The Cybersecurity talent gap, and why if we don't start to invest in entry level talents we will see a wave of burn-outs
You want to get into cybersecurity but feel overwhelmed by the experience required for most jobs. Don't worry, you're not alone. The field desperately needs new talent, and the truth is you don't need a decade of experience to start a successful career. Recruiters, take note - relevant skills are transferable. If you're eager to learn and build a portfolio, you can solve major problems in a few projects. Mentorship can fast track your goals and prevent the burnout we're already seeing. The key is starting, even with gaps in your knowledge. You'll gain experience on the job. If cybersecurity calls to you, answer - the world needs defenders, and your fresh perspective could make all the difference. Experience comes with time, passion starts today.
The Cybersecurity Talent Gap: Too Few Entry Level Roles
The cybersecurity field is growing rapidly, but the talent pool isn’t keeping up. There simply aren’t enough entry-level roles to meet demand.
Lack of Opportunity
Many cybersecurity jobs require years of experience, effectively blocking new talent from entering the field. While experience is valuable, it’s not the only way to build cybersecurity skills. With the right mindset, training, and mentorship, newcomers can solve real-world problems.
Recruiters, broaden your search. Look for candidates with relevant but transferable skills, not just direct cybersecurity experience. Portfolios, hackathons, and hands-on labs can demonstrate a candidate’s abilities, even without years of work experience.
For newcomers, don’t get discouraged. Build skills through online courses, bootcamps, and self-study. Create your own projects to build a portfolio. Network to find mentors willing to show you the ropes. With hard work and persistence, you can land an entry-level role and start gaining the experience so many jobs require.
The cybersecurity talent gap won’t close itself. We need new talent, and new talent needs opportunity and support. Providing entry points and mentorship is key to building a sustainable cybersecurity workforce for the future. There are problems to solve, so let’s make space for newcomers to help solve them.
Cybersecurity Burnout: Why Require 3+ Years for Entry Level?
Why Require 3+ Years for Entry Level?
If you're just getting started in cybersecurity, hearing that most jobs "require" 3-5 years of experience can be discouraging. But here's the truth: cybersecurity needs new talent, and those years of experience aren't always necessary.
Cybersecurity roles are in high demand, and the field is expanding faster than universities can churn out new grads. While some positions do require substantial experience, many entry-level jobs can be handled by newcomers with the right skills and mindset.
Rather than judging candidates solely on years of service, smart companies are looking for individuals with an aptitude for learning, problem-solving, and adapting to new technologies. Degrees and certifications show you have baseline knowledge, but what really matters is having a growth mindset.
Entry-level candidates have fresh perspectives and new ideas that can benefit companies in innovative ways. Don't get discouraged by unrealistic experience requirements - if you have skills, ambition, and a thirst for continuous learning, you can build a career in cybersecurity. Focus on developing hands-on experience through internships, projects, courses, and self-study.
Build a portfolio of your work to show what you can do. Network to find mentors in the field. With the right opportunities and support, you can gain valuable experience without suffering burnout - and help fill critical jobs in an industry that sorely needs new talent. The future of cybersecurity depends on new recruits, so don't count yourself out. You've got this!
Building a Cybersecurity Portfolio for Industry Needs
To build up your cybersecurity portfolio, focus on practical projects that solve real industry problems. You don’t need a decade of experience to make an impact.
Start with internships or entry-level jobs.
Look for internships, apprenticeships or junior roles at companies tackling cyber threats. Even if the pay isn’t amazing, the experience will be invaluable. Ask if you can take on special projects to strengthen your skills. Many big tech companies offer cybersecurity internships and new grad programs.
Build your own projects.
Develop your own cybersecurity projects to show your skills. For example, research and fix vulnerabilities in open-source software, build a basic firewall, or create an encryption tool. Describe your process and what you learned on your website or LinkedIn.
Get certified.
Earning industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker or CISSP will make you a more attractive job candidate. Study the material and pass the exam to prove your competence to employers.
Develop a specialization.
Focus your learning on a specific cybersecurity domain like cloud security, IoT security or threat intelligence. Become an expert in your chosen subfield so you can confidently tackle related projects and roles.
Contribute to the community.
The cybersecurity field values collaboration. Start a blog, podcast or YouTube channel to share your knowledge. Answer questions on forums like Stack Exchange or Reddit. Submit talks at local meetups. Giving back to the community will raise your profile and help you network.
With passion and persistence, you can build a rewarding career in cybersecurity without waiting for years of experience. Focus on practical ways to develop valuable skills, gain real-world experience and become an expert in your areas of interest. The opportunities are there if you work to find them.
Transposable Skills: Leveraging Transferable Experiences
Many roles in cybersecurity don’t actually require a decade of experience. Don’t get disheartened if you’re just starting out. There are many ways to break into the field and build up experience over time.
Transferable Skills
Focus on your transferable skills that apply to cybersecurity. Things like:
Don’t assume you need a specialized degree or certification to get started. While these can help, for many entry-level jobs a combination of transferable skills, on-the-job training and a willingness to learn may be enough. Build up practical experience through internships, entry-level roles, volunteering or participating in hackathons and Capture the Flag events. Create a portfolio of your work to showcase your abilities to recruiters. With time and experience, you’ll gain valuable skills and advance your career in cybersecurity. The key is just getting started.
