How to start a career in cybersecurity with no experience​? in 2025 Step-by-step guide

If you’re wondering how to start your career in cybersecurity, let me tell you that in today’s world, one of the most in-demand fields is cybersecurity. Every day, we hear news about companies falling victim to cyberattacks and thousands of systems being hacked.

Many companies are looking for individuals who are interested in cybersecurity and can help protect their systems or assist in keeping them secure.

According to a report by ISC2, there is a shortage of 3.5 million or more cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

If you want to start your journey in cybersecurity but have no knowledge or experience, there’s no need to worry! In this post, I will guide you step by step on how you can build a successful career in cybersecurity. With the right skills, you can provide protection to large companies and organizations against cybercriminals.

Career in Cybersecurity, and Why is It in Demand?

Today, hackers use fake emails, data theft, and malware attacks to steal people’s personal information. According to an FBI report, cybercriminals caused over $10 billion in losses in 2022. Because of this, companies and organizations worldwide are looking for experts who can protect their data and systems from these threats.

• I will tell you the true story about this.

I have a friend who didn’t have any degree, but he had a skill—coding. He was a master in coding because he spent all his time on the computer, watching videos and learning new things.

One day, while practicing, he hacked an actress’s account. When I found out, I was really impressed by his skills. I talked to a professor at my university about him and said, “My friend has an amazing skill in coding, and he even hacked an actress’s account.”

The professor asked, “Does he have a degree?” I said, “No, he doesn’t.”

Even without a degree, the professor was very impressed by his talent. I introduced my friend to him, and the professor helped him get into cybersecurity. When people saw his skills, they were amazed, and he was offered a job in cybersecurity.

This proves that skills are more important than just having a degree!

Cybersecurity Jobs and Salaries

Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow by 35% by 2031. This makes it one of the fastest-growing fields, creating more opportunities for people interested in technology and online security.

Salaries in Cybersecurity

• Entry-Level Security Analyst: Can earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year.
• Experienced penetration testers and security engineers can earn $150,000 or more annually.

Cybersecurity is not only a great career choice for job security, but it also offers high salaries and growth opportunities. As cyber threats continue to rise, companies need skilled professionals to protect their data and systems.

How do I start a career in cybersecurity?

You don’t have an IT degree but still want to start a career in cybersecurity? Don’t worry! I will guide you on how you can learn the necessary skills, begin your career, and become independent by helping others. And I will also tell you about paid and free courses that can help you more, all about security.

• First, gain basic knowledge of networking and security. Then, learn about TCP/IP, firewalls, VPNs, and network protocols.
• Then, learn about operating systems and understand what they are. Get familiar with the security settings of Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Basic Programming Skills: Learn Python, Bash scripting, and PowerShell, as these help in building security tools and testing attacks.
  Cloud Security: Understand security concepts for cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

You can find all these details on YouTube and other social media platforms. These sources will give you a basic understanding of what these topics are and how they work.

“If you can’t find the right content on YouTube or social media platforms, don’t worry! I will tell you about some free and paid platforms where you can find the exact learning material you need. These platforms will help you learn properly and improve your skills.”

1. Best Resources to Learn Cybersecurity (Free & Paid)

There are many free and paid platforms where you can gain skills from basic to advanced levels. If you want to build a career in cybersecurity, the resources below can be very helpful for you.

Free Learning Platforms:

📌 Cybrary: This is a well-known online platform that offers free courses in cybersecurity. You can learn about network security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics from industry experts.

📌 Coursera: On Coursera, you can find free cybersecurity courses from top universities like Stanford, Michigan, and even Google. While the courses are free to access, you may need to pay if you want a certificate.

📌 edX: This platform provides free cybersecurity and network defense courses from prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. These courses help you develop both basic and advanced skills.

📌 TryHackMe: If you prefer learning through hands-on experience, this platform is perfect. It offers interactive labs and challenges that teach you how to solve real-world cybersecurity problems.

📌 Hack the Box: Another great platform for practical training in hacking and cybersecurity. It provides different levels of challenges and labs to improve your security skills.

By using these free resources, you can start building a strong foundation in cybersecurity without spending any money. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your skills, these platforms offer valuable learning opportunities.

Paid Learning Platforms:

If you want to learn cybersecurity in depth and get professional certifications, many paid learning platforms can help. These platforms offer courses for beginners and advanced learners, covering topics like ethical hacking, network security, penetration testing, and more.

1. Udemy

✅ What it offers: Udemy is a popular online learning platform where you can find many cybersecurity courses on topics like ethical hacking, network security, penetration testing, and cloud security.
💰 Cost: Courses range from $10 to $50 (discounted price).
📈 Why choose it? Affordable courses with lifetime access, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

🔗 Visit Udemy

2. Pluralsight

✅ What it offers: Pluralsight is a professional learning platform offering in-depth courses on red teaming, blue teaming, cloud security, and network defense.
💰 Cost: $29/month or $299/year
📈 Why choose it? It provides high-quality courses with hands-on learning and real-world scenarios.

🔗 Visit Pluralsight

3. Offensive Security (OffSec)

✅ What it offers: This platform provides advanced courses like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali Linux). These courses focus on ethical hacking, red teaming, and penetration testing.
💰 Cost: Starts at $1,499
📈 Why choose it? It’s one of the best platforms for learning real-world cybersecurity skills.

🔗 Visit Offensive Security

4. SANS Institute

✅ What it offers: SANS is one of the most respected cybersecurity training institutes. It provides advanced courses on network defense, digital forensics, penetration testing, and cloud security.
💰 Cost: $5,000 to $7,000 (very expensive but high quality).
📈 Why choose it? It offers industry-recognized certifications that boost your career.

