Cybersecurity Career Paths in 2026: SOC Analyst, Pentester, GRC and More
Updated on November 20, 2025 6 minutes read
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which role should I start with if I’m new to cybersecurity?
Most beginners start with SOC Analyst or Blue Team because you learn alert triage, incident notes, and core tooling fast. As you gain confidence, you can branch into Pentesting, Cloud Security, or AppSec.
How long does it take to get job-ready?
With focused, mentor-led practice, many learners reach interview-ready in about 12 weeks. Your timeline improves if you keep a tight portfolio and practice interviews from week one.
Do I need a degree or can I switch careers?
A degree helps but isn’t required. Employers want evidence: clear notes, a reproducible report, a small cloud hardening demo, or a policy mapped to controls. We help you build that proof in our Cybersecurity Bootcamp .
Which certification should I pursue first?
Start with Security+ for fundamentals. Add a cloud practitioner badge if you like Cloud Security, or a beginner offensive cert later if you choose Pentesting. Certifications signal baseline; projects win interviews.