How to get into cybersecurity with no experience: 7 steps

Does the world of cybersecurity intrigue you but you don’t have any experience in the industry? All hope is not lost. If you have a passion for technology and digital security, and the soft skills required for the job, you’ll find a cybersecurity career both attainable and rewarding.

The world of cybersecurity is fast-paced and requires individuals who can adapt quickly to new technologies, trends, and threats. Is that you? If yes, we’ll show the pathway into the cybersecurity industry even if you have no prior experience.

We’ll discuss foundational knowledge requirements, skill-building strategies, educational pathways, and networking tips to help beginners navigate their entry into cybersecurity.

To help you get started, here are the seven steps to begin your career in cybersecurity:

Steps to get into cybersecurity

Step 1: Understand cybersecurity fundamentals

To begin a rewarding career in cybersecurity, you need a foundational knowledge of the industry and cybersecurity fundamentals. Watch a few educational YouTube videos to understand the current and future landscape of the industry.

Then do some additional self-study or online courses to build a foundational knowledge of these six fundamental aspects of cybersecurity:

  1. Confidentiality, integrity, availability (CIA Triad): The CIA Triad refers to the three core elements of effective cybersecurity policies: confidentiality (rules to restrict access to information), integrity (the reliability of the information), and availability (ensuring the correct people have access to the information).
  2. Risk management: Understand the basics of discovering, analyzing, and monitoring threats and security risks.
  3. Data and network security: This refers to the hardware and software that protects a company’s data from unauthorized access.
  4. Security control: This fundamental aspect of cybersecurity refers to how confidentiality and integrity of data are managed.
  5. Threat and vulnerability assessment: Cybersecurity professionals must understand how to analyze an organization’s computer systems to look for vulnerabilities.
  6. Recovery: This refers to procedures or remediation used to restore data that has been compromised or lost in cyber hacks.

“[I experienced] self-doubt. [As a financial advisor] I deal[t] with people, not software. But the thing is that self-doubt goes away with discovery. So I did a lot of research mainly [through watching] YouTube videos, [enrolling in] free courses, [and] learning the basics of cybersecurity. And that's where my fear went away - when I started learning it…[And it occurred to me that] this is something that I could see myself doing.”

- Serene Hasan, Lighthouse Labs Grad (2023)

As you pursue self-study in cybersecurity, check out these resources:

Penny Longman, Director of Information Security for the Fraser Health Authority, says many employers are looking for baseline knowledge.

“Do you understand the basics?” she asks. “Do you have…a bit of specialization in something, some IT background to bring, or some business background to bring?”

If you don’t have any IT or specialized training or experience in cybersecurity, continue to step 2 to get that.

View the full interview with Longman here.

Step 2: Build technical skills

If you want to pursue a cybersecurity career, you need to build your technical skills beyond the foundational knowledge you already have.

If you know what cybersecurity career path you’re interested in, learn the technical skills required for those jobs. Here are some options for skill-building:

Basic coding skills can benefit most cybersecurity roles too, so coding courses or workshops can help you level up your skills. Read more about how coding skills can help you get a job in cybersecurity.

Christoph Cemper, founder and CEO of AIPRM, says you can build technical skills by setting up a practice lab at home to experiment on or join online cybersecurity games. “Capture the Flag competitions are super fun while also helping improve skills by tackling hypothetical scenarios.”

While building your technical skills, pursue officially recognized cybersecurity certifications to prove your knowledge to a potential employer. Although not mandatory, Cemper recommends looking into Security+ from CompTIA and preparing a portfolio of personal projects such as making sample tools or testing your own security.

You can also start with A+ and Network+ if you have no experience and want to prove your knowledge and expertise to employers.

Lighthouse Labs’ Cybersecurity Program is CompTIA+ equivalent, allowing you to gain the necessary skills for an entry-level position. Download the full curriculum to learn more.


Step 3: Gain practical experience

Consider volunteering your time for a non-profit organization or asking your past cybersecurity and IT teachers about internship programs. You may also qualify for entry-level cybersecurity jobs in companies with solid mentorship programs to continue improving your skills.

If you’ve taken a formal course, you may receive career support. For example, Lighthouse Labs’ Career Services offers career consulting, including matching graduates with top companies to help them get jobs soon after graduating.

