The ever-evolving cybersecurity industry must fill talent pipelines with creative thinkers to combat the mounting threats. This year’s ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed the cyber workforce gap increased 19% over 2023 and is now higher than ever with an estimated 4.8 million professionals needed to effectively secure organizations worldwide.

Get Started in Cybersecurity

To help combat the shortage of cybersecurity personnel, ISC2 is offering free training and a free examination for the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification to one million interested candidates. This entry-level education will help support career changers , students and the cyber-curious with the necessary fundamentals of the profession. In recent years, we have seen a shift within cyber teams from the standard IT entry path, common in the previous decade, to teams from diverse career backgrounds with varying levels of familiarity within the IT space. This may not come as a surprise to industry insiders as the most sought-after skills cited by cybersecurity hiring managers are not technical. Hiring managers are looking for strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, curiosity and communication skills.

Types of Cyber Jobs

Within cyberspace, there are many directions your career can progress ; and there’s a fit for all personalities and interests. Some examples are:

  • Cybersecurity Analyst: The frontline monitoring and analyzing security threats to identify vulnerabilities, responding to incidents and implementing security measures.
  • Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester: Assessing systems and networks for vulnerabilities, mocking attacks to find potential weaknesses.
  • Security Consultant: Offering expert advice on cybersecurity strategy, assessing organizational security posture and providing recommendations to enhance defenses.
  • Incident Responder: Investigating and mitigating security incidents, minimizing breach impacts and implementing strategies to prevent future occurrences.
  • Security Architect: Designing and building secure systems, ensuring that infrastructures meet industry standards and compliance requirements.

Find Your Cyber Communities

Many organizations have widespread global workforces, and finding your place in this big pond can feel overwhelming. The good news is you aren’t alone in your search! ISC2 Chapters are your local networking groups, providing opportunities for in-person companionship and guidance. You can also ask questions or find a mentor on the ISC2 Community. Once you’ve joined as an ISC2 member, the ISC2 Membership Channel is home to webinars where you can hear from ISC2 leadership and ask questions live.

ISC2 has a LinkedIn page dedicated to entry-level cyber education where you can find training tips and more. We also recommend connecting with your peers in the CC Study Group.

On ISC2 Insights, you can find member written articles on preparing for exams, trending industry news and advancements, personal career journeys and more. Some recent advice for those looking to enter the industry include:

Whether you are already on the path or just considering a cyber career, we encourage you to continue the conversation. ISC2’s nearly 675,000 members, candidates and associates lead the profession, and all have the same vision: a safe and secure cyber world – and we want you to be a part of it!