You’ve seen the headlines. “Cybersecurity workforce shortage!” “4.8 million unfilled positions!” “Companies desperate for security talent!”

Then you apply to 50 entry-level cybersecurity jobs and hear nothing back. Or worse, you get rejections from roles that claim to want “entry-level” candidates but list requirements like 3-5 years of experience, a CISSP, and expertise in tools you’ve never touched.

Something doesn’t add up.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the cybersecurity talent shortage is real, but it’s not a shortage of entry-level candidates. It’s a shortage of experienced professionals. And that distinction makes all the difference when you’re trying to break in.

This guide cuts through the noise. You’ll learn which entry-level roles actually exist, what hiring managers really want, and the specific steps that separate candidates who get callbacks from those who don’t.

The Entry-Level Paradox

The numbers seem promising on the surface. According to ISC2’s 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global cybersecurity workforce gap sits at approximately 4.8 million unfilled positions. In the US alone, there are over 514,000 open cybersecurity jobs.

So where’s the disconnect?

The gap is concentrated at mid-level and senior positions. Companies need people who can hit the ground running—threat analysts with incident response experience, security engineers who’ve hardened production environments, architects who’ve built secure systems at scale.

What they don’t need (or think they don’t need) is another entry-level candidate requiring 6-12 months of training before becoming productive.

This creates a frustrating cycle. Companies complain they can’t find experienced talent while simultaneously refusing to invest in developing junior employees. Meanwhile, aspiring security professionals can’t gain experience because nobody will hire them without it.

The cycle isn’t unbreakable, but you need to understand it to work around it.

What “Entry-Level” Actually Means in Cybersecurity

Job postings lie. Or more charitably, HR teams don’t understand cybersecurity roles, so they copy-paste requirements from senior positions and slap “entry-level” on the title.

Here’s what realistic entry-level cybersecurity roles look like:

SOC Analyst (Tier 1)

This is the most common entry point. You’ll sit in a Security Operations Center, monitoring alerts, triaging potential threats, and escalating issues to senior analysts.

What you’ll actually do:

  • Monitor SIEM dashboards for suspicious activity
  • Investigate alerts (most turn out to be false positives)
  • Document incidents and maintain logs
  • Escalate confirmed threats to Tier 2 analysts
  • Run basic vulnerability scans

Realistic requirements:

  • Security+ certification (or equivalent knowledge)
  • Basic networking understanding (TCP/IP, ports, protocols)
  • Familiarity with at least one SIEM platform
  • Ability to follow runbooks and procedures
  • Willingness to work shifts (24/7 coverage is standard)

Salary range: $57,000-$76,000 for true entry-level positions, with significant variation by location.

Security Administrator

A hybrid role combining system administration with security responsibilities. You’ll manage security tools, configure firewalls, and handle access controls.

What you’ll actually do:

  • Manage antivirus/EDR deployments
  • Configure and maintain firewalls
  • Handle user access management
  • Apply security patches
  • Assist with compliance audits

Realistic requirements:

  • Strong Active Directory knowledge
  • Experience with Windows and Linux administration
  • Understanding of network security concepts
  • A+ or Network+ certification helps
  • Security+ is often preferred

Salary range: $55,000-$75,000 for entry-level positions.

IT Security Specialist/Associate

Often a stepping stone role where you support the security team with various tasks while learning the ropes.

What you’ll actually do:

  • Assist with vulnerability assessments
  • Help maintain security documentation
  • Support compliance initiatives
  • Conduct basic security awareness training
  • Research emerging threats

Realistic requirements:

  • General IT background
  • Basic security knowledge
  • Strong documentation skills
  • Desire to learn and grow
  • Security+ certification is a plus

Salary range: $50,000-$65,000 for true entry-level positions.

The Experience Paradox and How to Break It

According to ISC2’s hiring trends research, over a third of hiring managers expect entry-level candidates to have advanced certifications like CISSP—a certification that literally requires 5 years of professional experience.

This disconnect reveals something important: many “entry-level” postings aren’t entry-level at all. Companies post them hoping to attract junior candidates willing to work for junior salaries while possessing senior skills.

You can’t change this reality. But you can work around it.

The IT Support Bridge

Most cybersecurity professionals don’t start in security. They transition from IT support, help desk, or system administration roles.

According to CompTIA’s research, most cybersecurity professionals enter the field after gaining experience in entry-level IT roles first.

