Overview
This article explores the realities of the cybersecurity career market, the growing saturation, and why foundational IT experience remains critical despite popular narratives.
The Reality Behind the Cybersecurity Boom
Cybersecurity is often portrayed as a fast track career filled with exciting work and endless opportunity. In practice, the field has entered a familiar cycle seen in many past IT trends. Interest has surged, applicant pools have exploded, and entry level roles have become increasingly difficult to secure.
Lessons From Past IT Cycles
The industry has seen this pattern before. In the early 2000s, web development and graphic design were marketed as guaranteed paths to success. Over time, those roles became saturated and partially replaced by automation and easy to use tools. Cybersecurity is now experiencing a similar shift.
Saturation and Skill Gaps
Many candidates pursue cybersecurity certifications without building strong foundations in networking, systems, or operations. This creates a disconnect between credentials and real world readiness. Even highly motivated and capable individuals are struggling to gain traction without operational experience.
Why IT Foundations Matter
Networking and systems administration roles provide essential context for understanding security. In practice, many of the strongest cybersecurity professionals come from IT backgrounds. Employers are increasingly reflecting this reality by requiring three to five years of IT experience for roles labeled as entry level.
The Impact of AI and Automation
AI is already automating portions of entry level work across technology roles. As this trend continues, demand will shift toward professionals with deeper experience and judgment. This raises the bar for new entrants and makes foundational skills even more important.
A Practical Career Strategy
For those passionate about cybersecurity, starting in IT roles such as helpdesk, network administration, or systems administration remains one of the most reliable paths forward. These roles build skills that translate directly into security work and open doors over time.
Adapting to a Changing Landscape
Career paths are rarely linear. Flexibility, patience, and willingness to pivot are essential traits in today’s market. Each role and experience contributes to long term growth, even if it was not part of the original plan.
Final Thought
Cybersecurity is still a viable and meaningful career, but it is no longer a shortcut. Building real skills, gaining experience, and adapting to change are what separate sustainable careers from disappointment.
Stay hungry for knowledge, my friends.
Mahalo