IT overlaps greatly with cyber security, so a cyber security career can be a fantastic opportunity if you already have the skills, interests, knowledge, strengths, and career goals!
Did you know? Many cyber security professionals initially start out in IT roles (such as network administrators, help desk technicians, etc.) but decide to make the switch for many reasons. These reasons often include the desire for:
- Increased salaries
- Job security
- Growing demand
- Diverse career opportunities
- A new intellectual challenge
So, if you are in an IT role but looking for a change, a career in cyber security could be perfect for you!
A career in IT VS cyber security - which is best for me?
While careers in IT offer diverse opportunities, a path in cyber security presents a unique blend of challenge, intrigue, and crucial significance!
To break both careers down, here is a comparison:
General comparison
While IT professionals play a crucial role in maintaining technological infrastructure and supporting operations, their focus is primarily on ensuring systems run smoothly. On the other hand, cyber security professionals are the guardians of digital fortresses, tirelessly defending against malicious actors seeking to breach defences, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations! The impact of cyber security professionals extends far beyond individual organisations, shaping the security landscape of entire industries and safeguarding the digital economy.
Progression
Career progression in IT can be fantastic but may require navigating a crowded field of candidates competing for the same advancement opportunities. Progression in cyber security can be more promising with the right mix of skills, experience, and certifications, and with cyber professionals in very high demand at every level.
Salaries
IT professionals command respectable salaries, with entry-level positions typically offering competitive pay. However, you must generally transition into management roles or specialise in high-demand areas (such as cloud computing, for example) to earn higher salaries and growth potential. In contrast, cyber security professionals enjoy some of the most lucrative salaries and consistently rank among the top earners in the tech industry! The specialised nature of cyber security roles, coupled with the ever-increasing demand for skilled professionals, results in premium compensation packages.
In IT, entry-level roles (like help desk support or technical support) may have starting salaries ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the location and company. As a comparison, entry-level roles in cyber security (such as Security Analyst or Junior Penetration Tester) may start around $60,000 to $80,000 annually.
Career satisfaction
And in terms of general satisfaction, it’s ultimately down to your personal preference and interests! IT roles often involve problem-solving and troubleshooting. Similarly, in cyber security, every day presents a new puzzle to solve, a new threat to counter. The adrenaline rush of uncovering vulnerabilities, outsmarting hackers, and thwarting cyber attacks keeps professionals on the edge of their seats, knowing that their expertise directly thwarts digital adversaries.
Demand for skills
Finally, on a very important note, the demand for cyber security professionals has reached unprecedented levels, with an estimated 3.5 million cyber professionals needed to meet the growing demand. Organisations worldwide are actively seeking skilled cyber security professionals to join the ranks and fortify their defences. Similarly to many IT jobs, the cyber security field offers solid job security!
What is it like to work in cyber security?
A career in cyber security is dynamic and highly rewarding. Cyber security professionals play a crucial role in protecting organisations' digital assets from a wide range of cyber threats, including hackers, malware, ransomware, and insider threats. It involves staying up-to-date on the latest risks, solving complex puzzles, collaborating with diverse teams, and navigating ethical challenges.
In contrast, working in IT focuses more on managing and maintaining technology infrastructure, systems, and applications to support an organisation's operations. While both fields intersect, cyber security typically involves a narrower focus on security measures and defence strategies against malicious activities.
Understandably, you may be wondering where to begin with so many areas of cyber to venture into. To give you some real-life insights, here are a few articles explaining what to expect in some specific cyber roles:
- Max’s Story: A Day in the Life of a DevSecOps Engineer
- IJ’s Story: A Day in the Life of a SOC Analyst
- Umair’s Story: A Day in the Life of a Security Engineer
- Benjamin’s Story: The Ins and Outs With an In-Market Pentester of 12 Years
Transitioning to a role in cyber security!
We know what you’re likely thinking; how easy is it to career switch over to cyber security?
Well, there are many different routes you can take. There isn’t a right or wrong route, so it will depend on your current role, experience, and the area of cyber you wish to venture into.
We’ve gathered questions frequently asked by our users on transitioning into cyber security and will answer them right here, including top tips from our in-house experts!
How long does it take to study cyber security?
In fact, as an IT professional, you’re in the best position to start a career in cyber!
There are many training paths you can take to get into the field, which is precisely why we designed all of TryHackMe's resources to be highly time-effective.
