How to Become a Cyber Security Engineer Without A Degree

Cybersecurity remains one of the fastest-growing fields in 2025, with 750,000 unfilled cyber positions in the U.S. — and more than 3.5 million unfilled jobs globally (Fordham). The demand for cybersecurity engineers continues to rise as businesses and governments seek to protect data, networks, and systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

The good news? A degree isn’t mandatory to enter this field. Many successful cybersecurity engineers have built their careers through certifications, hands-on experience, and intensive training programs. 

If you're interested in cybersecurity but don’t have a traditional academic background, here’s how you can break into this exciting and high-paying career.

Start your journey with QuickStart’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp, designed for aspiring professionals without a degree.

What Does a Cybersecurity Engineer Do?

A cybersecurity engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security systems to protect an organization’s data, networks, and digital assets. They develop and deploy security solutions such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information. 

A key part of their role involves continuously monitoring systems for potential threats, analyzing security logs, and proactively addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. By staying ahead of emerging threats, cybersecurity engineers play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of an organization’s digital infrastructure.

In addition to system protection, cybersecurity engineers conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify weaknesses in a company’s security framework. They also respond to, and manage, security incidents by investigating breaches, mitigating damage, and implementing corrective measures to prevent future attacks. 

Collaboration is another critical aspect of the role, as cybersecurity engineers work closely with IT teams, compliance officers, and executive leadership to ensure adherence to industry security standards and regulatory requirements. Their expertise is vital in creating a security-first culture within an organization, minimizing risk, and ensuring ongoing cyber resilience.

Learn the skills required to succeed as a cybersecurity engineer with QuickStart’s hands-on bootcamp.

Steps to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer Without a Degree

Breaking into cybersecurity without a degree is achievable by following a structured approach that focuses on skills, certifications, and hands-on experience.

1. Understand the Basics of Cybersecurity

It’s important to build a strong foundation in networking, operating systems, and security protocols. These backbone security practices help aspiring cybersecurity professionals understand how data flows through networks, how different operating systems function, and the basics of encryption and firewalls will help you grasp more advanced security concepts.

Fortunately, there are plenty of free online resources to get started, including cybersecurity blogs, YouTube tutorials, and forums like Cybrary and Reddit’s r/cybersecurity. By leveraging these resources, you can develop a solid knowledge base and prepare yourself for more in-depth technical training.

2. Earn Relevant Certifications

Certifications are one of the most effective ways to prove your cybersecurity expertise without a degree. They validate your technical knowledge, hands-on skills, and ability to handle real-world security challenges, making you a more competitive candidate for cybersecurity roles. Here are some of the most valuable certifications in 2025:

• CompTIA Security+: An entry-level certification that covers fundamental security concepts, risk management, and network protection.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Focuses on ethical hacking techniques, penetration testing, and identifying vulnerabilities in systems.
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): A highly respected certification that tests hands-on penetration testing skills through a rigorous practical exam.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): An advanced certification for experienced professionals covering security architecture, risk management, and compliance.

Earning cybersecurity certifications not only helps you gain practical skills; it also demonstrates your commitment to the field, increasing your chances of landing a job. By choosing the right certifications and continuously expanding your knowledge, you can build a strong cybersecurity career without needing a degree.

Get certified with QuickStart’s expert-led cybersecurity training.

3. Gain Hands-On Experience

Hands-on experience is crucial for aspiring cybersecurity engineers without a degree. Employers value practical skills over theoretical knowledge. Virtual labs like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and QuickStart’s interactive labs provide simulated environments where you can practice penetration testing, malware analysis, and network defense in real-world scenarios. 

Additionally, participating in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions allows you to solve cybersecurity challenges, develop critical thinking skills, and showcase your abilities to potential employers. QuickStart’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp has a Capture the Flag component built within the curriculum to help you gain real-life applicable experience to what you’d be doing in the field.

