Is Cybersecurity A Good Career Path?

Cybersecurity offers strong job security, competitive pay and meaningful impact, but success depends on your skills, adaptability and tolerance for constant evolution. Because of this, many professionals from different backgrounds are trying to break into tech without first evaluating if this career suits them.

This post explores whether it's a good career path for you in 2026 and beyond, and we’ll also include the expert advice of IT professionals and cyber security instructors.

• Why are so many people considering cyber security?
• What does a career path in cyber security look like?
• Checklist: Is IT security the right path for you?
• How do you get started in cyber security?

Why are so many people considering cybersecurity?

Cyber threats evolve daily, making skilled defenders essential across every sector from finance to healthcare. With global demand outstripping supply, cybersecurity attracts career changers, graduates and IT professionals seeking stability and growth.

In the UK alone, around half of UK businesses (49%) reported a basic technical cyber security skills gap, according to the UK Government Cyber Security Labour Market Report 2025. The same report stated that 30% attested to gaps in more advanced technical areas and just over a quarter of cyber security businesses (28%) reported a lack of technical skills among their existing employees.

Read more: 11 Statistics Every Cyber Security Team Should Know

Richard Parker, Senior Product Manager at Firebrand, said that the sooner someone decides to transition or start a career in cyber security, the better.

“Organisations are facing a sharp escalation in cyber security risk as attackers use AI to automate and scale their attacks. The result is an unprecedented demand for skilled cyber security professionals across every sector, with skills that are constantly evolving. Ongoing learning is key,” added Richard.

What does a career path in cybersecurity look like?

Cybersecurity professionals protect data, systems and networks from attacks, ranging from routine monitoring to crisis response. They work in corporate security operations centres (SOCs), consultancies, government agencies or tech firms.

Roles span defensive (monitoring threats), offensive (testing vulnerabilities), and strategic (policy and risk management), often blending technical work with business communication.

➤ Types of cybersecurity roles and specialisations

These are the cybersecurity pathways and their main responsibilities.

• Security Operations (SOC Analysts, Threat Hunters): Monitor alerts, investigate incidents and respond 24/7.
• Penetration Testing (Ethical Hackers): Simulate attacks to find weaknesses in systems.
• Cloud and Infrastructure Security: Secure AWS, Azure or hybrid environments.
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC): Develop policies, conduct audits and ensure regulatory alignment.
• Incident Response and Forensics: Contain breaches and gather evidence post-attack. 

Non-technical paths include security awareness training, policy advising roles, and more.

➤ Earning potential and progression

Entry-level roles start at £30,000 to £45,000, mid-career specialists earn £50,000-£80,000, and seniors/CISOs reach £100,000+. Progression follows clear ladders: analyst to lead, specialist to architect, then management.

Lateral moves into high-demand niches such as Cloud Security accelerate pay growth.

Phil Chapman, Firebrand Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert and Instructor, said that one should also consider their past experience when choosing a specialisation in IT security.

“If you have an analytical or legal background, it would be more natural for you to move into a GRC position than something like Cloud Architecture,” Phil said.

“If you’re starting fresh, think about your strengths and weaknesses. Do you think your strengths complement the day-to-day tasks of someone in a role of your choosing? The best way to evaluate this is to talk to people already in that role. This is why networking and apprenticeships is very important in this industry,” Phil concludes.

Checklist: Is IT security the right path for you?

Use this checklist to assess your fit for a cybersecurity career. Tick off at least 7 to 8 items for a strong match:

• Do you enjoy solving puzzles and technical challenges? Cybersecurity involves decoding alerts, tracing attacks and outsmarting adversaries daily.
• Do you stay calm under pressure? Incidents demand quick decisions when systems or data are at risk.
• Do you commit to lifelong learning? Threats evolve weekly; expect 5-10 hours of study per week to stay current.
• Do you handle irregular hours or on-call duties? SOC roles may include nights, weekends or rapid response.
• Do you communicate risks clearly? Translating technical threats into business terms for non-experts is essential.
• Do you have an ethical mindset? Protecting privacy and acting responsibly underpins every role.
• Are you curious about technology? Comfort with tools like SIEMs, firewalls and scripting drives success.
• Do you thrive in team environments? Collaboration with IT, legal and executives is routine.
• Does responsibility for high stakes excite you? Safeguarding millions in data or critical services appeals.
• Are you resilient to setbacks? False positives and evolving attacks test persistence. 

How do you get started in cyber security?

Cybersecurity stands out as a good career path as it is secure, rewarding and future-proof for those with the right mindset and drive. It demands effort but delivers purpose and progression in a world ever more reliant on digital defences.

Take the first step: explore our cybersecurity courses to build skills, gain practical experience and launch into this vital field today.

Check out our Cybersecurity courses