8 Entry-Level Jobs in Cybersecurity

Any good career has a well-defined starting place, and the field of cybersecurity is no exception to this.

Anyone who wants to break into a cybersecurity career can find positions that help them learn and grow in their skills, but how do you know which ones are worthwhile?

What jobs pay the best, help you learn more, and give you the most upward mobility?

Check below for eight of the best entry-level cybersecurity jobs for college or bootcamp graduates who want to find their way into the field.

What are Today's Best Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs?

From vital junior computer science positions to specialized jobs in criminal justice, here are today's best entry-level cybersecurity jobs, what they entail, and how they can help you learn and grow in your field today.

1. Cybersecurity Specialist

The role of a cybersecurity specialist is to be a catch-all for cybersecurity roles. A specialist in a company may be in charge of monitoring the business's network, creating and managing new security measures, and responding to breaches.

As far as entry-level cybersecurity jobs go, this one will allow you to wear many hats and learn all the skills associated with a security-focused job in a corporation. Once you've mastered a cybersecurity specialist position, specializing as you move up in your career will be a cinch.

2. Junior Penetration Tester

One of the most interesting jobs in cybersecurity is penetration testing, which is also called ethical hacking.

In this job, instead of defending a computer network, you're attacking it.

As a junior penetration tester, it's your job to test the current security of your company, find the holes where breaches can occur, and report back to the team so they can find ways to improve.

Because this entry-level job is a junior position, you'll likely be working with a more senior tester on a bigger cybersecurity team - use the opportunity to learn from more experienced team members and try to work your way up from there.

3. Security Software Developer

Software developers create programs that are meant to perform specific tasks. Security software developers create programs that are supposed to prevent cyber attacks and deal with the fallout of breaches.

If you have a more conventional computer science background and want to expand into cybersecurity, a junior or regular security software developer position may be the job you need to break into the field and combine your current skill set with the new security skills you're developing.

4. Security/IT Auditor

In a field where everything needs to work exactly as intended 100% of the time for things to go well, it makes sense that there would be an auditor role.

As a security or IT auditor, your job is to make sure your company's IT system and security measures are operating as smoothly and efficiently as possible and make sure everything is compliant with current security plans.

Working as an IT auditor can help you learn how different networks operate before you dive into security-specific positions with a narrow focus.

5. Forensic Analyst

This unique profession combines computer skills with an interest in righting the wrongs of the world.

Forensic analysts are cybersecurity professionals who work with the justice system to analyze data and solve cyber crimes. In addition to solving them, forensic analysts come up with ways to proactively prevent these crimes.

Whether you work in the justice system and want to expand your skills or want to use your computer background to defend more than just technology, a position as a forensic analyst can be very fulfilling for the right person.

6. Incident Responder

If you want to start your cybersecurity career with an active, exciting position, incident response may be the job for you.

An incident responder is someone who acts as the first line of defense during an active cyber attack on a computer system. Much like a first responder in real life, your job is to assess the current threat and minimize the damage caused by a breach while it's actively happening.

When you're not in the middle of a breach, you can do penetration testing and security audits to help find and prevent network vulnerabilities.

7. Cryptographer

Defending data is about more than just monitoring where it goes - you can also change the way it looks to outside eyes in order to hide it in plain sight.

That's what a cryptographer does by encrypting sensitive information and teaching authorized network users how to interact with and manage data.

Working as a cryptographer can guarantee you a lucrative career in government or the private sector, in addition to a level of security clearance that makes you a valuable asset to any team you choose to work with down the line.

8. Network Administrator

In the role of a network administrator, you'll deal with hardware more often than the average cybersecurity specialist, but you'll also be in charge of the user permissions in your company's network.

This will allow you to control who gets to see what information, letting you play a vital role in the security of your company's information.

As an administrator, you can also monitor the computer system your company uses to find ways to improve security and performance measures. You'll get to see all the ways a network functions, as well as the many ways it can be protected.

Get Your First Job in Cybersecurity Today

Now that you know about the many entry-level cybersecurity jobs you can start your tech career with, it's time to choose the position best suited to your skill set and education. Start working in the cybersecurity field today to make a difference in tomorrow's tech safety.