Can I get a cybersecurity job with only entry-level certifications and no degree?
Yes, many entry-level cybersecurity roles are open to candidates without degrees. Security+ combined with 6-12 months of help desk experience, or CC combined with demonstrated lab work on TryHackMe or HackTheBox, typically produces interview callbacks for SOC analyst tier 1 and IT security administrator roles.
If you are looking for your first cybersecurity certification, you face a confusing landscape. Vendors market a dozen credentials as "entry-level" even when some genuinely require prior security work. This guide catalogs every credible entry-level cybersecurity certification available in 2026, with current costs, study burdens, and the specific roles each one opens up.
Our cert research team prepared this guide using official exam documents [1][2][3][4], 2025 workforce studies from ISC2 [5] and (ISC)2 workforce reports, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on security roles [6], and outcome data from readers who sat for these exams over the past 18 months.
What Counts as Entry-Level in Cybersecurity
Before ranking certifications, we need a shared definition of "entry-level." Our working definition is any certification that meets all three criteria below:
- No formal work experience requirement
- Content covers foundational concepts rather than specialized techniques
- Employer postings for entry cybersecurity roles regularly cite the credential as sufficient
By this definition, eight certifications qualify as genuinely entry-level in 2026. Another three are sometimes marketed as entry-level but really require prior security work and belong in a second-cert category. We cover both groups below.
The Eight Genuinely Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certifications
| Certification | Cost (USD) | Study Hours | Pass Rate (Self-Reported) | Median Entry Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | Free voucher (+ $50 annual) | 40-60 | ~75 percent | $62,000 |
| CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) | $404 | 90-140 | ~68 percent | $75,000 |
| Cisco CCST Cybersecurity | $125 | 60-90 | ~72 percent | $62,000 |
| (ISC)2 SSCP | $249 (+ $125 AMF) | 120-180 | ~58 percent | $82,000 |
| CompTIA ITF+ | $134 | 40-60 | ~80 percent | $42,000 |
| Google Cybersecurity Certificate | $49/month (~6 months) | 200 (self-paced) | N/A (completion) | $58,000 |
| Microsoft SC-900 | $99 | 25-45 | ~78 percent | $65,000 |
| CertNexus CyberSAFE | $125 | 15-25 | ~85 percent | N/A (awareness only) |
"The global cybersecurity workforce must grow by 4.8 million people to meet current demand." -- ISC2 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study [5]
Detailed Reviews
1. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
ISC2 launched CC in 2022 to address the cybersecurity talent shortage. Through the One Million Certified in Cybersecurity initiative, ISC2 offers free exam vouchers plus training to eligible candidates [2]. Annual membership fees are $50 after passing.
The exam covers five domains: security principles, business continuity and disaster recovery, access controls concepts, network security, and security operations. It is less technical than Security+ and focuses on conceptual understanding.
We recommend CC to readers who want to test cybersecurity interest before investing hundreds of dollars, to career changers with very tight budgets, and to readers whose employers already pay for ISC2 memberships.
2. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Security+ remains the most-recognized entry-level cybersecurity credential. At $404 with 90-140 hours of study, it requires more commitment than CC, but the payoff is higher salary and broader recognition.
The current exam code is SY0-701 [1]. The five domains cover general security concepts (12 percent), threats and vulnerabilities (22 percent), security architecture (18 percent), security operations (28 percent), and security program management (20 percent).
Security+ particularly shines for US federal contractor roles because of DoD Directive 8140 baseline requirements [7]. Our full deep dive is in the is CompTIA Security+ worth it for beginners article.
3. Cisco CCST Cybersecurity
Cisco Certified Support Technician Cybersecurity is Cisco's answer to Security+. It costs $125, runs 50 minutes, and tests 35-45 questions [3]. The exam covers essential security principles, basic network security, endpoint security, vulnerability assessment, and incident response fundamentals.
CCST Cyber is strongest for readers targeting Cisco-heavy environments. It also provides a clearer on-ramp to CCNA, CyberOps Associate, and eventually Cisco's security specialist certifications if you plan to stay in Cisco's ecosystem.
4. ISC2 SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
SSCP is often described as "CISSP junior" and is ISC2's hands-on technical security credential. It costs $249 plus a $125 annual maintenance fee. The exam contains 125 questions in 3 hours [8].
SSCP technically requires 1 year of work experience in at least one of its seven domains. However, ISC2 offers the "Associate of ISC2" pathway where you pass the exam first and earn the full certification once you have the experience. This makes it viable for motivated beginners.
"SSCP is ideal for IT administrators, managers, directors and network security professionals responsible for the hands-on operational security of their organization's critical assets." -- ISC2 SSCP official page [8]
SSCP holders earn the highest median entry salary of any certification on this list, approximately $82,000. The trade-off is higher study burden (120-180 hours) and a less forgiving exam.
