How To Get Into Cybersecurity With a Teaching Degree

Getting into cybersecurity with a teaching degree can be achievable for those interested in this field. Learning skills that help protect individuals and organizations from cyberattacks such as viruses, phishing, and ransomware will be crucial. Teachers can gain these skills by taking a few steps to transition into a cybersecurity career.

Various accredited institutions offer cybersecurity degrees online and on-campus, allowing students to choose whichever format best fits their schedule. Additionally, teachers pursuing cybersecurity can attend a bootcamp or earn a certificate to strengthen their credentials.

Continue reading to learn more about how to make a career change to cybersecurity.

From Teacher to Cybersecurity Specialist: Do I Need a Cybersecurity Degree?

A cybersecurity degree is not always a requirement for entry-level jobs in cybersecurity, such as penetration testers, security analysts, or security specialists. However, this degree is important for learning the fundamentals and advancing in the cybersecurity field.

A degree in cybersecurity or a related field, such as information technology or computer science, can increase your chances of becoming a cybersecurity professional. Depending on your educational and professional background, there may be alternatives to earning a degree.

For example, professional certifications, such as GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) and ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate, are beneficial to becoming a cybersecurity specialist. Teachers with a computer or technology endorsement may benefit from certificates or a bootcamp.

How Can Teaching Skills Be Beneficial in Cybersecurity?

A degree in teaching, along with professional teaching experience, develops skills that are valuable for cybersecurity jobs. Teachers can use their skills in communication, research, observation, and more in cybersecurity positions.

Advanced Communication Skills

Teachers typically have excellent communication skills, which are also necessary for cybersecurity roles. Cybersecurity requires communication with team members, stakeholders, clients, and others.

Having advanced communication skills prepares teachers to change jobs with confidence and helps them network with cybersecurity professionals. Written, verbal, and visual communication skills are all beneficial to cybersecurity.

Ability To Maintain Professional Relationships

Building and maintaining professional relationships are important for teaching and cybersecurity. Professional relationships can build character, knowledge, skills, and opportunities.

Maintaining professional relationships also demonstrates an individual's interpersonal skills and interest in a healthy and safe work environment. Cybersecurity positions are critical roles that require a prominent level of professionalism.

Refined Research Skills

Research skills are vital for jobs in cybersecurity. Professional teachers conduct research for students' academic success. The experience in research that teachers receive prepares them for a career change to cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity involves research skills for preventing, detecting, and defending against cyber threats and attacks. Refined research skills are an advantage to transitioning into cybersecurity.

Improved Time Management Skills

Teaching improves time management skills necessary in cybersecurity for completing tasks, communicating risks, and other responsibilities. Cybersecurity roles require time management skills for the following:

• reducing stress at work
• communicating with professionals
• prioritizing security goals
• implementing new strategies

Enhanced Organization Skills

Teachers have exceptional organizational skills to help keep things in order. Organizational skills are important for cybersecurity activities like auditing, ethical hacking, and penetration testing.

Enhanced organization skills contribute to effective time management, performance, and productivity. It helps cybersecurity professionals keep track of action items, issues, important dates, and other tasks.

Steps for Transitioning into Cybersecurity With a Teaching Degree

Individuals with a teaching degree can take a few steps to transition into cybersecurity successfully. We provide details of each step below.

Consider Earning a Second Degree

Professionals with a teaching degree who want to transition into cybersecurity should consider earning a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Cybersecurity programs provide an in-depth introduction to protecting electronic data and other digital assets.

Teachers with educational or professional experience in cybersecurity or information technology may be eligible to enroll in a master's degree program. Earning a second degree qualifies graduates for leadership and management positions. Advanced cybersecurity positions include:

• security manager
• cybersecurity architect
• cybersecurity engineer

Complete a Cybersecurity Certification

Cybersecurity certifications enhance a teacher's credentials for a career path in cybersecurity. Examples of common cybersecurity certifications include:

• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The requirements for earning cybersecurity certifications vary. Some certifications require years of experience before becoming eligible to enroll, while others are available for beginners interested in cybersecurity.

Build Your Portfolio

Building a portfolio of cybersecurity projects demonstrating hands-on experience with cyberattacks, programming, and cyber threats can benefit teachers seeking a cybersecurity career. Employers may require or prefer candidates to submit a portfolio for consideration.

A portfolio may include internship projects, open-source projects, and other real-world experiences related to cybersecurity and information technology. Portfolios are a great way to show your skills and accomplishments.

Study the Necessary Skills for a Career in Cybersecurity

Teachers with a college degree possess several skills necessary for a cybersecurity career. Still, there are other skills more closely related to cybersecurity that teachers should study for their professional development. Professional teachers need to study to develop or enhance skills in:

• Linux and other operating systems
• risk management
• network security
• incident response
• information security

Network With Cybersecurity Professionals

Networking with cybersecurity professionals introduces opportunities to gain additional knowledge, potential job opportunities, and maintain professional relationships. Options for networking with cybersecurity professionals include:

• internships
• local cybersecurity events
• online blogs and platforms
• cybersecurity professors, teachers, and trainers