How to Get Into Cybersecurity Without a Degree

If you have been researching how to get into cybersecurity without a degree, here is the short answer: most entry-level security roles do not require one. What they require is a demonstrated baseline of knowledge, and for a large share of employers, that means one specific certification. The field is growing fast enough that 2026 is a strong time to make the move.

The Cybersecurity Job Market in 2026

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that information security analyst roles will grow 33 percent through 2033, one of the fastest growth rates of any occupation it tracks, with median pay above $120,000 per year. And the pipeline is not keeping up: Cyberseek, the labor market tool backed by CompTIA and NIST, tracks hundreds of thousands of unfilled cybersecurity positions across the United States.

Information security analyst employment is projected to grow 33 percent through 2033, with median pay above $120,000 per year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024.

Openings exist in virtually every industry: healthcare, finance, logistics, government, and defense contracting. Entry points are not limited to technology companies.

How to Get Into Cybersecurity Without a Degree: The Realistic Path

Employers hiring for entry-level security roles look for evidence you know the fundamentals, and certification is the standard way to show it. CompTIA Security+ is the most widely required entry-level cybersecurity certification on the market. According to CompTIA, it appears as a hard requirement in 41 percent of cybersecurity job postings, more than any other single certification. It is also a U.S. Department of Defense baseline certification under DoD 8140, which makes it a requirement for a large segment of federal government and defense contractor roles.

For career changers without a technical degree, Security+ is the credential that opens the door. Many successful security professionals come from IT support, networking, retail management, the military, or completely unrelated fields. What they share is not a degree. It is the certification plus genuine curiosity about how systems work and how they fail.

Compare IT and security programs in the DWC class catalog, or bring your questions to a free info session.

What CompTIA Security+ Covers

The current exam version (SY0-701) covers five domains:

• General security concepts: foundational terminology, frameworks, and security controls
• Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations: attack types, social engineering, malware, and response
• Security architecture: network design, cloud security, and infrastructure hardening
• Security operations: identity management, incident response, and digital forensics basics
• Security program management and oversight: governance, risk, compliance, and legal considerations

The exam is vendor-neutral, so it applies to security roles across organizations regardless of their technology stack. That breadth is a large part of why employers standardize on it.

Jobs You Can Target with Security+

• Security analyst
• IT auditor
• Systems administrator with security responsibilities
• Network security specialist
• Help desk and support roles with a security focus
• Federal and DoD contractor positions requiring DoD 8140 compliance

Many of these roles offer remote or hybrid work, and federal contractor positions are often the highest-paying entry points in the field.

How to Prepare for the Security+ Exam

Most candidates put in 60 to 90 hours of preparation, and that time is far more effective with hands-on practice than with memorization alone. Security+ covers enough material that self-study has a high abandonment rate. A live cohort with an instructor and a schedule creates the accountability that self-paced platforms cannot.

Digital Workshop Center’s CompTIA Security+ certificate program is delivered live online via Zoom on a working professional schedule. The program covers all five SY0-701 exam domains through live instruction, hands-on labs, and practice exams, so you finish ready to sit for the certification with a real grasp of the material rather than surface-level test prep. If you are starting from zero IT experience, the CompTIA A+ program is the standard first step before Security+.

Funding for Career Changers

If you are unemployed or underemployed, WIOA grant funding may cover your tuition entirely; DWC is a WIOA-approved training provider, and our advisors can walk you through eligibility in your state. If you are employed and paying your own way, a monthly payment plan through Climb Credit spreads tuition into manageable payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get into cybersecurity without a degree?

Yes. A large share of entry-level security postings list a certification such as Security+ as the requirement, not a four-year degree. Federal DoD 8140 roles are certification-driven by design.

Is CompTIA Security+ good for beginners?

Security+ is the standard entry-level security certification, and it is achievable for motivated beginners. If you have never worked in IT at all, building foundations with CompTIA A+ first makes the Security+ material land much more easily.

How long does it take to get Security+ certified?

Plan for 60 to 90 hours of preparation. In a structured part-time program with live instruction, most students are exam-ready in a few months while continuing to work.

What does an entry-level cybersecurity job pay?

Pay varies by region and clearance requirements, but the field’s median for information security analysts is above $120,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and even junior roles benefit from the talent shortage tracked by Cyberseek.

Is cybersecurity right for me?

The field rewards analytical thinking, attention to detail, and comfort with ambiguity. If you find yourself curious about how breaches happen and how organizations defend themselves, it is worth a serious look.

Talk to a Student Advisor

The fastest way to find out whether this path fits is a conversation. Schedule a free info session to speak with a student advisor about the CompTIA Security+ program, funding options, and timing, or request program information and we will reach out.