Cybersecurity Careers Are Built Through Exploration
Cybersecurity is a broad field with many different roles.
In the United States, one of the most widely used ways to explore these roles is through the Cyber Career Pathways Tool, developed as part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).
This tool helps students and learners understand:
- what different cybersecurity roles do
- what skills and knowledge are involved
- how roles connect to each other over time
You can explore it directly here:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/tools/cyber-career-pathways-tool
This page introduces major career areas and shows how learners can explore them step by step.
1. Protect & Defend: Monitoring and Responding to Threats
This career area focuses on detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity threats.
People in these roles often work in security operations teams and help protect systems from real-time risks.
Common roles include:
- Cyber Defense Analyst
- Incident Responder
- SOC Analyst
Explore roles in this area:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways
What this work involves:
- monitoring alerts and activity
- investigating suspicious behavior
- responding to incidents
- helping systems recover safely
Who this may fit:
Students who enjoy problem-solving, pattern recognition, and working with real-world situations.
2. Analyze & Investigate: Understanding What Happened
This area focuses on investigation, analysis, and learning from incidents.
Professionals here look closely at data, evidence, and digital traces to understand how something happened.
Common roles include:
- Cyber Crime Analyst
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
Explore investigation-focused roles:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways
What this work involves:
- reviewing logs and activity
- analyzing files or systems
- understanding attacker behavior
- improving future defenses
Who this may fit:
Students who like details, research, and solving complex puzzles.
3. Build & Maintain: Designing Secure Systems
This career area focuses on designing, building, and maintaining secure technology.
Instead of reacting to problems, these roles help prevent issues before they occur.
Common roles include:
- Security Architect
- Systems Security Engineer
- Network Security Specialist
Explore engineering-focused roles:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways
What this work involves:
- designing secure networks
- building systems with security in mind
- testing configurations
- improving resilience
Who this may fit:
Students who enjoy building things, understanding how systems work, and thinking long-term.
4. Manage Risk & Policy: Guiding Safe Decisions
This area focuses on risk management, policy, and governance.
Professionals help organizations make responsible decisions about technology use and protection.
Common roles include:
- Cyber Risk Analyst
- Security Compliance Specialist
- Policy and Governance Advisor
Explore risk and governance roles:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways
What this work involves:
- identifying risks
- creating policies and guidelines
- ensuring rules are followed
- supporting ethical and legal use of technology
Who this may fit:
Students who enjoy planning, communication, and understanding how decisions affect people.
5. Educate & Support: Helping People Stay Safe
This career area focuses on education, awareness, and user support.
These roles help others understand cybersecurity and use technology responsibly.
Common roles include:
- Security Awareness Specialist
- Cybersecurity Educator
- IT Support Specialist
Explore education and support roles:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways
What this work involves:
- teaching online safety
- supporting users
- improving security habits
- explaining risks clearly
Who this may fit:
Students who enjoy helping others, teaching, and communicating clearly.
6. Entry-Level and Supporting Roles: Getting Started
Many people begin cybersecurity careers in supporting or entry-level roles.
These roles help build experience and understanding of real systems.
Common roles include:
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior System Administrator
- Identity and Access Support
Explore entry-level pathways:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/tools/career-pathways-roadmap
Why this matters:
These roles often serve as stepping stones into more specialized cybersecurity positions.
How to Use the Cyber Career Pathways Tool Effectively
The Cyber Career Pathways Tool allows you to:
- browse many roles at once
- see required skills and knowledge
- understand how roles connect
- build a realistic learning path
It helps answer important questions like:
- “What does this role actually do?”
- “What skills should I start learning?”
- “What could be a next step later?”
Explore the tool here:
https://niccs.cisa.gov/tools/cyber-career-pathways-tool
Real-Life Scenarios
Scenario 1: “I Like Technology but Don’t Know Where I Fit”
Using the Career Pathways Tool lets you explore multiple roles without committing to one immediately.
Scenario 2: “I Want to Help People, Not Just Work With Computers”
Roles in education, awareness, and risk management focus on people and communication.
Scenario 3: “I Want a Path That Can Grow Over Time”
The roadmap shows how entry-level roles can lead to advanced positions through learning and experience.
Why This Approach Works
This career exploration model:
- removes pressure to choose early
- supports learning at different speeds
- values skills and responsibility
- reflects how many professionals actually grow
Cybersecurity careers are built through curiosity, learning, and practice.
How This Makes You a Cyber Hero
A cyber hero is someone who understands options, builds skills responsibly, and uses knowledge to protect others.
By exploring cybersecurity careers using trusted tools like the NICCS Cyber Career Pathways Tool, you can make informed decisions about your future — one step at a time.
Awareness today builds opportunity tomorrow.
Daniel Porta
Cybersecurity Professional | CISO
Founder, Be a Cyber Hero Initiative