Breaking into a cybersecurity career has never been easy and today it’s more competitive than ever. At the same time, there is a well-documented cybersecurity talent shortage, with an estimated 4.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally, according to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. The demand for skilled professionals far outpaces supply, particularly in specialized fields such as cloud security, application security and incident response. Yet, despite this gap, companies continue to outsource critical security functions overseas rather than invest in developing homegrown talent. This has major implications not only for job seekers but also for national security.
Adding to the urgency, there has been a massive wave of IT layoffs, leaving many skilled professionals—such as networking engineers, software developers and IT administrators—seeking new career paths. Cybersecurity offers a natural transition for these professionals, as many of their existing technical skills translate well into security roles with additional focused training and certification. Additionally, layoffs in government positions due to DOGE budget cuts, economic constraints or shifting policy priorities, including those influenced by economic downturns or political shifts, have also left experienced IT professionals searching for stable career options. Cybersecurity provides an opportunity for these individuals to leverage their existing expertise while contributing to national security and infrastructure protection.
Degrees Still Matter—But They’re Not Enough
The debate over whether degrees are necessary for cybersecurity continues. The reality? While a degree isn’t mandatory, it still holds weight—especially from a reputable institution. Employers view degrees as proof of commitment and foundational knowledge in networking, operating systems and security principles.
But a diploma alone won’t land you a job. Many graduates enter the workforce with no practical experience, making them less competitive than those who have built hands-on skills. Universities, professors and career counselors need to guide students beyond the degree and into real-world application.
Certifications Help—But Timing Is Everything
Certifications like Security+, CEH, or CISSP are valuable, but they are not golden tickets. They work best when coupled with real-world experience. Early-career professionals should prioritize building technical skills first—because hiring managers value demonstrated problem-solving ability over certificates on a résumé.
Certifications become more relevant later in a career, particularly for leadership roles like CISO, where credentials like CISSP, CISM, or CCISO are often required.
Experience: The Ultimate Differentiator
A common frustration among job seekers is the “experience required” paradox for so-called entry-level cybersecurity roles. It may seem unfair, but cybersecurity is a high-stakes field—companies can’t afford to bring on employees who need months of ramp-up time.
If you’re looking to gain experience, consider:
- Internships: Apply broadly—don’t be picky. Be willing to relocate, work pro bono and recognize that it may take 100 applications to land five interviews and one offer. Persistence is key.
- Home Labs: Set up your own security environment and practice tools like Splunk, Wireshark, or Metasploit.
- Bug Bounty Programs: Engaging in ethical hacking competitions builds experience and credibility.
- Open Source Contributions: Work on cybersecurity-related projects to showcase your skills.
Specialization: The Fastest Path To Success
Cybersecurity is vast and generalists are becoming rare. Specializing in high-demand areas will make you stand out. Consider:
- Application Security: Companies struggle to find appsec experts. Learning secure coding and OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities can set you apart.
- Cloud Security: With cloud adoption soaring, expertise in securing AWS, Azure, or GCP is highly valuable.
- Threat Intelligence: Organizations need analysts who can anticipate and mitigate cyber threats.
- Incident Response & Digital Forensics: Companies are always looking for experts who can manage security breaches effectively.
Your resume should tell a clear, focused cybersecurity story. Avoid being too broad—highlight your specialization and technical expertise.
The Cybersecurity Talent Shortage and the Outsourcing Problem
Despite an abundance of job openings, many companies struggle to fill cybersecurity roles domestically. Instead, they opt to outsource security operations overseas, citing cost savings. But this decision carries significant risks:
- Insider Threats: Security teams need to be trustworthy and offshore outsourcing can introduce vulnerabilities.
- Compliance and Regulatory Challenges: Many regulations mandate that cybersecurity operations remain within national borders, but outsourcing undermines this.
- National Security Risks: Cybersecurity is critical infrastructure and relying on foreign talent creates potential vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit.
The 2024 ISC2 study found that nearly one-third (31%) of cybersecurity teams had no entry-level professionals and 15% had no junior-level (1-3 years of experience) professionals. This lack of early-career hiring weakens national cybersecurity resilience.
Instead of outsourcing, companies should develop structured “farm teams” of interns and entry-level hires. But too often, they claim they “can’t find the right people” while failing to create meaningful training programs.
Universities Must Do More Than Hand Out Degrees
One of the biggest gaps in the cybersecurity pipeline starts in academia. Many universities promote cybersecurity degrees but fail to provide the necessary internships and apprenticeships that translate into job placement. Career counselors are falling short in guiding students toward industry expectations.
To fix this, universities must:
- Partner With Companies for Apprenticeships – Establish relationships with cybersecurity firms and government agencies to offer structured programs.
- Provide Realistic Career Counseling – Advise students on the importance of hands-on experience, networking and certifications.
- Encourage Hands-On Learning – Integrate lab-based cybersecurity exercises into curricula.
- Guide Students Toward Specialization – Help students develop in-demand skills like cloud security or digital forensics.
Without a clear education-to-employment pathway, many graduates remain frustrated and unemployed—despite an industry desperate for talent.
Cybersecurity Leaders Must Step Up
Hiring managers, executives and security professionals must recognize their responsibility in shaping the next generation. If you’re in a leadership role, don’t ghost candidates. Respond, provide guidance and mentor new talent.
Beyond hiring, cybersecurity leaders should:
- Speak at Schools and Universities – Engage with students early to introduce cybersecurity as a viable career path.
- Support Underprivileged Communities – Many talented individuals lack exposure to cybersecurity careers. Outreach efforts can change lives.
- Create Internship and Apprenticeship Programs – Structured pathways help new professionals break in.
- Mentor and Advise – Invest in the future of cybersecurity by sharing your knowledge.
The industry thrives when experienced professionals give back, strengthening not just their companies but the security of the entire nation. On that note, networking events can be a secret weapon for job seekers. Attending industry events, engaging with online security communities and connecting with professionals on LinkedIn can open doors. Many job opportunities are filled through referrals, so building relationships is essential. Cold applications often get lost in the flood of resumes but a strong referral can make all the difference.
AI Is Reshaping Cybersecurity Careers
With AI transforming cybersecurity, future professionals need a strong foundation in AI-driven security tools. Understanding how AI is used for threat detection, automated response and behavioral analysis will become critical. This means that rigorous education, whether through degrees or self-study, will become even more important in developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
The 2024 ISC2 study found that AI skills are among the most significant skill gaps in cybersecurity teams, with 23% of respondents citing it as their top skills shortfall. Other notable gaps include cloud computing (30%), zero trust (27%), incident response (25%) and application security (24%).
How To Break In
Breaking into cybersecurity requires education, certifications, hands-on experience and relentless networking. Companies must create more entry-level opportunities, but aspiring professionals must take initiative.
For IT professionals displaced by layoffs, cybersecurity offers a clear path forward. Networking engineers, software developers and IT administrators already possess transferable skills that, with targeted training, can lead to security roles.
The field isn’t impenetrable, but success demands persistence, adaptability and continuous learning. If you’re willing to hustle, apply relentlessly and gain real-world experience, cybersecurity can be a lucrative and impactful career.
And for those already in the field—it’s time to pay it forward. The future of the industry and our national security both depend on it.