This path works because it gives you:

  1. Practical system knowledge - You learn how Windows, Linux, and networks actually work in production environments
  2. Troubleshooting skills - Security work is fundamentally troubleshooting with higher stakes
  3. Soft skills - Explaining security concepts to non-technical stakeholders requires the communication skills you develop in support roles
  4. Credibility - A year or two in IT support proves you can handle enterprise environments

If you’re transitioning from IT support to cybersecurity, you’re already on a well-worn path. The key is making that transition intentional rather than hoping it happens naturally.

Build What You Can’t Work On

You can’t gain enterprise security experience without an enterprise job. But you can demonstrate security thinking and technical skills through personal projects.

Home lab setups that matter:

Your home lab shows you’re serious about security and gives you hands-on experience with tools you’ll use professionally.

Consider building:

  • A SIEM environment using Wazuh or Security Onion
  • A vulnerable network to practice attack detection
  • A small Active Directory environment to understand enterprise security
  • Log collection and analysis pipelines

Practical CTF experience:

Capture The Flag competitions teach real skills. Platforms like HackTheBox and TryHackMe offer structured paths for beginners. PicoCTF provides excellent free challenges for those just starting out.

For hands-on Linux and security practice, Shell Samurai offers interactive terminal challenges that build command-line skills essential for security work.

Document everything:

Write up your projects. Publish them on GitHub. Create a basic portfolio site. When you explain what you built and what you learned, you demonstrate the analysis skills hiring managers value.

What Hiring Managers Actually Want

Nearly two-thirds of employers now use skills-based evaluation for entry-level hires, according to industry research. This shift toward skills-first hiring means your certifications and projects matter more than your degree.

The Certification Reality

About 91% of employers prefer candidates with certifications. But which certifications actually matter for entry-level roles?

The baseline: Security+ remains the most requested entry-level certification, appearing in over 70,000 job postings. It validates that you understand security fundamentals without requiring years of experience to obtain.

Don’t overshoot: CISSP appears in more job postings, but it’s inappropriate for entry-level candidates. If you list a CISSP without the required experience, you’re either lying or confused—neither makes a good impression.

Consider your path:

  • General security: Security+, CySA+
  • SOC roles: Security+, Blue Team Level 1
  • Pentesting track: Security+, eJPT, OSCP (eventually)
  • Cloud security: Cloud certifications + security specialization

For a deeper dive, see our guide to cybersecurity certifications for beginners or explore our cybersecurity careers topic hub for more resources.

Soft Skills Aren’t Optional

In 2025, nontechnical skills topped hiring managers’ priority lists. 51% of respondents in the ISC2 workforce study agreed that nontechnical skills will become more important as AI handles more technical tasks.

What this means for you:

  • Communication: Can you explain a security risk to a business leader who doesn’t care about technical details? Can you write clear incident reports?
  • Problem-solving: Security work means dealing with ambiguity. Threats don’t follow scripts.
  • Teamwork: SOC work is collaborative. Lone wolves don’t last.
  • Documentation: If you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen.

These skills are harder to demonstrate on a resume but easy to show in interviews. Prepare examples of times you explained complex topics to non-technical people, worked through ambiguous problems, or collaborated under pressure.

The Application Strategy That Works

Stop Spray-and-Praying

Applying to 200 jobs with the same generic resume doesn’t work. Applicant tracking systems filter you out, and the few applications that reach human eyes look interchangeable.

Instead:

  1. Target 20-30 positions that genuinely match your background
  2. Customize each application to highlight relevant experience
  3. Research each company enough to speak intelligently about their security challenges
  4. Follow up appropriately (once, after a week)

Keywords Matter (Unfortunately)

ATS systems scan for keywords before humans see your resume. If your resume doesn’t mention specific tools or certifications the job posting lists, you may never get past the automated filter.

Practical approach:

  • Read the job posting carefully
  • Note specific tools, certifications, and skills mentioned
  • Incorporate relevant ones you actually possess
  • Don’t lie—it will catch up with you

For resume guidance, see our IT resume guide for candidates without experience.

Internships and Apprenticeships

According to ISC2 research, 55% of companies consider internships a powerful tool for identifying entry-level talent. Apprenticeships rank at 46%.

