Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a hacker. Statistically, most of you should be raising your hand because the thing is…more than likely you’ve had your data compromised, whether you know it or not. Hacking isn’t just some movie plot with bad actors (read: not actual actors but cybercriminals) click-clacking away in mysterious and dark basements. It’s more than Rihanna hacking into the security system of the MET in the movie Ocean’s 8. Hacking and data breaches are a lot closer than that.

When I think of data breaches, I think of Facebook’s 2019 data breach where hackers accessed and lifted personal data—names, phone numbers, locations—from over 530 million users. And because Facebook doesn’t consider it a true ‘hack’ (aka no passwords were compromised), did they warn its users? Of course not. (Note: They do claim the vulnerability was patched the same year.)

Then there’s National Public Data’s 2024 breach. And while this might sound milder than the Facebook breach (if you’re unfamiliar with National Public Data), it’s definitely not, because National Public Data is an online background check and fraud prevention service. When they were breached in early 2024, nearly 2.9 billion records were exposed. These records included names and social security numbers. Hacking and breaches aren’t just movie plot points targeted at huge corporations or villains. They’re real problems that affect every-day people.

Okay so what do all these horror stories have to do with cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is the defense system for all things digital. It can protect something as small as your shopping history or something as important as your social security number. Cybersecurity engineers are the ones behind the scenes, helping make sure these breaches don’t happen, or, if they do occur, they can catch them before they spiral out of control.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—cybersecurity engineering can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. If the idea sounds interesting to you, keep reading. I’ll break down what cybersecurity engineers do and how you can get started.

Table of Contents

• What Does a Cybersecurity Engineer Do?
• How to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer?
• 1. Get a Degree (If Necessary)
• 2. Learn the Basics of Computer Systems and Networks
• 3. Figure Out Which Cybersecurity Skills You Need
• 4. Learn the Skills You Need to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer
• 5. Validate Your Skills with Relevant Certifications
• 6. Gain Practical Experience
• 7. Land a Job as a Cybersecurity Engineer

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What Does a Cybersecurity Engineer Do?

If I told you that a cybersecurity engineer was multiple jobs rolled into one, you probably wouldn’t think anything of it. But what if I told you those jobs were things like architect, locksmith, and bodyguard? It makes sense when you break it down. Cybersecurity engineers design, build, and maintain security systems that protect everything from your grandma’s scanned and digitized baby pictures to top-secret government data. They keep hackers, malware, and anyone with bad intentions out of sensitive information.

Cybersecurity engineering is a mix of several information technology (IT) disciplines: networking, system administration, software development, and more. It’s not just about firewalls and antivirus software—even though that’s what we usually hear about the most on television. A cybersecurity engineer needs to understand how data flows through networks, how to spot potential weak points, and how to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

Here’s some of what the job actually involves:

• Designing and implementing security systems
• Monitoring and responding to threats and breaches
• Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
• Managing encryption protocols
• Developing security policies and procedures
• Ensuring compliance with industry regulations
• Collaborating with IT and development teams

So, if you like tech and solving problems—and have a bit of a “tinkering” personality—becoming a cybersecurity engineer just might be the next career step for you.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer

So, how can you become a cybersecurity engineer? Unfortunately, there isn’t one approach that works for everyone. Do I wish there was an easy checklist you could tick boxes off and instantly, you’re in? Sure, but the way into cybersecurity engineering—like most other careers—is about as diverse as the threats you’ll find yourself defending against when you land a job.

It’s impossible to learn everything you need to know about cybersecurity engineering in the few minutes it takes you to read an article. It would probably take a whole book—or a seven-part series like Harry Potter—and even then, it will definitely leave some things out. Fortunately, you don’t have to know every little thing about cybersecurity to land a job, but you do need to know the basics. And that’s where this article comes in! I’m going to give you a solid starting point so you know what to do next. We’ll talk about the foundational skills, must-have technical knowledge, and tools and frameworks you absolutely need to wrap your head around to get into the field.

