- Key Takeaways
- Most Companies Don’t Know The First Thing About Cybersecurity
- People With Military Backgrounds Are Ideal Candidates For Cybersecurity Roles
- You Can’t Learn Everything Fresh On The Job
- You’ll Need To Publish Your Discoveries
- It Helps To Have Wider Computing Interests
- You Don’t Have To Get A Job On A Help Desk
- You Still Need To Be A Master Of Communication
- You’ll Have A Lot Of Fun
- Next Steps
- Final Words
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Last Updated on April 1, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Cybersecurity Demand Is Rising: Most companies lack essential protection, creating massive opportunity for professionals to secure systems and prevent costly breaches.
- Military Experience Offers a Head Start: Veterans with cybersecurity
training can leverage their background for advanced roles andcollege credit in the private sector. - Experience Beats Theory: On-the-job learning is critical, as real-world challenges often exceed
training and require problem-solving under uncertainty. - Communication
Skills Are Essential: Effective cybersecurity pros must convey risks, educate clients, and collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders. - Cybersecurity Can Be Highly Rewarding. In addition to competitive pay, the field offers dynamic work, autonomy, and the satisfaction of solving impactful, real-world problems.
Many people can see the writing on the wall: cybersecurity will be big business over the coming years if it isn’t already. Every company now wants professional assistance to ensure its networks and protect its data, and the costs of failing to do so are enormous.
Therefore, it represents a significant opportunity for career advancement. People who manage to get in on the action give themselves the opportunity to earn higher wages and do more rewarding work.
Going into cybersecurity is about much more than just technical
Here’s everything you need to know about cybersecurity before you take it on as a career.
Most Companies Don’t Know The First Thing About Cybersecurity
Most companies still lack a solid understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals. Many operate with outdated security protocols, weak access controls, or unpatched systems, leaving their networks vulnerable to breaches. This lack of awareness and preparedness creates a significant opportunity for cybersecurity professionals.
Businesses are often unaware of how easily their systems can be compromised, meaning even basic improvements can drastically increase their security posture. For those entering the field, this widespread gap in cybersecurity readiness presents low-hanging fruit and a clear path to add value quickly.
For people wanting to get into the industry, this is good news. Not only is there a massive market for security services, but there is also a lot of low-hanging fruit. You can waltz into a business, make a few simple changes, and increase the effectiveness of its security measures tenfold. Very often, it’s easy work.
This groundbreaking book provides a uniquely comprehensive guide to software security, ranging far beyond secure coding to outline rigorous processes and practices for managing system and software lifecycle operations.
People With Military Backgrounds Are Ideal Candidates For Cybersecurity Roles
The next major global conflict will unlikely be a “hot war.” The weapons are too destructive and hurt the person firing them as much as they do the target. It is much more likely to involve states or organizations facing off against each other in the digital realm, one trying to outwit the other.
There’s a growing military community, therefore, with extensive cybersecurity
You Can’t Learn Everything Fresh On The Job
Many people think that they are trained to become cybersecurity professionals, and they know everything there is to know about the discipline. But there’s no substitute for time spent on the job. A guy who is a couple of weeks into a role will never have the same ability to solve problems as somebody who has been in the industry for a decade. It just doesn’t work like that. You need experience.
Typically, you find yourself doing things you never imagined would be a part of the role. It can be a lot of fun but also a steep learning curve.
There will also be times when there are no clear solutions. Often, the only thing you can do is gamble, so roles also require a certain level of confidence. Uncertainty is par for the course.
You’ll Need To Publish Your Discoveries
You rarely find a process-driven cybersecurity role. You’re Almost always battling novel problems – things people haven’t seen before. For that reason, there’s an industry-wide demand for information on how to resolve client issues efficiently. Many people at the top of their game regularly publish reports and instructionals for dealing with tricky, idiosyncratic problems. Thus, you may spend a lot of time writing and creating help documents, especially if you become talented at what you do.
It Helps To Have Wider Computing Interests
Cybersecurity is a big field. But the world of computing is even more expansive. The more you know about issues outside of security matters, the more helpful you can be to your clients. Many of the problems you encounter will link to other systems.
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You Don’t Have To Get A Job On A Help Desk
When it comes to cybersecurity, there’s no set
Opportunities in the sector change constantly. The jobs that are available right now might not still exist in ten years.
You Still Need To Be A Master Of Communication
If you envision working quietly in the corner, sorting out problems by yourself as part of your cybersecurity roles, think again. That’s not how it works in practice. Communication plays a vital role.
First, you need to understand what your client wants. This is not just about walking into their offices and fiddling with their systems. You need to discuss what they want to get from their networks and security arrangements, and that’s not always clear.
Second, you often need to educate companies on how to manage their security arrangements. After all, you can’t be in all places at all times. They need to take on some of the responsibility themselves. Thus, part of your job is communicating these home truths to the people around you. Company owners need to understand that cybersecurity isn’t just a passive thing. They have to take the lead and be proactive in their approach. They’re setting themselves up for a world of pain if they’re not.
Finally, communication also matters when talking to your colleagues about your problems. The technical jargon isn’t always easy to understand. It takes time, patience, and practice to become accustomed to it.
Whether you are an IT services provider or a party seeking to engage the services of such a provider, being armed with this "inside" knowledge will help to level the playing field
You’ll Have A Lot Of Fun
A lot of people get into the cybersecurity field for the money. After all, people with the right
Next Steps
- Explore
Training and Certifications: To build foundational knowledge and boost your credibility, begin with recognized programs like CompTIA Security+, CEH, or CISSP. - Gain Hands-On Experience: Use platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box to practice real-world cybersecurity challenges and improve your technical problem-solving
skills . - Network with Industry Experts: Join forums, attend cybersecurity conferences, and connect on LinkedIn to stay updated and discover job opportunities.
- Develop Soft
Skills : Practice explaining technical issues to non-technical audiences and work on your communication andcollaboration abilities to stand out inteam environments. - Stay Current on Cyber Threats: Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds, blogs, or podcasts to stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and defensive strategies.
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Final Words
Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving and opportunity-rich field that rewards curiosity, adaptability, and persistence. Whether you’re transitioning from the military, changing careers, or starting fresh, the landscape is wide open for those willing to learn and engage. With technical
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
