Many people ask how to break into cybersecurity, and the honest answer is that most successful paths start with a strong IT foundation. Cybersecurity is not an entry level field, it is a specialization built on understanding real systems like networks, servers, identity, cloud platforms, and endpoints. When people try to skip foundational IT roles, they often struggle to get hired because employers need defenders who understand how environments actually work. Certifications can be helpful, but they do not replace hands on experience troubleshooting outages, managing infrastructure, or supporting production systems.
There are paths like GRC or analyst roles, but even those benefit greatly from knowing what teams are securing and why controls exist. The common claim of “millions of open cyber jobs” misses the real problem, which is a lack of qualified, experienced candidates. Employers cannot risk their core systems on theory alone. My goal is to stay honest about this reality and help people build careers that actually lead to long term success, not disappointment from chasing shortcuts.