Moving into Cyber Security from IT, Software, or Engineering – Without Starting Again

Your skills are closer to cyber than you think.

Cyber security is often framed as a total reset — new certs, entry-level jobs, and starting from the bottom.

For many people already working in IT, software, or engineering, the move into cyber is less about starting again and more about specialising what you already know.

Your skills are closer to cyber than you think

Cyber teams hire people who understand technology — not just “security people.”

• IT professionals bring networking, systems, access controls, and incident troubleshooting — core for SOC and blue-team roles.
• Developers have a head start for application and product security because they know how systems are built and where vulnerabilities hide.
• Engineers have systems thinking and risk awareness, increasingly valuable in IoT, R&D, and regulated environments.

If you already understand how technology works, you’re closer to cyber than you realise.

The UK cyber market right now

• Around 2,700 cyber security jobs are advertised per month in the UK, with a median salary of £55,000.
• 63% of roles ask for mid-level experience (2–6 years); only 17% are entry-level.
• Nearly half of UK businesses report a basic cyber skills gap, meaning employers need people who already understand technology.

These stats show that candidates with IT, software, or engineering experience are highly sought after.

Pivot smartly — without changing jobs first

You don’t need to leave your current role immediately. Look for ways to gain real-world exposure:

• Support audits, risk assessments, or incident reviews
• Join post-mortems with your security team
• Take ownership of access controls, logging, or secure deployments

This hands-on experience is more valuable than theory alone — and shows recruiters and employers that you can apply security in practice.

Labs vs side projects

• Labs and online platforms (TryHackMe, Hack The Box) are great for fundamentals, but everyone uses them.
• Side projects stand out: securing a personal app, building a home lab, or documenting how you reduced risk.

Employers care most about how you think through problems — not just which platforms you’ve touched.

Salary expectations: reset — or not?

Many lateral transitions — for example into application or product security — preserve your salary. Entry-level postings are limited, but if you bring technical experience, your career progression can be faster than you expect.

You’re not starting again — you’re focusing

Cyber security values context and real-world experience. Your IT, software, or engineering background already makes you a strong candidate.

If you’re thinking about making the move, IntaPeople can help. We advise on career paths, transferable skills, and how to position yourself in the UK cyber market, helping you step into the right role without unnecessary detours.