{"id":214127,"date":"2026-05-14T18:27:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T22:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity-education\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T19:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T23:20:09","slug":"how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity-education\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Get Started in Cybersecurity? | Education"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/continuing-ed\/articles\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity\">How Do I Get Started in Cybersecurity? | Education<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/continuing-ed\/articles\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity\">https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/continuing-ed\/articles\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Publish Date: <a href=\"publish_date]\">2026-05-14 18:27:00<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Source Domain: <a href=\"www.usnews.com\">www.usnews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Author: <a href=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p> Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. The paths that can lead to a cybersecurity career are as diverse as the job opportunities within this high-demand field.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics refers to cybersecurity professionals as information security analysts. It projects that available roles for these professionals will grow by 29% \u2013 an addition of 52,100 jobs \u2013 between 2024 and 2034.If you think you may want to be on the front lines protecting personal data from bad actors or keeping vital digital systems afloat, where do you start? Paige Mooney, assistant director of career services at Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, suggests exploring microcredentials and other smaller options before committing to a certificate program or pursuing professional certifications.\u201cA lot of those gear you up for a certificate, but it also allows you to get a grasp on those fundamentals and kind of dip your toes in the water to make sure you enjoy that type of work,\u201d she says.This guide explores how to get started in cybersecurity, including the skills you should have in your toolkit, what experts say is the best cybersecurity certification for beginners and some different areas of the field.What Are Cybersecurity Jobs?As with many other fields, cybersecurity offers a variety of roles. While it\u2019s not a comprehensive list, the table below shows a few areas of cybersecurity where professionals can specialize.What can you do in cybersecurity?Skill or area\u00a0What it isEthical hacking\u00a0Employing hacking techniques to find vulnerabilities in a network and fix them before a bad actor takes advantage of them. Basically, the best offense is a good defense.Incident response\u00a0Taking action after a suspected data breach or attempt, such as a phishing scam or ransomware attack.Network security\u00a0Protecting an organization\u2019s information and digital infrastructure through VPNs, firewalls and other technology and policies.Cloud security\u00a0Protecting data and other assets stored in a cloud environment from attacks and threats, and recovering data in case of disaster.Governance, risk and compliance\u00a0A structured approach that organizations use to ensure they follow industry regulations, manage security risks and establish effective policies. It helps businesses align their objectives with legal and security requirements while maintaining accountability and efficiency.\u201cThere are also areas in cybersecurity where you don\u2019t have to do any coding or hacking at all,\u201d says Hayley Blair, a former cybersecurity analyst who now works as a technical writer. \u201cIt\u2019s more like policy, governance. You have to know all the different privacy laws and things like that.\u201dBlair cites the example of a company having a presence in both the U.S. and Germany, and needing to be well versed in each country\u2019s privacy laws to safeguard clients\u2019 personal data.\u201cWhen it comes to collecting credit card information for your company, you have to know PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and all of these regulations in order to ensure that you\u2019re just following the law and safeguarding people\u2019s information,\u201d she adds. \u201cWhere I used to work had a European branch in Germany, so we had to learn GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). They have much stricter privacy laws there. So you have to learn all that and protect people\u2019s information.\u201dThe National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, offers an interactive online Cyber Career Pathways Tool. You can use this tool to explore and compare various cybersecurity roles under the umbrellas of oversight and governance, design and development, and more.If you\u2019re looking to work for the federal government in the field of cybersecurity, it\u2019s imperative that you get to know standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Knowing the risk management framework outlined in Special Publication 800-37 is a great start and this document will send you to many other useful guidelines that describe each step of the process in greater detail.How much money can you make in cybersecurity?You can make a six-figure salary in cybersecurity \u2013 and many cybersecurity professionals do \u2013 but as with any other industry, the pay varies based on factors such as your employer, geographic location, seniority or experience, and specific role.The BLS reports that information security analysts make an average annual salary of $127,730. The highest-paid 90% of these professionals make $186,420, while the lowest-paid 10% make $69,660.In general, California, Idaho, Maryland, Washington and New Jersey are the