If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity and currently working in IT support, you’re already on the right path. IT support not only equips you with a strong technical foundation but also familiarizes you with the systems and challenges that cybersecurity professionals tackle daily. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 35% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Transitioning from IT support to cybersecurity is more seamless than you might expect, especially when you build on the problem-solving skills and network knowledge gained in your current role.
In this guide, we’ll explore how your IT support experience directly translates into cybersecurity, the key skills needed to excel, and the various career paths available in this growing field. Whether you’re looking to become a security analyst, work in incident response, or focus on network defense, your journey into cybersecurity starts here.
Why IT Support is the Ideal Foundation for Cybersecurity
IT support specialists are often the first line of defense in troubleshooting technical problems within an organization. By starting in IT support, you gain a deep understanding of systems, networks, and common technical challenges—experience that is essential when you make the leap into cybersecurity.
- Hands-On Experience with Systems and Networks IT support roles give you the opportunity to work directly with technical environments, such as servers, network configurations, and software systems. You’ll understand how these systems interact and learn to spot potential security vulnerabilities, and research indicates that 60% of cybersecurity job postings require fundamental IT Support skills.
- Develop Problem-Solving Skills A large part of IT support involves troubleshooting issues and providing solutions. These problem-solving skills translate directly to cybersecurity, where you’ll need to identify security threats and develop strategies to counteract them.
- Exposure to Common Threats In IT support, you’ll often deal with malware, phishing attempts, and other security risks. This experience helps you recognize and understand common threats, preparing you to tackle them more effectively when working in cybersecurity.
Transferable Skills and Software from IT Support to Cybersecurity
One of the most significant advantages of starting in IT support is the development of skills that are highly transferable to cybersecurity. Here are some of the key skills and software you’ll gain in IT support that are directly applicable to a future cybersecurity career.
- System Administration: IT support roles often involve managing and maintaining servers and networks. This experience is critical in cybersecurity, where you’ll need to understand how to secure these systems and protect them from intrusions.
- Networking Knowledge: A solid grasp of networking protocols and configurations gained in IT support is indispensable in cybersecurity. You’ll need to know how data moves across networks to identify vulnerabilities, secure connections, and protect sensitive information from cyberattacks.
- Operating Systems and Software: As an IT support specialist, you’ll become proficient with various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS. These skills are vital when securing systems and identifying potential points of failure in cybersecurity roles. Additionally, experience with troubleshooting common software applications will help you recognize abnormal system behavior that could signal a security breach.
- Customer and User Support: Understanding the human side of tech is essential in both IT support and cybersecurity. In cybersecurity, you’ll need to educate users on best practices and ensure they follow security protocols. Your IT support experience dealing with end users helps you communicate technical concepts clearly and implement user-friendly security measures.
📌 Related Reading: Transferable Skills: Tips for Finding a New Career
Relevant IT Support Skills That Translate into Cybersecurity
The skills you develop in IT support are a natural bridge to cybersecurity. Many of the core competencies in both fields overlap, making the transition smoother than you might expect. Below are some of the most relevant skills that transfer from IT support to cybersecurity:
- Troubleshooting and Incident Response: IT support specialists spend much of their time diagnosing and resolving technical issues. In cybersecurity, this skill translates to detecting, responding to, and mitigating security incidents, such as data breaches or malware attacks.
- Understanding User Behavior: In IT support, you quickly learn to understand and anticipate user behavior, especially when troubleshooting. This insight is invaluable in cybersecurity, where much of your work will involve preventing users from inadvertently causing security vulnerabilities through actions like weak passwords or clicking on phishing emails.
- Security Awareness and Risk Management: IT support gives you exposure to basic security practices, such as managing firewalls, patching software, and enforcing security protocols. In cybersecurity, you’ll expand on these practices, implementing more advanced risk management strategies to safeguard sensitive data and prevent breaches.
- Systems Monitoring: In IT support, monitoring systems and networks for performance issues is a common responsibility. In cybersecurity, this same skill is used to monitor for signs of intrusions, suspicious activities, and other security-related incidents.
