Large international companies suffer from cyberattacks. Financial data, confidential organizational information, and client data are at risk if their security is not managed by specialists with the appropriate education and skills. A scientific degree for Cybersecurity Engineer is not mandatory, and in this article, we will explore why.
According to research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for cybersecurity engineers is growing. It is predicted that by 2032, the number of information security analysts will increase by 32%. This means that new job positions with varying requirements will continuously appear. If a degree is a key criterion for selecting a specialist for one company, another employer might choose a non-degree cybersecurity specialist, focusing on practical experience or the necessary work skills.
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of cybersecurity engineers in 2024 is $101,950. Of course, the salary size depends on the type of position, the number and complexity of specialist duties, and the industry. Engineers in the information field have the highest salaries. It all depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest in mastering a new profession. If you have previously worked in a related field, your experience can work in your favor, and no additional competency confirmations may be needed.
Traditional Path—Obtaining a Cybersecurity Engineer Degree
Regarding higher specialized education, in most cases, a bachelor's degree in computer science or cybersecurity may be required. Overall, a degree in a field related to IT can be an excellent option. Understanding programming languages and practice in writing computer programs will be advantageous. Often, such practical experience can be gained in higher education institutions. To narrow down your specialization while deepening your knowledge, choose appropriate elective courses and write scientific papers.
There are different non-degree approaches to cybersecurity, but the more knowledge you gain for your future profession in educational institutions, the better. You can start as early as high school. For example, attending mathematics and science courses will help prepare you well for your first year. Enrolling in a traditional college or university program will take about four years to complete your education.
A bachelor's degree is significant proof that you are capable of handling serious tasks as a cyber-security engineer. An even stronger confirmation is a master's degree in cybersecurity. Having this degree will allow you to earn a higher salary in the future. According to Payscale, if bachelor's holders earn around $77,000 in 2024, then master's holders earn an average of $96,000 per year.
We recommend that you pursue self-education and seek your first orders while obtaining your degree. Register on job search websites, complete simple projects in bootcamps, and take specialized online courses in cyber security engineering.
Is It Possible to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer Without a Degree?
A degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity can help you start your career successfully. However, the absence of a degree should not stop you. It is not necessary to spend four or more years obtaining a degree. It is enough to gain some experience through courses in engineering in cyber security and get one or two relevant certificates.
Basic certifications include the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). SSCP and other mid-level certificates require a minimum of two years of cybersecurity work experience. There are advanced and managerial-level cybersecurity certificates that require at least five years of experience, including the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification.
General cybersecurity engineering certificates do not require mandatory experience or other conditions. These include GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).
Another way to gain the necessary knowledge and skills and achieve your dream profession is to enroll in an online cybersecurity bootcamp. Bootcamps offer intensive, and therefore shorter, educational programs. They last from a few weeks to a few months, which is much faster than obtaining a cyber engineering degree.
In a bootcamp, you can acquire several valuable specialized skills:
- "White" ethical hacking—using computer systems to identify and eliminate weaknesses in systems to prevent threats.
- Cyber forensics—analyzing data to solve digital crimes.
- Threat hunting—identifying system threats before cybercriminals cause harm.
- Malware analysis – studying malicious software and developing ways to counteract cyberattacks.
- Recovering and maintaining essential operations after a cyberattack to minimize business damage.
Of course, you can participate in boot camps even if you already have a degree. This will allow you to update your knowledge and acquire new skills. The same applies to certification. Bachelor's and master's degree holders should regularly refresh their knowledge and strengthen their resumes with new achievements, including certificates from specialized courses.
Self-learning deserves special attention. An online cyber security engineer course, for example, from Udemy, SANS Institute, or Coursera, will prepare you for a career in this field, allow you to gain initial practical experience with the necessary tools and methods, create your own portfolio, and acquire key technical skills.
You can find a small IT business related to network communications and offer collaboration on individual projects. If you prove yourself well and can guarantee quality work, the company may hire you. In any case, experience will be beneficial for your professional development and your resume. This is as important as a cyber security engineering degree, and for many organizations, it is a key indicator of a specialist's qualifications.
Conclusions
Research by the leading global association of cybersecurity professionals ISC2 showed that 70% of employers prefer candidates with entry-level cybersecurity experience over those with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. Working in the field of information security engineering requires knowledge and skills in computer science, which can be obtained through traditional degrees, self-learning, or online courses and bootcamps.
The primary duties of cybersecurity engineers often include developing and implementing security measures, monitoring, maintaining, and improving them. Engineers respond to security breaches, test and identify system vulnerabilities, and write reports for managers and developers. Start your security engineer career path with online education. This will allow you to combine self-education, gaining experience, and earning an income.
Can you work in cybersecurity without a degree?
You can work in cybersecurity without higher specialized education. To do this, you need to complete online courses, such as those from Udemy, SANS Institute, Coursera, or Learnix. A cybersecurity engineering bootcamp will also be beneficial. Additionally, obtaining certification is a plus. You should have basic knowledge of computer hardware and software, principles of firewall intrusion detection, identity management principles, encryption and vulnerability testing, as well as an understanding of programming languages, primarily Python and C++.
Is cybersecurity more difficult than engineering?
Cybersecurity engineers work on data protection and preventing disruptions caused by digital attacks. The duties of engineers often overlap with those of cybersecurity analysts and other cybersecurity specialists.
