There are 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions worldwide right now. Let that number sink in. The talent gap is so severe that employers are actively removing degree requirements from job postings — a trend that accelerated dramatically in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down.
If you have ever thought about a career in cybersecurity but felt blocked by not having a computer science degree, this guide is for you. We will lay out the exact path — skills, certifications, projects, and strategies — that people are using right now to land six-figure cybersecurity jobs without traditional credentials.
The Reality Check: Why Degrees Are Becoming Optional
Three forces are driving this shift:
- The talent gap is desperate. With 3.5 million open positions, companies literally cannot afford to filter out capable candidates based on a piece of paper.
- Cybersecurity skills are practical. Unlike theoretical computer science, security work is hands-on. You either can find the vulnerability or you cannot. A degree does not change that.
- The field changes too fast. University curricula cannot keep up with the threat landscape. What you learned in a 4-year degree program may be partially outdated by graduation.
Major employers including Google, IBM, Amazon, and the U.S. federal government have all removed or relaxed degree requirements for cybersecurity roles.
The Cybersecurity Career Roadmap
Phase 1: Build Your Foundation (Months 1-3)
Before you can defend systems, you need to understand how they work. Focus on:
Linux Fundamentals
- Most servers and security tools run on Linux
- Learn the command line, file permissions, process management, and networking tools
- Set up a Linux virtual machine and use it as your daily driver for learning
Networking Basics
- TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, firewalls, VPNs
- Understanding network traffic is fundamental to every security role
- Use Wireshark to analyze real network captures
Programming Basics
- Python is the de facto language of cybersecurity — learn enough to write scripts and automate tasks
- Bash scripting for Linux automation
- Understanding web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, SQL) for web security
Phase 2: Get Certified (Months 3-6)
Certifications are your degree replacement. They prove to employers that you have verified, standardized knowledge. Start with:
CompTIA Security+ (Priority #1)
- The industry-standard entry-level security certification
- Recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense
- Covers security fundamentals, threat analysis, cryptography, and risk management
- Cost: ~€380 for the exam
CompTIA Network+ (Optional but helpful)
- Validates networking knowledge that is essential for security work
- Consider this if your networking fundamentals are weak
Next-level certifications (6-12 months in):
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) — offensive security focus
- CompTIA CySA+ — defensive security and analysis
- OSCP — the gold standard for penetration testing (advanced)
Phase 3: Hands-On Labs and Practice (Months 4-8)
Certifications open doors. Skills keep them open. Build practical experience through:
Free Practice Platforms
- TryHackMe — guided cybersecurity learning paths, perfect for beginners
- HackTheBox — more advanced CTF-style challenges
- OverTheWire — classic Linux security wargames
- CyberDefenders — blue team (defensive) focused challenges
Build Your Own Security Lab
- Set up a homelab with vulnerable VMs (Metasploitable, DVWA)
- Practice penetration testing in a legal, controlled environment
- Document everything — this becomes your portfolio
Phase 4: Build Your Portfolio (Months 6-10)
Without a degree, your portfolio is everything. Create evidence of your skills:
- Write-ups: Document CTF challenges you have completed, including your methodology
- Blog: Write about security topics you are learning — this demonstrates knowledge and communication skills
- GitHub: Share security scripts, automation tools, and lab configurations
- Home lab documentation: Detailed write-up of your security lab setup
Phase 5: Land Your First Job (Months 8-12)
Entry-level roles to target:
- SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center) — €35,000-55,000 starting
- Junior Security Analyst — €40,000-55,000
- IT Security Specialist — €38,000-52,000
- Security Support Engineer — €35,000-50,000
Job search strategies:
- Target companies that explicitly state "no degree required"
- Network on LinkedIn — engage with security professionals, share your learning journey
- Attend local security meetups and conferences (BSides events are free/cheap)
- Consider contract or freelance work to build experience
Salary Expectations (2026)
Cybersecurity salaries remain extremely competitive:
- Entry-level (0-2 years): €40,000-60,000
- Mid-level (2-5 years): €60,000-90,000
- Senior (5+ years): €90,000-130,000+
- Specialized roles (pen testing, incident response): €80,000-150,000+
These ranges apply to European markets. U.S. salaries are typically 30-50% higher.
The 3 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to learn everything at once. Focus on one path (offensive OR defensive) initially. Specialization is more valuable than shallow breadth.
- Skipping the fundamentals. Linux, networking, and programming are not optional. They are the foundation everything else is built on.
- Collecting certifications without hands-on skills. A Security+ with 200 hours of TryHackMe practice beats Security+ plus CySA+ with no practical experience every time.
Essential Reading
Build your security foundation with these resources:
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals — comprehensive overview of the field
- Linux Security Hardening — essential for every security professional
- Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing — hands-on offensive security
- Network Security Basics — understand how networks are attacked and defended
The cybersecurity industry does not care where you learned your skills — only that you have them. Start today, be consistent, and in 12 months you could be working in one of the most in-demand and well-compensated fields in technology.
