Starting a Career in Cybersecurity with Military or Law Enforcement Experience

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity professionals are the first line of defense against digital threats. Their priority is to protect an organization’s data, systems, and communication channels from cyberattacks and breaches. From securing networks and sensitive information to ensuring that internal tools like email and project management software remain safe, a role in cybersecurity is as strategic as it is technical.

Much like environments in the military and law enforcement, cybersecurity work is team oriented, fast paced, and highly collaborative. And with cyber threats becoming more sophisticated by the month, organizations in nearly every industry are actively seeking skilled professionals to safeguard their digital assets.

How Careers in Cybersecurity Benefit from Military and Law Enforcement Backgrounds

If you come from a background in law enforcement or the military, odds are you're uniquely qualified for a career in cybersecurity. You're already accustomed to dealing with uncertainty and escalated threats in high-stress scenarios. You likely possess the discipline, situational awareness, and problem-solving abilities that are highly valued in cybersecurity roles.

When you join the cybersecurity fight, you're often not just protecting the employer and organization you work for; you’re also combating cyber threats aimed at thousands of other users and businesses. The work you do on a daily basis can impact countless organizations and individuals who may be vulnerable to these attacks. For those who are mission driven, the chance to serve and protect in a new way can make cybersecurity especially meaningful.

Connections Between Cybersecurity and the Military

Both cybersecurity and the military share a focus on defense, strategic thinking, and rapid response to threats. Connections between the two include the following:

• Protection. While the military defends physical territories and borders, cybersecurity defends digital infrastructure. Both aim to protect sensitive and confidential information, vital communications, and national security.
• Similar skill sets. Members of the military develop traits that almost always align with cybersecurity work. These skills include risk assessment, disaster response, and threat mitigation.
• Cybersecurity training. Many service members receive cybersecurity training during their military careers. Such training may be in ethical hacking, encryption, or network security.

Cybersolutions Are Constantly Evolving

Because the nature of cybersecurity threats keeps evolving, professionals in the field must be willing to continuously learn and acquire new skills. Military veterans and law enforcement professionals typically adapt well to ever-changing environments, having been exposed to demanding work that constantly poses new challenges.

Veterans and former law enforcement officers also have many opportunities to grow within organizations as the need for qualified, experienced cybersecurity and information security professionals grows across every type of organization. Those who commit to the cybersecurity profession can look forward to a promising, long-term career path.

High Demand, High Salary

Cybersecurity is a booming field, with some U.S. cities boasting three or more job openings per applicant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of cybersecurity analysts is projected to grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for these professionals is high since cyberattacks have increased in frequency and severity. Job prospects should continue to improve over time.

This strong demand translates into competitive salaries. The BLS states that the average annual salary for information security and cybersecurity analysts in May 2024 was $124,910. The lowest 10% earned less than $69,660 while the highest 10% earned more than $186,420.

Cybersecurity Degrees and Certifications

If you're pursuing a career in cybersecurity, the first step is gaining the right education and credentials. Depending on your current experience and the specific job you want, consider earning one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance, network engineering and security, or a similar subject. A bachelor’s degree is perfect for many entry-level cybersecurity jobs.
• Master’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance or a similar subject. A master’s degree may be required for some mid-level and most senior-level roles.
• Industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

These credentials not only increase your technical knowledge but also make your résumé stand out to employers. Consider choosing a university that values your military or law enforcement experience and provides flexible, career-aligned programs—like WGU. For example, WGU offers several military scholarships tailored to active-duty personnel, veterans, and their family members.

How to Transition to a Cybersecurity Career

If you’re unsure how to successfully shift to a cybersecurity career, review these steps:

Discover your niche. Determine what interests you the most about cybersecurity (or what you’re good at) and focus on that area. Common areas of cybersecurity include security engineering, data security, cloud security, and vulnerability management. Information security analysts may engage in any of these subfields.

• Create a plan and set goals. Plan out a basic educational and professional trajectory and include the goals that will help you navigate it.
• Expand your cybersecurity skill set. Learn the specific day-to-day skills you’ll need, and consider participating in cybersecurity training that can help you exercise those skills.
• Find a mentor. Having a mentor with expertise in the field is a great way to receive career support and actionable insights about the work you’ll do. You might find a mentor through networking, reaching out on social media, or participating in online cybersecurity forums.
• Get certified or earn a degree. Finally, dedicate the time and effort needed to earn a cybersecurity—or other relevant—degree or certification. These kinds of credentials confer foundational, marketable points of knowledge for nearly any cybersecurity role.

Cybersecurity Careers for Veterans and Law Enforcement Professionals

Veterans and law enforcement officers are equipped for a variety of cybersecurity careers because of their backgrounds in structured environments and risk management. Below are some cybersecurity roles that align well with military and law enforcement experience:

• Digital forensics analyst: Recovers and analyzes digital evidence from devices and supports law enforcement investigations.
• Incident responder: Reacts to cyberattacks and contains breaches to minimize damage.
• Security engineer: Designs and manages secure systems and networks.
• Penetration tester: Simulates cyberattacks to identify and test vulnerabilities.

Start Using Your Military or Law Enforcement Experience to Work in Cybersecurity with WGU

Your training and dedication to serving others already makes you a great fit for the cybersecurity field. To learn more about the job market, what the life of a cybersecurity professional is like, and the skills and qualifications that will help you get ahead, download the cybersecurity jobs guide from WGU.

If you're ready to apply your military or law enforcement experience in a new way, WGU can help you build a rewarding career in cybersecurity that continues and honors your commitment to protecting communities. WGU’s online, accredited cybersecurity programs are designed with input from industry experts and can grant you the job-ready skills you’ll need for your career. Plus, WGU’s competency-based learning model means that you advance through coursework as quickly as you master the material, potentially saving you time and money.

Learn more today.