A cybersecurity degree can lead to more than one type of career. The field includes roles focused on network and system security, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessment, risk management and other areas of information technology.
So, what can you do with a cybersecurity degree?
Depending on your skills, experience and the needs of an employer, career possibilities may include information security analyst, security operations analyst, penetration tester, network or systems administrator, security management specialist and other technology roles with cybersecurity responsibilities.
Some positions may be accessible earlier in your career, while others typically require related work experience, additional technical expertise or professional development.
Cybersecurity Career Paths at a Glance
| Career Area | What the Work May Involve | Career Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Information security analysis | Monitoring security, evaluating vulnerabilities, responding to incidents and recommending protections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says a bachelor’s degree plus related work experience is typically needed |
| Security operations | Reviewing alerts, investigating suspicious activity and supporting incident response | Titles and responsibilities vary by employer |
| Network and systems administration | Configuring and maintaining networks, systems and access while supporting secure operations | Can provide broader IT and infrastructure experience |
| Vulnerability assessment | Identifying weaknesses, documenting findings and helping teams prioritize remediation | Requires strong understanding of systems and security controls |
| Penetration testing | Conducting authorized simulated attacks to evaluate security | Typically a more specialized technical path |
| Governance, risk and compliance | Evaluating risk, policies, controls and security requirements | Often combines cybersecurity knowledge with communication and documentation |
| Network architecture | Designing and implementing data communication networks with security among the design considerations | BLS says related professional experience is typically required |
| Security management | Assessing security needs and helping design security systems and processes | Responsibilities may span cyber, information and organizational security |
Your first job does not have to determine your entire career. Cybersecurity career paths can evolve as you develop technical knowledge, gain experience and discover which types of security problems interest you most.
Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs: Where Can You Start?
There is no single universal entry point into cybersecurity.
Employers determine their own experience requirements, and titles such as entry-level cybersecurity analyst, SOC analyst, security analyst or IT security specialist can represent different responsibilities at different organizations.
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field along with related work experience, while some employers prefer professional certification.
That is an important distinction: earning a bachelor’s degree can establish an academic foundation, but your coursework, technical skills and prior experience can also influence where you begin.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts help protect an organization’s networks and systems.
According to BLS, these professionals plan and carry out security measures. O*NET describes the occupation as involving responsibilities such as monitoring security measures, assessing vulnerabilities, recommending risk-mitigation strategies and responding to security breaches.
A cybersecurity analyst job description may therefore include responsibilities such as:
- Monitoring networks or security systems
- Reviewing potential security vulnerabilities
- Investigating suspicious activity
- Supporting incident response
- Recommending security improvements
- Helping implement or maintain security controls
- Documenting security issues and responses
- Communicating findings to technical or organizational stakeholders
Exact responsibilities vary by employer and job title.
BLS reports that information security analysts earned a median annual wage of $124,910 in May 2024 and projects 29% employment growth from 2024 to 2034, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.
Security Operations and SOC Roles
A security operations center, commonly called a SOC, brings together people and technologies used to identify, investigate and respond to potential security events.
An early-career SOC or security operations role may involve:
- Reviewing alerts
- Examining logs and other security information
- Investigating unusual activity
- Distinguishing possible threats from false alarms
- Documenting findings
- Escalating incidents when necessary
- Supporting established incident-response procedures
Job titles are not standardized across employers. A role involving these responsibilities might be advertised as SOC analyst, security operations analyst, cybersecurity analyst or another security-related title.
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Not every path into cybersecurity begins in a job with “security” in the title.
Network and computer systems administrators install, configure and maintain an organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities can expose professionals to networking, operating systems, access management, troubleshooting and infrastructure concepts that are also relevant to cybersecurity.
BLS says these professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer- or information-related field, although some employers accept other postsecondary credentials. The occupation had a 2024 median annual wage of $96,800.
This is better viewed as a related IT career path than as a cybersecurity job in every organization. Security may be one part of the role rather than its entire focus.
Cybersecurity Roles Explained: How Career Paths Become More Specialized
As you gain experience, you may discover that you prefer investigating attacks, testing systems, designing networks, evaluating risk or working with organizational security policies.
Cybersecurity careers can become increasingly specialized in each of those directions.
The NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity, developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), provides a common way to describe cybersecurity work, including roles, knowledge and skills across the field.
Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability-focused work is centered on finding and evaluating weaknesses that could affect systems, networks or applications.
Depending on the position, responsibilities may involve:
- Conducting vulnerability assessments
- Reviewing scan results
- Evaluating possible security weaknesses
- Documenting findings
- Helping prioritize remediation
- Communicating risk to other technical teams
This type of work requires more than running a scanning tool. Professionals need enough understanding of systems and security to interpret findings and distinguish meaningful risk from information that may require additional investigation.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testers evaluate security by conducting authorized simulated cyberattacks.
