trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc.
Google® is a registered trademark of Google, LLC.
CCSP® is a registered trademark of International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.
Investopedia® is a registered trademark of Investopedia, LLC.