How to Get Into Cyber – What You Really Need to Know

Breaking into cybersecurity can feel like applying for your first role and being told you need ten years’ experience, three certifications, and the ability to stop ransomware with your mind. Job ads are often wish lists,  a sort of “fantasy football” for HR.

The truth? Real entry points into cyber are much simpler,  and no, you don’t need to sell your soul to get that first job.

“Entry-level” wish list (as written by fantasy HR):
  • Degree, three certs, and… five years’ experience
  • Must know every tool under the sun
  • Able to fix your colleague’s printer, secure the company cloud, and write Python before breakfast

Reality: you just need curiosity, persistence, and a safe place to practise.

Do you need a degree?

Not necessarily. A degree helps, but it isn’t the only path. Plenty of people come from IT support, customer service, or completely unrelated jobs. Employers want people who can think critically and problem-solve.

And here’s the irony: I run training courses… and I’m telling you that you don’t need dozens of courses to get started. (Yes, I’d love you to take one, but let’s be honest, if your CV has more certificates than skills, it’s not impressing anyone.)

Networking knowledge is non-negotiable

This is the bit nobody emphasises enough, but it’s the key. If you don’t understand how networks work, you’re basically trying to secure a house without knowing where the doors are.

Start with Cisco NetAcad Packet Tracer. It’s free, safe, and it won’t blow up your home Wi-Fi (trust me, we’ve all tried). Understanding packets and traffic flow will make every other cyber skill easier.

Certifications – useful, but not everything

Certifications are like seasoning. A little bit goes a long way, but you don’t need the whole spice rack. Cyber Essentials, Security+, or ISO 27001 Foundation are solid openers.

Just don’t stack so many acronyms after your name that you look like alphabet soup.

Practical skills beat theory

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a hacker lair in your basement to practise.

Start small:

  • TryHackMe holds your hand through challenges
  • Cisco NetAcad Packet Tracer lets you play “traffic cop” for packets
  • Hack The Box is where you level up and feel like the cool hacker in a hoodie


Even spinning up a dodgy virtual machine at home teaches you loads. Bonus points if you don’t accidentally break your PC.

Soft skills matter too

Cybersecurity isn’t just technical wizardry. If you can explain complex risks clearly to non-technical people, you’ll already be ahead of the curve. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are just as valuable as technical skills.

Network, don't hide

The cyber community is friendlier than you think. Join a meetup, jump into a Discord, or post on LinkedIn. And don’t worry if you’re a beginner — we were all “the new one” once.

Share your wins, even if it’s “I survived my first Wireshark capture.”

Final thoughts

Cyber isn’t about being a superhero who knows everything. It’s about starting small, building steadily, and proving you can learn.

And yes, I run training courses, but I’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t need to buy ten before you’re ready. (Though if you’d like to take one… I won’t stop you.)

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