You Don’t Need a Degree to Get Into Cybersecurity (Here’s the Roadmap No One Told You About)

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Forget degrees. Forget overpriced bootcamps.

If you want to break into cybersecurity in 2025, this is the no-fluff, zero-to-hired strategy:

🔌 Start with networking fundamentals

📺 YouTube: Networking Fundamentals

🐧 Learn Linux inside out

📺 YouTube: Linux for Beginners

🐍 Script in Python & Bash

📺 YouTube: Python & Bash Scripting

🛡️ Study for Security+ (even if you don’t take the exam)
📺 YouTube Playlist: Security+ Prep

🧠 Get hands-on in a virtual SOC

🧪 TryHackMe SOC Level 1 Path: TryHackMe SOC

🧰 Document everything

→ Build a GitHub repo

→ Create a clean portfolio site (simple HTML or Notion works)

That’s it.

No BS. No gatekeeping.

Just skills → proof-of-work → job offers.

You Should Know:

1. Networking Fundamentals (Commands & Tools)

  • Use ping, traceroute, and `netstat` to analyze network connections.
  • Practice subnetting with ipcalc.
  • Capture traffic with Wireshark:
    sudo wireshark
    
  • Scan networks with Nmap:
    nmap -sV 192.168.1.1
    

2. Linux Mastery (Essential Commands)

  • Navigate files:
    ls, cd, pwd, cat, grep
    
  • Manage permissions:
    chmod 755 script.sh
    
  • Process monitoring:
    top, ps aux, htop
    
  • Log analysis:
    sudo tail -f /var/log/auth.log
    

3. Python & Bash Scripting (Automation)

  • Bash script example (backup files):
    !/bin/bash 
    tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /path/to/files 
    
  • Python script example (port scanner):
    import socket 
    for port in range(1, 1025): 
    sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) 
    result = sock.connect_ex(('127.0.0.1', port)) 
    if result == 0: 
    print(f"Port {port} is open") 
    sock.close() 
    

4. Security+ Concepts (Key Topics)

  • Encrypt files with OpenSSL:
    openssl enc -aes-256-cbc -salt -in file.txt -out file.enc 
    
  • Check firewall rules (Linux):
    sudo iptables -L 
    
  • Windows security checks:
    Get-NetFirewallRule | Where-Object { $_.Enabled -eq "True" } 
    

5. Virtual SOC & TryHackMe (Hands-On Practice)

  • Analyze logs with `journalctl` (Linux):
    journalctl -u sshd --no-pager 
    
  • Detect suspicious processes:
    ps aux | grep -i "malicious" 
    
  • Windows incident response:
    Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.CPU -gt 90 } 
    

What Undercode Say:

Breaking into cybersecurity requires hands-on practice, not just theory. Use Linux daily, automate tasks with scripts, and document your progress. Employers value real-world skills over degrees. Start with networking, master Linux, and dive into SOC labs. Build a GitHub portfolio to showcase your work.

Expected Output:

  • A well-documented GitHub repo with scripts and projects.
  • A functional SOC lab setup (TryHackMe/HackTheBox).
  • A polished LinkedIn profile highlighting certifications and skills.
  • A personal website/Notion page displaying your cybersecurity journey.

Relevant URLs:

References:

Reported By: Shawheen Azimi – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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