Part of the Cybersecurity Career Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete career guide series.

How to Break Into Cybersecurity With No Experience

By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 12 min read

Table of Contents

• Can You Really Get Into Cybersecurity With No Experience
• Why the Talent Gap Exists
• Step 1: Build Your Technical Foundation
• Step 2: Get Hands-On With Security Tools
• Step 3: Earn Your First Certification
• Step 4: Build a Portfolio That Gets Noticed
• Step 5: Network and Find Mentors
• Step 6: Target the Right Jobs
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Realistic Timeline
• Related Guides in This Series
• Take the Next Step
• Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Really Get Into Cybersecurity With No Experience

Yes, you can get into cybersecurity with no experience, and thousands of people do it every year. But let’s set expectations correctly: “no experience” does not mean “no effort.” Breaking into security without a traditional background requires disciplined self-study, hands-on practice, and a strategic approach to your job search.

The cybersecurity industry has a well-documented workforce gap. ISC2’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study reported a global shortage of nearly 4 million cybersecurity professionals. Organizations need people, and many have expanded their hiring criteria beyond traditional requirements to fill open positions.

What matters more than your past experience is your ability to demonstrate three things: foundational technical knowledge, hands-on security skills, and a genuine drive to learn. Hiring managers in security have seen successful analysts come from help desk roles, military service, teaching, retail, and dozens of other backgrounds. Your previous career is not a barrier — it is context that makes you a different kind of security professional.

Why the Talent Gap Exists

Understanding why the gap exists helps you position yourself effectively:

The threat environment is expanding. Every new application, cloud migration, IoT device, and AI implementation creates new attack surface. The number of things that need protecting grows faster than the number of people available to protect them.

The bar keeps rising. As attacks get more sophisticated, organizations need more skilled defenders. A SOC analyst in 2026 deals with threats that did not exist five years ago — cloud-specific attacks, AI-generated phishing, supply chain compromises, and adversaries who know how to evade modern detection tools.

Attrition is high. Burnout, shift work, and constant pressure drive experienced practitioners out of the field. When senior people leave, organizations need to backfill, and they cannot always find mid-career replacements, which creates more entry-level openings.

Traditional hiring practices are changing. The old model — require a four-year degree and three years of experience for “entry level” jobs — is breaking down. Organizations that insist on unrealistic requirements cannot fill positions, so more are adopting skills-based hiring.

Step 1: Build Your Technical Foundation

You cannot protect systems you do not understand. Before touching any security tools, build competence in these foundational areas:

Networking

Understand TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S, and common network protocols. You should be able to explain what happens when you type a URL into a browser, trace a packet’s path through a network, and understand what a firewall rule does. Study the CompTIA Network+ material even if you do not plan to take the exam. Build a home lab with a router, a switch (or virtual equivalents), and practice configuring basic network services.

Operating Systems

Set up both Windows and Linux and learn to use them as a power user. On Windows, understand Active Directory basics, event logs, services, and the command line (both CMD and PowerShell). On Linux, get comfortable with the terminal: file permissions, process management, package management, log files, and basic Bash scripting. Install a Linux distribution (Ubuntu or CentOS) and use it as your daily driver for a month.

Basic Programming

You do not need to become a software developer, but you need to read code and write scripts. Start with Python — it is the most useful language for security work. Learn enough to write a script that parses a log file, makes API calls, or automates a repetitive task. Later, add Bash scripting and enough PowerShell to manage Windows environments.

How the Internet Works

Understand web applications at a basic level: HTML, HTTP methods, cookies, sessions, APIs, and authentication mechanisms. Most security work involves web-connected systems, and you need this context even for roles that are not specifically web security focused.

Dedicate 2-4 months to this foundation phase. Use free resources: Professor Messer’s Network+ videos, OverTheWire wargames for Linux command line practice, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python for scripting fundamentals, and TryHackMe’s “Pre-Security” path for an integrated learning experience.

Step 2: Get Hands-On With Security Tools

Once you have a technical foundation, start working with security-specific tools and concepts:

Set up a home lab. A basic security lab does not require expensive hardware. Use VirtualBox or VMware to run multiple virtual machines. Install a SIEM (Splunk Free or Elastic SIEM), set up a vulnerable target (DVWA, Metasploitable, or HackTheBox’s Starting Point), and practice detecting attacks.

Learn a SIEM platform. Install Splunk Free and ingest logs from your home lab machines. Learn to write queries, build dashboards, and create alerts. Splunk is the most common SIEM in production environments, and hands-on experience with it is a direct differentiator in job interviews.