🔗 Visit SANS Institute

5. EC-Council

✅ What it offers: EC-Council is known for its Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Network Defender (CND) certifications. These are great for anyone wanting to build a career in cybersecurity.
💰 Cost: $850 to $1,199
📈 Why choose it? It provides globally recognized certifications that increase job opportunities.

🔗 Visit EC-Council

6. TryHackMe (Premium Version)

✅ What it offers: TryHackMe is an interactive learning platform where you can practice hacking challenges, Capture the Flag (CTF) games, and hands-on cybersecurity exercises.
💰 Cost: $10/month or $100/year
📈 Why choose it? It offers practical training for both beginners and advanced learners.

🔗 Visit TryHackMe

7. Hack The Box (HTB Academy, PremiumVersion)

✅ What it offers: Hack The Box is a great platform for learning penetration testing, red teaming, and blue teaming. Its premium version provides more advanced challenges.
💰 Cost: $20/month
📈 Why choose it? It helps you develop real-world hacking skills.

🔗 Visit Hack The Box

These platforms will help you gain cybersecurity skills and build a strong career in this field! 🚀

2. Get a cybersecurity certificate

Once you complete both paid and free online classes, gain full knowledge of cybersecurity, and understand the field well, you will need to get a certification to prove your expertise. This certification shows that you are skilled in cybersecurity. Many platform and institutions offer these certifications, but they have separate costs, usually in dollars. Below, I will list the names of platform that provide these certifications. With these certifications, you can get a job even without a degree and become financially independent.

“I will give you an example of a certificate that will help you understand how important it is.“

For example

I had a friend who was very passionate about playing volleyball. Whenever there was a sports event or festival in his village, the villagers would invite him to play because he was really good at it.

One day, my university was hosting a sports tournament in the Health and Physical Education department. I invited my friend and told him, “There is a tournament at my university, and we need to win, so come and play.” He agreed and came to participate.

However, when he arrived, the university’s Vice Chancellor (VC) did not allow him to play because he did not have a school or college certificate. Since he lacked an official certification, he was not eligible to compete in the university tournament.

This story teaches an important lesson: whether it is in education, cybersecurity, or any other field, having a certification is crucial. It doesn’t matter if someone has studied cybersecurity in a university or learned it on their own—what really matters is having proof of skills.

Just like in schools and colleges, where report cards show students’ marks, a certificate in cybersecurity (or any other skill) acts as proof of expertise. When applying for a job, employers ask for certificates to verify what a person has learned and mastered. Whether it’s a character certificate, sports certificate, or a cybersecurity certification, it helps institutions and companies understand a person’s qualifications and skills.

1. CompTIA Security+

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Basic cybersecurity concepts
• Network security, risk management, and threat detection
  💰 Cost: $392
  📅 Duration: 90-minute exam
  📈 Best For: Beginners who want a strong foundation in cybersecurity.

2. Google Cybersecurity Certificate

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• How to protect networks and prevent cyber attacks
  💰 Cost: $49/month (Available on Coursera)
  📅 Duration: 3-6 months (Self-paced)
  📈 Best For: Those looking for an affordable and easy-to-follow course.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Ethical hacking and penetration testing
• How to identify and stop cyber threats
  💰 Cost: $1,199
  📅 Duration: 4-5 days of training + exam
  📈 Best For: Those interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing.

4. Cisco CyberOps Associate

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Security Operations Center (SOC) skills
• Cyber threat monitoring and network defense
  💰 Cost: $300
  📅 Duration: 120-minute exam
  📈 Best For: Those who want to become a SOC analyst or network defender.

📌 Which Certification Should You Choose?

✅ If you’re completely new to cybersecurity, go for CompTIA Security+ or Google Cybersecurity Certificate.
✅ If you want to learn hacking and penetration testing, CEH is a good choice.
✅ If you prefer network security and cyber defense, Cisco CyberOps Associate is ideal.

These certifications can help you start a successful cybersecurity career—even without a degree! 🚀

3. Strengthen Your Profile and Social Networking

After attending classes and earning your certificate, when you feel confident in your skills, start building your social network to strengthen your professional presence. Create your own website and design a blog where you can share your knowledge about cybersecurity. Write blogs about the areas you specialize in and help others learn.

Additionally, upload your projects on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub, where professionals can see your work. Share the tools you have developed and showcase your expertise. Engaging with social networks and cybersecurity communities will help you grow and open new career opportunities.

4. Prepare for Your Job and Interviews

Always be ready for job opportunities. As soon as you find a job opening, apply for it immediately. During the interview, showcase your skills by mentioning your personal website that you created. Share details about your platform and explain how it highlights your expertise.

Tell the interviewer that your website contains all the important information about your skills, projects, and experience. Also, discuss the skills you have learned, projects you have completed, and your areas of expertise to make a strong impression.

“If you want to gain expertise in cybersecurity, the first thing you need to understand is the different types of cyber attacks. Knowing how these attacks work is essential for learning how to protect against them. You can also visit my website technologyn.site to learn more about these attacks and how to stay safe from them.”

Final Thought

You can build a career in cybersecurity even without any prior experience. All you need is the right strategy. Start by gaining skills through free courses and legal resources. Get certified in the field where you have the most knowledge so that companies and organizations recognize your expertise. Focus on practical learning, strengthen your profile, and create a website to showcase your skills. Build a strong professional network and apply for jobs whenever opportunities arise. I believe you can succeed—now it’s your turn to take the first step into the world of cybersecurity!

• I have shared my research with you because many people from foreign countries contact me, asking for guidance on what they should do and what they should avoid.
• That’s why I have prepared this post for you. With its help, you can learn everything and even start your career in this field.
• If you need any help, feel free to ask me in the comment box or contact me via email.

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