How to Get Into Cybersecurity – a Beginner’s Guide

We hear about cybersecurity or information security non-stop. Until 15 years ago, this world was considered a relatively niche field: one that only hackers and computer nerds would know; today, everyone is already familiar with the cybersecurity world. Maybe it’s because of famous hacks that affected German airports, a Netflix series showing hackers break into the biggest bank in Spain, or just an innocent-looking phishing email we received.

5 Popular Questions On: How to Get into Cybersecurity

We wanted answers, so we did the digging ourselves. Here are the 5 most popular questions about the cyber field, especially for people with no experience in the industry or familiarity with it who are thinking about “how to get into cybersecurity.” Is it worth studying? What roles are out there? And just how much damage can cyberattacks really cause? You’ll find every answer below.

Question #1 – Is it worth studying cybersecurity?

The answer is a bit hard to summarize as a simple “yes or no”. In principle, the demand for cyber and information security professionals is only growing, despite various crises, AI taking over, and the fragile global geopolitical crisis – and how do we know this? Very simply – according to data:

In recent years, there has been a drastic increase in cyberattacks on organizations. By early 2026, the global average had surged to approximately 2,000 cyberattacks per organization per week – a nearly 70% increase over 2023. In Germany, the threat landscape is similarly intense, with local organizations facing an average of more than 1,200 attacks every week.

Recent data from the German digital association Bitkom reveals that an alarming 87% of German companies fell victim to data theft, espionage, or sabotage in the past twelve months. This barrage of digital threats causes over €202 billion in cyber-related damages to the German economy annually. The data points to an urgent and ever-growing need for robust, proactive cyber defense. (Sources: Check Point Research 2026 Cyber Security Report, Bitkom Economic Protection Study)

We remind you that this is purely about attacks on organizations, as we haven’t even mentioned the various attacks on private individuals through fake emails or SMS messages that only look innocent; one wrong click, and it is highly likely that your personal details will be exposed to bad people on the other side of the world. And here’s an important reminder: do not click on any message that looks suspicious to you; it could end very unpleasantly.

Bottom line – as attacks on organizations and private individuals rise (with the help of AI), so does the need for more cyber and information security professionals across a variety of different types and roles, which we will elaborate more about in the next part.

Question #2 – What are the roles in cybersecurity?

There are several different areas within cybersecurity, with over 15 different roles; it is quite possibly the field with the widest variety of different roles and titles, with some roles overlapping quite a bit and others being truly different from one another. At the same time, there are a few core roles that are the most popular and well-known (which are essentially entry-level cyber jobs), and are suitable for starting out in cybersecurity:

• SOC Information Security Analyst – Responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats in real-time in the Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Risk Assessment Specialist – Analyzes potential risks in the organization, identifies vulnerabilities, and proposes solutions to mitigate cyber threats.
• Security Researcher – Engaged in the research and development of new techniques for identifying and neutralizing cyberattacks, while analyzing vulnerabilities and security gaps.
• GRC Specialist (Governance, Risk & Compliance) – Ensures the organization’s security practices align with regulatory requirements and industry standards, manages risk frameworks, and oversees compliance audits.
• Cloud Security Specialist – Secures cloud infrastructure and services, configures access controls and encryption, and monitors cloud environments for misconfigurations and threats.

As you are already reading and understanding, every role is a whole world, with one sole goal: to strengthen the organization they work in regarding information security and cyberattacks, build defenses, and effectively prevent, as much as possible, the next attack.

Question #3 – What are the financial damages of cybersecurity breaches?

