Cybersecurity Crossover Careers

The cybersecurity industry is booming, and there aren't enough qualified people to fill the open positions. Compared to other career paths, this field offers some of the highest-paying jobs available for people without a degree. These two facts often pique the interest of professionals who aren't feeling fulfilled in their current positions. There's even more good news for those wondering how to get an IT job: Going from a non-IT to IT career is easier than you think. Chances are, you already have many skills that cybersecurity jobs require, especially if you come from one of these five crossover career fields.

Teaching

In order to teach a skill or subject, you have to know it inside and out. If you've taught programming, web development, networking, or other computer science subjects, you're definitely off to a good start. Those in the math and science fields are likely to have an analytical mindset and will be well-prepared to learn the basics of cybersecurity. And no matter what you teach, you're sure to have developed excellent communication and organizational skills, both of which are important traits that will make you stand out to cybersecurity employers. If you love the creative thinking and problem-solving that teaching allows, but need a change of pace, cybersecurity has some of the best jobs for teachers who want to change careers.
Ideal Crossover Career: Penetration tester
Recommended Courses and Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Business and Finance

Those in business and finance typically also have sought-after expertise in communication and organization, in addition to a background in math and analytics. Written communication skills are important in the business world and transfer well to cybersecurity—you'll be able to write clear code comments and communicate your ideas effectively. On the organizational side, you may already have useful skills like project management, and you probably have experience working under pressure. When it comes to practical skills, like learning programming and cryptography, it will be even easier for you to start a career in information technology if you're in a position like financial advisor, business analyst, or risk management, thanks to your skills with numbers and data analysis.
Ideal Crossover Career: Cybersecurity analyst
Recommended Courses and Certifications: Cisco Certified Network Associate (Routing & Switching and Security concentrations); CompTIA Security+

Law Enforcement

Not surprisingly, the cybersecurity field sees a lot of interest from those who are already working in law enforcement. Police officers and detectives have clearly demonstrated intelligence as well as an interest in “catching the bad guys”—a great combination for cybersecurity. Plus, if you're coming from a law enforcement background, you're probably used to making detailed reports, creating and following procedures, and working on tight deadlines. You'll fit in well in the aerospace and defense industries, which have a very high demand for skilled cybersecurity workers. These industries are good for people pursuing computer science careers without a degree—certifications and security clearance may be more important than a degree.
Ideal Crossover Career: White hat hacker
Recommended Courses and Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+

Telecommunications

Telecommunications includes all the various media people use to send each other messages: cable and satellite, radio, wired and wireless telephones, and of course, the internet. If you have experience as a telecommunications analyst, engineer, or customer service representative, you're most likely familiar with how to install and maintain the hardware and software common in the industry. You probably also have experience with the basics of audio, video, and internet systems. You may even have relevant certifications that will help you crossover to cybersecurity, such as the CCNA Collaboration credential. All of this knowledge will put you a step ahead of your competition when you enter the cybersecurity field.
Ideal Crossover Career: Network administrator
Recommended Courses and Certifications: CompTIA Network+; Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Science and Data

No matter what field of science you work in, you're sure to excel at several important skills needed in cybersecurity: creating and following protocols, breaking down tasks into achievable steps, and communicating your findings. You probably also have a curious mind and excellent critical thinking skills. Coming from a research and development position? Even better! You'll be able to creatively solve problems, perform quality control, and quickly troubleshoot issues. And if you need a career change fast, data analysis is one of the best backgrounds. You'll have experience with a data server program and a language like Python, and you'll be off to a great start in cybersecurity.
Ideal Crossover Career: Database developer or administrator
Recommended Courses and Certifications: Microsoft Office Access Certification; Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): SQL Server; Oracle SQL and PL/SQL Developer

Don't have a background in these five fields? No need to worry—there are many different paths that can lead to a lucrative career in cybersecurity. In fact, nearly 90% of the current cybersecurity workforce didn't start out in the field. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some IT experience, follow the link below to find out how you can start a new and fulfilling career in cybersecurity.