highest-paying states for cybersecurity professionals, and those based in Silicon Valley might make the most of all. The BLS reports that information security analysts in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California metro area make an average of $204,340 each year.However, higher salaries often reflect a higher cost of living. If you apply for cybersecurity jobs that are based on-site, research how far your expected salary would go to cover housing, food and other necessities in that area. If you apply for remote cybersecurity jobs, consider how your new salary stacks up against your current expenses. A job with mid-range pay in an area with a lower cost of living often can pad your bank account faster than a six-figure salary in a high cost-of-living area.Do You Need a Degree to Work in Cybersecurity?No, you don\u2019t necessarily need a degree to work in cybersecurity, though some employers, especially government contractors, may prefer to hire candidates who have one. As companies and organizations increasingly need capable cybersecurity professionals who can protect their digital assets, your skills \u2013 and the credentials that demonstrate you\u2019ve mastered them \u2013 are your biggest asset.\u201cI see job descriptions all the time where a bachelor\u2019s may be a preferred qualification instead of a hard basic qualification,\u201d Mooney says. \u201cHowever, usually in place of that, they may want more years of experience. So help desk roles, like IT kind of generalist roles, are one way that people get those years of experience as a stepping stone.\u201d\u201cIt\u2019s not uncommon for people to utilize different boot camps or certificates,\u201d she adds. \u201cThey get their foot in the door and learn the fundamentals that way.\u201dIn lieu of pursuing a bachelor\u2019s degree, you may launch your cybersecurity career by earning a certificate and early-career certifications.While you may sometimes hear the terms \u201ccertificate\u201d and \u201ccertification\u201d used interchangeably, they\u2019re not the same. Certificate programs are offered by colleges and universities. Often, the courses you take while pursuing a certificate earn college credit that you can transfer into a degree program should you decide to continue higher education.Certifications, on the other hand, are usually awarded by companies and professional organizations. Earning a certification demonstrates your knowledge and mastery of a particular concept, program or skill. Stacking certifications \u2013 earning more than one over time \u2013 shows prospective employers your range of cybersecurity expertise. You can continue to earn certifications throughout your career as you tackle more advanced concepts, specialize and adapt to the ever-shifting cyber landscape.Cybersecurity certificate programsColleges and universities offer cybersecurity certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Certificate programs from community colleges or undergraduate certificates from universities can be good preparation for entry-level roles in the cybersecurity field, and you may be able to transfer credits from those programs toward an associate or bachelor\u2019s degree, if you choose.Graduate certificates in cybersecurity comprise graduate-level coursework, and students may opt to transfer credits from a certificate program toward a master\u2019s degree. You\u2019ll likely need a bachelor\u2019s degree to be accepted into a graduate certificate program, though your degree doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be in cybersecurity. This could make a graduate certificate a good option for career-switchers who have a background in another field.Each cybersecurity certificate program is different, so before you apply for one, make sure you meet any prerequisites and the curriculum aligns with your cybersecurity career goals.Cybersecurity certifications for beginnersEntry-level help desk or other IT roles may not require you to hold a certification; these are generally expected more for mid- or senior-level roles, when specialty and advanced knowledge of a certain aspect of cybersecurity come into play.\u201cHowever, any sort of credential that validates your skill set I think is going to be helpful,\u201d Mooney says.Earning a broad, entry-level certification from a reputable organization can be a good introduction to working in cybersecurity and show prospective employers that you\u2019re serious about working in the field.Some popular cybersecurity certifications for beginners include:<br \/>\n CompTIA Security+<br \/>\n ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity<br \/>\n Google Cybersecurity Certificate<br \/>\n GIAC Security Essentials<br \/>\nKeep in mind that although these certifications may be designed to help prepare learners for entry-level roles, having a fundamental understanding of cybersecurity terminology and at least some programming knowledge beforehand can help you prepare to retain the information you learn while studying for certification exams. Explore free resources online as you learn to code and familiarize yourself with the essentials.What cybersecurity certification is best for beginners?Both Blair and Mooney recommend the Security+ credential from CompTIA as the best cybersecurity certification for beginners. Blair held that certification during her time in the field. CompTIA recommends that professionals have its Network+ credential and two years of experience working in a security\/systems administrator role before attempting the Security+ exam, but this isn\u2019t necessarily a requirement.Many other certifications are designed for mid- or advanced-career cybersecurity professionals and require candidates to have a certain number of years\u2019 work experience in the field. But Security+ can lay a strong foundation for a cybersecurity career, especially when paired with entry-level help desk work and a personal portfolio site demonstrating your programming and other relevant skills.Advanced cybersecurity certifications and continuing educationAs they advance in their careers and hone their specialties, many cybersecurity professionals stack certifications.