Practice on structured platforms. TryHackMe’s SOC Level 1 and Cyber Defense paths provide guided, scenario-based training. LetsDefend offers realistic SOC analyst simulation. HackTheBox provides more advanced challenges for offensive skill development. These platforms give you the kind of experience that approximates real-world work.

Participate in CTF competitions. Capture the Flag competitions are timed security challenges that test a range of skills. Start with beginner CTFs on platforms like PicoCTF or TryHackMe CTF events. CTFs build problem-solving skills and are excellent resume material.

Follow along with real-world analysis. Read incident reports, threat intelligence reports, and security blog posts from practitioners. SANS Internet Storm Center, Krebs on Security, and vendor threat research blogs (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Mandiant) publish regularly. Develop the habit of reading about real attacks and thinking about how you would detect them.

Step 3: Earn Your First Certification

Certifications serve two purposes for career changers: they validate your knowledge and they get your resume past HR filters.

CompTIA Security+ is the most widely recognized entry-level security certification. Most job postings for junior security roles list it as required or preferred. The exam covers security concepts, threats, architecture, operations, and governance. Budget 2-3 months of study if you have the networking and OS foundation already. The current exam version (SY0-701) was updated in 2023.

Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. A newer option that covers foundational security concepts through Coursera. It is less established than Security+ but backed by Google’s name and increasingly accepted by employers. It can be completed in 3-6 months at a part-time pace and costs significantly less than Security+.

CompTIA CySA+. If you are targeting SOC analyst roles specifically, consider CySA+ as a second certification. It focuses on threat detection, analysis, and response and is more directly relevant to defensive security work than Security+.

Skip certifications that require experience. Do not pursue CISSP, CISM, or CISA until you have the required professional experience. These certifications are designed for mid-career professionals and listing them as “Associate of ISC2” carries limited weight in hiring.

The certification alone will not get you hired, but its absence will filter you out of many applicant pools. Think of it as a minimum requirement, not a differentiator.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio That Gets Noticed

A portfolio demonstrates that you can do the work, not just study for tests. Here is what to include:

Home lab documentation. Write up your lab setup: the architecture, the tools you deployed, and the problems you solved. Include network diagrams, screenshots of your SIEM dashboards, and examples of detection rules you created. This shows you can build and operate security infrastructure.

Challenge writeups. Document your approach to CTF challenges, TryHackMe rooms, or HackTheBox machines. Explain your thought process, not just the solution. Hiring managers want to see analytical thinking, not just that you can follow a walkthrough.

Security analysis. Pick a recent security incident from the news and write your own analysis. What happened? How was it detected? What controls would have prevented it? What would you look for in your SIEM if this attack targeted your organization? This demonstrates practical thinking.

Open-source contributions. Contribute to security-related open-source projects. This can be as simple as improving documentation, writing detection rules for Sigma or YARA, or adding features to existing tools. Contributions show community engagement and technical ability.

A blog or GitHub repository. Host your portfolio somewhere visible. GitHub is the standard for technical portfolios. A blog (even a simple GitHub Pages site) shows you can communicate technical concepts in writing — a skill that matters in every security role.

Step 5: Network and Find Mentors

The cybersecurity community is more accessible than most industries, and personal connections still matter for hiring:

Attend local meetups. BSides conferences happen in cities worldwide and have low or no admission fees. OWASP chapter meetings, DEF CON local groups, and ISSA chapters provide opportunities to meet working practitioners. Show up, listen, ask questions, and follow up.

Join online communities. Discord servers, Slack communities, and subreddits dedicated to cybersecurity careers are active and helpful. Communities like the Cyber Mentor’s Discord, NetSecFocus, and InfoSec Prep have channels specifically for career changers.

Find a mentor. A mentor who works in security can give you targeted advice, review your resume, prepare you for interviews, and potentially refer you for positions. Most mentoring relationships start informally — you ask someone a thoughtful question, they give you useful advice, and the relationship develops over time. Do not send cold messages asking someone to be your mentor; instead, engage with their content, ask specific questions, and build the relationship naturally.

Share your learning publicly. Post about what you are studying, share your lab setups, and write about concepts you are learning. This visibility attracts mentors and employers who appreciate people who are actively investing in their growth.

