How to Land an Entry-Level Cyber security Job

These are some of the common types of entry level cyber security jobs you can apply for and the career paths they help jump start.

• IT Technician. ...
• Network Engineer. ...
• Information Security Analyst. ...
• Junior Penetration Tester. ...
• Systems Administrator.
• Now is an exciting time to work in cybersecurity. Not only is the demand for security professionals still very strong, but young workers seeking an entry-level cybersecurity job have more information at their disposal than ever before. This information can help them show potential employers the value they can bring to an organization.
  The field is still fresh and rapidly evolving, so a career started today could go anywhere in the years to come. Given this volatility, how can aspiring security professionals identify the right career path for them and get started today?

  Use the Workforce Framework

  One key source of information for those on the security job market can be found at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), an effort led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to address the cybersecurity talent shortage. The program offers an invaluable tool called the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NCWF).
  The NCWF, also known as NIST Special Publication 800-181, describes all the various fields under the broader cybersecurity umbrella and groups all security activities into seven categories:
  1. Securely Provision (SP)
  2. Operate and Maintain (OM)
  3. Oversee and Govern (OV)
  4. Protect and Defend (PR)
  5. Analyze (AN)
  6. Collect and Operate (CO)
  7. Investigate (IN)
  Within each category are specialty areas — 33 in total — such as risk management, knowledge management and executive cyber leadership, to name a few. The NCWF also specifies what knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) are required for each task and supports keyword searches across all of its attributes, including categories, work roles and, of course, KSAs. This can help you contextualize your experience and interests within potential pathways in a security career.