How to Become a Cybersecurity Professional Without a Degree?

If you want to be a cybersecurity professional without a degree, follow these steps!

Cybersecurity is flourishing in the global tech market, credits go to the advancements of technologies and the increase in cybercriminals across the world. Some of the countries have become highly popular for having dangerous groups of cybercriminals seeking weak links to attempt cyberattacks. Thus, this concern has increased the demand for experienced cybersecurity professionals in all types of companies across multiple industries. It is a myth that one should have a degree in cybersecurity from any reputed educational institution. One can also be a cybersecurity professional without a degree. It is necessary to have sufficient knowledge and experience to pursue a successful cybersecurity career in 2022. Thus, let’s get to know how to become a cybersecurity professional without a degree in 2022.  

Steps to become a cybersecurity professional without a degree

Enrol for a valid certificate

Nowadays, companies need experienced and knowledgeable cybersecurity professionals to help in combatting potential cyberattacks in the nearby future. It is not compulsory to show a degree in cybersecurity to get recruited in the field of cybersecurity. Thus, it is important to enrol in a reputed educational platform to gain a valid certificate, an alternative to a degree. There are multiple certification courses that will show enthusiasm and knowledge about real-life problems in companies.  

Grab opportunities to show necessary skills

One needs to add valuable and important projects to add the necessary value to the resume. Thus, a cybersecurity professional needs to grab opportunities to show necessary skills. These opportunities include volunteering in projects, freelance projects, complete participation in multiple contests and competitions, and creating own cybersecurity projects with the knowledge of programming languages.  

Attend boot camps

To be a successful cybersecurity professional without a degree, one does not need a degree in cybersecurity. A cybersecurity professional can attend several boot camps for cybersecurity. It is known as an organized approach to kickstart a cybersecurity career. These are intensive programs that offer practical and hands-on skills to combat the smart approaches of cybercriminals.  

Join cybersecurity communities/groups

To boost a cybersecurity career, a cybersecurity professional needs to join multiple cybersecurity communities and groups to gain sufficient information about the current affairs of cybersecurity. It helps in networking and adding experienced cybersecurity professionals to stay updated efficiently. There are multiple communities on different social media platforms that welcome aspiring cybersecurity professionals, working cybersecurity professionals, as well as cybersecurity professionals without a degree.  

Enhance the essential skills

There is not a need to have a degree in cybersecurity in 2022 to be a professional in the cybersecurity domain. One needs to have high interests to enhance the essential skills to be a cybersecurity professional without a degree. The necessary skills include technical, analytical, communication, problem-solving, and presentation with a strong understanding of installing firewalls, anti-virus software, network security tools, security alerts, data backup, as well as security documentation and training materials. That being said, there are multiple benefits of being a cybersecurity professional without a degree. The benefits include highly-marketable technical cybersecurity skills, no need for a financial expense to brush up skills, and many more. Thus, do not feel demotivated if you do not have a college formal degree in cybersecurity to pursue your dream career in this hot domain.