Step 6: Target the Right Jobs

Applying to the right roles with the right strategy is where cybersecurity no experience candidates often stumble:

Job Titles to Target

• Junior SOC Analyst / SOC Analyst I
• Security Operations Analyst
• Information Security Analyst (entry-level)
• IT Security Analyst
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Security Monitoring Analyst
• Threat Detection Analyst

Where to Look

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) hire the most entry-level analysts. Companies like Secureworks, Arctic Wolf, Alert Logic, and regional MSSPs have constant demand for Tier 1 SOC analysts. The work can be repetitive, but it builds foundational skills and experience fast.

Federal government and defense contractors have structured hiring programs and often accept Security+ in lieu of experience. Look at positions on USAJOBS and at companies like Booz Allen, Leidos, ManTech, and SAIC.

Internal SOC teams at mid-size and large companies hire entry-level analysts, though less frequently than MSSPs. These roles are more competitive but often offer better work-life balance and higher pay.

Staffing agencies that specialize in cybersecurity (Robert Half Technology, Insight Global) sometimes have contract positions that convert to full-time after 3-6 months.

Resume Strategy

Lead with your skills and projects, not your work history. Your resume format should be: summary statement highlighting security skills and certifications, then technical skills section, then projects/portfolio, then work experience (framing previous roles in terms of transferable skills), then education and certifications. Use our assessment tool to identify your strongest areas and align your resume accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Studying without practicing. Watching courses and reading books without touching real tools is the most common mistake. Security is a hands-on field. If you have not used a SIEM, you are not ready for a SOC analyst interview, regardless of how many courses you completed.

Certification hoarding. Getting five certifications before applying for your first job is a waste of time and money. One solid certification (Security+) plus hands-on experience outweighs three certifications with no practical skills.

Applying to senior roles. Job postings with “5+ years required” are not for career changers. Focus on entry-level positions and roles that explicitly say “no experience required” or “training provided.” Applying to roles you are not qualified for wastes your time and can be discouraging.

Ignoring soft skills. Communication, documentation, and teamwork matter in every security role. An analyst who can clearly explain a security event to a non-technical stakeholder is more valuable than one who writes better detection rules but cannot communicate findings.

Waiting until you feel ready. Imposter syndrome affects almost everyone entering a new field. Start applying when you have your certification, some hands-on experience, and a basic portfolio. You will learn more in your first month on the job than in your last six months of self-study.

Realistic Timeline

Here is an honest timeline for going from zero to your first cybersecurity job:

Total: 6-12 months from starting to study to accepting your first position. This assumes you can dedicate 15-25 hours per week to learning. Full-time effort can compress the timeline; sporadic effort will extend it.

Some people do it faster, some slower. The timeline depends on your starting technical knowledge, how much time you can dedicate, and the job market in your area. Remote roles expand your options significantly.

For a deeper look at timelines and expectations, see our guide on how long it takes to get into cybersecurity.

Related Guides in This Series

• Cybersecurity Career Switch: From IT to Security
• Best Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs in 2026
• How Long Does It Take to Get Into Cybersecurity?

Take the Next Step

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Browse the full career guide — Understand all the roles available and find the path that matches your strengths. View the Cybersecurity Career Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a computer science degree to get into cybersecurity?

No. A CS degree is helpful but not required for most entry-level cybersecurity positions. Many practicing security professionals have degrees in unrelated fields or no degree at all. What matters more is demonstrated technical ability: certifications, hands-on skills, and a portfolio showing you can do the work. Some employers, particularly in government contracting, still list degree requirements, but many private sector organizations have moved toward skills-based hiring. If you have a degree in another field, it is still valuable — it shows you can learn and complete long-term projects.

How much does it cost to break into cybersecurity?

You can get started for under $500 if you are strategic. CompTIA Security+ exam fee is around $400 (look for academic discounts or employer sponsorship). TryHackMe and HackTheBox have free tiers that cover a lot of learning material. Splunk Free is no-cost for home labs. VirtualBox is free. Many study materials (Professor Messer’s videos, OWASP resources, vendor documentation) are free. The main investment is your time, not money. If you want to accelerate, budget $1,000-$2,000 for a training course and exam prep materials, but it is not required.

What if I am over 40? Is it too late to switch to cybersecurity?

Not at all. Career changers in their 40s and 50s bring maturity, professional experience, and perspectives that younger candidates do not have. Former military, law enforcement, audit, IT, and management professionals often excel in security because they understand organizational dynamics and risk management from real-world experience. The field values what you can do now, not when you started. Age-related concerns are far more common in the applicant’s mind than in the hiring manager’s evaluation.

— HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.