Top 10 Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs for Beginners [2023 List]

Cybercrimes are increasing globally as the amount of data on the internet continues to increase. The money businesses lose due to cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. For enterprises, the cost of losing data is much higher than the cost of protection. 

That is why the need for cybersecurity professionals is on the rise. Becoming a cybersecurity professional can be rewarding and lucrative as these jobs are best ranked for pay, employee satisfaction, and flexibility. 

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity jobs, such as information security analysts, is expected to grow by 35% from 2021 to 2031. 

Compared to other occupations, cybersecurity jobs have a higher employment rate. You must get the necessary education and certifications to apply for entry-level cybersecurity jobs.

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Is Cybersecurity the Right Career Choice?

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Cybersecurity professionals are trained to secure data, applications, and networks to prevent unwanted, unauthorized, and unintentional access to information. They play a key role in securing data across the enterprise. 

So, are you wondering if these entry-level cybersecurity jobs are the right start? Some of the reasons why cybersecurity is the ideal career choice are:

Future-Proof Career

As enterprises continue to digitize their operations, the need for data, network, and application security will increase. In the current scenario, organizations in all sectors need cybersecurity professionals to create a wall of protection encompassing enterprise data, applications, and networks. 

High Demand for Certified Professionals 

Currently, there is a need for more than 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals. This talent gap means that certified cybersecurity experts will always be in demand. As a cybersecurity professional, you can work in any industry you want. 

Even if you are looking for a career change, you can easily find openings for entry-level cybersecurity jobs with no experience. Every sector embraces the internet and cloud, so you will always find interesting projects to work on. 

Better Salary Prospects

The average annual entry-level cybersecurity jobs salary is around $98,299. You can advance to higher-paying positions by upgrading your skills through certifications and gaining experience. 

Flexible Working Model

Many companies have adopted a hybrid working model, and cybersecurity professionals get the advantage of working from home. As you have to think like a hacker and identify security vulnerabilities, you can be good at your job if you work remotely. 

Better Career Prospects

If you start working in one of the entry-level cybersecurity positions, you can get a chance to explore multiple specialties. Based on your interest, you can get expert and advanced certifications in specific areas of cybersecurity, which will grow your profile as a cybersecurity analyst and specialist. It will also help you get promoted and advance your cybersecurity career. As you grow professionally, your salary will also increase. 

Top 10 In-Demand Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals continues to increase compared to the available skilled workforce. The talent shortage and workforce gap shows that there will be more career opportunities. Also, you can get better job security if you work in a high-demand field. 

Companies look for professionals with demonstrated knowledge in the cybersecurity field. Getting a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or online degree is a good place to start. Apart from traditional degrees, you can get certifications that qualify you for various entry-level cybersecurity jobs. 

You can learn the basics and get certified in cybersecurity training to demand a high salary package while helping enterprises tighten their IT security. 

Employers looking to hire cybersecurity professionals expect candidates to understand different operating systems. They need security analysts with practical experience in defeating multiple online threats. 

For entry-level positions, you must clearly understand malware detection, virus protection, advanced hacking techniques, and common security vulnerabilities. 

#1 Cybersecurity Analyst

The average salary for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst is $57,243 per year.

A cybersecurity analyst forms the first line of defense for an organization’s security network. They protect the IT environment from cyberattacks and unauthorized access. 

Some of the responsibilities of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst are:

• Monitor for security breaches
• Investigate and report identified security breaches
• Research the latest trends in IT security
• Enable security products and procedures
• Create security strategies

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT or Computer Science
• Knowledge about cloud computing and SaaS
• Programming and cybersecurity awareness skills
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Certifications such as GIAC security certifications, EC-Council certified security analyst, certified ethical hacking, etc

#2 Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

Entry-level SOC analyst is positioned to earn at least $50,585 annually. They must monitor, investigate, and report incidents happening across security information and event management systems. 

Some of the job responsibilities are:

• Review and investigate SIEM alerts
• Identify and document cyber incidents
• Deploy incident response plans
• Follow the patch management procedure
• Assist risk management
• Help with audit and compliance needs

The requirements include:

• Technical degree in relevant industry 
• Understanding of IT infrastructure and basics of cybersecurity
• Programming and cybersecurity awareness skills
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Certifications such as CompTIA security analyst, cyber threat hunting professional, EC-Council CEH, etc.

#3 Incident Response Analyst

Entry-level incident response analysts can earn anything starting from $85,034 annually. As a part of the incident response team, they analyze the organization’s network for security threats. They also use multiple tools to reduce the effects of a security breach. 

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Analyze, report, and respond to cyber incidents
• Maintain cybersecurity monitoring
• Use cybersecurity tools to search for threats
• Conduct network defense analysis

Requirements for this job are:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Programming and cybersecurity awareness skills
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Understanding of network protocols, network security tools
• Professional certifications like OSCP, GCIH, GREM, GNFA, etc

#4 Security Administrator

The remuneration for a security administrator starts at $79,116 per year. They work to ensure network security access and prevent any unauthorized access, modifications, etc. 

