What are the most common entry-level cybersecurity roles?

Entry-level cybersecurity roles are the building blocks of a strong career foundation in the field, requiring a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a firm grasp of cybersecurity fundamentals. These roles encompass tasks related to monitoring, analyzing, and preserving an organization's digital assets. With experience, individuals can advance into specialized positions like penetration testing, security architecture, or cybersecurity management, supported by certifications, ongoing education, and staying current with evolving cybersecurity trends.

When mentoring those that desire cyber positions, I prefer speaking to skills vs. roles. While these roles do sit at the "foot of the cyber mountain", calling them entry level can be confusing to the job seeker based on today's requirements. As organizations are doing more with less, roles are being combined and lines blurred. As it becomes harder to find an actual entry point, I'd like to submit that my road to Cyber began at an IT helpdesk troubleshooting network connectivity issues and securing and patching operating systems in preparation for DITSCAP (yes, I'm that old, LOL) related audits. That job for me was the entry level opportunity that laid my cyber foundation.

There are infinite “roads to a career in Cybersecurity”. However it is challenging to jump immediately into a cybersecurity career with little or no work experience. Working in cybersecurity requires strong fundamentals in computers, software and general technology. For those I mentor, beginning or considering a career with a passion for technology, experience is critical - I suggest: 1) Volunteer: help support technology at charities, non profits, schools, or anywhere they could use extra help. 2) Start your own company: you don’t have to register it, just brand it, make a website, make business cards, then track every customer. (This includes friends, family, and free tech support!) 3) Get a job: ANY job. Get work experience.

Common entry-level cybersecurity roles include Security Analyst, who monitors network traffic to detect anomalies; Junior Penetration Tester, who assesses systems for vulnerabilities; Incident Responder, who addresses security breaches; and IT Auditor, who reviews controls for IT systems. These positions require a foundational understanding of security principles, systems, and networks. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills and a keen interest in IT security trends are essential for these roles.

A security analyst is a pivotal role in protecting organizations from the growing threat of cyberattacks. They must possess a diverse skill set, a solid educational background, and a commitment to continuous learning. With the right qualifications and experience, you can embark on a rewarding career in cybersecurity as a security analyst.

Security Engineers are the heart of the cybersecurity workforce, with the title often showing up more recently than any other cyber security title. One thing to keep in mind with security engineering is that it can be a catch-all term for technical security work that could involve compliance, system configuration, penetration testing, SIEM/SOC configuration, programming of security scripts and applications, and many other miscellaneous tasks. This means that when looking at security engineering jobs, be careful to look at the job description and what is being asked for, this term causes much confusion among recruiters and cybersecurity professionals alike. As our industry matures these terms will solidify and likely have specific meanings.

A security engineer designs, builds, and maintains an organization's security infrastructure, implementing tools like firewalls and antivirus software. They assess security, troubleshoot issues, and need a strong technical background. A bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related field, plus certifications like CompTIA Security+, are often required.

A Security Engineer should be the second step in doing the Cyber security role. Because you need to know how the process and flow work in the whole security system before you design and install the security device and your job is not done after you install and configure the security device successfully but it has a problem in the software level also.

A Security Engineer is like the architect of cyber-castles! They're the master builders, crafting virtual fortresses with digital bricks and firewalls. Think of them as the cyber-engineers, donning their virtual hardhats, constructing moats filled with encrypted alligators, and building walls so high that even cyber-giants couldn’t climb over!

Red Team is one other exciting career path for professionals interested in penetration testing. While penetration testing is designed to find vulnerabilities in systems, Red Teaming uses a similar skill set to emulate an adversary. The typical Red Team mission is to discover detection and incident response gaps to strengthen people, process, and technology before a real incident occurs.

Penetration testing is often a misunderstood role. A penetration testers job ends up being 20-30% actual testing and 70% reporting and communication. When a client is spending 30k - 100k on a piece of paper or powerpoint presentation as the end result, ensuring quality in communication and presentation becomes paramount. Those who succeed well are often those that not only have the technical chops but master communication and presentations with clients. The other thing to consider is that many penetration testing roles end up being consulting roles instead of internal testing roles, which can mean odd hours that may not be suitable for everyone's lifestyle. That being said, penetration testing can be a fascinating job overall.

In my experience, penetration is more like an audit of IT Security infrastructure, therefore it is important that clients get external penetration test resources. I have had instance where a client claimed to have been utilising their “internal pen testers” which I did not think they were going the right way about, citing my reasons above.

Penetration Tester is like the digital ninja of cybersecurity! They’re the sneakiest good guys, hired to break into systems but without the bad intentions. Think of them as cyber spies—sneaking past defenses like a mouse in a cheese factory, finding holes before the real troublemakers do. They're like the James Bond of the digital world, armed not with gadgets, but with codes and algorithms to outsmart cyber threats!

