7 Entry-Level Jobs in Cybersecurity

Today, most people have a general idea of what cybersecurity is. The definition is practically spelled out in the name — and requires tech-savvy professionals who work to keep businesses (and their data) safe from online threats.

But let’s go beyond the basic definition for a second. Do you actually know the nitty-gritty tasks that professionals in the cybersecurity industry take on each day? Could you name a few specific entry-level cybersecurity jobs?

If you’ve thought about building a cybersecurity career and want to know where your professional journey might take you, it will probably help to get some background. In this article, we’ll shed light on the industry, its job prospects, and which positions are open to talented, entry-level candidates.

Let’s get started!

What is Cybersecurity, and Why Should I Care?

Cybersecurity is a broad term that refers to all of the processes, technologies, and individuals that collectively protect organizations from digital attacks. Among other responsibilities, cybersecurity professionals install and manage sophisticated security software, search for vulnerabilities within an organization’s digital systems, and create protocols to protect companies, consumers, and information from malicious actors.

Successful cybersecurity teams continually strive to secure networks, proprietary applications, and systems against online threats, creating multiple layers of protection across networks, computers, and sensitive data. As attackers become ever more innovative, it falls to these information security professionals to prevent malicious players from accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive data.

With so much of our daily interactions being performed online, the work cybersecurity professionals do is crucial, especially given the threat hackers pose to businesses today. Even a single digital breach can result in massive financial loss if hackers choose to steal or reveal corporate information, customer data, bank information, or critical business intelligence.

Unsurprisingly, the increased risk of digital vulnerability has prompted a parallel expansion of the cybersecurity industry. The global cybersecurity market was valued at $161.07 billion in 2021 and is expected to top $363.05 billion by 2025.

This fast-paced expansion has led to an unprecedented surge in demand for talented cybersecurity professionals. Currently, the need for talent far outstrips the available supply of qualified candidates.

A 2021 report by (ISC)2 noted that the cybersecurity workforce gap is nearly 500,000 in the United States alone. That talent pool would need to grow by 62 percent to meet the current demand posed by American businesses — an untenable task.

To boot, 65 percent of organizations surveyed in (ISC)2’s report claims to have a severe staff shortage when it comes to cybersecurity. Representatives at these businesses claim that the lack of experienced personnel is even more concerning than the inadequacy of available resources. More than half of cybersecurity professionals state that their organization is at “moderate or extreme risk” due to persistent staff shortages.

While the talent shortage poses a clear and pressing problem for businesses, on the flip side, the intense need also creates a fantastic career opportunity for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

Recent reporting from TechRepublic indicates that major companies such as Apple, General Motors, Capital One, and Cisco have all begun hiring cybersecurity professionals in droves. The same reporter surmises that the industries at higher risk of cyberattacks — healthcare, education, government, e.g., — will also experience a skyrocketing in cybersecurity jobs in upcoming years.

7 Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

Below, we dive into ten of the best entry-level cybersecurity gigs on the market. Each role has been selected for its unique blend of job responsibilities, top job prospects, and opportunities for future growth.

1. Security Analyst/Manager

Security analysts play a pivotal role in keeping business intelligence safe from malicious agents that seek to modify, view, or destroy data. The analyst works to identify and correct flaws in existing security systems, often working with multiple departments to develop new processes.

Analysts work directly with collected data to spot suspicious activity in databases, servers, networks, or other proprietary software. Once a breach occurs, analysts lead efforts to mitigate the damage and prevent future attacks.

Security analysis is considered an entry-level cybersecurity job, often requiring a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Most companies seek analysts with one to five years of on-the-job experience in systems administration.

Analysts are often promoted to managers, which take on a more senior role by helping to direct a team of subordinate analysts on day-to-day security tasks. Most managerial positions require at least five years of specific experience in security analysis.

Top industries for analysts include financial services, government, health care, manufacturing, and nonprofit companies.