These pathways often don’t appear on traditional job boards. Look for:

  • Company-specific apprenticeship programs (Microsoft, IBM, and others run them)
  • Government and defense contractor internships (especially near Virginia, DC, or other federal hubs)
  • University career services (even if you’re not currently enrolled)
  • Local cybersecurity meetups where hiring managers might mention openings

The Geographic Reality

Location matters significantly for entry-level roles. Virginia has over 53,000 cybersecurity job openings, largely due to federal agencies and defense contractors in the DC metro area. California and Texas follow with 44,000 and 42,000 openings respectively.

If you’re in a smaller market, consider:

  • Remote positions (though these often require more experience)
  • Relocating to a security hub
  • Federal contractor positions (often more willing to train)
  • Local MSPs or MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers)

The Skills That Actually Get You Hired

Technical Foundation

You need baseline technical skills before specializing in security. If you can’t troubleshoot basic networking issues, you won’t understand how attacks traverse networks.

Core technical requirements:

  • Networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, common ports
  • Operating systems: Windows administration, Linux command line
  • Basic scripting: PowerShell, Bash, or Python
  • Log analysis: Understanding log formats, basic grep/regex
  • Troubleshooting methodology

Security-Specific Skills

For SOC roles:

  • SIEM familiarity (Splunk, Elastic, Microsoft Sentinel)
  • Understanding of common attack patterns
  • Basic malware analysis concepts
  • Incident response procedures
  • Wireshark and packet analysis

For all security roles:

  • Risk assessment thinking
  • Vulnerability scanning (Nessus, Qualys)
  • Security frameworks awareness (NIST, CIS Controls)
  • Compliance basics (depending on industry)

Build a Learning Path

Certifications guide your learning, but self-study fills the gaps.

Free resources worth your time:

Paid platforms with value:

Salary Expectations (With Reality Check)

Entry-level cybersecurity salaries are better than many IT starting points, but probably not as high as clickbait articles suggest.

Role Entry-Level Range After 2-3 Years
SOC Analyst (Tier 1) $57,000 - $76,000 $70,000 - $95,000
Security Administrator $55,000 - $75,000 $70,000 - $90,000
IT Security Specialist $50,000 - $65,000 $65,000 - $85,000
Junior Security Analyst $60,000 - $75,000 $75,000 - $100,000

Factors that raise or lower these ranges:

  • Location: California and New York pay 20-30% more than low-cost states
  • Industry: Finance, healthcare, and tech typically pay more
  • Certifications: Security+ is baseline; specialized certs can add $5K-$15K
  • Clearance: Secret or Top Secret clearance significantly increases compensation

For comprehensive salary data, see our cybersecurity analyst salary guide.

The Paths Forward

This is the most reliable path because it’s the one most working professionals have actually taken.

Timeline: 18-36 months

  1. Months 1-6: Land an entry-level IT support role. Learn systems, networks, and how enterprise IT actually works.

  2. Months 6-12: Study for Security+ while working. Start a home lab focused on security tools.

  3. Months 12-18: Volunteer for security-adjacent tasks at work. Password resets become access management experience. Malware cleanups become incident response experience.

  4. Months 18-24: Apply for internal security positions or SOC analyst roles elsewhere. Your IT experience now becomes relevant “experience in enterprise environments.”

  5. Months 24-36: Once in a security role, specialize based on interest. Pursue advanced certifications that match your path.

Path 2: Direct Entry (Harder but Possible)

Some people break directly into security without IT support experience. This typically requires:

  • Strong home lab projects demonstrating practical skills
  • Multiple certifications (Security+, Network+, CySA+)
  • Degree in cybersecurity or computer science (helps but not required)
  • Excellent interview skills that compensate for limited experience
  • Willingness to accept lower starting positions

Path 3: Career Changer Intensive

If you’re coming from an unrelated field and need to move faster:

  • Consider a focused bootcamp or training program (research carefully—quality varies dramatically)
  • Target adjacent roles first (IT support, help desk) even if it feels like a step back
  • Use transferable skills from your previous career (project management, analysis, communication)
  • Network aggressively in local security communities

What Not to Do

Don’t Chase the Wrong Certifications

CISSP before experience is a red flag. CEH without networking fundamentals is putting the cart before the horse. Expensive certifications you can’t afford don’t make you more employable if you’re broke and stressed.

Start with Security+. Build from there based on the roles you want. Check our IT certifications topic hub for a full certification roadmap.