O*NET describes penetration testers as professionals who evaluate network and system security by using adversary tools and techniques to test whether weaknesses can be exploited. Their work may include developing and executing tests that simulate techniques used by real threat actors.
This career path can involve:
- Testing networks and systems
- Identifying exploitable weaknesses
- Simulating attack techniques
- Documenting vulnerabilities
- Explaining findings
- Recommending ways to reduce risk
Because penetration testing is specialized work, employers may look for substantial technical knowledge, demonstrated skills or related experience in addition to a degree.
Network Architecture
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks, wide area networks and intranets.
Cybersecurity can be an important consideration in how those networks are designed and maintained.
BLS says computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field plus related work experience, such as experience in network and computer systems administration. The occupation had a 2024 median annual wage of $130,390 and is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034.
This is a good example of why cybersecurity career paths are not always linear. Knowledge of security can contribute to broader technology roles in which protecting systems is one important responsibility.
Governance, Risk and Compliance
Not every cybersecurity role revolves around analyzing malicious code or testing networks.
Governance, risk and compliance, often shortened to GRC, focuses more heavily on how organizations manage cybersecurity risk through policies, controls, standards and processes.
Depending on the organization, professionals working in this area may:
- Assess security risks
- Document policies and controls
- Review whether requirements are being followed
- Help prepare for audits or assessments
- Communicate security requirements
- Coordinate between technical and nontechnical teams
These roles can be a good fit for people who enjoy cybersecurity but are also interested in communication, documentation, policy and organizational decision-making.
Security Management
Security management positions may focus on evaluating security needs and helping organizations develop systems, policies or processes to address them.
O*NET describes security management specialists as professionals who conduct organizational security assessments and design security systems and processes. The occupation can encompass several different types of security responsibilities, so individual job descriptions should be reviewed carefully.
What Skills Matter Across Cybersecurity Career Paths?
Cybersecurity roles can be highly technical, but technical knowledge is only part of the picture.
Several skills appear across different cybersecurity jobs.
Analytical Thinking
Security professionals regularly work with incomplete or complex information.
You may need to determine whether activity is normal or suspicious, assess the significance of a vulnerability or connect information from several sources to understand what happened.
BLS specifically identifies analytical ability as important for information security analysts.
Problem-Solving
Cybersecurity problems rarely arrive with a perfect set of instructions.
Professionals may need to troubleshoot technical issues, investigate unexpected behavior or determine an appropriate response to a potential risk.
Communication
Cybersecurity professionals often need to explain technical information to people who do not have the same technical background.
That could mean:
- Writing an incident report
- Explaining a vulnerability
- Documenting recommended changes
- Discussing risk with organizational leaders
- Coordinating with another IT team
Being able to explain why a security issue matters can be just as important as identifying it.
Attention to Detail
Logs, configurations, permissions and security alerts can contain small details with significant implications.
Careful documentation is also important when tracking incidents, vulnerabilities and remediation work.
Technical Curiosity
Cybersecurity changes along with technology.
NIST’s NICE Framework is itself designed to evolve as cybersecurity work and the knowledge and skills associated with it change. The current NICE Framework Components were updated again in 2026, including additions and updates related to areas such as cryptography and DevSecOps.
That makes continued learning an important part of many cybersecurity careers.
How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity
If you’re wondering how to start a career in cybersecurity, earning a bachelor’s degree can be one piece of the process.
You can also use your time as a student to build evidence of what you know and what you can do.
Build a Strong Technical Foundation
Cybersecurity depends on understanding the technologies you are protecting.
That can include knowledge of:
- Computer networks
- Operating systems
- Hardware
- Programming
- Cloud technologies
- Network security
- Cryptography
- Access controls
- Incident response
- Vulnerability assessment
Understanding the underlying systems can make it easier to recognize how they may be attacked or misconfigured.
Apply What You Learn
Look for opportunities to turn concepts into practice through coursework, academic projects and other legitimate learning experiences available to you.
Being able to explain how you approached a technical problem, what you tried and what you learned can give an employer more context than simply listing course names on a resume.
Look for Relevant Experience
Experience does not have to begin with your ideal cybersecurity job title.
Depending on your background and opportunities, experience in areas such as IT support, systems administration, networking, technical projects or internships may help you build familiarity with the environments cybersecurity professionals protect.
BLS’s guidance for information security analysts is useful here: the occupation typically requires a bachelor’s degree and related work experience.
Read Job Descriptions Carefully
Cybersecurity titles can be inconsistent.
NIST explicitly distinguishes between work roles, jobs and occupations, noting that these terms are often confused or used interchangeably.
When you’re searching for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, look closely at:
- Required skills
- Preferred experience
- Technologies used
- Primary responsibilities
- Education requirements
- Whether certifications are required or preferred
That will give you a much better idea of whether a position matches your current preparation.
Do You Need a Master’s After a Cybersecurity Degree?
Not necessarily.
A master’s degree is not universally required to begin a cybersecurity career. For example, BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for information security analysts.