While the demand for pen testers is growing rapidly, the role is not as common as some other cybersecurity positions. This is because penetration testing requires a unique skill set, including deep technical knowledge, creativity, and the ability to think like an attacker. The scarcity of pen testers can be attributed to the specialized skills required, the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, and the need for organizations to proactively assess and strengthen their security posture. As the importance of robust cybersecurity practices continues to grow, the demand for skilled penetration testers is expected to increase, making it an exciting and dynamic field within cybersecurity.

Security auditors don't just tick boxes; they dig deeper into how systems work, spotting risks before they turn dangerous. In contests, they need sharp focus and smart thinking to uncover hidden issues. Clear communication is key, explaining findings in a way that helps everyone take action. For security auditors, going beyond the checklist is crucial. It's about understanding the systems and processes, and identifying risks before they manifest into threats.

Security Auditors often get a bad rap. Documentation is often the most loathed part of cybersecurity. It often can seem like a waste of of time writing policies or procedures when there is endless technical work to be done. Good Security Auditors will recognize this and be able to weave technical skills, business savvy, and communication skills to express the importance of technical and procedural controls to security professionals who may not always see the big picture while being open to feedback from cybersecurity professionals. As an industry, we need to continue to push beyond simply checking a box for compliance and utilizing compliance to accelerate general good cybersecurity practices simultaneously.

A Security Auditor is like the Sherlock Holmes of cybersecurity! They're the digital detectives, poking around systems, magnifying glass in hand, looking for clues about security weaknesses. Think of them as cyber-inspectors, examining every nook and cranny of digital estates, searching for clues like a cyber-Sherlock trying to solve the mystery of security breaches!

Compliance audits, or the preparation for them, is the bread and butter of most IT Security operations in government. Yes, there are smaller groups of security engineers that are conducting defensive and offense cyber operations but the vast majority are auditors assessing security control implementation and compliance with the NIST RMF and associated security controls. Many eventual CISSPs get the start in this area. Security controls auditing is often a first step from systems or network administration into the rarefied world of Federal IT Security compliance and governance. Good auditors are simultaneously feared and respected, it's a good place to start.

In my experience, most cybersecurity professionals are or were, at one point, security administrators. Most cybersecurity professionals often have a background in general systems administration with additional security knowledge, and skillsets layered on top. Having a fundamental knowledge of various systems of administration is going to be key to success in this area. Suppose you area a Linux and Windows administrator already and you layer in the security aspects and best practices. In that case, you are primed to become or transition into a security administrator role. Many times a higher security administrator role will be titled security engineer or security administrators will move into security engineer positions.

A Security Administrator is like the cybersecurity janitor! They're the ones mopping up digital messes and keeping the cyber-hallways squeaky clean. Think of them as the custodians of the digital realm—constantly tidying up security protocols, locking doors, and making sure the cyber-windows are shut tight to keep those pesky digital dust bunnies out!

If people want to work at cybersecurity sector, cybersecurity has some different entry level roles: Security Specialist:they automated security systems and employee identification databases. Their responsibility is protecting company data, ensuring the digital safety of end-users Incident Responder: they use digital forensics to investigate breaches and other security events Security Architect:their responsibilities include security planning and testing, as well as designing and implementing new security protocols. Security Auditor: Auditors strive to identify potential vulnerabilities and flaws within internal systems before they become a problem

The world of cybersecurity is a marathon not a sprint. There are new things to learn everyday and generally if you have been in the field for 3 years, you are caught up with everyone else. That being said it is easy as you progress in your career to find your technical skills quickly going out of date if you are not constantly updating your skills with the latest technologies. Cybersecurity and, more generally, IT professionals need to be ABLE(Always Be Learning Everyday). That is the best way to succeed in this career field. Stagnation is death.

Your current role can become your entry level in cybersecurity if you have a security team in your company. Once you can share with your security team the security flaws you see with the processes, how data is handled or systems are configured, and provide solutions to those flaws, you may be recognized by your security team. It's even better, if you can implement some of the security measures yourself and impact others in your team and beyond. The title does not matter. Just play the role as soon as possible to exercise the right mindset for future "real" security roles, which might even become available in the same company. Should you decide to leave the company for a security role, track your security related achievements for your CV.

Sometimes it's hard to break into Cybersecurity so what helps is experience working in a related field, be it IT, Software Quality Assurance, Network Engineering or even help desk. Working in these related fields will help immensely in a Cybersecurity role. The idea is to convince the interviewer that even though you do not work in a Cybersecurity related role currently, you have the skills and knowledge to handle that kind of responsibilities.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, entry-level roles offer a multitude of paths for aspiring professionals to embark upon. Beyond the traditional Security Analyst position, a myriad of opportunities awaits, each with its own set of responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities for growth. From the vigilant eyes of SOC Analysts to the investigative prowess of Incident Responders, the field offers roles suited to a variety of talents.. Navigating a competitive job market requires candidates to differentiate themselves through a combination of technical prowess, soft skills, and industry certifications.