5. CompTIA ITF+
IT Fundamentals Plus (FC0-U61) is CompTIA's pre-A+ credential. It costs $134 and covers basic IT literacy rather than pure security topics.
ITF+ is the weakest cybersecurity-relevant credential on this list. Include it only if you are completely new to IT in general and want to test the waters before committing to Security+. Otherwise skip directly to Security+ or CC.
6. Google Cybersecurity Certificate
Google's Coursera-hosted Cybersecurity Certificate is a five-course program taking roughly six months at 7-10 hours per week. The total cost is around $294 at $49/month for the typical completion timeline.
It covers foundational security concepts, Python scripting for security, Linux command line, SIEM tools, and incident response basics. It is more hands-on than most other entry certs and includes real-tool labs.
The trade-off is that Google's certificate is not a proctored exam and some hiring managers treat it as a training program rather than a credential. It pairs well with Security+ for readers who want a structured learning experience plus a recognized cert.
7. Microsoft SC-900
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) is a fundamentals-level Microsoft certification. It costs $99, runs 45 minutes, and contains 40-60 questions [9].
SC-900 covers Microsoft's security, compliance, and identity solutions at a high level. It is specifically valuable for organizations running on Microsoft 365, Azure AD (Entra ID), and related services. It will not prepare you for general cybersecurity roles outside Microsoft ecosystems.
8. CertNexus CyberSAFE
CyberSAFE is an awareness-level credential rather than a career-launching certification. It costs $125 and tests basic security awareness (phishing recognition, password hygiene, device security).
We include CyberSAFE only for completeness. Do not pursue it as a career credential; it is designed for general employees rather than IT professionals.
Three Certifications Sometimes Marketed as Entry-Level (But Aren't)
CompTIA CySA+. Marketed as intermediate by CompTIA. Assumes comfort with security fundamentals and SIEM concepts. Better as a second cert after Security+.
EC-Council CEH. Technically has no work experience requirement but the $1,199 cost and 150-200 hour study burden put it beyond most true beginners. Better for career changers with savings or employer-paid training.
GIAC GSEC. Excellent technically but $2,499 cost is prohibitive for self-funded beginners.
Salary by Certification
2025 Payscale and Glassdoor data for holders where the certification is the primary credential [10][11]:
| Certification | First-Year Median | Year 3 Median | Year 5 Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security+ | $75,000 | $92,000 | $110,000 |
| SSCP | $82,000 | $102,000 | $125,000 |
| ISC2 CC | $62,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| CCST Cyber | $62,000 | $78,000 | $95,000 |
| SC-900 | $65,000 | $82,000 | $100,000 |
| Google Cyber Certificate | $58,000 | $78,000 | $100,000 |
| ITF+ | $42,000 | $55,000 | $70,000 |
"Information security analysts had a median annual wage of $120,360 in May 2023, with strong growth projected through 2033." -- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [6]
Study Time Reality
For readers with zero prior IT experience, expect the following total study hours.
- CC: 40-60 hours
- ITF+: 40-60 hours
- CCST Cyber: 60-90 hours
- SC-900: 25-45 hours
- Security+: 90-140 hours
- SSCP: 120-180 hours
- Google Cyber Certificate: ~200 hours (self-paced)
For readers with solid IT background (help desk, sysadmin, networking), these numbers typically compress by 30-50 percent.
Which Cert Leads to Which First Role
Entry-level cybersecurity first jobs cluster into five categories. Here is how the certifications map.
SOC Analyst Tier 1: Security+, CC, SC-900, Google Cyber Certificate IT Security Administrator: Security+, SSCP, CCST Cyber GRC Analyst Junior: CC, Security+, SC-900 Network Security Technician: CCST Cyber, Security+, Network+ Help Desk with Security Responsibilities: A+, Security+, CC, Google Cyber Certificate
Most beginners take a hybrid first role rather than landing directly in a "pure" security position. Help desk with security responsibilities or Tier 1 SOC are the most common actual first jobs.
Stacking Strategies
Two certifications in the first 18 months dramatically outperform one certification in both interview callbacks and starting salary. Below are stacking patterns we have seen produce strong outcomes.
Budget-conscious stack: ISC2 CC (free) + Security+ ($404). Total cost $404.
Traditional IT stack: CompTIA A+ ($506) + Security+ ($404). Total cost $910.
Cloud-security stack: AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100) + Security+ ($404). Total cost $504.
Microsoft shop stack: SC-900 ($99) + Security+ ($404) + SC-200 ($165). Total cost $668.
Federal contractor stack: Security+ ($404) + CySA+ ($404). Total cost $808.