There are plenty of ways to get from A (where you are now) to B (a career as a cybersecurity engineer), whether you take the traditional college route, enroll in a bootcamp that promises to turn you into a professional in a just a few months, or add a few certifications to your resume.

Remember—cybersecurity threats are always evolving and so are the skills and knowledge needed to go toe-to-toe against them. The skills you need today might not be the ones you’ll need tomorrow. So, if you’re up for the challenge of always staying on your toes and continuously learning, let’s go!

You’ll need to learn, practice, and get comfortable with the unknown, because in cybersecurity, preparing and defending against the unknown is more than half the battle.

1. Get A Degree (If Necessary)

In the past, a degree in computer science or cybersecurity was practically a job requirement. Employers were obsessed with formal education. But in 2025, it’s a different story. A degree isn’t the “golden ticket” it used to be, and fortunately you can still get access to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory without it.

While you’ll still come across job listings asking for a degree in a related field—I checked on both LinkedIn and Indeed—it’s not the end-all, be-all anymore. A degree is still a “preferred” qualification (do with that what you will), but it’s not the dealbreaker it used to be. Employers are trending towards skill-based hiring over pure collegiate experience, which is a good thing.

Online courses and bootcamps have changed the game. You can get hands-on skills and real-world experience without ever stepping foot in a classroom, especially not one that requires you to pay tuition for four years. Today, tons of future cybersecurity engineers are building their skills from the comfort of their own homes—or wherever they can find a decent (and secure!) Wi-Fi connection. Employers care more about your abilities, not the amount of time you spend in a formal classroom. So, if you have the knowledge, skills, and some practical experience (which doesn’t have to be from a formal job), you’ve got the groundwork to land a job in cybersecurity engineering. A degree can be nice to have, but it’s definitely optional these days.

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2. Learn the Basics of Computer Systems and Networks

You can’t just walk in and stop hackers if you don’t understand what you’re protecting. To become a cybersecurity engineer, you need to get comfortable with computer systems and networks. It’s what keeps everything running smoothly (or at least it should).

Start with computer science and understanding how computers think and talk to each other. Learn about networking protocols like TCP/IP (how devices talk over the internet), DNS (how websites get found), and HTTP (how web pages are delivered). For example, DNS translates domain names (like www.skillcrush.com) into a computer-friendly IP address so your browser can find and access the website.

You also need to know about network devices—routers, firewalls, and switches. Routers direct traffic and data to the right places, firewalls let the good data through and keep the bad stuff out, and switches work behind the scenes to keep your devices connected.

And you don’t forget your operating systems! Whether you’re dealing with Windows, macOS, or Linux, each has its own set of rules and pressure points that make them tick. Getting a solid grasp of how these systems work will give you the edge you need to protect them.

Once you’ve mastered these basics, you’ll be ready to tackle more technical cybersecurity concepts and skills.

3. Figure Out Which Cybersecurity Skills You Need

If you don’t have any cybersecurity skills, these are the foundational ones that’ll help you land a job as a cybersecurity engineer.

Network Security

Network security is as straightforward as it sounds. It’s all about understanding how to defend networks, including designing firewalls, installing intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and monitoring network traffic. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to get familiar with:

• Network Infrastructures (Network Security Control)
  • Firewalls: Design, install, and maintain firewalls to block unwanted traffic.
  • Routers: Control how traffic flows.
    • Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): Routes traffic around the world.
    • Open Shortest Path First (OSPF): Optimizes internal traffic.
  • Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Spot and stop attacks before they’re successful.
• Malware Detection and Prevention
  Prevent, recognize, and stop malicious software (malware) before it spreads.
• VPNS & Proxy Servers
  Encrypt data traffic and hide user identities.
• Networking Protocols
  • TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
  • DNS (Domain Name System)
  • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
• Tools and Strategies
  • CISCO ISE (Identity Services Engine): A tool that helps you control access across the network.
  • Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) Framework: Controls user access and what they can do once they’re in.

