How To Get Started With Cybersecurity?
The cybersecurity industry is booming, but the path to entry often feels cluttered and confusing. If you search for advice online, you will find a dozen different roadmaps, conflicting opinions on which programming languages to learn, and endless debates about degrees versus certifications.
The truth is simpler: You do not need to be a math genius, you do not need a four-year computer science degree, and you do not need to know how to code right now. What you need is a structured system.
At Eric Reed Live, we have seen thousands of students transition from unrelated fields—retail, construction, administration—into high-paying cybersecurity roles. They didn’t do it by guessing. They did it by following a proven blueprint. If you want to know how to get started with cybersecurity, you need to focus on fundamentals, recognized certifications, and disciplined execution.
Understand the Landscape: It Is Not Just Hacking
Movies portray cybersecurity professionals as people in hoodies typing furiously in a dark room. In reality, the industry is vast and professional. It functions much like the medical field; there are general practitioners, specialists, researchers, and administrators.
Before you commit to a specific niche, understand the two main sides of the industry:
- Red Team (Offense): These are the ethical hackers. They test systems by trying to break into them to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.
- Blue Team (Defense): These represent the majority of jobs. Blue team members monitor networks, analyze threats, patch vulnerabilities, and respond to incidents.
Regardless of which side you eventually choose, everyone starts in the same place: understanding how computers and networks talk to each other.
Build the Foundation: The Essential Certification Stack
Experience is king, but when you are new, certifications are the currency of trust. They prove to employers that you possess a baseline of knowledge. We recommend a “stackable” approach, primarily using CompTIA certifications, which are vendor-neutral and globally recognized.
Step 1: The Basics of IT
You cannot secure a network if you do not understand how it works. Skipping the basics is the most common mistake beginners make. You need to understand hardware, operating systems, and connectivity.
Start with CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+. These cover the nuts and bolts of IT infrastructure. They are not glamorous, but they are necessary. If you already have IT experience, you might skip A+, but Network+ is non-negotiable for a solid security career.
Learn more about CompTIA Network+ training here.
Step 2: The Gatekeeper Certification
Once you understand networking, you move to the single most important entry-level certification in the industry: CompTIA Security+.
This is the standard. If you want to work for the Department of Defense (DoD) or any government contractor, you are often required to have this certification to even touch a keyboard (per DoD Directive 8140/8570). It covers risk management, cryptography, identity management, and network security.
Explore our CompTIA Security+ training options.
Choose Your Specialization
After earning your Security+, you have a license to learn. This is where you pivot toward your specific interests.
The Ethical Hacking Path
If you want to test defenses, you move toward the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential. This course teaches you to think like a hacker. You will learn about scanning networks, system hacking, sniffing, and social engineering. It provides the hands-on technical skills required for penetration testing roles.
View details on the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program.
The Analyst and Defense Path
If you prefer hunting threats and analyzing data, look into CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) or the Certified Network Defender (CND). These certifications focus on using data to improve security posture and responding to attacks in real-time.
Check out the Certified Network Defender (CND) course.
Advanced Career Growth
As you gain experience (3-5 years), your goal should shift toward management and high-level architecture. This is where the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) comes into play. It is widely considered the gold standard in the industry.
While you cannot earn the full CISSP designation without experience, studying for it early gives you a massive advantage in understanding how security aligns with business goals. Eric Reed’s students frequently target this certification to break into six-figure salary ranges.
Learn about our CISSP Certification Training.
Get Funded: Do Not Pay If You Do Not Have To
One of the most overlooked aspects of how to get started with cybersecurity is funding. Many students assume they need to take out loans or pay thousands out of pocket. This is often unnecessary.
If you are currently employed, check your benefits. Companies like Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, and many others have tuition assistance programs that will cover 100% of your training with Eric Reed. We have had students pass 11 exams in 7 months without paying a dime of their own money because they utilized their corporate benefits effectively.
If you are active military or a veteran, resources like ArmyIgnited or Air Force COOL can fully fund your certification path.
See military and government funding options here.
The Secret to Speed: Structure and Accountability
The biggest barrier to entry isn’t difficulty; it is a lack of structure. Self-study works for some, but most people get lost in “tutorial hell,” watching endless videos without ever booking the exam.
To succeed, you need:
- A Defined Roadmap: Know exactly what to study and in what order.
- Expert Instruction: Learn from someone who has trained thousands of professionals, not a random YouTuber.
- Accountability: A system that keeps you moving forward.
This is the philosophy behind the Level Up Program. We provide a guided path where you stack certifications logically. It transforms a vague ambition into a checklist of executable tasks.
Discover how the Level Up Program accelerates careers.
Execution Strategy: Your Next 90 Days
If you are serious about this career change, here is your immediate action plan:
- Assess Your Resources: Check for employer funding or military benefits immediately.
- Commit to the Calendar: Pick a training date. Nothing motivates you like a deadline.
- Start with Security+: If you have basic IT knowledge, go straight for Security+. It is the highest-value return on your time investment for entry-level work.
- Join a Community: Surround yourself with others who are studying. Iron sharpens iron.
Why Train with Eric Reed?
You can read books on your own, but if you want to ensure you pass on the first attempt, you need expert guidance. Eric Reed has over 25 years of experience and has trained over 60,000 students. Our approach is different because it is immersive.
Whether you choose our boot camp style training, virtual learning, or custom onsite options, the goal remains the same: maximum knowledge transfer in minimum time. We do not just teach you to pass the test; we teach you to understand the material so you can apply it on day one of your new job.
The cybersecurity industry needs professionals. The jobs are there. The funding is often available. The only variable missing is your decision to start.
Ready to execute? Browse our course schedule and take the first step toward your new career today.