If you're considering a move into tech, it's reasonable to ask whether cybersecurity is still worth pursuing. The field has attracted significant attention in recent years, and headlines about layoffs, competition, and changing hiring requirements can make it seem like there are too many people trying to break in.
The reality is more nuanced. Cybersecurity continues to show long-term job growth, but finding an entry-level position can be challenging. Employers need people with the right technical skills, practical experience, and ability to apply what they've learned. For career changers, understanding what employers want and how to prepare can make the path forward clearer.
Thinking about a career in cybersecurity? Explore Centriq's Cybersecurity Specialist Program to learn how career-focused IT training can help you build a foundation for your next career move.
Is Cybersecurity Oversaturated?
National employment projections and cybersecurity job-posting data indicate continued demand for cybersecurity professionals. However, that doesn't mean every cybersecurity role is easy to get or that qualified candidates will find a job immediately.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for information security analysts is projected to grow 21% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. BLS also projects an average of approximately 14,100 job openings per year over that period.
Cybersecurity job-posting data points to continued employer demand, too. According to CyberSeek's June 2025 report, employers posted 514,359 listings for dedicated cybersecurity jobs and related technical positions with significant cybersecurity skill requirements between May 2024 and April 2025. That represented an increase of approximately 12% from the previous reporting period.
These numbers suggest that cybersecurity remains a field with long-term opportunities. However, national projections and job postings don't tell the whole story. They don't guarantee that openings are available in every location or that employers are willing to hire candidates without relevant experience.
The more useful question isn't whether cybersecurity has too many workers overall. It's why breaking into the field can be difficult, even when employers continue to seek talent.
Why Is Cybersecurity Hard to Break Into?
Cybersecurity has become a popular career option for people looking for stable, technical work. Certifications, online courses, bootcamps, and social media career advice have made the field more visible and introduced more people to the possibility of working in security.
But interest in cybersecurity and readiness for a cybersecurity job are two different things.
Security professionals need to understand how technology works before they can effectively protect it. Depending on the position, that can include operating systems, computer networks, user accounts, cloud environments, access permissions, security tools, and troubleshooting processes.
Employers may also expect candidates to demonstrate that they can apply technical knowledge to real situations, investigate problems, communicate their findings, and follow established procedures.
This creates a challenge for people trying to enter cybersecurity without previous IT experience. They may understand security concepts or hold an entry-level certification but still lack experience working with the systems and tools that security teams protect.
The challenge isn't simply that more people want cybersecurity jobs. It's that candidates must demonstrate the skills needed to perform the work.
That distinction helps explain why strong long-term employment projections can coexist with a difficult job search, particularly for people pursuing their first technical role.
What Do Employers Look for in Entry-Level Cybersecurity Candidates?
Requirements vary by position, but building a foundation in IT is an important step toward many cybersecurity careers. Employers need people who understand how systems operate, recognize potential problems, and can help protect an organization's technology and information.
Here are several areas worth developing.
Foundational IT knowledge
Cybersecurity relies on an understanding of the technology being protected. Familiarity with operating systems, computer hardware, networking, user permissions, and cloud services can help you understand how vulnerabilities develop and how security controls work.
Hands-on technical practice
Knowing a concept is different from knowing how to apply it. Labs, projects, and other practical exercises can help you practice configuring systems, investigating issues, recognizing security risks, and working through technical problems.
Practical experience also gives you specific examples to discuss during interviews. Instead of simply listing a skill on your resume, you can explain what you did, how you approached a problem, and what you learned.
Security fundamentals
Learn the principles behind access control, threat identification, risk management, incident response, and protecting sensitive information. The depth of knowledge required will depend on the role, but understanding these concepts helps you build toward more specialized security work.
Certifications can help structure your learning and demonstrate knowledge of specific topics. However, the most appropriate certification depends on your existing experience and the requirements of the positions you're pursuing.
Troubleshooting and communication
Security work often involves investigating unusual activity, identifying the cause of a problem, documenting findings, and explaining what needs to happen next. Logical troubleshooting and clear communication are valuable skills, especially when working with other IT professionals or helping users resolve security-related issues.
Job-search readiness
Technical knowledge is only part of preparing for a new career. You'll also need to translate your experience into language employers understand, tailor your resume to relevant positions, and explain how your skills apply to the work.
Career changers may already have transferable strengths in problem-solving, customer service, documentation, teamwork, or following procedures. Connecting those strengths to technical work can help employers understand the value you bring.