\u201cI definitely think I see stacking very commonly in cybersecurity, more than what I see in some other different job functions or industries,\u201d Mooney says.The organizations that award entry-level credentials typically have options for more experienced professionals as well. For example, ISC2, whose Certified in Cybersecurity credential is an entry-level designation that doesn\u2019t have any professional requirements, also offers the Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential. Candidates for this widely recognized certification need at least five years of professional experience, and it\u2019s a common requirement or preference for more advanced cybersecurity roles.You also can pursue specialty certifications that demonstrate your skills with a particular platform such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or in a particular area, such as the Certified Penetration Testing Professional credential from EC-Council. There are also application-specific certifications that can translate to opportunities across the industry like Splunk Security Essentials, Tenable Vulnerability Management Specialist Certification or other platforms like ServiceNow.\u201cOnce you get into a role\u2026the company often pays for you to get training and to earn these other certifications,\u201d Blair says. \u201cIt might sound counterintuitive, but the more of a niche you have, the more hirable you are in certain positions. So you can start broad, and then narrow down to a certain level of expertise with very specific certifications.\u201dTo maintain industry certifications, cybersecurity professionals need to continue their education throughout their careers. They may earn continuing education units through coursework, webinars or training, for example, or they may renew a certification by taking the most updated version of that credential\u2019s exam. Options for renewal and the number of continuing education units required vary by awarding organization and specific credential.What Skills Do You Need for a Cybersecurity Job?While the necessary technical skills vary widely by specific role, experts recommend that all cybersecurity professionals keep a few essentials in their toolkit.<br \/>\n Understand the terminology. Make sure you have a grasp on security and networking basics, such as what constitutes a threat or a vulnerability, and understanding what a firewall is. \u201cYou have to build the house first before you can defend it, so learn what those fundamentals are,\u201d Mooney says.\u00a0<br \/>\n Learn Python basics. Even if you plan to work on the policy side of cybersecurity, a basic understanding of programming can help you facilitate communication between stakeholders in technical and nontechnical roles. Python is a common programming language, and a wealth of online resources that can help you learn it.\u00a0<br \/>\n Familiarize yourself with operating systems. Devices such as routers and VPNs use Linux, and cybersecurity professionals often use Linux distributions for penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Mastering this operating system is an essential skill for many cybersecurity roles.<br \/>\n Don\u2019t neglect soft skills. \u201cA big part of what we\u2019re seeing in early careers is the emphasis of skills-based hiring. And that\u2019s not even just technical skills or cyber skills, but also soft skills \u2013 so, communication, critical thinking, leadership,\u201d Mooney says. She adds that certifications \u201care great because they prove that you have knowledge in those areas, but I think that they work best with hands-on work and in addition be able to demonstrate those soft skills too.\u201d<br \/>\nOnline platforms such as Hack The Box and TryHackMe present good opportunities for cybersecurity training. Completing challenges and projects on these sites can instill confidence and demonstrate your skills to prospective employers.Many industries are changing and adapting as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the workforce, and cybersecurity is no exception. So try not to get frustrated if you\u2019re unable to land a job right away.\u201cI will say that with the advent of AI, it has been a lot harder to get jobs in cybersecurity at this moment,\u201d Blair says. \u201cBut if people are really passionate about it and want to do it, and are willing to put that extra effort in to show their skills, like with a portfolio, it\u2019s a great field to be in.\u201d<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Do I Get Started in Cybersecurity? | Education https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/continuing-ed\/articles\/how-do-i-get-started-in-cybersecurity Publish Date: 2026-05-14 18:27:00 Source&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/dims4\/USNEWS\/08678ee\/2147483647\/thumbnail\/970x647\/quality\/85\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fcmsmedia%2F1a%2F9b%2Fee8383ac47399de6564283013b97%2Fhttps-media-gettyimages-com-id-2025356484-photo-empowered-specialists-working-in-a-research-center-using-computer-to-develope-on-advanced.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[26,20,30,24,28,29,25,27],"class_list":["post-214127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cybersecurity","tag-ai","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-breach","tag-cybersecurity","tag-data-security","tag-network-security","tag-phishing","tag-vulnerability"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214127"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214127"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":214129,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214127\/revisions\/214129"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}