By logging in when you’ve got a couple of hours to spare, you can learn in your own time while picking up invaluable industry skills. This not only takes the pressure off, but it also means you can learn in your own time outside of your regular IT job!
How much does it cost to learn cyber security?
There are several routes to learning cyber security, and the cost can vary significantly depending on which route you choose.
While qualifications and degrees are always a bonus, they're not entirely necessary in such a young and fresh field. If you're wondering why, it’s because the cyber landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years!
It's no secret that University degrees can be costly. In the UK, for example, a full-time three-year degree course will set you back £9,250 a year as a home-status student. For international students studying in the UK, it can be as much as £22,000 per year of study. If you add a Master's degree to the mix, you'll be topping up anywhere from £4,000 to £22,000 (depending on your nationality)!
In contrast, TryHackMe offers everything you need to start and excel in your cyber career, all for an affordable subscription price. And did you know? TryHackMe experience is a brilliant addition to CVs and experience to help you stand out from the crowd. Many employers even actively search for candidates with TryHackMe experience!
Based on our experience, candidates with excellent CVs/resumes, practical knowledge, and a great attitude (can and do) fill the same positions as degree candidates.
How difficult is it to learn cyber security?
Not as difficult as you might think! In fact, IT experience can offer excellent preparation for many careers in cyber security, so you’re already halfway there. When aspiring professionals ask us for advice on how to get into cyber security, we even suggest working your way in from an IT career!
TryHackMe courses are suited to everyone — from the complete beginner to the seasoned hacker — making learning engaging, entertaining, accessible, affordable, and straightforward. Our real-world training even allows you to prepare for work responsibilities in the industry, achieving sought-after skills.
We have countless success stories of individuals who have switched careers with the help of TryHackMe. To highlight those TryHackMe users who have switched from IT to cyber, check out the success stories of:
- Tom, who transitioned from an IT support role to a Penetration Tester
- Kenny, who transitioned from an IT Manager to Cyber Security Analyst
Do I need cyber security certifications?
Yes and no! Achieving certifications can play a significant role in your cyber security career and development and, for many, be the doorway into the industry.
However, whilst cyber security certifications are absolutely advantageous, they are not required across all fields of cyber security, especially entry-level positions. With any cyber security role, there isn't one path you have to follow, and you can achieve high-paying cyber security roles without gaining any certifications at all.
If you decide not to gain certifications, you can still work your way into the cyber security industry with ongoing training. As we said above, many employers actively search for candidates with TryHackMe experience!
How can I gain experience?
In any role, hands-on experience is a currency that holds immense value to recruiters and employers alike. This is no different in cyber security!
As an IT professional, you already hold fantastic experience - and you’d be surprised just how ready you are! However, if you are looking for ways to gain extra experience, check out our guide ‘9 Ways to Gain Experience in Cyber Security’ to help you stand out from the crowd!
Is it hard to find a cyber security job?
With over 3.5 million cyber security candidates needed to meet demand, it certainly isn’t as complicated as getting into other tech industry areas! Some of the most in-demand entry-level careers in cyber security include:
- SOC Analyst
- Security Administrator
- Junior Penetration Tester
- Incident Responder
- Network Administrator
- IT Support Engineer
- Compliance Analyst
You can find out more about achieving those entry-level careers in cyber security in our recent blog!
What area of cyber security is right for me?
Cyber security encompasses numerous specialised areas, so we understand if it seems daunting at first!
While the exact number of areas within cyber security can vary based on how they're classified and evolving industry trends, here's a breakdown of some of the most popular career areas:
- Network Security
- Endpoint Security
- Cloud Security
- Application Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Data Security
- Incident Response and Forensics
- Security Operations Center (SOC)
- Threat Intelligence
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security
These are just some of the main areas within cyber security, but the field is broad and continually evolving to address new threats, technologies, and challenges!
Career switch with TryHackMe!
With this comprehensive guide, you're well-equipped to take on any career in cyber security.
Our courses are suited to all skill levels - perfect for whichever stage you’re at in your IT career! And with TryHackMe’s short, gamified, real-world labs and learning resources, learning can be made engaging, entertaining, accessible, and affordable.
TryHackMe’s real-world training prepares you for work responsibilities in the cyber industry, achieving sought-after skills needed for both IT and cyber careers!
Ben Spring