How Can You Get Started in Cybersecurity?
If you're starting without professional IT experience, you don't necessarily need to pursue a cybersecurity analyst position as your first job. Building experience through related technical roles can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to move toward security.
Consider the following steps.
1. Build your IT foundation
Start by learning how computers, operating systems, networks, and common business technologies work. These fundamentals provide context for understanding security problems and the tools used to address them.
2. Practice what you learn
Look for opportunities to apply your knowledge through hands-on labs, projects, and troubleshooting exercises. Keep track of what you work on so you can describe your experience during interviews.
3. Consider related entry-level IT roles
Positions such as IT support specialist, help desk technician, desktop support technician, and network support technician can provide experience with the systems, accounts, applications, and technical issues that security teams encounter.
These roles aren't mandatory starting points for every cybersecurity professional. However, they can offer a practical route for people who need to build professional IT experience before pursuing more specialized security work.
4. Research job requirements before choosing certifications
Review cybersecurity job postings to identify the knowledge, experience, and credentials employers request. Look at entry-level positions as well as related IT roles to understand where your current skills align and what you still need to learn.
Choose certifications and training based on those requirements rather than assuming one credential will qualify you for every cybersecurity position.
5. Prepare to explain your skills
As you build experience, practice describing how you approach technical problems, what tools you've used, and how you would respond to common scenarios. Your resume and interview answers should demonstrate more than an interest in cybersecurity; they should show what you can do and how you're preparing for the role.
For career changers, a realistic plan may involve learning foundational IT skills, gaining practical experience, and pursuing progressively more specialized opportunities. That approach can take time, but it gives you a clearer path than focusing exclusively on landing a specific job title.
How Can Cybersecurity Training Help You Prepare?
When cybersecurity feels competitive, it can be difficult to know which skills to prioritize or how to turn what you've learned into a career plan. Structured, hands-on training can help you build technical foundations, practice applying concepts, and prepare for the expectations of an IT job search.
At Centriq, career-focused IT training combines practical learning with preparation for employment. In 2025, Centriq's placement rate was 72%. Centriq also offers career placement services to support graduates as they navigate the job-search process. While training and career support cannot guarantee employment, they can help students develop relevant skills and pursue opportunities.
If you're considering cybersecurity as a career change, explore Centriq's Cybersecurity Specialist Program to learn more about the training available. You can also review Centriq's career placement services to understand the support offered to graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cybersecurity oversaturated in 2026?
National employment projections and job-posting data indicate continued demand for cybersecurity professionals. However, competition can be challenging for entry-level candidates, particularly those without relevant IT experience. Opportunities vary by role, location, and employer requirements.
Is it hard to get an entry-level cybersecurity job?
It can be. Some cybersecurity positions require technical knowledge and experience that new candidates haven't yet developed. Building foundational IT skills, completing hands-on projects, researching employer requirements, and considering related entry-level IT roles can help you prepare for opportunities.
Can you get into cybersecurity without experience?
Yes, it is possible, but the path may require additional preparation. Some employers consider candidates with limited professional experience, while others require previous IT work or specialized skills. Practical training, projects, relevant certifications, and experience in related IT positions can help demonstrate your readiness.
Do you need a college degree to work in cybersecurity?
Not every cybersecurity position requires a bachelor's degree, but requirements vary by employer and role. Some employers prioritize a combination of technical skills, certifications, and relevant experience, while others require a degree or specific educational qualifications. Review job postings for the positions you want to pursue.
What skills should you learn before pursuing cybersecurity?
Start with IT fundamentals such as networking, operating systems, computer systems, and user permissions. Then develop an understanding of security principles, risk, access control, and incident response. Hands-on practice, troubleshooting, and communication skills can help you apply that knowledge in a professional setting.
Can you start in IT support and move into cybersecurity?
Yes. IT support can help you gain experience with operating systems, user accounts, networks, applications, and troubleshooting. That experience can provide a foundation for pursuing security-related responsibilities or additional training. Your next step will depend on the skills you develop and the requirements of the cybersecurity roles you're targeting.
Start Building Your Cybersecurity Career with Centriq
Cybersecurity remains a potential career path for people willing to build the necessary skills and prepare for a competitive job market. The key is to understand what employers need, develop a strong technical foundation, and approach the transition with realistic expectations.
If you're ready to explore a path into IT and cybersecurity, fill out the form below or learn more about Centriq's Cybersecurity Specialist Program and career placement services available to students and alumni.
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