Don’t Ignore the IT Foundation

Jumping directly into security without understanding how systems and networks work is like trying to become a detective without knowing how crime scenes work. You might get away with it briefly, but you’ll struggle with fundamentals that experienced colleagues take for granted.

Don’t Apply Only to “Cybersecurity” Titles

Some of the best entry points don’t have “security” in the title:

  • IT Support Technician (with security responsibilities)
  • Junior Systems Administrator
  • NOC Analyst
  • Compliance Assistant
  • IT Auditor (technical)

These roles often have lower barriers to entry and can pivot to dedicated security positions.

Don’t Give Up After 50 Rejections

The entry-level market is competitive. You’re not failing—you’re learning what works. Adjust your approach, improve your skills, and keep applying.

Where the Jobs Actually Are

Strongest Markets

  1. Washington DC / Northern Virginia - Federal agencies, defense contractors, consulting firms
  2. San Francisco Bay Area - Tech companies, startups, financial services
  3. Dallas / Austin - Growing tech hub with lower cost of living than coastal cities
  4. New York City - Financial services, media, consulting
  5. Seattle - Amazon, Microsoft, and their massive vendor ecosystems

Industries That Hire Entry-Level

  • Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) - Often hire and train entry-level staff
  • Federal contractors - Many have programs for security clearance sponsorship
  • Healthcare - Compliance requirements drive security hiring
  • Financial services - Heavy regulation means security investment
  • Large tech companies - Rotational programs and dedicated entry-level tracks

Remote Work Reality

Remote security jobs exist, but most require some experience. The shift to remote work has made entry-level positions more competitive because candidates from anywhere can apply.

If you’re targeting remote work, see our comprehensive guide to remote IT jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an entry-level cybersecurity job without a degree?

Yes. According to industry research, more CISOs are loosening degree requirements in favor of demonstrable skills. Certifications, projects, and relevant experience can substitute for formal education. However, some employers (especially government and large enterprises) still prefer or require degrees for certain roles.

How long does it take to get an entry-level cybersecurity job?

From zero to first security role typically takes 12-24 months if you’re building skills intentionally. If you have existing IT experience, you might transition in 6-12 months. The path through IT support is slower but more reliable than trying to enter security directly.

Is CompTIA Security+ enough to get a cybersecurity job?

Security+ demonstrates baseline knowledge and satisfies many job posting requirements. However, certifications alone rarely get you hired. You need to pair Security+ with either relevant IT experience, strong projects, or other qualifications. Think of certifications as getting your resume past initial filters—interviews are where you demonstrate actual capability.

What if I’m too old to start a cybersecurity career?

Age isn’t the barrier you might fear. Security values maturity, analytical thinking, and business understanding—qualities that often come with experience in other fields. The challenge is usually time investment: can you afford to potentially start in lower-paying IT roles while building security skills? If yes, your age is irrelevant to your potential success.

Should I do a cybersecurity bootcamp?

Maybe. Bootcamps vary wildly in quality. Good ones provide structured learning, portfolio projects, and career support. Bad ones take your money and teach freely available content. Research extensively, check job placement statistics skeptically, and consider whether self-study with the same time investment might work better for your learning style.

Taking Action This Week

Don’t let this guide become something you read and forget. Take action now:

This week:

  1. Audit your current skills against SOC analyst requirements
  2. Identify your biggest gaps (networking, Linux, security concepts)
  3. Choose one gap and find a resource to start learning
  4. Join one cybersecurity community (Discord, Reddit r/cybersecurity, local meetup)

This month:

  1. Set up a basic home lab environment
  2. Complete an introductory CTF or TryHackMe learning path
  3. Start working toward Security+ (or verify your knowledge if already confident)
  4. If not already in IT: apply for IT support roles as a stepping stone

This quarter:

  1. Complete Security+ certification
  2. Build one substantive project you can discuss in interviews
  3. Apply to 10-15 targeted positions
  4. Get feedback on your resume from someone in the field

The cybersecurity workforce shortage is real, but the path to your first role isn’t as simple as headlines suggest. Companies want experienced professionals. Your job is to bridge the gap between where you are and where they need you to be.

The good news: the path is well-documented. Thousands of people make this transition every year. With focused effort and realistic expectations, you can be one of them.

Ready to build your foundation? Start with our complete guide to getting into cybersecurity for the full roadmap.

Sources and Citations