Are you thinking about getting into cyber security but don’t have much experience or any qualifications?
Considering a change in career can be a daunting prospect, especially if you want to transition to an industry you are unfamiliar with or have little to no experience in.
Many questions may be running through your mind, including how to move into a sector like cyber security and whether it’s worth making that move.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different routes into cyber security and the benefits of moving into the field, which will help to guide your next steps.
As it stands:
The cyber security industry is currently facing a huge shortage of talent. There is an estimated global workforce gap of almost 5 million cyber security professionals (ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2024). 90% of cybersecurity teams have reported a skills gap within their organisation, potentially leaving them vulnerable to cyber security threats.
Could you be the solution?
The cyber security industry is in desperate need of skilled professionals. As technology advances, and with it the capabilities of cybercriminals, the need for robust cyber security is continuously increasing and this won’t be changing any time soon! This offers an opportunity to join an industry with a high level of demand and job satisfaction.
Here’s some advice on how you can move into cyber security, regardless of your previous experience:
There are many cyber security apprenticeships available if you’re willing to start from the bottom and work your way up, learning as you go. This approach is a great way to get your foot in the door with a cyber security firm or IT organisation, and you could find yourself with a permanent job offer at the end of it.
However, it does mean working on an apprentice wage (although some cyber security apprenticeships can pay better than other industries), and you’ll also have to dedicate yourself to it, as it is a full-time job.
If you have the time, and the means to support yourself, you could apply for an internship with a cyber security firm to gain valuable work experience. Like an apprenticeship, an internship is also a good way to gain access to the cyber security sector. However, internships tend to be short-term and either unpaid or low pay and, whilst there is potential for it, there is no guarantee of a job offer at the end.
You could apply to study a cyber security degree at university. This would stand you in good stead when applying for jobs and provide access to the graduate cyber security job market.
At Northumbria University London, we offer on-campus degrees and part-time online degrees such as MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online). This programme has been created for anyone who wants to start working in cyber security, teaching the core principles and skills employers are looking for.
Studying part time is also a popular option with our students who want to continue working while they are upskilling or changing careers.
To help you gain confidence and hands-on exposure to cyber security, you can choose our Advanced Practice option. Advanced Practice programmes offer a work placement or internship within the cyber security industry to help you gain valuable work experience and develop on-the-job skills. This can help you stand out from the competition when it comes to applying for jobs as a graduate.
Now that you’ve got an idea of how you can get into the field, you may be wondering what job options are available after retraining. Here’s a few examples of roles within the cyber security industry and their common UK starting salary ranges.
The average salary for a cyber security professional in the UK tends to be around £50,000.
Entry-level and junior cyber security jobs can pay between £30,000 – £40,000, and IT security graduate jobs can pay around £45,000, on average. Experienced, higher-level cyber security specialists can earn £80,000+ and senior computer security executives can demand in excess of £100,000 (Cyber security jobsite).
If you’re ready to enter the dynamic world of cyber security, our MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online) programme is the perfect transition into the field.
As this programme is delivered entirely online, there’s no need to put your career on hold while you study. We also offer several intakes throughout the year, allowing you to choose the best time to start your studies and gain a potentially life-changing qualification. Contact us to find out more or apply for our next intake.