Do You Need a Degree to Work in Cyber Security? (The Skills That Count)

The Degree Dilemma

If you’ve ever thought about starting, or even switching into cybersecurity, you’ve probably asked the big question: “Do I need a degree to get a job?”

The short answer? No — but you do need real skills.
Cybersecurity is one of the few high-demand industries where hands-on ability consistently outweighs academic credentials. Employers want to see that you can think like an attacker, defend like an analyst, and solve problems under pressure — not just recall theory from a textbook.

Why Cybersecurity Doesn’t Require a Degree

According to a 2024 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, over 50% of professionals in the field don’t hold a computer science degree. Instead, they entered through self-learning, vocational routes, or online platforms like TryHackMe that offer practical, guided training.

Many entry-level jobs — including SOC analyst, penetration tester, or incident responder — value certifications and demonstrable skills more than a formal degree. Employers want to know what you can do, not just what you know.

What Employers Actually Look For

Instead of a degree, recruiters look for three core elements that signal job readiness:

1. Hands-On Experience – Realistic labs that prove you can configure systems, investigate threats, or exploit vulnerabilities.
   → TryHackMe’s Pre-Security Path and Jr Penetration Tester Path are designed exactly for this.
   
   
2. Recognised Certifications – Shorter, skills-based credentials like TryHackMe’s Pentester Level 1 (PT1) or Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1) show your ability to operate in real environments.
   
   
3. Problem-Solving Mindset – The ability to adapt to new tools, threats, and systems — something you can only build through interactive learning, not lecture halls.
   
   

Why Practical Skills Trump Academic Theory

Traditional degrees often focus on networking, policy, or general IT concepts. Those are valuable foundations, but cybersecurity evolves faster than academic curricula can.

Hands-on platforms bridge that gap by:

• Giving access to real-world environments (e.g. virtual networks, simulated threats).
  
• Offering guided learning paths that move from fundamentals to attack/defence simulation.
  
• Allowing learners to build portfolios that employers can verify.
  
  

TryHackMe’s mix of challenges, labs, and certifications helps you prove competence across both red team (offensive) and blue team (defensive) domains — without the three-year university price tag.

When a Degree Can Still Help

There are scenarios where a degree may still be beneficial — for example:

• Applying for government security clearances in some countries
  
• Working at large enterprise or defence contractors that require formal credentials for compliance reasons
  
• Pursuing cyber research, policy, or academia
  
  

But even then, experience remains king. For many learners, a blend of hands-on certifications and portfolio-building can open doors much faster (and cheaper) than a degree route.

How to Get Started Without a Degree

If you’re starting from scratch, here’s the most effective path to take:

• Master the Fundamentals with the Pre-Security Path.
  
• Develop Specialised Skills via red (Jr Penetration Tester) or blue team (SOC Level 1) routes.
  
• Earn Practical Certifications like PT1 or SAL1.
  
• Showcase Your Progress with a TryHackMe profile link or portfolio when applying for roles.
  
  

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a degree to prove your worth in cybersecurity — you need skills that stick.

Start small, practise daily, and focus on real-world problem-solving. Whether you’re studying, switching careers, or learning after hours, TryHackMe gives you the same labs and learning experiences used by professionals — without the academic barrier or cost.