[TheDabDoctor]

I am 30 years old and have been told by two different neuro-oncologists that I will pass away within 10-15 years roughly five years ago. This isn't a pity post, while the cancer is shitty I have made a lot of horrible life choices and just think its time I get my shit together. I have always had an interest in cybersecurity but never knew where to start. I have been afraid to post seriously in this forum as I am nervous but figured it couldn't hurt to ask about what novice entry level positions you all have within the community and what certificates would be bare minimum to start such work?

I currently change oil at $17 a hour and am extremely disappointed with my current ability to save while working 10 hour shifts, five days a week. I get fatigued easily and love the auto industry but feel its time to start making a change or start studying for one. Other sources point to CompTIA Security+/CompTIA CySA+ Certs being the route to go if you don't want to go to a trade school or college. With my timeline I need hands on training and studying but have no idea what resources are actually out there. When I was a kid I fooled around with botnets and keyloggers and thought that it was fun but the adult in me wouldn't mind getting on the flip side of that and being a whitehat.

[Mac Miller]

Here is a good general pathway for certifications to follow:

A+ Core 1 & core 2 > Network+ or CCNA for network foundations > Security+ for Foundational Security Knowledge

Then you diverge depending on what kind of cybersecurity you want to do.

If you want to go Blue Team, then Follow CYSA+ > CASP+ > CISSP (Will Require 5 years of work experience + a CISSP holder to vouch for you, but you can become a CISSP associate which means you passed the exam but you still need the work experience)

If you want to go Red Team, diverge to Pentest+/eJPT > OSCP

I would recommend getting a Linux certification as well. CompTIA offers the Linux+ certification but there's others by Red Hat that are generally regarded as better

Note that Cybersecurity isn't entry level and you will have a tough time finding a job with just these certifications.

It's generally recommended to get into an IT support role to garner experience up to one or two years then pivot into a SOC Analyst Role then eventually pivot into a higher level security role, while obtaining these certifications.

These are what I use to study:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87t6P5ZH..._qQgsh01uC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHDU4kF...i4hH_mgW4b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As6g6IXc...6cne864a7G

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiEptGbn...qcSKEIDDuv

The best free courses available on the internet. also the CompTIA subreddit is a great resource too.

I currently hold the A+, Net+, Linux+ and I'm studying for my Security+. I will be going for my CYSA+ after security+ then probably going for my CCNA to refresh my networking knowledge, then pivoting into eJPT and eventually OSCP.

Generally recommended to get one Microsoft certification too.

Lots of jobs wont even look at you if you don't have a bachelors. Check out WGU. It's an online university that has a BS in Cybersec and Information assurance, which the exams for the classes are compTIA certifications as well as higher level pentest certs like the OSCP. You pay by term and do it at your own pace, so if you can complete all of it in a year you can get a BS for like 10k. they have a masters program as well.

[BiNBo]

Here is a good general pathway for certifications to follow....

THIS. Everything he's listed out is an excellent pathway for someone in a situation like yours. This day and age, degrees are nice, but in cybersecurity your certifications and experience can carry you a very long way. If you have the right certs and a few years of experience, you'll beat out 90% of fresh college graduates no question. To get that entry level experience, look into helpdesk and other entry level IT jobs. Even if the role itself isn't directly cybersecurity related, being in the overall IT industry will help you pivot into jobs that are more aligned with your interests.

[Mac Miller]

THIS. Everything he's listed out is an excellent pathway for someone in a situation like yours. This day and age, degrees are nice, but in cybersecurity your certifications and experience can carry you a very long way. If you have the right certs and a few years of experience, you'll beat out 90% of fresh college graduates no question. To get that entry level experience, look into helpdesk and other entry level IT jobs. Even if the role itself isn't directly cybersecurity related, being in the overall IT industry will help you pivot into jobs that are more aligned with your interests.

That's why I recommended WGU, it gives you BS or MS qualifications + they give you literally every certification you'd need, the only thing that would make it better is a placement for work experience. Thinking about going here myself after my internship.

Certs are good, experience is good, schooling is good

all three together and you'll beat out 90/100 people applying for the position

[TheDabDoctor]

Here is a good general pathway for certifications to follow:

Really appreciate the advice and input. (By the way mac miller got me through my chemo/radiation treatments.)

[SIM-5457022]

Here is a good general pathway for certifications to follow:

A+ Core 1 & core 2 > Network+ or CCNA for network foundations > Security+ for Foundational Security Knowledge

Then you diverge depending on what kind of cybersecurity you want to do.

If you want to go Blue Team, then Follow CYSA+ > CASP+ > CISSP (Will Require 5 years of work experience + a CISSP holder to vouch for you, but you can become a CISSP associate which means you passed the exam but you still need the work experience)

If you want to go Red Team, diverge to Pentest+/eJPT > OSCP

I would recommend getting a Linux certification as well. CompTIA offers the Linux+ certification but there's others by Red Hat that are generally regarded as better

Note that Cybersecurity isn't entry level and you will have a tough time finding a job with just these certifications.

It's generally recommended to get into an IT support role to garner experience up to one or two years then pivot into a SOC Analyst Role then eventually pivot into a higher level security role, while obtaining these certifications.

These are what I use to study:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87t6P5ZH..._qQgsh01uC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHDU4kF...i4hH_mgW4b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As6g6IXc...6cne864a7G

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiEptGbn...qcSKEIDDuv

The best free courses available on the internet. also the CompTIA subreddit is a great resource too.

I currently hold the A+, Net+, Linux+ and I'm studying for my Security+. I will be going for my CYSA+ after security+ then probably going for my CCNA to refresh my networking knowledge, then pivoting into eJPT and eventually OSCP.

Generally recommended to get one Microsoft certification too.

Lots of jobs wont even look at you if you don't have a bachelors. Check out WGU. It's an online university that has a BS in Cybersec and Information assurance, which the exams for the classes are compTIA certifications as well as higher level pentest certs like the OSCP. You pay by term and do it at your own pace, so if you can complete all of it in a year you can get a BS for like 10k. they have a masters program as well.

That is what I heard and jobs near me require at minimum a bach degree in IT or something similar.

[PulseLink]

I have some comp certs, it has certainly helped with my software engineering career along the way. I think its important in the beginning (this was over a decade ago), then from there job experience can carry you up the latter. A job is better than no job and sometimes you have to put your head down and peruse a goal for a few months.
I would 100% pay the money (you can afford) for certificates and get your resume blasted out there.

Good luck my friend.

[Undead]

Some good information on this thread. You might wanna look into getting few short term remote IT Support jobs as well just to gain some experience in the field.

Wish you all the best.

[bitk1ng]

Sad to hear the news.

I hope you find strength to continue, and to live the rest of your Life happily. There is alot of new technology that can Happen before its too late. Dedicate yourself to god and he may heal you.