What to know if you’re making a career switch from IT to cyber security

If you’re working in IT and looking for a new challenge, an IT career switch to cyber security could be a good move. Demand for professionals in this field remains high across the UK, while the sector offers strong salaries, genuine job stability and varied, engaging work. 

Making the switch also doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Many of the skills you’ve built in IT roles are directly transferable to cyber security positions, which means you may be closer to a new career than you think. So if you’re thinking about cyber security as your next step, here’s what to know.

Why IT to cyber security is a smart career move

Cyber security builds on the knowledge IT professionals already have, which means the transition is less about retraining and more about redirecting expertise into a field with stronger prospects. There are several compelling reasons to make the move.

For starters, the earning potential is significant. According to the government’s Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2025 report, the median advertised salary for core cyber security roles in the UK is £55,000, a 12 per cent premium on the £48,900 for the wider IT market.

Job security is another major factor. The same report found that half of all UK businesses have a basic skills gap when it comes to cyber security, while 30 per cent had gaps in advanced skills such as forensic analysis, interpreting malicious code and penetration testing. This means individuals with these capabilities will find their services in high demand.

The variety of specialisms available also means you’re not locking yourself into a single career track, with career opportunities in cyber security offering scope to shape your work around the areas that interest you most. What’s more, unlike many general IT roles, cyber security work carries a tangible sense of impact, with professionals directly protecting organisations from real and evolving threats.

IT roles that provide a strong foundation

Many IT professionals already have experience that translates directly into cyber security. Here are several of the more common positions that can help professionals gain the skills and experience they’ll need when transferring into a new field:

• Network administrator: A deep understanding of how systems communicate, where traffic flows and where vulnerabilities are most likely to exist.
• Systems administrator: Hands-on experience with operating systems, patching, user access controls and system hardening.
• IT support engineer: Frontline troubleshooting builds familiarity with end-user security issues, device management and common attack vectors like phishing.
• Database administrator: Working with data storage, access permissions and integrity provides a solid foundation for roles focused on data protection.
• Cloud engineer: Direct experience with platforms like AWS, Azure or Google Cloud maps closely to the growing demand for cloud security specialists.
• DevOps engineer: Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, automation and infrastructure as code is increasingly relevant as security shifts earlier into the development process.

Transferable skills you already have

If you’re coming from an IT background, you’ll likely find that many of the skills cyber security employers value are ones you’ve already been developing throughout your career. While the technical knowledge you’ll have built is often the most obvious, the softer skills you’ve acquired will also be highly valuable to employers when looking for cyber security roles.

Technical skills:

• Network architecture and protocols
• Operating system administration across Windows and Linux
• Firewall, VPN and access control configuration
• User permissions and identity management
• Troubleshooting and root cause analysis

Soft skills:

• Analytical thinking and methodical problem solving
• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical colleagues
• Experience working under pressure and managing competing priorities
• Stakeholder management and cross-team collaboration
• Familiarity with compliance processes and audit requirements

How to get started with the switch

The first step is identifying which area of cyber security aligns best with your existing skills and interests. If you’re a network administrator, security operations or threat monitoring may be a natural fit. If your background is more process-driven, governance, risk and compliance could be a better starting point.

From there, pursuing a targeted certification can help demonstrate your commitment and bridge any knowledge gaps. Some of the most relevant for career switchers include:

• CompTIA Security+: Covers foundational security concepts including threats, vulnerabilities and risk management.
• ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC): A low-cost, entry-level certification covering core security principles.
• Microsoft SC-900: Focused on security, compliance and identity fundamentals across Microsoft environments.
• BCS CISMP: Covers information security management principles and is well regarded in the UK market.

Alongside formal certifications, hands-on experience makes a real difference. Platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box offer practical labs, while bootcamps and capture-the-flag competitions provide structured ways to test and develop your skills in realistic scenarios.

Good entry-level cyber security roles for IT professionals

With an existing IT background, you’re likely to be competitive for roles that sit a step above entry-level cyber security roles where a complete newcomer might start. Positions that make the most of prior IT experience include:

• Security engineer: Designing and maintaining security infrastructure is a natural progression for systems or network administrators.
• Cloud security specialist: Cloud engineers can apply their existing platform knowledge directly to securing cloud environments.
• Security operations centre (SOC) analyst (Tier 2): IT professionals with troubleshooting and network experience may be able to bypass Tier 1 monitoring roles and move into deeper investigation and response work.
• Information security analyst: Suits those with experience in IT governance, policy or compliance who want to take a broader view of organisational security.

Making an IT career switch to cyber security doesn’t mean starting over. It means building on what you already know and applying it to a field with stronger earning potential, better job security and work that has a genuine impact. 

If you’re ready to make the move, explore the latest cyber security vacancies on CyberSecurityJobsite.com to take the first step.