Volunteering for small security projects, such as helping local businesses improve their cybersecurity or contributing to open-source security tools, can further strengthen your resume and provide real-world experience that sets you apart from other job candidates.

4. Build Technical Skills

Developing strong technical skills is also essential for a cybersecurity engineer. It allows you to understand, detect, and prevent security threats effectively. Start with networking fundamentals like TCP/IP, firewalls, and DNS to grasp how data moves through networks and where vulnerabilities may exist. 

Learning programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is also beneficial, as scripting and automation are key in cybersecurity tasks like malware analysis and penetration testing.

Additionally, mastering security tools like Kali Linux for ethical hacking, Wireshark for network traffic analysis, and Metasploit for penetration testing will give you hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Master essential tools and programming languages with our cybersecurity bootcamp.

5. Develop Soft Skills

Strong soft skills are just as important as technical expertise in cybersecurity. Analytical thinking helps cybersecurity engineers assess threats, detect vulnerabilities, and develop effective security strategies. 

Communication skills are essential for explaining security risks and solutions to non-technical stakeholders, while collaboration is crucial for working with IT teams, law enforcement, and business leaders to mitigate cyber threats in high-pressure situations.

6. Build a Portfolio

Creating a cybersecurity portfolio is a great way to showcase your skills and stand out to employers. Document projects like penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, or security automation scripts, and share them on platforms like GitHub or a personal blog to demonstrate your expertise. 

Using real-world projects from QuickStart or other hands-on labs can further strengthen your portfolio, proving your ability to handle practical cybersecurity challenges.

7. Network with Industry Professionals

Networking is a crucial step in launching your cybersecurity career, as building relationships with industry professionals can lead to mentorship opportunities, job referrals, and insider knowledge on the latest security trends. You can also attend cybersecurity conferences, webinars, and virtual meetups that help connect you with experts and stay updated on emerging threats and technologies.

Engaging in LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities, and Discord channels allows you to participate in discussions, ask questions, and learn from experienced professionals. Enroll in QuickStart’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp for direct access to an exclusive learning community, LinkedIn alumni network, career coaches, and job fairs — helping you expand your connections and accelerate your cybersecurity career.

8. Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Breaking into cybersecurity without a degree often starts with securing an entry-level position that builds foundational experience. Many cybersecurity professionals begin in roles that focus on network security, system administration, or threat analysis, which provide the hands-on skills necessary to advance into cybersecurity engineering. 

Here are some great entry-level jobs to target:

• Security Analyst – Monitors systems for security breaches, analyzes threats, and implements defensive measures.
• IT Support Specialist – Provides technical support for hardware and software issues, laying the groundwork for cybersecurity expertise.
• Junior Penetration Tester – Assists in ethical hacking and vulnerability testing to help organizations identify security risks.
• Soc Analyst – Monitors and analyzes security incidents in a Security Operations Center (SOC), responding to threats and escalating critical issues.

Starting in one of these roles allows you to gain practical experience, build technical skills, and transition into more specialized cybersecurity engineering positions. By continuously learning and earning industry certifications, you can quickly advance in the cybersecurity field, even without a degree.

QuickStart offers career services to help you land your first role in cybersecurity.

Why a Degree Is Not Always Necessary

In cybersecurity, skills, certifications, and hands-on experience often hold more weight than a traditional degree, as employers prioritize practical knowledge over formal education. Many professionals have successfully entered the field through self-study, bootcamps, and industry-recognized certifications, proving that a degree is not the only pathway to success.

Getting started in cybersecurity is easy, with free resources like blogs, podcasts, and hands-on practice tools such as TryHackMe and Hack The Box to help.

For a more structured approach, QuickStart’s cybersecurity bootcamp offers expert-led training, hands-on labs, real-world experience and a comprehensive career services program to help you land your first or next job — without the time and cost of a four-year degree.

Whether you choose to learn independently or through a guided program, investing in the right resources will accelerate your path to becoming a cybersecurity professional.

FAQs 

Consult common questions about cybersecurity engineering careers below.