Whether pursuing a master’s after a cybersecurity degree makes sense depends on where you want your career to go.
You might consider graduate education later if you want to:
- Develop deeper expertise in a particular area
- Prepare for more advanced technical work
- Expand your knowledge of cybersecurity strategy or leadership
- Move into research-oriented work
- Build on experience you’ve already gained in the field
A master’s in cybersecurity may be worth it for some professionals, but it should be evaluated in the context of your career goals, experience, employer expectations and the skills you want to develop.
If you’re considering graduate study, explore 12 Diverse Career Paths With a Master’s in Cybersecurity for a closer look at possibilities after graduate education.
What Does an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Cover?
Online learning can provide another pathway for students who need flexibility while building cybersecurity knowledge.
What matters most is what the individual program actually teaches.
Rowan Online’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity includes courses in areas such as:
- Linux and Unix
- Computer networks
- Secure software development
- Computer hardware and operating systems
- Ethical hacking
- Computer forensics
- Applied cryptography
- Cybersecurity management, policy and risk
- Digital incident handling
- Network security
- Cyber defense and cyber operations
- Cloud computing and the Internet of Things
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Penetration testing
- Digital forensics
- Malware analysis and reverse engineering
Notice how those subjects connect to different career paths.
Network and operating-system knowledge can support infrastructure-focused work. Digital incident handling and cyber defense relate to security monitoring and response. Ethical hacking and penetration-testing coursework introduces concepts relevant to offensive security. Policy and risk coursework connects to governance and risk-focused careers.
A degree does not guarantee a particular job, but the breadth of the curriculum can help students explore which parts of cybersecurity interest them most.
Explore Rowan Online’s BS in Cybersecurity
If you’re looking for an online learning option, Rowan Online’s BS in Cybersecurity is designed to provide a broad foundation in cybersecurity while offering flexibility in how you complete your degree.
The program is:
- 100% online
- Available full time or part time
- 120 credits for first-year students
- Designed to accommodate eligible transfer credit
- Offered through Rowan Online
For the 2026–27 academic year, the program page lists tuition at $609 per credit. Program information, courses and costs are subject to change, so review the current program and tuition pages when making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Degree Jobs
What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?
A cybersecurity degree can prepare you to build knowledge relevant to careers in information security analysis, security operations, vulnerability assessment, network and systems administration, penetration testing, governance and risk, network architecture and other security-related technology roles. The jobs available to you will also depend on your technical skills, previous experience and employer requirements.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor’s in cybersecurity?
Possible bachelor’s in cybersecurity jobs include information security analyst and other cybersecurity or IT roles involving security analysis, networks, systems, vulnerabilities or risk. Some positions require related experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree, so review individual job requirements carefully.
What does a cybersecurity analyst do?
A cybersecurity or information security analyst helps protect networks, systems and information. Duties can include monitoring security measures, assessing vulnerabilities, investigating potential incidents, recommending risk-reduction strategies and helping organizations respond to security problems.
Are there entry-level cybersecurity jobs?
Yes, but “entry level” does not mean every position requires no previous experience. Employers set their own requirements, and some cybersecurity jobs may expect prior IT experience. Early-career opportunities may include security operations, analyst or related IT positions, depending on your preparation and the organization.
Is cybersecurity only about hacking?
No. Cybersecurity includes monitoring, incident response, network and system security, vulnerability assessment, governance, risk management, compliance, digital forensics and many other areas. Penetration testing and ethical hacking represent only part of the field.
Do you need certifications for a cybersecurity career?
Certification requirements vary by employer and position. BLS notes that employers may prefer professional certification when hiring information security analysts. A certification can complement your education, but it does not replace the need to develop the knowledge and skills required for the specific work you want to pursue.
Is a master’s in cybersecurity worth it?
It can be for some professionals, especially when graduate education supports a specific goal such as deeper specialization, advanced technical work, leadership or research. A master’s degree is not universally required to enter cybersecurity, so consider your career goals, professional experience and the requirements of the positions you’re interested in before deciding.
Can you earn a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree online?
Yes. Online cybersecurity bachelor’s programs are available, although formats and curricula vary by institution. Students may choose an online program for greater flexibility in balancing coursework with work, family or other responsibilities. Rowan Online’s BS in Cybersecurity is offered 100% online with full-time and part-time options and requires 120 credits for students completing the full bachelor’s curriculum.
About Rowan Online
Rowan Online empowers learners throughout the region with high-quality, accessible and affordable online education backed by the innovation and forward-thinking of Rowan University. Rowan’s flexible online programs seamlessly connect students to award-winning faculty and industry leaders, comprehensive student support services and academic resources—no matter where they are. In collaboration with Rowan’s nationally ranked colleges and schools, Rowan Online delivers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in high-demand, future-focused fields. Guided by employer insight and industry-driven curriculum, Rowan Online prepares students to excel in a rapidly evolving workforce and lead in their professions and communities.