If you’ve been scrolling tech LinkedIn, you’ve probably seen the “cybersecurity engineer” posts blowing up. I run a small CS supply company, and let me tell you—we’re hiring 3 of these roles this quarter, and every week we get 20+ applications that miss the mark. Most people think it’s all hacking into websites and wearing a hoodie in a dark room, but it’s way more structured than that. This isn’t some get-rich-quick hustle, either. It’s a solid career path, especially right now: the BLS says cybersecurity roles will grow 32% by 2032, that’s way faster than the average job. And before you think “I need a 4-year degree to start,” let’s debunk that first—plenty of us (and our team) started with certs and on-the-job experience. Here’s how to actually become a cybersecurity engineer, no fluff, just what works. CS
First, let’s break down what a cybersecurity engineer actually does, because so many people apply without clueing into that. We don’t just sit and catch hackers 24/7. Our job is to build, test, and maintain the tools that keep our clients’ data safe—firewalls, encryption, access controls, all that stuff. If you work with a retail client, we make sure their point-of-sale systems don’t leak credit card numbers. If you work with a healthcare client, we’re the ones keeping patient medical records private. It’s equal parts problem-solving, coding, and risk management.
Now, where do you start? Most people jump straight to “get a cert” but that’s backwards. You need to build foundational skills first. Let’s talk basics: you can’t secure a system if you don’t understand how it works. That means learning OS basics—Windows and Linux, both. Linux is non-negotiable for most of our tools, so mess around with it: spin up a free VirtualBox image, mess with terminal commands, try to host a small website on a local server. For Windows, learn Active Directory, that’s huge for enterprise security. Then coding: you don’t need to be a senior dev, but you need to know at least one language that’s used for security. Python is the most popular right now—you can write small scripts to scan for vulnerabilities, automate security checks, even test weak passwords. Skip the “learn 10 languages at once” trap. Focus on Python, add a little SQL (for database vulnerabilities) and maybe Bash for Linux stuff.
Next, get some hands-on practice. Books and courses are great, but nothing beats breaking something legally. That’s where labs like Hack The Box or TryHackMe come in—they’re free (or cheap for pro plans) and let you practice “ethical hacking” (you’ll hear that term a lot) on simulated networks. We actually look for candidates who have a few HTB boxes completed, because it shows they’re not just memorizing concepts, they’re actually doing. Another big one: set up a home lab. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Use old laptops, a cheap router, even a Raspberry Pi. Install a firewall, a test website, play around with phishing simulations to see how they work. We had a candidate last month who built a home lab for a local small business—they showed us how they fixed the business’s outdated router, and that landed them an interview before they even finished their first cert.
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time for certifications—but don’t just pick random ones. Start with entry-level that prove you know the core stuff. CompTIA Security+ is the gold standard here. It’s vendor-agnostic, meaning it works for every company, and most entry-level cybersecurity roles list it as a requirement. We almost always require it for our junior cybersecurity engineer openings. After Security+, move up to something more specialized. If you like building security tools, the CompTIA Network+ is next, or maybe the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) if you’re into penetration testing. If you’re more into compliance and risk, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a long-term goal, but it needs work experience, so save that for after you’re a few years in. And here’s a tip: many of these certs aren’t free. Companies like ours often cover cert costs for team members, so once you’re in the door, we’ll pay for your Security+ exam—no out-of-pocket for you. That’s why we say getting your foot in the door is way easier than people think.
Now, let’s talk about landing that first job. A lot of people get stuck here, thinking they need 5 years of experience to get hired. No. We hire entry-level people who show they’re curious, not just resume fillers. First, build a portfolio. It doesn’t have to be on a fancy domain—use a GitHub repo to upload your lab projects, a LinkedIn post talking about a cool lab challenge you solved, even a personal blog (we’re CS suppliers, so we love tech blogs). A portfolio beats a perfect resume any day. Then, look for “entry-level cybersecurity” or “junior cybersecurity engineer” roles, but don’t sleep on roles that are adjacent. Maybe you start as a helpdesk tech at a company, then move into security—we hired a guy last year who was a helpdesk intern, and his curiosity got him noticed. Same with IT support roles; the technical knowledge you pick there translates straight to cybersecurity.
Another big mistake people make: thinking cybersecurity is all black hats. It’s not. 99% of the work is proactive, not reactive. We spend more time building firewalls than we do chasing hackers. But you do need to understand how attackers think, which is where that ethical hacking practice comes in. Don’t get obsessed with “hacking” as a fun party trick—focus on how attackers exploit gaps, so you can fix those gaps before they’re used.
Let’s be real: it’s not all rainbows. The work can be stressful. When a client gets a phishing breach at 2 a.m., you’re the one on call to fix it. You’ll have to keep up with new threats every week—new malware, new phishing scams, new vulnerabilities. The field changes fast, so you can’t just stop learning after you get your first job. But the pay is good (entry-level here starts at $75k, way more than many other entry tech roles), you get to work on cool projects, and you’re actually helping people keep their data safe. That’s the part we love most as a CS supplier—knowing our team protects small businesses, schools, even local hospitals.
Wait, let’s add a personal touch here. When I started out, I was a CS intern at a tiny company, not even a big supplier. I spent my nights messing with Linux and Hack The Box, built a home lab out of an old desktop and a router I bought at a garage sale. My manager didn’t care that I didn’t have a degree—he cared that I could explain how a firewall works, and that I’d fixed a friend’s small business’s security on the side. That’s the same thing we look for now. We don’t care where you went to school, we care that you’re willing to learn.
Now, if you’re thinking “this sounds good, but I’m not sure where to start” or “I have some experience but want to level up,” we’re hiring. Our team is growing, and we’re looking for people who are curious, not just perfect. We provide cert coverage, on-the-job training, and a team that will walk you through every project. If you’re ready to turn that interest in cybersecurity into a career, hit us up to discuss your next steps. No recruiters, no tricky forms—just a chat about what you want to do, and how we can help.
3D Sensing Chips References:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts.
- CompTIA. (2023). Cybersecurity Workforce Study.
- TryHackMe. (2024). Global Cybersecurity Skills Report.
- ISC2. (2023). Cybersecurity Workforce Survey.
- Hack The Box. (2024). Community Engagement Report.
Suzhou Everbright Photonics Co., Ltd.
Address: No.56, Lijiang Road, SND,Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
E-mail: sales@everbrightphotonics.com
WebSite: https://www.everbright-laser.com/
