The digital landscape is growing at breakneck speed, but new and highly concerning risks come with that growth. The annual Cost of a Data Breach Report from 2024 reveals that the global average data breach cost was an astounding $4.45 million. Unfortunately, these breaches have only ramped up in frequency.
Leaders are understandably alarmed and, therefore, eager to do whatever it takes to prevent devastating attacks. Unprecedented demand has led to rapid hiring but with a caveat. Organizations want to employ the most highly trained and credentialed cybersecurity experts.
In years past, aspiring cybersecurity analysts often encountered a unique narrative of their would-be occupation. Many assumed it would be possible to train on their own and then secure stable, high-paying work in cybersecurity. Conversely, this approach is not always reliable as several employers now cite a strong preference for hiring job candidates trained at the bachelor’s or even the master’s level.
Interested in entering the cybersecurity field but not sure how to proceed? To demonstrate the value of a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree, we’ll discuss how to get into cybersecurity with no experience.
Understanding Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a far-reaching concept: it denotes efforts to protect networks from attacks and the teams and professionals tasked with carrying out these prevention and mitigation strategies. A variety of moving parts play into modern cybersecurity initiatives, such as:
- Network security. Preventing unauthorized network access by utilizing strategies such as antivirus software and firewalls, network security aims to limit access to networks while also ensuring that any cyberattacks that do occur are quickly detected and stopped.
- Information assurance. Managing information-related risks to ensure that information systems perform as expected, are available when needed, and have their integrity and confidentiality preserved. It encompasses the protection and defense of information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation.
- Ethical hacking. Useful for uncovering unknown vulnerabilities, ethical hacking encourages authorized professionals to try to gain access to protected systems or networks, thereby revealing gaps in protection that cybersecurity professionals must promptly address.
Can You Get into Cybersecurity Without a Degree or Experience?
There is no one path to success in the vast and always-evolving field of cybersecurity, but some learning opportunities are more likely to expedite your climb up the cybersecurity career ladder. Technically speaking, it is possible to begin your journey without a formal education or experience, but this strategy probably won’t get you noticed by prospective employers.
Look at most cybersecurity job listings these days, and you’ll see both a degree and experience listed as either strongly preferred or as outright requirements. The type of degree and the amount of experience will vary from one job to the next. Yet, it is increasingly common for employers to demand, at minimum, bachelor’s degrees centered around information security or information technology. Some higher-level positions even call for graduate-level credentials.
Experience requirements can be more nuanced. With some positions, a cybersecurity internship should provide sufficient exposure to the field. Others may gain experience through open-source projects, volunteer opportunities, or even by participating in hackathons.
Pros of Self-Learning
Learning is a life-long pursuit; chances are, you’ve taught yourself plenty over the years, including cybersecurity skills. The ability to self-educate (or at least access the right resources) is essential, especially if your passion for learning keeps you engaged far into the future. Beyond this, the main benefits of self-learning relate to cost and convenience:
- Time commitment. Self-learning is inherently flexible, so you can develop technical skills at your own pace and even maintain a busy work schedule. Whether you actually commit the time to mastering those skills may be another matter altogether. But with enough motivation and self-discipline, you can build your schedule around self-study efforts.
- Cost. Self-learning expenses can vary considerably, but it is possible to educate yourself on a budget. In any case, the return on investment may not be as considerable as the ROI associated with a formal degree.
Cons of Self-Learning
In the digital age, we enjoy access to a wealth of learning materials. Despite this, most people know shockingly little about cybersecurity. Access isn’t the problem — structure is. Without a strong blueprint to underscore skill development, few will commit to mastering complex technical concepts. Common issues include:
- Accountability and structure. The very advantages that make self-learning so compelling also prevent self-educated individuals from making discernible progress. Simply put, it’s too easy to quit or to scale back learning efforts. Although degree programs are less convenient, they provide a powerful roadmap and regular check-ins from instructors or advisors who play a valuable role in keeping students accountable.
- Support. If you run into complications while pursuing self-study efforts, where will you turn for support? Finding the right resources might prove difficult, but these are never in short supply when you’re enrolled in a targeted degree program.
- Tangible rewards. A degree is so much more than a simple credential or piece of paper, but there is no denying that tangible achievements make a difference. There is a unique sense of accomplishment that accompanies graduation and, while mastering a new concept through self-learning can mimic this to some degree, it’s just not the same.
- Difficulty proving skills to employers. In the modern skills economy, employers increasingly prioritize competency over credentials alone. Degrees, however, can convey both. Job candidates who have graduated from technical, skill-oriented programs can verify their competence by highlighting their degrees and accompanying internship or capstone experiences. Self-taught students may need to seek a series of microcredentials or certifications. Without them, it is difficult for employers to know whether aspiring professionals have truly mastered critical skills.
- Missing out on accreditation. Simply put, some employers prefer to hire professionals equipped with relevant degrees. This becomes especially crucial when moving into higher-level, specialty, or management roles. Degree programs can also provide more structure when preparing for additional credentials, such as industry certifications.
