Home
open main menu
cybersecurity placeholder
Part of series: career

Getting into Cybersecurity in 2025

/ 1 min read
Last updated:

Cybersecurity hasn’t gotten simpler, but getting started has clearer paths. Here’s a short, practical plan I wish I had when I began.

  1. Learn the foundations
  • Networking basics (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP).
  • Linux fundamentals and command line fluency.
  • One scripting language (Python or Bash).
  1. Hands-on practice
  • Build a home lab (VMs, containerized apps).
  • Do beginner CTFs and practice on safe platforms (TryHackMe, Hack The Box practice ranges).
  • Read real bug reports and write simple remediation notes.
  1. Focus areas for 2025
  • Cloud security (IAM, secure configurations).
  • Web application security and API security.
  • Secure software development and SAST/DAST basics.
  1. Creds and learning pathways
  • Vendor-neutral certs (CompTIA Security+, eJPT) for starters.
  • Practical courses, micro-certificates, and project-based learning beat memorization.
  1. Career habits
  • Contribute to open-source or write short technical posts.
  • Build a public portfolio with labs and write-ups.
  • Join local or online security communities for mentorship and reviews.
  1. Ethics always
  • Only practice on systems you own or are authorized to test.
  • Learn responsible disclosure and follow legal guidelines.

Keep it practical: learn by doing, document everything, and iterate. The field rewards persistence and curiosity more than chasing rare certificates.