As per the assessment and analysis report given by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bachelor's degrees are often required for entry into the field of cybersecurity. According to a study by Burning Glass Technologies, bachelor's degrees or more are required for 88 percent of cybersecurity job advertisements. Hence, a bachelor's degree although not necessarily in Cyber ​​security is your basic requirement in the field of cyber security.

Although obtaining a degree is the most typical route to a career in cybersecurity, you are not required to do so in order to work in the industry. In reality, the BLS reports that slightly over 30% of people employed in information security do not hold a bachelor's degree or above. Hence, you can pursue a career in cyber security without a degree.

To cater to the needs of those who do not possess a degree qualification, there are a few alternatives provided by academic and training institutions.

Also Check-out, Cyber ​​Security Interview Questions and Answer.

Let us discover a few of the alternatives that one can pursue a career in cyber security without degree.

Alternatives For Pursuing Cyber Security Without Degree

If obtaining a degree is not your thing, there are other employment options in cybersecurity. We shall now discuss some additional ways to acquire the abilities required to land a security job.

A cyber security certification program

By obtaining a cybersecurity certification, you may demonstrate to hiring managers and recruiters that you possess the necessary abilities. In fact, at least one credential is required by 59 percent of job postings. Many leading firms provide certificates for entry-level, mid-career, and advanced practitioners, and preparing for a certification exam gives you a foundation for what you need to learn to excel on the job. A cyber security certification program is a terrific alternative for those who do not want to invest as much time and money as one would in a typical conventional college degree.

A cyber security certification program is majorly job-oriented and trains individuals with the most up-to-date trends and knowledge. The upside of a cyber security certification program is the availability online and hence can be obtained by any aspiring candidate regardless of the location. There are various levels to a cyber security certification program beginning from the foundational to the advanced professional levels, made to suit individuals at different levels of their profession, be fresher or already working professionals. The programs are typically immersive, self-paced, and feature numerous hands-on practical projects giving parti**nts exposure to real-world issues.

As employers are often looking for certified candidates, a cyber security certification program will be beneficial to you and add a plus point to your resume. One can undertake a cyber security certification program without any set of experience or prior knowledge. The programs are usually short-termed. Hence, it's a relatively better option for those who are looking for a quicker upgrade.

Internship Programs

As soon as a candidate completes a certification program, one definite ideal approach is taking up an internship. This will open up numerous avenues for professional growth and progression starting from networking to applying the learned skills to practical work. Taking advantage of the online cyber security certification program and internship programs will prove an effective strategy in venturing into the field of cyber security.

Self-education

The internet is full of affordable and free online courses. You can learn important cybersecurity skills on your own if you're self-driven and enjoy doing things on your own. If you go this path, bear in mind that a certificate or other credential might make your resume more impressive.

Experience in the Workplace

Another choice is to begin your career in entry-level IT roles such as an IT support expert, where a degree isn't usually necessary. You might be able to transition into a cybersecurity career that requires more advanced training as you get experience in the real world.

We can conclude that a bachelor's degree, although desirable, is not necessarily the best choice for one's vocational trajectory. If you have a degree in a different field, you may pick an online cyber security certification program which can be completed in a span of about 6-8 months in comparison to a degree program that will demand 3 years. Yes, you can pursue a career in cyber security without degree but make sure you gain mastery of the fundamental skills and knowledge coupled with experience so as to gain higher ground in your career as well.