Some of the responsibilities are:

• Troubleshoot network security 
• Update with latest security patches for strengthening defense
• Conduct vulnerability and penetration testing
• Automate system admin tasks

Requirements for security administrator are:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree
• Programming and cybersecurity awareness skills
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Obtain certifications like CISSP, CISM, ISP, etc

#5 Cybersecurity Auditor

A cybersecurity auditor in an entry-level position can make as much as $105,025 annually. The primary role of cybersecurity auditors is to design and manage cybersecurity audits to assess IT security. They have to interpret audit data and present reports. 

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Review security controls and IT systems
• Test safety and effectiveness of cybersecurity defenses
• Provide an overview of the audit process
• Evaluate internal security systems
• Write, analyze, and interpret audit results

The requirements are:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree
• Audit planning and risk assessment skills
• Accounting skills
• Knowledgeable in using auditing tools
• Certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CISM, ITIL, etc

#6 Junior Forensic Analyst

You can earn about $71,773 annually as a junior forensic analyst. A junior forensic analyst should be ready to deal with sudden shifts in the IT security infrastructure. 

Some of the responsibilities are:

• Collect cyber incident information
• Secure access to enterprise digital devices
• Access encrypted or deleted data
• Investigate cyber crimes

The requirements for this job are:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer forensics, or relative field
• Knowledge of identifying cyber threats like worms, bots, and rootkits
• Deep understanding of encryption technologies, network protocols, and firewall administration 
• Certifications such as CFCE, CCE, etc. 

#7 Junior Penetration Tester

A junior penetration tester is one of the highest paying entry-level cyber security jobs, and you can start earning $84,349 per year. These testers try to improve network security by identifying any vulnerability that an attacker might use. 

Job roles are:

• Developing and testing strategies for attacking and assessing distributed systems
• Create procedures for sophisticated attackers based on security goals
• Create situation reports
• Develop and deliver presentations 

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of computer network attack, computer network defense 
• Programming and cybersecurity awareness skills
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Certifications like CEH

#8 Network Security Engineer

Beginner network security engineers who have yet to gain job experience can start earning $88,322 per year. The primary goal of a network security engineer is to keep an enterprise’s data safe. They build and maintain security networks to keep the hackers out. 

Job responsibilities include:

• Maintain LAN, WLAN, and server architecture
• Measure, analyze, and implement security protocols
• Resolve security issues
• Track vulnerabilities to prevent threats

Requirements include:

• A bachelor’s or associate degree
• Knowledge of network security
• Strong understanding of security standards, encryption, risk management
• Certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, etc. 

#9 Source Code Auditor

The average annual salary for a source code auditor is $78,698. 

The responsibilities include:

• Navigate source code to assess for weakness
• Identify vulnerabilities and propose solutions
• Create authentication mechanisms and authorization methods
• Detect potential faults in source code

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree
• Strong programming skills
• Knowledge of penetration testing, computer forensics, cybersecurity law
• Certifications like CEH, ECSA, PenTest+ from CompTIA, CISA, etc 

#10 Vulnerability Assessment Analyst

Starting as a vulnerability assessment analyst, you can earn $96,599 per year.  

Job responsibilities include:

• Testing for vulnerability using custom scripts
• Run security scans and adults
• Find vulnerabilities and complete vulnerability assessment

Some of the requirements are:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in cybersecurity
• Experience as a penetration tester
• Strong understanding of security frameworks and programming languages
• Certifications such as CISSP, GPEN, CVA, OSCP, etc.

How to Land an Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job?

The cybersecurity market is growing with a CAGR of 9.63%, and it is expected to reach $256.5 billion. The cybersecurity domain is vast, and no singular skill applies to all job roles. Different roles require varied cybersecurity skills. So, beginners can choose roles based on their skills and work on honing specific skills to advance in their career.

The cybersecurity industry is highly dynamic. You can start your career in one of the entry-level cybersecurity jobs after completing your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or other associated field. Even if you don’t have a degree, you can still get a junior-level position if you have relevant work experience. 

You can also find entry-level cybersecurity jobs with no experience, but you must obtain professional certifications to get these jobs. Getting certified as a Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) can help you get a better position in the job market. You can get appropriate certifications for jobs requiring specialized skills and gain a competitive advantage. 

Following are some tips that can help you land the best entry-level cybersecurity jobs:

Create a Concrete Career Plan 

Start by creating an achievable career plan and exploring more about the job positions and requirements. It will help you to prepare better if you know what specific roles you are applying for. This plan helps you to identify the industry so that you can gain industry-relevant skills to move up. 

Develop Critical Cybersecurity Skills

For all entry-level cybersecurity jobs, you must have a solid understanding of cybersecurity skills such as networking, ethical hacking, incident response, penetration testing, computer forensics, etc. You also need to have good knowledge of coding and operating systems. You must invest your time in improving these skills with appropriate certification courses.  

