Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Aneta Avramova’s Journey

After 15 years in transport and operations, Aneta Avramova was ready for a new challenge. With no professional IT or cybersecurity experience, breaking into the industry would take determination, intensive training, and persistence through multiple setbacks. With support from SANS Upskill in Cyber and SANS Academy Connect, she successfully transitioned into cybersecurity and now works as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at Bridewell.

The Moment That Changed Her Direction

Although Aneta had taught herself about computers over the years, she had no professional background in IT or cybersecurity. Seeing the disruption caused by the 2017 NotPetya attack on TNT Express sharpened her interest in cybersecurity and the real-world consequences of a cyberattack.

She began taking online courses from Microsoft and Google before discovering the UK government-backed SANS Upskill in Cyber programme.

After completing an aptitude test and interviews, she was selected for the programmes second cohort in 2023. She recalls being among the top 7% of 4,600 candidates. For Aneta, the opportunity offered a path into an industry she had previously struggled to access.

“I knew this was my chance to enter the industry. And at the end I did.”

Building the Foundation While Keeping Life Moving

SANS Upskill in Cyber was an intensive 14-week programme combining technical training, certification exams, soft skills development. and employer engagement.

As part of the second cohort, Aneta completed training that included SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, and Security, which covered core computing and security concepts, followed by SEC401: Security Essentials: Network, Endpoint, and Cloud, which focused on practical defensive skills.

The programme gave her the technical foundation and confidence to pursue a career in cybersecurity. But completing it required considerable dedication.

As a working mother of twins, Aneta had to fit studying around her professional and family responsibilities. She listened to course material while travelling and studied after her children came home, often sacrificing sleep to keep up with the demanding schedule.

“The biggest challenge was simply how hard I had to push myself, as a mother of twins, to get through it while keeping everything else going.”

Despite the challenges, finishing the programme changed how Aneta viewed her own capabilities.

“It didn’t just give me the technical foundation; it proved to me what I’m capable of when I put my mind to do something.”

Persistence Through the First Job Search

Completing her training was an important milestone, but securing her first cybersecurity role presented another challenge.

Aneta went through seven unsuccessful interviews. Although she often received positive feedback, employers were looking for professional experience she had not yet had the chance to gain.

“I was turned away from seven interviews. The feedback was always good, but everyone wanted experience I didn’t yet have.”

Rather than give up, Aneta continued pursuing opportunities. Believing one organisation was particularly well suited to her goals, she followed up after the interview process. After a difficult wait, the organisation created a position and offered her the role.

Throughout her job search, Academy Connect helped Aneta stay close to cybersecurity. She met others with similar stories, learned from her peers, and found encouragement as she worked towards her first opportunity.

“It’s given me people to learn from, be inspired by, share with, and stay grounded by.”

Finding Her Place in Cyber Threat Intelligence

Today, Aneta works as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at Bridewell. She enjoys investigating the reasons behind cyberattacks, understanding threat actors, and turning what she learns into useful intelligence.

“I work in cyber threat intelligence, and what I love most is that it lets me build things and solve real problems.”

Aneta remains involved with Academy Connect, where she continues to learn from peers, stay connect to the cybersecurity community, and support others pursuing careers in the industry.

Having entered cybersecurity without a professional network, Aneta understand the challenges newcomers face. Now, she hopes her experience can encourage others from different backgrounds to keep pursuing their goals, even when the path forward is difficult.

“For me it’s mostly about connection and the chance to give something back.”

For Aneta, the opportunity to help others navigate their own career transitions is an important part of what makes Academy Connect valuable.

“If my story helps even one person keep going through the hard part, that’s the part that matters most to me.”