5 Cybersecurity Career Paths (And How to Get Started)

Last Updated on July 30, 2025 by Career Reload Team

Are you interested in retraining as a cybersecurity specialist? Now is the best time to do this. The cybersecurity job market has around 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally.

The great thing about the cybersecurity field is that it offers numerous career paths, providing promising futures. If you’re considering joining the cybersecurity industry, this article is a great start to get you on track.

How to Get Started

The demand for specialized cybersecurity professionals is growing. Some cybersecurity jobs don’t require a formal degree if you can show technical expertise and have relevant experience. Therefore, having the skills and experience can help you land your dream cybersecurity career relatively fast.

Gain experience by completing an internship or starting a position in your related field to advance. Don’t discount the power of networking and marketing yourself. Attending cybersecurity events is a great way to establish connections in the industry and choose the right position.

1. Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

The Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is a defensive position that safeguards an organization’s digital assets within the security operations center. SOC analysts have a lot of responsibilities that include:

• Monitor the security system for suspicious activity
• Responding to incidents
• Testing for vulnerabilities, also known as threat hunting
• Creating reports for when incidents occur
• Implementing new security features
• Asset recovery

A SOC analyst is a great career choice if you’re looking for professional growth. You can advance to roles like threat hunter, SOC team leader, and security operations manager.

Why choose this cybersecurity career path? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, security analyst positions will grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033. This rate of growth is much faster than the average.

Skills Needed

To become a SOC analyst, you will need basic cybersecurity and technology skills, such as:

• Security monitoring
• Coding
• SIEM tools
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork

Certifications

To qualify for the position, you will need common certifications like Splunk Core Certified User, CompTIA Security+, and CySA+.

2. Ethical Hacker

Think of ethical hackers as the good guys of the hacking world. Becoming an ethical hacker is an excellent cybersecurity career path if you enjoy finding things that nobody else can. Ethical hackers will legally go beyond a system’s security measures to uncover potential dangers and data breaches on the network.

Ethical hacking can be a very lucrative career once you’ve done the hard work of getting certified.

Skills Needed

• Up to date with the latest trends and tools
• Basic hacking skills
• Character discipline

Certifications

You will need to start with a computer science degree, as well as a CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification. You’ll also need a Network+ or CCNA qualification and at least 500 hours of practical computing experience.

3. Incident Responder

If you’re looking for a cybersecurity career path that focuses on the “when” and not the “if” of data breaches, you’ll want to look at incident responders. This role involves minimizing the damage after a security breach. Your role will involve identifying, investigating, and documenting the incident as soon as possible. You’ll work with automated tools, so a strong understanding of forensic tools is needed.

Skills Needed

• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles
• Forensic tools
• Proficiency in IT systems
• Critical thinking

Certifications

You’ll need a master’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or information technology. To stand out from other candidates, consider obtaining certifications such as CISSP and Security+. Get specialized knowledge with the GIAC Certified Incident Handler.

4. Penetration Tester

Think like a cybercriminal as a penetration tester. This role involves employing the same techniques and procedures as cybercriminals to identify vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks. Penetration testing is similar to ethical hacking, but is more focused, while ethical hacking is broader.

Skills Needed

• Knowledge of computer languages
• Experience with network protocols and mobile operating systems
• Problem-solving skills
• Experience with data encryption

Certifications

Not all penetration testing jobs require a degree in computer science. However, you will need experience and certifications, like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+, and GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT). Gain experience outside of the workplace with pen testing training programs like Hack the Box.

5. Cybersecurity Consultant

Security regulations and frameworks are complex, and as a cybersecurity consultant, you will help organizations navigate these policies. A cybersecurity consultant’s job focuses on risk prevention, detection, and response to the risk.

Skills Needed

• Strong technical skills
• Understanding of ethical standards in hacking
• Knowledge of encryption techniques
• Collaboration

Certifications

You can take many paths to become a qualified cybersecurity consultant. You can choose to study a degree in computer science or cybersecurity and earn professional certifications.

Popular certifications to consider

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
• CompTIA Security+

Build your portfolio of skills as a full-time employee, at a consulting firm, or by working as a freelancer for more flexibility.

Sara Duerr

Sara has been in the career development field for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She covers topics such as resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, career planning, and more. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Medium. She has curated our free downloadable resume templates for Word and resume templates for Google Docs.