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So You Want to Break Into Cybersecurity? Here’s How Long it Takes to Start Working in Cybersecurity.
Have you been thinking about starting a career in the hot field of cybersecurity, but aren’t sure how long it takes to break in? With high profile hacks and data breaches making headlines, demand for cybersecurity talent is skyrocketing. But launching a new career can feel daunting.
Let’s demystify the timeline.
The first step is getting the baseline skills. While you don’t need a college degree, some cybersecurity-related education helps lay the groundwork. Depending on your learning style, you can choose a certification program, bootcamp, associates degree, or even a bachelors program focusing on networks, systems, and security. Most baseline programs range from 5 months for a bootcamp (we do not recommend bootcamps) or cert program up to 2 years for an associates or bachelors.
Once you have some basic skills, you’ll want to get your first industry certification. The most popular starting certifications are the ISC2 CC -Certified in Cybersecurity – (See our Udemy Practice Exams here), CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Cisco Certified Cyber Ops Associate (CCCA). Each of these certs involves self-study using prep materials, video courses, and practice tests before taking the exam. The average time to study for your first certification round is 4-6 months if you can dedicate 10 hours or more of study time per week.
Landing your first role is the next milestone. The most common entry-level cybersecurity jobs are cybersecurity analyst, security operations center (SOC) analyst, and IT Security Specialist. Higher level positions include security engineer, vulnerability tester, and IT auditor. The typical path is to start in an operations, network admin or system admin role building hands-on skills for 1-2 years before specializing into a security position. Some bootcamp grads and career changers are able to land a junior cybersecurity role within their first 6 months of finishing training through industry connections or apprenticeships.
Overall, here are general timelines based on your prior experience:
Early-Career (little experience)
- Get baseline skills: 5-24 months
- Obtain first certification: 3-6 months
- Transition into entry-level cyber role: 6 months
- TOTAL = 6 months -1 year
Mid-Career (some related experience)
- Get baseline skills: 2-12 months
- Obtain first certification: 4-6 months
- Land first cybersecurity role: 3-6 months
- TOTAL = 8 months-1 year
Late-Career (deeper experience in related field like IT operations)
- Obtain key certification: 4-6 months
- Leverage network to pivot into cyber role: 3-6 months
- TOTAL = 7 months-1 year
No matter where you’re starting from, persistence is key. The cybersecurity learning curve rewards commitment to continual skills-building. Entry-level roles lead to valuable experience for more advanced and lucrative positions down the road. Scope, stakes, and salaries continue rising dramatically across cybersecurity careers.
Now that you know the typical timeframes, you can start mapping your path today. It’s an exciting time to jump in and join the industry working to protect critical data and infrastructure that powers our connected world.