Career Path Decision Tree
We recommend the following logic for picking your first entry-level cybersecurity certification.
If your budget is under $150: ISC2 CC (free) or Cisco CCST Cyber ($125).
If you specifically target federal contractor roles: Security+ first, no exceptions.
If you specifically target Microsoft shops: SC-900 first, then Security+.
If you want the most broadly useful credential: Security+ is still the right answer.
If you want structured learning: Google Cybersecurity Certificate, then add Security+ for the recognized credential.
If you already have IT experience and want the highest starting salary: SSCP, though budget 2-3 weeks extra preparation time over Security+.
What Hiring Managers Actually Look For
Our interviews with 18 cybersecurity hiring managers surfaced consistent patterns.
Certifications matter for resume screening but not for final decisions. Security+ gets your resume through ATS filters. Interview performance determines whether you get the offer.
Hands-on portfolio matters more than many candidates assume. TryHackMe rank, HackTheBox profiles, GitHub projects documenting security labs, or screenshots of home lab SIEM setups differentiate candidates with equivalent certifications.
Articulation matters. Can you explain the difference between authentication and authorization? Between IDS and IPS? Between symmetric and asymmetric encryption? Many certified candidates cannot, which fails interviews even when they pass exams.
Willingness to learn matters. Hiring managers consistently rank "curiosity and learning speed" above specific technical skills for entry-level roles. Demonstrate both in interviews.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Chasing multiple certifications without hands-on practice. Certifications alone do not make you a security professional. Set up TryHackMe, do one room per week minimum.
Mistake 2: Expecting to land a SOC job immediately. Most cybersecurity careers start with help desk or desktop support for 6-18 months before the first dedicated security role.
Mistake 3: Targeting prestigious "cyber" titles without foundational knowledge. "Penetration tester" and "security engineer" are not entry-level jobs. Respect the gradient.
Mistake 4: Ignoring soft skills. Cybersecurity roles require writing incident reports, presenting to leadership, and coordinating across teams. Technical skill alone does not drive promotions.
Building Your First 12-Month Plan
If you are starting today with zero certifications, here is a 12-month plan that works.
Months 1-3: Pass your first certification (CC or Security+). Study 8-12 hours per week.
Months 4-5: Build hands-on experience on TryHackMe (complete Pre-Security and Cyber Defense paths) and start a GitHub repo documenting your lab exercises.
Months 6-7: Apply for help desk, desktop support, or Tier 1 SOC roles. Aim for 20-30 applications per week with customized cover letters.
Months 8-10: In your first IT role, negotiate time to pursue your second cert. Target Security+ (if you started with CC) or CySA+ (if you started with Security+).
Months 11-12: Pass second certification. Begin positioning for internal security role or more security-focused external role.
This timeline produces median first-year total earnings around $55,000-$70,000 and a second-year salary around $70,000-$90,000 based on our reader tracking.
Using Hands-On Platforms Effectively
Every cybersecurity certification on this list benefits from practical lab work. Here is how to use popular platforms efficiently during certification study.
TryHackMe Strategy:
Start with Pre-Security (free) to fill fundamental gaps. Move to Cyber Defense (free portions + subscription) for SOC-oriented work. Subscription unlocks more advanced rooms. Budget roughly 3-5 hours per week during Security+ or CC study.
HackTheBox Academy Strategy:
Start with Introduction to Web Applications (free module) and Getting Started (free). Move to Modules marked "Fundamental" for your target topic area. Invest in subscription only if you are targeting offensive or pen test roles.
LetsDefend Strategy:
Start with Junior SOC Analyst path. Work through alerts in their SIEM simulator. Practice writing incident reports. This directly maps to Security+ incident response domain.
Blue Team Labs Online:
Free labs for defensive scenarios including malware analysis, log analysis, and digital forensics. Good complement to Security+ and SSCP study.
PortSwigger Web Security Academy:
Free and comprehensive. Critical for readers targeting web-focused security work. Pairs well with Security+ and future PenTest+ preparation.
Writing a Security Portfolio That Converts to Interviews
Beyond certifications, a visible portfolio accelerates hiring. Minimum artifacts we recommend:
- GitHub repository with at least 3 security-relevant projects (log parser script, simple encryption tool, basic vulnerability scanner, etc.)
- TryHackMe or HackTheBox profile with visible rank and completed rooms
- LinkedIn posts summarizing 5-10 concepts you learned during certification study
- Blog or Medium articles (2-3) walking through a completed CTF or lab
- Incident response write-up even if hypothetical (describe how you would investigate a specific attack)
These artifacts show initiative and genuine learning. They are also common prompts in interviews, which candidates who prepared them handle more confidently.
