What Job Can I Get With a Cybersecurity Certificate?

If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, you might already be ahead of the curve. Security is an expansive frontier in tech, with a constantly changing landscape, making it an exciting option for passionate professionals looking for a niche.

With a projected growth rate of 29% by 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) listed information security analysts among the fastest-growing occupations, according to the latest available data.* Salaries are higher than average, too, BLS said, with information security analysts making a median of $124,910 in 2024.*

While entry-level roles typically start with lower salaries, a certificate could help you get your foot in the door to a career with opportunity for growth — while earning credits toward a degree at the same time.

Can You Get a Job in Cybersecurity With a Certificate?

Yes — it’s possible to find an entry-level role with a cybersecurity certificate, according to Jon Kamyck, a senior associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

“The foundational knowledge you gain in the certificate is valuable in a variety of different positions,” he said.

According to Kamyck, cyber professionals are needed across every sector. “Whether you're in banking, healthcare, other regulated industries like academia or education, small businesses — there's a lot of regulations related to securing confidential information,” he said.

However, it's important to remember that your experience is an important part of the equation when you're looking for work.

Read more about if a cybersecurity certificate is worth it.

Is It Easy to Get a Job in Cybersecurity?

Education alone usually isn’t enough to land an entry-level role, according to Rodney Royster, a cybersecurity instructor at SNHU who has worked in tech for 40 years, including 25 years in security. Most hiring managers are looking for someone with professional experience, too, he said.

Royster recommended completing internships and volunteer positions before applying for jobs. He said to look for these experiences at local school districts and various businesses near you. Even if no positions are listed, you never know what opportunities you could create by reaching out.

“You're able to get there, get your feet wet, learn some things and then move from there,” Royster said. “Get your experience and get busy with it.”

While many students like to wait until they’ve wrapped up their education to begin looking for experience, Royster recommended getting your start as early as possible.

“Don't wait,” he said. “Go start looking for internships now.”

What is the Best Job You Can Get With a Certificate in Cybersecurity?

Combined with experience, a certificate could help qualify you for a variety of entry-level cyber jobs, from support roles to analyst positions. “You can move into the field, start off as a help desk person, go into risk management — things like that,” Royster said.

According to Kamyck, there are a variety of entry-level roles available.

“Certificates really align to some of the more well-known introductory-level jobs in cybersecurity. So in most organizations, that's either somebody who's considered a cybersecurity specialist or a cybersecurity analyst,” he said. “The definition of ‘analyst’ is very broad, so there could be multiple levels of progression within that role.”

But Royster noted that advancing to a higher role might take more education.

“In terms of moving up, when you want to get to the positions of being a director or VP or things like that, it's going to require you to have a degree,” Royster said.

Learn how to become a cybersecurity analyst.

So, Should You Get a Cybersecurity Certificate?

While many are drawn to cybersecurity for its positive job outlook, it’s a highly technical field that won’t be right for everyone.* Before getting your start with a certificate, you should determine whether you have the right skills — and are willing to put in the work to succeed.

On top of what you’ll learn in your program, some skills you’ll need to work as an information security analyst, according to BLS, include:

• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills

You’ll also need to be highly detail-oriented, BLS said, as cyberattacks can be difficult to detect and careful monitoring is required.

If all of that sounds like you, a cyber certificate might just introduce you to your new career.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.