You can also gain safe practical experience by participating in hands-on labs and Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions like picoCTF. These challenges allow you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios like simulated cyber attacks. They help you practice defensive techniques and develop your practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

The following can also help you practice your skills in general and refine your techniques:

Subscribe to the Lighthouse Labs newsletter to stay in the loop with the latest community events and cyber updates.


Step 4: Network and engage with the community

Many beginners underestimate the importance of networking and soft skills. Networking is great because it helps you stay on top of industry trends and happenings and helps you form relationships that could turn into official or unofficial mentorships or job offers.

Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars, and participate in online forums on technology and cybersecurity. Here are some associations to consider joining (or following for industry news):

George Al-Koura, CISO at Ruby Life, emphasizes you should be networking to build relationships.

“Build friends, not just network,” he says. “There's a difference between… ‘I'm going to introduce myself’ or ‘just add everyone on LinkedIn’ versus… ‘I'm going to create a substantive relationship with you as someone who I potentially want to work with.’”


Step 5: Leverage transferable skills

Emphasize your soft skills on your resume and in job interviews for cybersecurity roles. These soft skills could be skills you’ve earned in other industries but are still extremely valuable in tech. Here are a few transferable skills you may want in cybersecurity:

  • Communication skills: Good communication skills help you better communicate critical security updates and information to your team, especially those in non-technical roles.
  • Teamwork: Many cybersecurity tasks in a job are completed alone. However, you’ll likely still work within a team and require cross-functional collaboration.
  • Problem-solving: When an attack occurs, you need to stay calm under pressure and focus on problem-solving to find the source.
  • Adaptability: The world of cybersecurity and technology is rapidly evolving, and you need the skills and mindset to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and pivot when required.
  • Resourcefulness: In cybersecurity, you’ll face many challenges, so knowing how and where to find the answers or knowledge you need will help you succeed.
  • Time management: This transferable skill will help you better complete your tasks and provide accurate deliverable dates and expectations to others.
  • Learning how to learn: Continuous education and upskilling will help you adapt to the latest changes and threats in the industry.

Read more about these essential soft skills for cybersecurity jobs.

Step 6: Craft your cybersecurity resume and online presence

Your resume and online professional profiles are often the first impression an employer will get of you, so make sure they’re strong. Here are the five things potential employers will be looking for in your resume:

  1. Foundational knowledge: They’ll likely ask you questions to gauge a solid understanding of basic cybersecurity principles.
  2. Technical knowledge: Employers want to know if you’ve taken courses, programs, or online learning specific to cybersecurity.
  3. Experience: Even entry-level cybersecurity jobs require you to demonstrate your knowledge. Even if you don’t have previous employment, you can show a portfolio, sample projects, or results from cybersecurity challenges you’ve participated in.
  4. Certifications: Hiring managers want to see you have proven skills through your cybersecurity certifications. These may include:
    • CompTIA Security+ (or an equivalent cybersecurity program)
    • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification
    • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification
    • A CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
  5. Soft skills:: Show examples to illustrate your related soft skills (such as problem-solving, communication, and resourcefulness).
  6. Passions: In cybersecurity especially, employers want to know that candidates are genuinely interested in the field. Highlight your interests and passions by showcasing past and current projects, groups and communities you’re involved in, or publications and thought leaders you follow.

Through your tailored resume and interviews provide examples and outcomes of your work. It’s okay (and recommended) to show your previous jobs in other industries but highlight the transferable skills you used in these roles and how they apply to the new cybersecurity role.

Jeremy Shaki, Co-Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Labs, says that in order to land a job successfully, you’ll need to show that you’re motivated and driven towards success, as opposed to simply sending out resumes and expecting an influx of calls back.

Step 7: Preparing for entry-level cybersecurity jobs

If you’re new to cybersecurity, there are many entry-level jobs you can get once you have developed your foundational knowledge and completed some related education. Here are four common entry-level positions:

Cybersecurity Analyst

In this role, you’ll protect an organization's digital assets. Your key responsibilities include identifying potential vulnerabilities, monitoring threats, and responding to incidents. This hands-on role will also require security reporting skills and writing summaries of the organization's security findings to management and stakeholders.

  • Recommended certifications: CompTIA Security+ (or equivalent), GIAC Security Essentials
  • Average annual salary: $80,712

Are you considering a career as a cybersecurity analyst? Learn more about the eight essential skills you need in this challenging career.

Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst

As a SOC Analyst, you’ll monitor an organization's security infrastructure, including detecting and responding to incidents, protecting overall cybersecurity, and collaborating with IT and security teams to prevent and resolve security breaches. If penetrations or hacks occur, you’ll be responsible for writing detailed reports about the incident response.

  • Recommended experience: Cybersecurity remediation, cybersecurity analytics software, cyber incident handling
  • Average annual salary: $62,722

Security Researcher

If you enjoy staying current on industry trends, a Cybersecurity Researcher position may be a good entry-level position for you. In this role, you will help design security protocols and monitor the evolution of malware, cyber hacks, system vulnerabilities, and risk mitigation strategies for your employer.

  • Recommended experience: Digital systems infrastructure, ethical hacking and penetration testing
  • Average annual salary: $102,443

Incident Responder/Handler

Those who think fast on their feet and are great at problem-solving often succeed as Cyber Incident Responders or Handlers. In this role, you’ll be called to identify, analyze, mitigate, and remediate cyber penetrations to minimize their impacts on the organization.

  • Recommended experience: Security auditing, risk analysis, breach detection and remediation
  • Average annual salary: $61,368


Educational pathways for cybersecurity

For aspiring cybersecurity professionals, we recommend two educational paths:

First, get formalized IT-related education. Enroll in certificate or diploma programs to get a foundational education in information technology, such as a diploma or bachelor's degree in computer sciences. Choose electives in cybersecurity topics.

Next, expand your knowledge with cyber-focused education. Take workshops and cybersecurity bootcamps to broaden your understanding in this area. Lighthouse Labs Cybersecurity Bootcamp is 12 (full-tune) or 30 (part-time) weeks. It provides the immersive education you need to land a rewarding job in cybersecurity.

After completing these formal educational paths, you can begin applying for entry-level cybersecurity positions.


From bootcamp to employment with Lighthouse Labs

One way to get the reskilling you need is through the Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Lighthouse Labs. This program is designed to get those with no related cybersecurity experience, job-ready in as little as 12 or 30 weeks.

In that time, you’ll:

  • Learn cybersecurity fundamentals: Our lecture-based classes and reading will help you understand cybersecurity fundamentals.
  • Build your technical skills: Choose between the immersive, full-time schedule for 12 weeks or the flexible, part-time schedule for 30 weeks. This Bootcamp will introduce you to the in-demand technical skills needed for a career in cybersecurity.
  • Gain practical experience: Students work on realistic projects and assignments based on the latest trends and technology in the industry. Many of these projects can form the basis of your job portfolio.
  • Get networking and job readiness support: You’ll be mentored by cybersecurity experts already in the field and network with peers and colleagues with whom you may one day work.
  • Hone your transferable skills: The curriculum will help you practice and hone the essential soft, transferable skills you need in any future career path, especially cybersecurity.
  • Get help preparing your resume and applying for jobs: As a Lighthouse Labs Bootcamp graduate, you get lifetime career support tailored to your goals.

Many bootcamp students come from other industries and have no coding experience, but by the time they complete their program, they feel confident and ready to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the prospect of a new career. Cemper reminds us, “There's so much to learn that it's hard to know where to begin. But don't worry, with focus and dedication, anyone can build a solid foundation.”

And that solid foundation is precisely what Nathan Cordero did:

“Lighthouse Labs presented as one of the best, most established organizations that help with retraining in Canada. The Bootcamp Program felt like a crash course for the industry. You go from the bottom up, from the different components of a computer to disassembling programs and identifying indicators of compromise.”

- Nathan Cordeiro, Lighthouse Labs grad (2023)

Embark on your cybersecurity journey with confidence through our Cybersecurity Bootcamp, designed for individuals without prior experience. Transform your curiosity into expertise in as little as 12 weeks.



Cybersecurity job FAQs

Can a beginner get into cybersecurity?

Yes, you can transition into cybersecurity from any career with the help of some dedicated self-study and a few tech and cyber courses or bootcamps.

Can I get into cybersecurity with no IT experience?

While IT experience can help, it’s not required to start your educational path to a cybersecurity job.

Can I go straight into cybersecurity?

After completing some IT and cyber-related courses or comprehensive bootcamps, many graduates often find entry-level employment in cybersecurity.

Is it hard to get a cybersecurity job?

Cybersecurity roles are in demand but showing hiring managers a strong blend of technical skills and transferable, soft skills will help put you ahead of the competition.