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Learn the FundamentalsDegree Programs & Scholarship AcademiesSkill PathsCoolest Cyber CareersFree Resources

Cybersecurity Needs You!

The demand for cybersecurity talent is high and critical roles go unfilled each year due to a years-long talent shortage. If you are looking for a career that offers lots of opportunities for learning, rewarding work, and zero stagnation, consider cybersecurity.

This page features information about how to get into cybersecurity with little to no technical experience, information on the types of roles within cybersecurity, and resources to help you learn more about the exciting, in-demand field. We add new content often so make sure to visit us regularly. If you have any questions about getting into cybersecurity, email us at new2cyber@sans.org.

Learn the Fundamentals

Gain real-world skills and knowledge from the top experts in cybersecurity. SANS New to Cybersecurity curriculum features multiple options to meet the needs of anyone looking to enter the field. From zero technical experience to basic IT knowledge, SANS has a solution that will enable you to select a starting point for your cybersecurity learning journey.
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SEC275: Foundations - Computers, Technology & Security
This is the best course to help people with no technical experience understand the concepts of computers, technology and cybersecurity. Take a course walk through and see what this course has to offer.
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SEC301: Intro to Cybersecurity
This course offers a balanced mix of technical and managerial issues for students who need to understand the salient facets of basic information security and risk management.
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SEC401: Security Essentials: Network, Endpoint, and Cloud
Learn essential information security skills and techniques to protect and secure critical information and technology assets. This course dives deep into active defense, cryptography, networking, architecture, Linux, security policy, Windows, web security, Cloud and much more!
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Courses and Certifications
Once you have foundational cybersecurity skills and knowledge, check out additional options for further learning.
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New to Cyber Field Manual

This manual contains several sections, each focusing on different ways to develop cybersecurity skills. If you focus your efforts on each one, you will gain exposure to the industry and be able to better define your specific pathway and interests.

Download Now

Degree Programs and Scholarship Academies

In addition to courses and certifications, SANS also offers academic and scholarship-based programs for people looking to enter the cybersecurity field. You don't need a technical background or experience to apply.
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Degree Programs
Whether you are just getting started in cybersecurity or you're a seasoned InfoSec professional, SANS.edu gives you the skills you need to advance and the GIAC certifications you need to prove it.
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Scholarship Academies
SANS and our partners have launched a series of scholarship programs to empower underrepresented groups, to foster diversity in the cybersecurity industry and bring more talent into critical roles.
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Skill Paths

Explore common cyber career paths and the training that aligns with each.

Cybersecurity Offers a Variety of Job Roles

There are a variety of different job roles in cybersecurity and every industry is in need of skilled talent. There are entry-level to mid-level in audit, cyber defense, red team, purple team, forensics, and cloud. There is also a high demand for managers and executives with cybersecurity skills and knowledge.

Here are some resources where you can learn more about cybersecurity job roles and their current demand:

Cyber Seek 

Cyber SN 

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies

 We complied a list of the 20 Coolest Cybersecurity Jobs and highlighted what the role does, why it is important and what certifications are needed to land this job. 

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Free Resources

No technical experience is required to start your journey towards a cybersecurity career. Begin learning the basics with these free resources.
Blog
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Top 5 Steps to Immerse yourself into the cybersecurity field
We asked several cyber professionals, including some of our SANS Instructors to give us the most important steps to get into cyber. Here are the top 5
SANS Institute
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Blog
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Cybersecurity Insights - Cybersecurity News
What Cybersecurity Certifications Do I Need?
In today’s complex cybersecurity landscape, hands-on skills are more critical than ever. Most practitioners understand the importance of certifications, but what cybersecurity certifications are out there and which ones do you need on your path to becoming a security expert? Here you’ll find some...
What Cybersecurity Certifications Do I Need?
Video
How and Why You Should Build A Home Lab
Maybe you’re a kinesthetic learner, who absorbs information by touching and manipulating your environment. Maybe you want to try breaking and fixing things in a low-risk environment. Maybe you just want to play around with a soldering iron. For all these reasons and more, building a home lab is a...
How and Why You Should Build A Home Lab
Video
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Cybersecurity Insights - Cybersecurity News
I Want to Work in Cybersecurity...Whatever That Means!
Maybe you saw the 60 minutes report on SolarWinds. Perhaps you've read the New York Times article about "3.5 million open cybersecurity jobs." Or maybe, like me, you were tired of fixing printers. The point is, you've been bitten by the cybersecurity job bug. But how do you get that first job? What...
I Want to Work in Cybersecurity...Whatever That Means!

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