How to Get into Cybersecurity Without a Degree
If you are interested in exploring cybersecurity but want to explore a self-guided approach, you’re in luck! A wealth of information is available online. Resources worth utilizing include:
- Online courses and tutorials. Not all online learning opportunities are tied to degree programs. Many courses and tutorials are readily available. Signing up is easy and, depending on the course, fees may be minimal. This is a great option if you want some structure or support but are not yet ready to commit to a full-blown degree program.
- Cybersecurity podcasts and blogs. Numerous currently employed cybersecurity professionals find camaraderie in online resources such as blogs and podcasts. These bring a more personable feel to learning efforts and can also provide insider details about the profession itself.
- Open-source projects. Some people learn best by doing, and thankfully, open-source opportunities make it easy to practice coding skills and other essentials. Designed to be publicly accessible, these projects can be freely viewed, shared, and modified.
Pursuing a Cybersecurity Degree: Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?
Based on the self-learning concerns highlighted above, the answer to the question “Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?” could be a resounding yes! Keep reading to discover what, exactly, makes this degree so compelling and what it will take to overcome associated challenges.
Key Advantages of Earning a Cybersecurity Degree
As we’ve mentioned, self-learning has its place. But today’s cybersecurity degree programs offer a variety of advantages that keep students engaged through every step of the learning process. Advantages include:
- Structured learning. Formal education is advantageous because it provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers the full range of skills needed to succeed in the cybersecurity field. Through rigorous yet fascinating courses, students develop foundational skills before taking a deeper dive into compelling niche topics.
- Access to cutting-edge content. Because the cybersecurity field is constantly evolving, it is essential to maintain access to the latest learning materials. Access to cutting-edge content is never a guarantee with a self-guided education, but online cybersecurity degree programs are continually updated to reflect the latest developments and best practices.
- Access to more resources. From comprehensive libraries to state-of-the-art labs and even insider information regarding internships, cybersecurity students enjoy access to a wealth of resources that can amplify their learning efforts.
- Networking opportunities. Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs encourage participants to develop strong connections with their instructors and with fellow cybersecurity students. This can form the basis of an amazing network, which can provide valuable insight into top job opportunities. This can be reassuring to students who express concern while asking: “How long does it take to get a cybersecurity degree?” More time interacting with students and instructors could translate to a larger and more robust network.
Common Concerns
Every learning approach presents unique challenges, and an online degree in cybersecurity is no exception. Thankfully, if these issues are understood in advance, they can often be addressed and overcome.
- Cost. Tuition and fees can be expected when enrolling in a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program. That said, this can provide a considerable return on investment and stronger earning potential. Look to financial aid to help bridge the gap and be sure to discuss your situation in detail with financial aid advisors.
- Time commitment. Plan to dedicate three to four years to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. For some, transfer credits may expedite the process. While online coursework makes balancing college commitments with full-time work possible, this isn’t realistic for everyone.
- Self-discipline. Degree programs provide more accountability than a self-guided approach to cybersecurity skill development, but motivation and discipline are still essential. Those lacking in these core qualities will see a minimal ROI from seeking an online degree in cybersecurity.
Factors to Consider When Making Your Decision
Now that you know how to get into cybersecurity and why a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is worth considering, it’s time to embark on the difficult decision-making process. Keep these considerations top of mind as you determine how to proceed:
1. Determine Your Career Goals
Ask yourself, what do you want from your career? Do you have a specific niche or role in mind? Search for a program that aligns with those plans or allows you to specialize.
If you have a general idea that you want to enter the cybersecurity field but are not sure in what capacity, you’ll benefit from foundational coursework that prepares you for a variety of cybersecurity career paths.
2. Assess Your Learning Style
Different students are drawn to different styles of instruction. Understanding how you learn best is crucial, as this may influence where you seek training and how you engage with the material.
Many online platforms provide an excellent blend of audio and visual learning opportunities. This includes engaging with projects that help students apply their skills and put their cybersecurity knowledge into action.
3. Consider the Time Commitment
No matter how you tackle cybersecurity training, you will need to dedicate a lot of time to mastering complex concepts and expanding your technical skill set. Your path will determine how that time is allocated. A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree calls for a commitment of approximately four years, including 120 credit hours and 150 hours of work experience.
4. Examine the Importance of Certification and Credentials
Degrees are important, but the cybersecurity industry also prioritizes certification and credentialing. This is a great way to convey expertise in specialty areas. However, there is no need to seek these in lieu of a degree, as targeted cybersecurity coursework provides excellent preparation for certification exams.
Need Help Deciding? Baker Is Here to Help!
The desire to learn and enhance your skill set should be commended, but there is no substitute for a structured cybersecurity education, complete with exposure to the field’s best and brightest.That’s exactly what you’ll find when you pursue your Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity with Baker College. Reach out today to learn more about this program and the exciting career opportunities it can uncover.