How to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide

So you want to become a cybersecurity engineer, but you have no idea where to start? No worries. This guide will lay out a clear, actionable path to help you achieve your goal.

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Why Listen to Me?

Before diving in, let me provide full transparency: I have never personally held the title of cybersecurity engineer. However, I feel qualified to guide you on this journey for several reasons:

1. Recruiters Constantly Reach Out – I get contacted multiple times a week for cybersecurity engineering roles. If I wanted to pivot, I could.

   
   

2. I’ve Written on the Topic – I wrote an article for Hack The Box on becoming a cybersecurity engineer. It underwent a rigorous QA process before being published.

   
   

3. Defensive Security Experience – I spent six years in cyber defense operations in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to penetration testing.

   
   

4. Industry Connections – I regularly talk with a cybersecurity engineer who has firsthand experience in the role.

   
   

Now that we’ve established credibility, let’s get into the steps.

Step 1: Commit to the Journey

Cybersecurity engineering is not an entry-level position. It takes years of experience, learning, and effort to get there. If you’re looking for a shortcut, you won’t find one. Be ready for aggressive patience—put in the work daily, but understand that results take time.

The Reality Check

• There are no entry-level cybersecurity engineering jobs.

• The field is difficult, which is why it pays well.

• Success requires discipline and persistence.

  
  

If you're ready to commit, let's move forward.

Step 2: Build Your LinkedIn Presence

Why?

Networking is crucial in cybersecurity. It’s not just about what you know but who you know. Many job opportunities come through networking, and LinkedIn is the best platform for that.

Actionable Tips:

• Complete Your Profile – Follow LinkedIn best practices to make it professional and appealing.

  
  

• Post Regularly – Share what you're learning, new certifications, or experiences.

  
  

• Write Meaningful Posts – Don’t just upload a picture of a certificate. Explain why you pursued it, what you learned, and how it challenged you.

  
  

• Connect with Others – Accept connections from professionals in the field. Opportunities come from expanding your network.

  
  

• Attend Security Conferences – If possible, attend in-person events. They’re more expensive than LinkedIn networking, but they can be invaluable.

  
  

Step 3: Train on TryHackMe Daily

Spend at least an hour a day on TryHackMe. It’s one of the best platforms for building foundational cybersecurity skills.

Recommended Learning Paths (in order):

1. Pre-Security

2. Introduction to Cybersecurity

3. Complete Beginner

4. Cybersecurity 101

5. Security Engineer (Most important for this role)

6. Cyber Defense

7. DevSecOps

8. SOC Level 1 (Optional but useful)

9. CompTIA PenTest+ (Optional but helps understand offensive security)

   
   

TryHackMe provides structured paths, making learning easier. If you want more advanced training later, consider Hack The Box Academy.

Step 4: Earn Foundational Certifications

Certifications validate your skills and help you stand out in job applications. Here are the ones I recommend:

General Cybersecurity Certifications:

• CompTIA A+ (Optional – Skip if you already understand computer fundamentals)

• CompTIA Network+ (Highly Recommended – Helps with networking basics)

• CompTIA Security+ (Must-Have – Foundational cybersecurity knowledge)

• CompTIA CySA+ (For cybersecurity analysts and engineers)

  
  

Networking Certification (Highly Recommended for Security Engineers):

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Security engineers work heavily with firewalls and access control lists. The CCNA is the gold standard for networking knowledge.

  
  

If you’re comfortable with a steeper learning curve, you can skip Network+ and go straight to CCNA.

Step 5: Get Any IT Job

Why?

Experience is king in cybersecurity. Certifications and labs are great, but they don’t replace real-world experience.

Potential Starter Roles:

• Help Desk

• System Administrator

• Cybersecurity Analyst

• Network Engineer (Best stepping-stone to cybersecurity engineer)

  
  

Step 6: Learn Cloud Security

Cloud security is in high demand. As a cybersecurity engineer, you need to understand how to secure cloud environments.

Recommended Certifications:

• AWS Cloud Practitioner (Covers fundamental cloud concepts)

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) (Advanced cloud security)

  
  

Step 7: Apply for Cybersecurity Engineer Roles

At this stage, you may be qualified for cybersecurity engineer positions. However, to truly stand out, continue developing your skill set.

Additional Steps to Strengthen Your Resume:

• Learn Linux – Almost all backend systems and firewalls run on Linux.

• Learn Python & Automation – Automating tasks makes you more efficient.

• Improve Your Soft Skills – Strong communication and problem-solving skills set you apart.

  
  

Step 8: Advance with Intermediate Certifications

To further boost your resume, consider these certifications:

Highly Recommended:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional – Security (CCNP Security) – This one will get you recruiter calls.

  
  

Optional but Valuable:

• TCM Security Practical Security Analyst Associate (PSAA)

• OffSec Defense Analyst (OSDA)

• Hack The Box Certified Security Defensive Analyst (CSDA)

  
  

These help if you want to stand out further in the cybersecurity engineering space.

Final Thoughts

Here’s a quick recap of the journey:

1. Commit to the path – Success takes time and effort.

2. Leverage LinkedIn – Build your network and personal brand.

3. Train daily on TryHackMe – Hands-on experience is key.

4. Get foundational certifications – Security+, CySA+, and CCNA.

5. Land an IT job – Gain real-world experience.

6. Learn cloud security – AWS Certs and CCSP are great options.

7. Start applying for cybersecurity engineer roles – You may be qualified at this stage.

8. Strengthen your skills – Linux, Python, automation.

9. Earn intermediate certifications – CCNP Security is a game-changer.

   
   

This roadmap will maximize your chances of landing a cybersecurity engineer role. It’s a tough journey, but if you stay disciplined and committed, you will get there.

If you found this guide helpful and are also interested in becoming a penetration tester, check out my Pentester Roadmap for everything you need to go from zero to hero in ethical hacking!