Discover how the King’s NCSC-certified Advanced Cyber Security MSc can help you become a cyber security professional.
If you’ve been asking yourself how to get into cyber security, you’re not alone. It’s one of the fastest-growing areas in tech, regularly featured in both headlines and job boards. But with so many courses, certifications, and career stories out there, it can feel difficult to separate realistic pathways from marketing noise.
The good news? Cyber security is accessible, especially if you already have a background in computing, mathematics, engineering, or another quantitative field.
But it's important to know that while entry-level cyber security jobs are open to motivated learners, advanced positions often require postgraduate study, which isn't for complete beginners. Structured learning and strong technical foundations matter.
This guide walks you through what the industry looks like, the skills you’ll need, and how you can get jobs in cyber security. We'll also cover how an MSc in Advanced Cyber Security from King’s College London can support your progression into specialist roles.
Advance your career and develop specialist knowledge to keep your organisation’s data protected. Check out the King’s Advanced Cyber Security MSc.
Why does cyber security attract career changers?
Cyber security sits at the intersection of technology, risk, and real-world impact. Every organisation that uses digital systems needs protection, and most organisations have a digital presence.
According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of businesses experienced a cyber-attack or breach in the last year. At the same time, the Cyber Growth Action Plan 2025 reported annual sector revenue of £13.2 billion - a 12% increase on the previous year - with 67,300 people working directly in cyber security. This is up 11% on 2024 figures, and the figure will likely continue to climb.
Globally, the ISC2 Workforce Study shows persistent skills shortages, with 59% of organisations reporting 'critical or significant skills needs’.
This combination of rising risk and persistent talent gaps is why cyber security careers are so attractive. Salaries reflect this demand: cyber security analyst roles in the UK commonly start between £37,500 and £52,000, rising to £65,000 or more at senior level (Prospects).
For career changers, there’s another appeal: the work is analytical and problem-focused. If you enjoy structured thinking, investigating patterns, and solving complex technical challenges, cyber security offers intellectually engaging work with a clear purpose.
It’s also cross-sector. You could work in finance, healthcare, energy, retail, government, defence, or technology. Few career paths offer that level of flexibility.
What skills do you need to work in cyber security?
When researching how to get into cyber security, you’ll often see long lists of tools and acronyms. Underneath all that, employers are looking for strong foundations.
Core technical knowledge
To compete for entry level cyber security jobs, you should be comfortable with:
- Computer networks and protocols (TCP/IP, routing, firewalls)
- Operating systems such as Windows and Linux
- Basic systems administration concepts
- Security fundamentals (authentication, encryption, access control)
Programming skills are highly valuable. Python is widely used for scripting and automation, while familiarity with C, C++, or JavaScript strengthens your understanding of how software vulnerabilities arise.
Mathematical foundations
If you’re considering advanced study, particularly in areas like cryptography or security engineering, mathematical skills matter.
In practical terms, you need to be comfortable with calculus, linear algebra, probability, and discrete mathematics. These skills will help you understand how encryption works, how risks are modelled, and how security systems are analysed and tested.
This is one of the reasons why many postgraduate programmes require a technical or quantitative background.
Analytical and professional skills
Cyber security professionals must also:
- Think critically and solve problems creatively
- Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Pay attention to detail
- Commit to continuous learning
Security evolves quickly, so adaptability and a curious mindset are both musts for cyber security professionals.
How to get entry-level cyber security jobs: common pathways into the industry
There's no single pathway into a cyber security career. Your route depends on your starting point.
1. Self-study and foundational learning
Many aspiring cyber security professionals begin with structured self-study. Online programmes can introduce core concepts like network security, incident response, and vulnerability assessment.
For those without prior IT experience, starting in IT support or systems administration can provide valuable grounding before moving into security-focused roles.
2. Certifications
Certifications help validate your knowledge and signal commitment to employers. Popular starting points include CompTIA Security+ for foundational knowledge and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) for exposure to penetration testing techniques.
More advanced certifications, such as CISSP or CISM, are typically pursued later in your career once you’ve gained professional experience.
For example, the CISSP certification requires five years of relevant work experience before you can sit the exam, making it a mid-to-senior career milestone rather than an entry point.
3. Apprenticeships and internships
Apprenticeships and summer internships provide hands-on experience. These routes combine structured training with real-world exposure, but they can also present inconveniences. In most cases, mid-career professionals need to leave their current jobs to pursue this avenue, which often offers much lower pay.
4. Relevant undergraduate or postgraduate study
If you already hold a degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics, natural sciences, GIS, or operations research, postgraduate study can deepen your expertise. It can also accelerate your progression into specialist roles.
This route is ideal if you want to move beyond entry-level cybersecurity roles. It prepares you for mid- to senior-level positions such as Security Engineer, Security Architect, Threat Intelligence Analyst, or AI Security Specialist. These roles require advanced skills in areas like cryptography, secure system design, and threat analysis.
It’s important to be realistic here: advanced MSc programmes assume prior knowledge. They build on your existing computing and mathematical skills, rather than teach programming or algebra from scratch.
How our Advanced Cyber Security MSc prepares you for cyber security jobs
For applicants with a strong technical background, the King’s online Advanced Cyber Security MSc offers a structured path into specialist cyber security roles.
We've designed our programme for graduates with a background in quantitative subjects like Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Natural Sciences, GIS, or Operations Research.
As a successful applicant, you'll need to have coding experience and mathematical skills. In short, our Advanced Cyber Security MSc isn't a conversion programme. We've built it for professionals who already have a strong technical foundation and are ready to develop advanced depth in security.
The big advantage of our programme is that it's online and part-time. This means you can build advanced expertise while continuing to work in your current job. You can also fit your studies around other commitments, and you won't need to relocate.
You’ll study areas directly aligned with modern security practice, including:
- Network Security
- Cryptography
- Security Engineering
- Security Testing
- Computer Forensics and Cybercrime
- Security Management
Optional modules like AI Security and Privacy explore emerging threats at the frontier of technology.
The portfolio-based dissertation develops your independent investigation skills and your ability to synthesise complex evidence. These skills are directly transferable to analyst, engineering, consulting, and governance roles.
King’s is ranked 6th in the UK for Computer Science (QS World University Rankings 2025) and recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research. The programme itself is NCSC-certified, reflecting its quality and industry relevance.
By combining theoretical depth with practical application, our MSc prepares you for cyber security jobs at all levels. It also supports progression into engineering, testing, management, and research pathways within the wider cyber security career landscape.
Not sure whether a master’s degree in advanced cyber security is right for you? Discover six reasons to get a degree in the subject.
What is the best starting point for a cyber security career path?
Well, it depends on where you are right now.
Start by realistically assessing your current skillset. If you’re new to computing, build foundational IT and networking knowledge first. If you already have technical or mathematical expertise, focus on structured security training and validated credentials.
Or, if you want to move into specialist roles, choose an Advanced Cyber Security MSc programme. This route will deepen your technical expertise and strengthen your long-term career prospects.
Cyber security is accessible, but it rewards preparation. Transferable analytical skills, programming skills, and mathematical foundations give you a strong platform. From there, certifications, experience, and advanced study can help you specialise.
If you’re ready to build advanced expertise and move into specialist cyber security roles, visit the King’s online Advanced Cyber Security MSc programme page. There, you can explore the modules, entry requirements, and career options you can look forward to as a graduate.