Mentoring Programs to Develop Next Gen Cybersecurity Talent
Mentoring programs are key to developing emerging cybersecurity talent. As an entry-level professional, seek out mentors who can guide you and help build your skills. Look for mentors with experience in areas you want to develop, like:
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Penetration testing
Pen testing, or simulated hacking, is a crucial skill. Find a mentor with experience conducting pen tests to show you the ropes. They can walk you through tools, techniques, and report writing.
Threat analysis
Understanding cyber threats is essential for any cyber role. A mentor with a background in threat intel can help you learn how to research threat actors, analyze trends, and determine risks.
Incident response
Gaining incident response experience will make you invaluable. Look for a mentor on a CIRT (cyber incident response team) who can show you how to properly identify, contain, and remediate cyber incidents.
Don't be afraid to reach out to potential mentors and ask thoughtful questions about their work and experience. Many will be happy to take you under their wing, as growing talent in this field benefits everyone. Mentorship programs are also offered by nonprofits like ISE and ISSA, as well as many tech companies.
While mentoring and on-the-job experience are ideal, you can also build skills through:
With mentoring and continuous learning, you can build a successful cyber career without waiting a decade. The field needs fresh talent, so don't count yourself out - you have a lot to offer!
Cybersecurity Burnout Is Real: The Effects of Constant Stress
Cybersecurity is an exciting and important field, but the constant stress can lead to burnout. When every day brings new threats and vulnerabilities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Here are some tips to build a career in cybersecurity without burning out in the first decade:
Start with an entry-level role.
You don’t need 10 years of experience to get into cybersecurity. Look for analyst, associate, or technician roles to start. Focus on learning and gaining experience, not climbing the corporate ladder.
Build a portfolio of projects.
Work on some side projects to build up your skills and experience. Contribute to open source tools, analyze malware samples, participate in bug bounty programs, or create video tutorials. A portfolio with 2-3 solid projects can demonstrate your abilities to employers.
Develop transposable skills.
Recruiters value candidates with skills that translate across cybersecurity domains. Work on networking, scripting, risk analysis, and project management. These provide a strong foundation for many cyber roles.
Set boundaries.
It’s easy to let work take over your life in this field. Set clear boundaries to avoid burnout. Log off at the end of the day, take all your paid time off, and pursue hobbies outside of cybersecurity. Setting limits will make you a happier and more effective professional in the long run.
Find a mentor.
Connecting with a mentor in the industry can help guide your career and avoid missteps. Look for informal mentors on LinkedIn or in local security groups. Explain your goals and ask for advice on career progression, skills development, and avoiding burnout. Mentorship is invaluable for newcomers to the field.
Talent Gap and a wave of burn-out in cybersecurity
The cybersecurity field needs fresh talent, or the existing workforce will continue to burn out at an alarming rate. If you're just getting started in cybersecurity, don't feel like you need a decade of experience to land an entry-level role and start gaining valuable experience.
There are opportunities for newbies.
Recruiters, keep an open mind about transferable skills. Applicants coming from IT, software engineering, and computer science programs may not have direct cybersecurity experience but likely have a strong technical foundation to build upon. For some cybersecurity projects, a couple of relevant projects in your portfolio may be enough to get your foot in the door and start solving major problems.
Mentorship can help new cyber professionals get up to speed quickly. If you're struggling to break into the field or are feeling overwhelmed in a new role, seek out a mentor. They can offer guidance to help you avoid common pitfalls, gain practical experience, and fast track your career progression. You'll gain years of wisdom and insider knowledge through the mentorship process.
While the talent shortage is real, that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities for newcomers in cybersecurity. With the right mindset, skills, and mentor support, you can build a successful career in cybersecurity without needing 10 years of experience first. The key is gaining hands-on experience, continuously learning, and not being afraid to ask questions from more experienced professionals. With time and persistence, you'll gain the expertise. The field needs you, so don't get discouraged!
If we don't invest in entry level we will need to get used to burn-out
If we don't invest in entry level we will need to get used to burn-out
As cybersecurity threats rise, so does the demand for professionals in the field. But the industry is facing a shortage of talent, in large part because many roles require years of experience that entry-level candidates simply don’t have yet. If companies and hiring managers don’t make an effort to recruit, train and retain new cybersecurity talent, the result will be widespread burnout of current professionals.
Rather than insisting on unrealistic experience requirements, the cybersecurity field needs to foster new talent through recruitment, on-the-job learning and mentorship. Supporting people at the start of their careers will reduce burnout, build a more sustainable workforce and allow companies to better defend against emerging threats. The future of cybersecurity depends on how well we cultivate the next generation.
Cybersecurity needs new blood
Cybersecurity needs fresh blood and it needs it now. Don’t be intimidated by the job listings demanding a decade of experience—that’s often an unrealistic expectation. Build up your skills, work on some side projects to build your portfolio, connect with mentors in the field, and look for entry-level roles at companies actually focused on training and developing new talent. The cybersecurity field is vast, and there are many ways to contribute without needing to be an expert from day one. You have so much to offer, so get out there and show them what you've got. The future of cybersecurity depends on you.