Cryptography

If you want to be a cybersecurity engineer, cryptography should be one of the first things you master. It’s the art—okay, fine, science—of encoding information so that only the right eyes see it. Here’s what you need to know:

• Encryption
  Block access and protect confidentiality by encoding plaintext (readable data) into ciphertext (unreadable data) so no one can make sense of it—unless, of course, they’ve got the key to unlock it.
  • Technologies
    • TLS (Transport Layer Security)
    • SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
  • Techniques
    • Symmetric Encryption: Using the same key for both encrypting and decrypting data
    • Asymmetric Encryption: Using a pair of keys — public key for encryption and private key for decryption
  • Encryption Algorithms: Methods for how data is encrypted
    • AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
• Hashing
  A one-way process where input data—a password, paper, or anything else—is transformed (by a hash function) into a fixed-length string of characters. This makes it nearly impossible to reverse (or decrypt). This is the tech at the root of chip & pin cards, incidentally.
• Digital Signatures
  A method for verifying data authenticity using a private key.
• Certificates
  Digital IDs are used to verify website authenticity and establish online trust. It helps confirm that the website you’re on is legit, giving you a little more peace of mind while you browse—or shop and bank—online.

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Operating Systems Security

Cybersecurity engineers have to know how to protect both Windows and Unix-based systems (Linux and macOS) from potential threats. You’ll need to get comfortable with strengthening systems, configuring them properly, and staying on top of patch management—essentially making sure there aren’t any holes for attackers to slip through.

Ethical Hacking

Hacking has an overall negative social connotation, but if you want to be a cybersecurity engineer, you need to “become a hacker.” I’m not talking about the shady, black hat, underground stuff. I’m talking about ethical hacking (also called white hat hacking)—the kind that keeps the bad hackers at bay. In simple terms, this means legally breaking into systems to find and fix their weaknesses before bad actors (read: cybercriminals) can exploit them. You need to learn and understand:

• How cybercriminals think and exploit systems
• Threat detection: Knowing how to spot an attack before it becomes a real threat
• Ethical hacking techniques
  • Vulnerability assessments
    • Tools
      • OpenVAS
      • Nessus
      • Manual testing
  • Exploiting weaknesses
  • Penetration testing
• Ethical hacking tools
  • Kali Linux
  • Metasploit
  • Burp Suite
• Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE): The database of publicly known software and hardware security flaws.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and access management deals with user access and makes sure that everything’s right—the right people have access to the right resources at the right time. That way, you don’t have an employee, or someone who’s been fired, “accidentally” snooping through sensitive data.

IAM concepts you should be familiar with include:

• Authentication
  Confirming someone’s identity (using passwords, PINs, or biometrics) before they get access to anything.
• Authorization
  Determining what someone’s actually allowed to do.
• IAM methods
  • Single sign-on (SSO): Allows users to access multiple apps and services with one set of login credentials. Once you’re logged into one service (Google, for example), you automatically get access to a bunch of other services without having to log in over and over again.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Requires users to provide two or more authentication factors to prove their identities. For example, a one-time security code is sent to your phone or email.
  • Role-based access control (RBAC): Gives users different levels of access based on their role.

Programming Languages

You can’t expect to work on computer systems if you don’t speak their language. Now, there are tons of programming languages to learn out in the world, but we suggest some of the following to start with. Knowing how to code means you’ll be able to write your own defensive tools, fix gaps in networks and systems, and even reverse-engineer malware. But most importantly, learning to code will help you land that cybersecurity engineering job.

Essential Cybersecurity Programming Languages

• Python
• HTML
• JavaScript
• PowerShell
• SQL

Honorable Mentions

• C++
• Java
• Ruby
• PHP
• Bash
• Golang

Cloud Security

If you’re serious about becoming a great cybersecurity engineer, something you can’t ignore is cloud security. You’ve probably heard the advice to “keep your head out of the clouds,” but in 2025, that’s a bit outdated. I mean, let’s be real—most companies are all-in on cloud computing and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. And they’re sinking more and more resources into these platforms than ever before. They’re great—flexible, scalable, cost-effective—but using them a lot also means that there’s a whole new set of security challenges.