Understanding How IT Support Skills Apply to Cybersecurity
When making the shift from IT support to cybersecurity, it’s important to recognize how your existing skill set can be applied to security roles. Many of the skills developed in IT support are not only applicable but essential in cybersecurity. Here’s how your IT support background will give you a head start in a cybersecurity career:
- Proactive Defense vs. Reactive Support: IT support often focuses on reacting to problems as they arise, whether it’s a network failure or a software bug. In cybersecurity, while some roles also involve incident response, there’s a greater emphasis on proactive defense—building systems that can withstand attacks before they occur. Your IT support skills in troubleshooting and system management will help you transition smoothly to a more proactive security role.
- Threat Detection: The ability to identify and fix system issues is a skill that directly translates into identifying security threats. In cybersecurity, you’ll go beyond simply fixing technical issues; you’ll learn to identify patterns that indicate potential threats and take action to neutralize them before they escalate.
- Security Protocols and Compliance: As you move from IT support to cybersecurity, you’ll deepen your understanding of compliance regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. Your IT experience with following security protocols will help you quickly adapt to the more stringent requirements in cybersecurity roles.
- Vulnerability Management: In IT support, part of your job may involve applying patches and updates to software and systems to keep them secure. This directly applies to vulnerability management in cybersecurity, where you’ll proactively identify weak points in systems and ensure they’re reinforced before they can be exploited.
How to Transition from IT Support to Cybersecurity
If you’re considering a career shift from IT support to cybersecurity, here’s how you can make that transition:
- Strengthen Your Technical Knowledge: To successfully move into cybersecurity, continue building on your technical foundation in areas such as networking, systems administration, and cloud technologies. Many cybersecurity roles require in-depth knowledge of these fields.
- Earn Relevant Certifications: Alongside the Google IT Support Certificate, consider pursuing additional cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+, Google Cybersecurity Certificate, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to further your qualifications.
- Hands-On Practice: Apply your IT support skills to cybersecurity scenarios through real-world practice, such as Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges or virtual labs that simulate security environments. This will help you gain confidence in identifying and responding to security threats.
- Join Cybersecurity Communities Surround yourself with others in the cybersecurity field. Join online forums, attend conferences, or engage with professionals on LinkedIn to stay updated on trends and best practices.
📌 Related Reading: CompTIA Security + vs. Google Cybersecurity Certificate
Merit America: Your Pathway to a Cybersecurity Analyst Career
Over half (59%) of all cybersecurity positions require at least one certificate, according to data from Burning Glass Technologies. Earning a cybersecurity certificate or IT Support certificate can be a fantastic way to validate your skills to recruiters and potential employers.
Even with a certificate, hard skills can get you noticed, but your professional skills help you land the job. In addition to a Google Certificate, you’ll also receive:
- Comprehensive Technical Training: Merit America offers in-depth Cybersecurity and IT Support training that covers essential skills, immersing you in the mindset, processes, and tools that professionals use every day.
- Peer Group Meetings: Our flexible program pairs you with specific groups that match your schedule. During group sessions, you’ll collaborate with other Merit America learners, try new skills, participate in interactive components, share learnings, and celebrate successes.
- 1:1 Career Coaching: Unlike standalone online courses, learners are paired with Career Coaches who provide personalized feedback, develop career plans, enhance skills, and build a professional profile.
- Technical Advisors: Mastering new technical skills can be challenging. Our Technical Advisors are here to help you grasp complex coursework, provide technical support for Coursera content, offer advice, troubleshoot issues, and even assist with coding, depending on your program.
- Job Placement Support: We understand the hurdles of career transitions. Our employer partners, networking events, and Job Success Coaches help reduce job search time, connect you to entry-level opportunities, and deliver goal-based guidance to match your career aspirations.
As a newcomer to the industry, what you bring to the table is unique. Despite a lack of previous experience, you’re uniquely positioned because of it. We’re so confident in our program that we offer the Merit America Guarantee: if you don’t earn at least $40k within two years after completing the Immersion phase of your chosen Merit America program, the entire cost of the program is refunded.
Ready to get the ball rolling? Apply Today!
Not sure about your next step? Did you know that nearly 40% of cybersecurity professionals aged 39 and above began their careers in IT Support? Explore our IT Support Career Track to learn how fundamental skills in system configuration, administration, database management, and networking intersect with various cybersecurity roles.