Can You Get Into Cybersecurity With a Sociology Degree?

Cybersecurity is a branch of computer science focused on protecting information systems including hardware, software, and networks. To excel in this field, cybersecurity professionals must have excellent technical skills. Understanding human behavior is also helpful for predicting the actions of cybercriminals.

If you've earned a sociology degree, your knowledge of human behavior could translate well to a cybersecurity career. But can you enter the field with a sociology background? Yes, you can start a cybersecurity career with a sociology degree by building cybersecurity skills or earning a second degree.

Combining the two fields could help you anticipate cyberattacks and provide better network and information security. Below, we'll take a closer look at how cybersecurity and sociology relate. We'll also examine ways to find cybersecurity jobs and how you can apply a sociology degree in these roles.

Is It Possible To Pursue a Career in Cybersecurity With a Sociology Degree?

A sociology degree can be a great stepping stone to a career in cybersecurity. This might seem surprising since sociology career paths typically include sociologist, human resources, social work, and criminology roles. However, a sociology background offers insights into human actions that can help cybersecurity professionals excel.

Despite the connection between the two fields, securing a cybersecurity career with only a sociology degree isn't easy. You also need to build technical skills in information technology and gain experience in specific areas of cybersecurity.

Fortunately, many pathways exist to get the skills and experience necessary to enter the field. We'll explore what they are. But first, let's look at the relationship between cybersecurity and sociology.

How Is Cybersecurity Related to Sociology?

The cybersecurity field closely examines IT infrastructures to ensure protection from malware, hackers, and other cyberattacks. Cybersecurity experts have different duties depending on their roles but might perform tasks like the following:

• vulnerability testing of configurations, code, access points, and other potential weak links
• audits to ensure an organization's security procedures comply with industry standards
• digital asset monitoring to find possible breaches and unusual patterns in activity

Experts need skills commonly taught in a sociology program like critical thinking, research, and data analysis. They can also benefit from understanding what motivates human actions to anticipate changes in cyber activity and to identify new threats.

Why Is Cybersecurity a Good Field for Sociology Majors?

Sociology majors aim to make a difference in the world. Programs teach students what it takes to advocate for change. They also explore the following topics:

• complexities of human society
• social patterns and group behavior
• consequences of human actions

Cybersecurity experts similarly aim to make a difference. They are trained to identify social patterns among cybercriminals, examine their behaviors, and protect organizations from the consequences of their actions.

With a degree in sociology, you can use your knowledge of human actions to make a difference in the workplace. Your ability to use statistical analysis software and manage large amounts of data can also ease your transition to cybersecurity.

How Does Human Behavior Influence Cybersecurity Practices?

There's a strong link between cybersecurity and human behavior. Humans initiate cyberattacks, so understanding how they create risks to information systems is important when aiming to mitigate those risks. But that's not the only way human behavior influences cybersecurity practices.

For example, cybersecurity attacks sometimes occur via phishing emails. On their own, they're not a threat if ignored; however, if employees click these emails, hackers can then access the organization's network. Experts within organizations should understand human behavior to determine why employees might click phishing emails and how they should teach the risks of doing so.

Another task for cybersecurity professionals is to manage security when employees work outside the office. For instance, they might connect to a new network to complete a project while on vacation. Anticipating this human behavior can help experts take extra security measures like requesting additional credentials, such as multi-factor authentication, to access the organization's system.

How Can a Sociology Degree Be Beneficial for a Career in Cybersecurity?

A social science background gives you an advantage in the cybersecurity field. In addition to understanding how humans think to predict and protect from cyber threats, you have the analytical skills to evaluate large amounts of data, which is vital in cybersecurity.

Some roles align particularly well with a sociology background. For example, security analysts are tasked with detecting cyber threats. They use their analytical skills to pinpoint unusual network behavior and penetration testing to identify system vulnerabilities.

Ethical hackers must understand human behavior in their roles. Also known as white hat hackers, ethical hackers break into systems to find network vulnerabilities. They must understand the thought processes and motivations of black hat or unethical hackers to perform their duties.

As you can see, the relationship between sociology and cybersecurity is strong. Now, we'll look at how you can use your sociology background to earn a cybersecurity role.

How To Land a Job in Cybersecurity With a Sociology Degree

Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field with an exciting job outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that employment for roles like information security analyst is projected to grow 32% from 2022 to 2032.

The following tips could help you secure a job in this role or other cybersecurity roles with a sociology degree.

Consider Earning a Second Degree

A bachelor's degree in cybersecurity is one of the best ways to secure a job in the field. Coursework in a cybersecurity degree program ensures students understand the following:

• networking
• database management
• information system security
• digital crime
• penetration testing
• digital forensics
• IT auditing

You could also earn a second degree through a master's degree program in cybersecurity. Graduate programs often focus on leadership and concepts, such as cybersecurity architecture design and risk management.

Network With Cybersecurity Professionals

Professionals in the field can deliver the guidance you need to find great entry-level positions. Networking can help you determine the skills you'll need to excel. You can also learn which certifications are best for specific roles. Here are some tips for finding experts to network with:

• Visit cybersecurity conferences and other IT events.
• Join online forums dedicated to computer science and cybersecurity.
• Connect with experts on professional social media platforms like Linkedin.
• Speak with cybersecurity program professors.

Complete a Cybersecurity Certification

Earning cybersecurity certification lets you prove your expertise to employers. Several cybersecurity certifications are available for different skills and roles. Here are a few to consider:

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Project+

Learn Cybersecurity Technical Skills

A career in cybersecurity starts with gaining the necessary technical skills to perform well on the job. Skills might vary by role but could include:

• incident response
• system administration
• malware prevention
• ethical hacking
• software development
• coding and encryption
• cloud security

In sociology programs, you'll also gain transferable soft skills, like problem-solving, interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.

Build a Portfolio

When ready to apply for roles, a portfolio lets you showcase your cybersecurity experience. This is your chance to share the skills you've gained from your volunteer efforts, internships, and personal projects.

You can include your ethical hacking, incident response, security incident documentation, and other experience. Also, be sure to include your resume and a personal statement.