Securing the cloud isn’t as simple as slapping on a firewall and calling it a day. If only. No, it’s about mastering the details that actually protect the information stored in them. You need to know the ins and outs of cryptography so data is encrypted and protected. You need to understand and implement IAM to control permissions and make sure only the right people get access. At the end of the day, good cybersecurity is all about keeping data safe, no matter where it’s living—tucked away on a network or floating around in the cloud and everywhere in-between.

Soft Skills

Don’t sleep on soft skills! Soft skills might feel like they won’t shine on a resume in the same way technical skills do, but they’re just as important. Without soft skills, you’re not going to get very far, no matter how great your technical skills are.

In cybersecurity—where things move fast and change even faster—soft skills are the glue that helps hold your hard (technical) skills together. Without them, how do you expect to communicate with your team, explain risks to people who might not even know what a firewall is, or collaborate in high-pressure situations where things are going sideways? Hint: you can’t, and that’s why you need soft skills. Also consider that sometimes you’ll be ethically breaking systems and finding exploits, all of which require some excellent communication with your clients. Five of the best soft skills for cybersecurity engineers are: critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, collaboration, and communication.

Get Experience using Cybersecurity Tools and Frameworks

Every cybersecurity engineer knows the importance of having the right tools at their fingertips. Without them, you’d just be staring at a lot of warning signs and doing a lot of “trusting your gut,”—which, trust me, doesn’t fly in cybersecurity as the way to get solutions for your customers. You need actual, reliable tools to monitor and protect your networks from potential threats. Some of the most essential cybersecurity tools include:

• Network security monitoring tools: Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and intrusions
• Encryption tools: Protects sensitive data by converting it into unreadable formats, making sure only authorized parties can access it
• Firewalls: Lets in good traffic and blocks out the bad
• Antivirus software: Keeps your system clean by defending against malware
• Penetration testing tools: Tries to break into your network to find weaknesses before hackers do

Beyond these, there are even more tools available for your arsenal, like password managers, vulnerability scanners, IDS/IPS systems, and data loss prevention tools. But let’s talk specifics. Twelve of the must-know cybersecurity tools of 2025 include:

• Aircrack-ng (Wireless Network Security)
• Bitdefender (Antivirus Software)
• Burp Suite (Penetration Testing)
• John the Ripper (Password Cracking Tool)
• Kali Linux (Penetration Testing)
• Metasploit (Penetration Testing)
• Nessus Professional (Vulnerability Scanner)
• Nikto (Web Server Scanner)
• Norton (Antivirus Software)
• NMap (Network Scanner)
• Snort (Intrusion Detection/Prevention System)
• Wireshark (Network Protocol Analyzer)

And we can’t forget about frameworks. Cybersecurity frameworks are the best practices for creating an effective cybersecurity strategy. Think of them as the playbook you’ll lean on and pull from to create a strong defense. You’ll want to be fluent and well-versed in these, too.

Five of the most important cybersecurity frameworks in 2025 are:

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Center for Internet Security (CIS)
• System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2)
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS)

These frameworks cover everything from managing cybersecurity risks to securing sensitive customer data. So if you want to be a cybersecurity engineer, don’t just read about these tools and frameworks—use them.

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4. Learn the Skills You Need to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer

When you’re ready to start your cybersecurity education, regardless of your path, you’re going to need to pick and choose from a buffet of courses, because—surprise, surprise—one course isn’t going to magically turn you into a cybersecurity engineering professional. You have options like a college degree, online classes, and bootcamps. But, at the sake of sounding repetitive…while a degree can open doors, it’s not a guarantee for most tech jobs anymore. So, if the thought of drowning in student loans isn’t your vibe, online courses and bootcamps could be your best bet.