Get Necessary Certifications

Once you have clearly defined the roles you aim for, you should research more about the professional certifications required for the job. Even with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, you must work to get certified by professional bodies. These certifications prove your credibility in the market. 

Participate in Internships

Job openings that don’t require you to have work experience still expect you to have some industry experience. You can find internship programs that will help you gain hands-on experience. Freelance projects will also help you gain working knowledge. 

Attend Networking Events

You must participate in online and offline networking events when looking for entry-level remote cybersecurity jobs. Getting together with industry experts, participating in hackathons, and attending cybersecurity conferences will help you to advance your knowledge and stay up-to-date about the industry. 

Apply for Entry-level Positions

Search for entry-level cybersecurity jobs using job boards and forums and apply for the openings. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, create a compelling cover letter, upload your resume, and apply for the jobs. Many enterprises will be ready to train new hires if they can demonstrate knowledge of basic cybersecurity skills. 

Typical Work Environment for Entry-level Cybersecurity Professionals

Cybersecurity professionals must think like hackers to protect a company’s data and information. They must stay on top of cyber threats, viruses, malware, and other types of attacks on enterprise systems. 

A cybersecurity team will have IT specialists, software developers, programmers, security auditors, security testers, and more. All of them will work together to improve an enterprise’s security posture. 

Depending on your role, you may have to develop security procedures to strengthen data and network security. Some entry-level jobs also require you to understand various laws, such as intellectual property and privacy laws.   

Challenges and Rewards of Entry-level Cybersecurity Jobs

With cybersecurity threats increasing on a daily basis, working in the cybersecurity industry is challenging and lucrative. It is one of the fastest industries where professionals must stay updated about the latest security threats. 

Being proactive is one of the key requirements for cybersecurity professionals. Some of the benefits of working in the cybersecurity industry are:

• Delivering value to enterprises by improving the security posture
• High-paying job roles
• Good job security due to the high demand for certified professionals
• Achieve professional advancement with specialized careers
• Work independently as cybersecurity specialists and consultants
• Improve career prospects with continuous learning

Cybersecurity professionals are entirely responsible for IT and enterprise infrastructure security. A professional is expected to fulfill different types of security roles. 

Some of the challenges in working in this demanding industry are:

• Long work hours
• Lack of resources in companies
• Execute repetitive procedures and tests to find and neutralize cyber threats
• No room for any error
• Challenging to keep up with the latest hacking trends

Job Growth and Future Opportunities in Cybersecurity

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As cloud adoption and digitization become increasingly common, enterprises need cybersecurity professionals to help them migrate from legacy systems. The increased exposure also increases cybercrime risks, which demands the need for better cybersecurity. 

It means that professionals who are interested in cybersecurity can get high-paying jobs and excellent job security. 

You can become a junior cybersecurity professional after completing internship programs. You can also look for entry-level roles if you have work experience in the relevant fields. 

You can demand a higher salary by obtaining some advanced certifications such as CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+). You can start as a junior security analyst and advance your career to become a Chief Security Officer and work remotely. 

Conclusion

The steadily increasing job openings in the cybersecurity field encourage many people to join the industry. When you have professional certifications, you can work onsite or remotely as a security consultant. 

Entry-level cybersecurity jobs provide a great platform for professional and financial growth. You must acquire the necessary skills and get professional accreditations for steady career growth. 

Are you interested in working in the dynamic cybersecurity field and landing a lucrative security job? Sign up for cybersecurity training programs at CCS Learning Academy to have a head start in your cybersecurity professional career.  

FAQs

1. Do I need a degree to enter the cybersecurity field?

While having a bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred, it’s not strictly necessary for all entry-level jobs. Some positions may accept relevant certifications and work experience in lieu of a formal degree.

2. What certifications are helpful for getting an entry-level cybersecurity job?

Certifications like CompTIA Security+, Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and GIAC Security Certifications can be beneficial in making you stand out in the competitive job market.

3. Is it possible to get a remote job in cybersecurity?

Yes, many companies offer remote or hybrid working models for cybersecurity professionals. Remote work is increasingly common in this field, especially given the global nature of cybersecurity threats.

4. How is the job growth in the cybersecurity field?

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity jobs is expected to grow by 35% from 2021 to 2031. This suggests a robust job market for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

5. How can I start a career in cybersecurity if I am completely new to the field?

You can start by acquiring the necessary educational background or certifications and then apply for entry-level positions. Internships are also a great way to gain practical experience.

6. Is cybersecurity a stressful job?

While the job can be challenging given the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, it is also rewarding. The industry offers high pay, job security, and opportunities for career advancement.

7. What skills are most important for a career in cybersecurity?

Some of the critical skills include understanding of networking, ethical hacking, incident response, penetration testing, and computer forensics. Strong communication and decision-making skills are also valuable.

8. Can I switch to a cybersecurity career from another field?

Yes, cybersecurity is a versatile field that welcomes professionals from various backgrounds. You might need to acquire specific certifications and skills, but a career change is entirely possible and often encouraged due to the skills shortage in the cybersecurity realm.