We were curious and wanted to check what the economic damages of cyber breaches are. The global average cost of a data breach has reached a record high of $4.99 million, a 12% increase over last year, driven by higher detection, escalation, and lost business costs. At the same time, there has been a 56% increase in AI-driven attacks, led by AI deepfake impersonations and AI-enabled malware, which drove the highest volume of those incidents. The financial toll of these advanced threats is severe: the global average breach cost of an AI model inversion attack now sits at $6 million, reflecting the growing difficulty of protecting training data and sensitive information. (Source: https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach)

However, implementing extensive use of AI and automation in security provides a massive advantage, resulting in an average cost savings of $1.93 million compared to organizations using none. And we are obviously not including other additional events here, such as image repair, customer compensation, and more. Bottom line, these events cause massive damage to organizations, from small to large.

Question #4 – How to study cybersecurity and start working in the field?

The ultimate question. Let’s assume you haven’t completed an academic degree in an IT-related area; is it realistically possible to get into the field and succeed in it? TL;DR – yes. It is absolutely possible. So what is the path that might guarantee you a successful career?

1. You have a ‘click’ with the field – Don’t dive into the field, a course, or a degree if you don’t think you have an interest in or affinity for it. We can only assume that if you’ve made it this far, you have a strong interest in it, but either way, this is your time to research, read, and test your abilities before you jump into the water.
2. Study path – Is it possible to learn cybersecurity alone? Due to its complexity and diversity of career paths, we recommend choosing a study track or a beginner’s cyber course that is designed for career changers and contains both theoretical and practical training, combining all the methods for success and familiarity with the field – all of these, combined with lecturers from the industry, are your tools for success.
3. Paying for the course – If you live in Germany and are registered as unemployed with the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit, you can apply for a Bildungsgutschein – an education voucher that can fully fund professional training programs, including in Cybersecurity. This is a unique perk, because it allows you to learn at no cost with a free mind while maintaining all other unemployment benefits and government support.
4. Certification and exams – During your training, you will prepare for and take different certification exams, ideally with official and well-recognized organizations like the IHK, Microsoft, and CompTIA that will test all the content you’ve learned. The fun part? You’ll need to execute and solve challenges in real-time – very tense, very challenging, but also very fun and fulfilling.
5. Finding a job – Is it possible to start working right after the course? Yes! Finished the training? Excellent. Here begins your next step on your journey to a successful career. The placement department from the educational institution should already contact you; they will help you build a resume, do job interview simulations, and most importantly – forward your resume to companies and organizations looking for people exactly like you.

Important point to note – the course is not a “magical solution,” nor is the placement company or any of the various lecturers or teachers you will meet along the way. The progress, the skills you develop, and your curiosity – these are the traits that will develop your career above all else. And also during the career itself, it is always important to research, read, and be interested, which leads us exactly to the next paragraph.

Question #5 – Is AI taking over cybersecurity jobs?

In short – no. Like any field, artificial intelligence has entered it as well. Is it meant to replace you in your role? Absolutely not. But rather the exact opposite; it comes to help and guide you in processes that sound a bit exhausting and tough, and save you a lot of annoying and Sisyphean work, for example:

1. Identifying attacks – AI detects unusual patterns in the network and alerts against breaches.
2. Identity verification – AI systems check if a user is real using facial recognition or behavioral analysis.
3. Filtering malicious content – AI filters suspicious emails and identifies phishing attempts (come on, Amazon isn’t just going to give you $500 gift cards when their email address is: [email protected]).
4. Automated response – AI systems are capable of blocking attacks in real-time before they cause damage.

But AI helps attackers too, by increasing both the volume and sophistication of attacks. So like any cat-and-mouse game, AI raises the stakes for both sides. It’s changing the field, but it’s certainly not making cybersecurity professionals any less necessary.

And lastly…

Are you naturally curious and drawn to the world of cyber and information security? Even with zero prior experience, a successful tech career is entirely within your reach.

At Cybersteps, our AI-Integrated Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking Cybersecurity Weiterbildung Program gives you hands-on training in high-demand fields like SOC, GRC, Cloud Security, and Pentesting. Featuring advanced practical labs and official certifications from industry leaders like IHK, Microsoft Azure, and CompTIA, this track provides everything you need to step straight onto the frontlines of the tech industry.