Now, with so many options, you’ll need to get picky. Think of it like creating a custom playlist of cybersecurity knowledge. And no, you don’t need to sign up for every course (seriously, don’t do that). You just need to carefully curate your learning.

Start with the basics. It might sting to go back to beginner-level stuff, but everyone starts somewhere. Even the cybersecurity experts had to learn how to set up a simple firewall at some point.

The Best Beginner Courses for Cybersecurity

• Udemy’s The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Cyber Security
• Codecademy’s Introduction to Cybersecurity
• edX’s CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity (from Harvard)
• Coursera’s Introduction to CyberSecurity Specialization (from NYU)

These courses will cover everything from basic network security to understanding the most common types of threats out there. Once you’ve got the basics down, then you can dive into more specialized topics, like ethical hacking. You can keep going with picking additional courses or you can grab extra certifications along the way to build up your skills, experience, and resume.

5. Validate Your Skills with Relevant Certifications

In cybersecurity engineering, you can’t just show up and pretend to know what you’re doing. This isn’t a “fake it ‘til you make it” kind of job. You need to have the skills to back it up, and that’s where certifications come in. After you’ve taken your cybersecurity courses, think of certifications as your proof that you’re actually qualified to secure systems and networks. Because certifications come with a test at the end, it’s one way to demonstrate that you actually know what you’re doing. Plus, they’re a great line item for beefing up your resume. Bear in mind, some of these certifications are not a walk in the park and even seasoned professionals struggle to obtain them. So if you can manage it, it’ll put you leaps and bounds above your competition in the workforce.

The Best Certifications for Cybersecurity Engineering

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
• Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
• Google Cloud Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

6. Gain Practical Experience

Let’s talk about one of the most frustrating things about the job market—entry-level positions that demand experience. I mean, how are you supposed to get experience if nobody will hire you because you don’t have experience?

The great thing about cybersecurity engineering is that you don’t have to sit around twiddling your thumbs while you wait for someone to hand you your first “real” job. You can start getting experience without having to get hired. And yes, I mean practical experience.

Create your own cybersecurity projects. Start with beginner-friendly projects and work your way up to more advanced ones.

Try building a packet sniffer to monitor network traffic. By building one, you’ll show your experience in protocols, encryption, and even some basic network vulnerabilities. Create a keylogger app. No, I’m not suggesting you go full hacker and start stealing people’s passwords, but building a keylogger for yourself is a great way to understand how malware works.

When you’re ready to graduate to more advanced projects, you can try building your own encryption software or ethically hacking a device. Remember—all of this should be ethical and legal, so either stick to your own devices or make sure you have explicit permission from the device owner.

Bug bounties are also great ways to add to your resume. Companies will offer rewards for finding exploits and vulnerabilities in their systems, and there are even structured events and formal ‘bounties’ placed for white hat hackers to find. You can even get paid for these finds, so it’s a great way to build up some experience and make some money while you’re at it.

Once you have the knowledge and skills of a cybersecurity engineer, you need to be able to show it off. With these types of projects, you’re building a portfolio that shows off real experience. Employers will see that even though you’ve never been in a cybersecurity job, you still have real-world, hands-on cybersecurity experience.

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7. Land a Job as a Cybersecurity Engineer

The final step in becoming a cybersecurity engineer is… actually getting the job. Sounds simple enough, right? But before you start getting all stressed out about landing the perfect role from day one, relax. It’s completely normal to take a detour on your way to that “cybersecurity engineering” title. A lot of people start in roles like cybersecurity analyst, penetration tester, or systems administrator.

If I can leave you with one thing, it’d be this: focus on your skills. Titles are great, but they’re not the thing that’ll make you an amazing cybersecurity engineer. If you’re serious about this career, you’ll be playing the long game. And those early jobs where you’re learning the ropes can be incredibly valuable.

Just keep learning. Don’t let cybersecurity’s new threats, tools, and techniques throw you off your game. Keep building that solid foundation, and before you know it, you’ll have what it takes to land a job as a cybersecurity engineer.