2. Security Specialist

Security specialists are tasked with maintaining an organization’s automated security systems and employee identification databases.

These professionals are responsible for protecting company data, ensuring the digital safety of end-users, assisting senior management with onboarding new employees securely, and interfacing with leadership to form guidelines around company policy and network use.

As an intermediary role, most security specialist positions require five to seven years of relevant experience. Industries that commonly employ security specialists include aerospace, defense contracting, energy and utilities, financial services, government, and higher education. Security specialists also tend to work in industries such as tech and finance.

Companies often promote security specialists to more senior roles such as team leaders or cross-departmental communicators.

3. Incident Responder

Incident responders use digital forensics to investigate breaches and other security events.

Everyday responsibilities of the role may include assessing systems for risk, automation testing, and conducting system analysis to identify threats and react to potential breaches.

This is a high-pressure role that requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to communicate productively across different departments. Incident responders are required to create comprehensive reports for management and communicate with those from non-technical backgrounds.

Most incident responder roles require two to three years of experience in information security or cyber forensics. Network or system administrator positions often feed into this position.

Incident responders work in all kinds of sectors including finance, nonprofit, tech, and aerospace.

4. Cryptographer

Cryptographers have one of the most interesting cybersecurity jobs on this list. They use specialized algorithms and ciphers to encrypt sensitive data to develop security systems. These professionals protect data from being copied, modified, destroyed, or intercepted by unauthorized agents.

Cryptographers typically have a background in statistics, as their role requires them to develop mathematical models that are capable of analyzing emerging security threats. Cryptography positions further require a comprehensive theoretical understanding of how cryptographic theories can apply real-world solutions to IT systems.

Most roles require a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, or computer engineering. Alternatively, the position may require five or more years of relevant experience in systems administration, auditing, or data encryption.

Cryptographers work in industries spanning the gamut from government and technology to finance and health care. Any industry that requires protecting sensitive client and business data may have a use for cryptographers.

5. Security Architect

As the name suggests, security architects help to build enterprise-level information systems that meet robust security requirements. Key responsibilities include security planning and testing, as well as designing and implementing new security protocols.

Architects are required to have a broad level mastery of the software and systems that a company employs to keep sensitive data secure. These professionals need to possess a thorough understanding of network security, hardware configuration, network protocols, and the specific procedures in place at their company.

As an intermediate role, security architects are usually required to have five to ten years of relevant experience, with at least three years explicitly dedicated to security. Security architects are often promoted to managerial roles in network security because they already have a broad-level overview of the systems.

Industries that employ security architects include defense, government, financial companies, and aerospace.

6. Security Auditor

Auditing — it’s a term that doesn’t bring most people joy. But for cybersecurity professionals, this field can offer tremendous opportunities for growth. Security auditors perform the vital task of verifying security procedures, preserving system safety, and compiling reports.

This position requires steadfast attention to detail. Auditors strive to identify potential vulnerabilities and flaws within internal systems before they become a problem. The role requires regular penetration testing, documentation, and communication between departments.

Security auditors are most often promoted from within a company’s cybersecurity department and boast three to five years of security-related or systems administration experience. Entry-level positions for new computer science graduates also exist in government and nonprofit industries.

Auditors often proceed to more senior roles in security architecture or management.

7. Forensic Expert

Forensic experts are responsible for retrieving data, analyzing network traces, and collecting evidence from diverse computer systems. When devices are physically or digitally damaged, forensic experts help to conduct investigations concerning the party or parties responsible.

Forensics specialists may also be required to recover information, reconstruct damaged hardware, and ensure that all work is completed in compliance with federal law.

While forensics experts most often work in the crime investigation sector, many work in private industries like healthcare, defense contracting, and tech. Entry-level positions require at least one to three years of relevant experience in forensics, while senior roles require five or more.

Forensics experts can be promoted to supervisory roles overseeing regional labs or managing quality assurance guidelines. Some of these professionals move on to college teaching roles after receiving an advanced degree.