Cybersecurity Without Degree

The cyber security industry is hot. This is because many companies out there need cybersecurity professionals. But they hardly find the right talent to take on cybersecurity jobs.

So, it’s no wonder why many people look to switch their related or distant careers to cyber security to fill in the cyber security job positions left unoccupied.

However, can you really break into cyber security without a degree in information technology, computer science, or even anything tech? In this article, we’ll explore the answers to that and how you can land a cyber security job without a degree.

Do You Need A College Degree for Cyber Security?

The truth is, to build a successful career in the cybersecurity field, you need to have a basic understanding of many technical skills and soft skills.

But Mark Twain once said that you should never let schooling impede your education. So, you don’t need to school yourself through a college or earn a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree before you learn these cybersecurity skills.

There are lots of other options. And once you have these skills and the relevant cyber security certification to show for it, you can land cyber security jobs.

However, not all cyber security job positions can be filled without a degree. Some cyber security jobs have strict degree requirements.

Yet, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 30% of experts working in information security lack a bachelor’s or master’s degree. So, you still have a chance.

Besides this, there are other reasons to be hopeful. We’ll discuss them in the next section.

3 Major Reasons You Can Land Cyber Security Jobs Without Degrees

There are several reasons employers will consider employees with a degree for cybersecurity jobs. Some of these reasons include:

1. Employers Have The Free Will to Hire Whomever They Want.

Cyber security does not have an international regulating structure, unlike other professions. Take medicine or law, for example. You must attend a medical or law school before you can practice. And an international medical or law association protects that.

But in cyber security, there’s no such single standard for employment. So, employers can employ who they believe to be qualified.

Some employers prefer cyber security certifications and proof of practical skills to a cybersecurity degree. Then again, the cyber security job market needs so many hands that employers often settle with what they get rather than what they want.

So, sometimes, they are forced or even willing to hire talents with less degree or experience and train them on the job.

2. Formal Degree Isn’t The Only Proof of Knowledge

In the cybersecurity field, you are not boxed in. Out there, many cybersecurity certifications can vouch for you among cyber security experts.

But to own some of these certificates, like a certified ethical hacker, you may need to bag a few years of experience in cyber security or other related fields.

However, some certifications like the MTA certificates are meant for beginners like high-school leavers and career-switchers. You can either land an entry-level position or build the experience needed to qualify for a more advanced certification exam with these.

3. Not All Cyber Security Professionals Have A Degree.

Another calming fact to know is that many team leaders and security managers in cybersecurity lack bachelor’s degrees or have only a degree in other IT fields. These are the people that will interview you at job openings.

So, there’s a high chance that these hiring managers would rather test your deeper understanding of technical fields and other experiential skills than consider your degree.

Merits and Demerits of Venturing Into Cybersecurity Without A Degree

Following are some of the factors to consider while trying to break into this field without a degree.

Merits

1. You don’t incur debts because of student loans. So, you get to use your money to secure relevant certifications that you’ll still need after bagging cybersecurity degrees.
2. You get to choose your own path to cybersecurity. And once you choose a path, it will most likely focus your training on marketable technical skills and soft skills.
3. You get to spend lesser years getting cybersecurity education. That way, you can start entry-level jobs faster and get the experience years you need.

Demerits

1. Without a degree, it may be difficult for you to convince some employers about your knowledge in the cyber security field.
2. Degrees help you open more job opportunities and cybersecurity career options above entry-level jobs. So, if you have the time and more, we strongly recommend you bag one.

Cybersecurity Jobs You Can Land Without A Four Year Degree

Out there, cyber professionals without degrees often land the following cybersecurity-related job postings:

1. Cybersecurity analysts
   These cybersecurity professionals identify security vulnerabilities and protect company software against security threats. Their average salary is $99,815.
2. Network security engineer
   They design and implement the security systems of a company. Their average salary is $92, 532. And they can also work simply as a security architect.
3. Security Software development
   Security software developers code programs that protect computer apps. So, they often gain experience in computer programming. Their average salary is $117,060.
4. Security risk analysis
   Generally speaking, a security risk analyst is a cyber security expert that checks the company’s existing security measures, analyze potential threats, and suggests relevant upgrades. Such experts can also work as certified information systems auditors with the proper certifications. Their average salary is $114,941.
5. Digital Forensics Investigator
   These career opportunities are good for those in forensics and those with a prior military background. The only difference here is that they search through databases to catch criminals. Their average salary is $67,213.

How to Get into Cybersecurity Without A Computer Science Degree

1. Complete high school or take a GED program. Simultaneously, take some cyber security online courses to build your technical skills.
2. Get certificates that cybersecurity jobs require. We listed some here.
3. Build experience by having a cybersecurity professional or systems administrator as a mentor. You can also opt-in for boot camps or work as an intern at companies.
4. To land your dream job in cyber security, join some cyber security professional organizations like the National Cybersecurity Society.
5. Finally, keep applying for different job listings. Start with an entry-level position and keep updating your resume.

Final Recommendations

There’s no best advice for starting a cyber security career from scratch or switching mid-career. But one thing is certain. You can land a cybersecurity job without having a computer science college degree or even any degree at all. All you need to do is work hard and get relevant knowledge and experience.