Career Guide

Cybersecurity Career Roadmap

Not sure which path to take? Here's an honest breakdown of different cybersecurity careers, what they involve, and how to get there.

SOC Analyst

Monitor security alerts, analyze threats, and respond to incidents. Perfect for those who want to defend organizations.

Expected Salary

₹4-8 LPA (Entry)

Key Skills

Log AnalysisSIEM (Splunk/QRadar)Threat IntelligenceIncident ResponseNetwork Fundamentals

Learning Timeline

Phase 12-3 months

Foundation

Networking basics, Linux/Windows fundamentals, Security concepts

Phase 22-3 months

Core Skills

Log analysis, SIEM basics, Common attack patterns

Phase 32-3 months

Advanced

Threat hunting, Malware analysis basics, IR procedures

Phase 41-2 months

Job Ready

Resume building, Interview prep, Lab practice

Recommended Certifications

CompTIA Security+Blue Team Level 1 (BTL1)Splunk Core User

Penetration Tester

Find vulnerabilities before attackers do. Ethical hacking, report writing, and helping organizations secure their systems.

Expected Salary

₹6-12 LPA (Entry)

Key Skills

Network PentestingWeb App SecurityActive DirectoryPrivilege EscalationReport Writing

Learning Timeline

Phase 12-3 months

Foundation

Networking, Linux, Web basics, Programming fundamentals

Phase 23-4 months

Core Skills

Enumeration, Exploitation, Web vulnerabilities, Privilege escalation

Phase 33-4 months

Advanced

Active Directory, Advanced web attacks, Custom exploits

Phase 41-2 months

Job Ready

Report writing, Client communication, Certifications

Recommended Certifications

OSCPeJPTPNPT

Bug Bounty Hunter

Hunt for bugs independently on real targets. Flexible work, potential for high earnings, and continuous learning.

Expected Salary

Variable (₹50K-50L+/year)

Key Skills

Recon MethodologyWeb VulnerabilitiesAPI TestingAutomationReport Writing

Learning Timeline

Phase 12-3 months

Foundation

Web fundamentals, Common vulnerabilities, Basic tools

Phase 23-4 months

Core Skills

Recon methodology, Manual testing, Specific vulnerability types

Phase 3Ongoing

Specialization

Pick a focus area (API, Mobile, Specific bug classes)

Phase 4Ongoing

Building Reputation

Finding bugs, Writing reports, Building profile

Recommended Certifications

Not required, but OSCP/eWPT help

General Career Advice

These tips apply regardless of which path you choose.

Start with Fundamentals

Don't skip networking and Linux basics. They're the foundation everything else builds on.

Build in Public

Write blogs, share learnings on LinkedIn, contribute to open source. Visibility helps.

Practice Consistently

30 minutes daily beats 4 hours once a week. Consistency builds skill faster than intensity.

Join Communities

Learning with others accelerates growth. Find Discord servers, local meetups, and online groups.

Don't Chase Certifications Blindly

Skills matter more than certs. Get certs strategically, not just to collect them.

Apply Early

You don't need to know everything. Apply when you're 70% ready and learn on the job.

Ready to start your journey?

Check out our learning resources or join a cohort program for guided mentorship.

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