What to Expect in a First Security Interview
First cybersecurity interviews often include:
Technical concept questions:
- Explain the CIA triad
- Describe the difference between authentication and authorization
- What is least privilege and how would you implement it?
- What is defense in depth?
- Explain how TLS handshake works at a high level
Scenario questions:
- You receive an alert about unusual login activity. Walk me through your investigation.
- A user reports a suspicious email. What do you do?
- You find a listening port on a server that shouldn't be there. How do you investigate?
Experience-based questions:
- Tell me about a security topic you taught yourself recently
- What tools have you used hands-on?
- Describe a security concept you recently found confusing and how you resolved it
Certification study provides concept familiarity. Lab work provides the hands-on context to answer these questions confidently.
Certification Timing Around Job Search
A common reader question: should I finish certifications before job search or apply while studying?
Our recommendation: apply while studying. Specifically:
- 4 weeks before certification voucher date: start application drafts and resume optimization
- 2 weeks before voucher: begin low-volume applications (5-10 per week)
- Voucher date: if passing, immediately update LinkedIn and resume; scale applications to 20-30 per week
Hiring cycles take 4-8 weeks typically. Applying as you complete certifications means offers land right as you are most qualified, not 2 months after when skills have started fading.
Final Recommendation
For most beginners, we recommend starting with either ISC2 CC (if budget is tight) or CompTIA Security+ (if you can afford $400-$500). Both open doors. Both are recognized. Both have clear upgrade paths.
Pick one. Schedule the exam for 10 weeks from today. Study 10 hours per week. Book your second certification voucher before the first one expires.
The single biggest predictor of cybersecurity career success is not which cert you choose but how quickly you convert the cert into hands-on experience. Labs beat lectures. Demos beat diplomas. Build, break, fix.
How Many Cybersecurity Certifications Do I Need?
Most hiring managers look for one entry-level plus one specialty. The typical 2025 stack is CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 ($404) as the baseline plus one of: CySA+ ($404) for SOC roles, CEH v13 ($1,199) for offensive paths, or AWS Security Specialty SCS-C02 ($300) for cloud security. Senior positions layer on CISSP ($749, five years experience required) or OSCP ($1,749) for pen testing. Three well-chosen certifications will outperform five scattered ones on ATS resume filters. Entry-level candidates should not chase more than two certifications before two years of work experience -- employer ROI plateaus quickly after the second cert.
What Cybersecurity Certifications Should I Get?
Start with CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 ($404) -- it's the DOD 8570 IAT Level II baseline and appears in 35% of U.S. cybersecurity job postings. Then specialize based on track: SOC/defensive -- CompTIA CySA+ ($404) or Splunk Core ($130); offensive/red team -- eJPT ($249) then PNPT ($449) or OSCP ($1,749); cloud security -- AWS SCS-C02 ($300) or Azure AZ-500 ($165); governance/management -- CISM ($760) or CISSP ($749, five years experience). Most practitioners hold 2-3 well-chosen certs. Entry-level salary impact: Security+ alone lifts SOC Tier 1 from the mid-$50,000s to $70,000-$78,000 median in 2024-2025.
References
- CompTIA Security+ Certification Official Page. https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security
- ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC). https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CC
- Cisco Certified Support Technician Cybersecurity. https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccst-cybersecurity
- Microsoft SC-900 Fundamentals Exam. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/security-compliance-and-identity-fundamentals/
- ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2024. https://www.isc2.org/Research/Workforce-Study
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Information Security Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
- DoD Directive 8140 Cyberspace Workforce Management. https://dodcio.defense.gov/Cyber-Workforce/DoD8140.aspx
- ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/SSCP
- Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals SC-900. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/exams/sc-900/
- Payscale Cybersecurity Salary Data. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Information_Security_Analyst/Salary
- Glassdoor SOC Analyst Salary. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,11.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cybersecurity job with only entry-level certifications and no degree?
Yes, many entry-level cybersecurity roles are open to candidates without degrees. Security+ combined with 6-12 months of help desk experience, or CC combined with demonstrated lab work on TryHackMe or HackTheBox, typically produces interview callbacks for SOC analyst tier 1 and IT security administrator roles.
How many entry-level certifications should I earn before applying?
One well-known certification like Security+ or CC is sufficient to start applying. Two stacked certifications (such as Security+ plus AWS Cloud Practitioner or Security+ plus Network+) roughly doubles interview response rates in our sampled hiring data.
Is the CompTIA CySA+ an entry-level cybersecurity certification?
CompTIA markets CySA+ as intermediate rather than pure entry-level. It assumes comfort with security fundamentals and SIEM concepts. We recommend CySA+ as your second cybersecurity certification after Security+ rather than a first choice.