The Ultimate Guide to Getting into Cyber Security for Ex-Military Jobseekers

Most people think cyber security jobs are very technical and require IT skills and qualifications - wrong! While some roles are of course very technical, your general military security training and experience are highly transferable to information security – where there is a huge shortage of quality people. Employers are urgently seeking people for jobs such as Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analysts / Managers, Security Consultants or in policy, risk or compliance roles, all of which are very well suited to military generalists. 

So where do you start? Working closely with the experts at SaluteMyJob, we have created an in-depth guide with advice, top tips and expert guidance on how to get into cyber security. This guide will cover the following topics: 

• What is cyber security?
• Is cyber security the right career path for me? 
• How do I fill my cyber skills gap?
• How do I solve the ‘lack of experience’ barrier?
• Getting a job in cyber security

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the practice of protecting from and reacting to attacks on information systems, networks and programmes. Cyber attacks can disrupt and cause considerable financial and reputational damage to organisations and can range from hackers accessing sensitive information to extorting money from people.

The cyber security sector has grown dramatically over the past few years, with a recent UK government report estimating the total annual revenue within the cyber security sector has reached £11.9bn. In 2023, £271 million has been raised across 71 deals within dedicated cyber security firms and all UK regions have had at least one cyber security investment deal undertaken within the last 12 months demonstrating how investment and confidence continue to grow. As a result, there was also a five per cent rise in employment in the industry, which saw the creation of more than 2,700 new full-time cyber security jobs in 2024 demonstrating robust economic performance despite global challenges - so really there isn’t a better time to get into cyber.

Is Cyber Security the Right Career Path for Me?

Many military people immediately rule themselves out of applying for cyber roles because they assume cyber security jobs require technical experience. In fact, your military security training, knowledge and experience are ideal for transitioning into information security. Although many cyber security jobs advertised will have technical experience as an essential requirement, many organisations look at the ex-military talent pool because of the soft skills they can bring to the role and the fact they are adaptable, trainable and capable of learning new skills.

CYBER SECURITY IN 2025: A GROWING INDUSTRY WITH SKILLS SHORTAGES

The demand for cyber security professionals continues to rise as cyber threats grow in sophistication and frequency. According to recent reports, the global shortage of skilled cyber security workers remains a significant issue, with estimates suggesting a gap of over 3 million unfilled positions worldwide. This shortage is driven by the increasing reliance on digital technologies and the growing complexity of cyber risks. As a result, there is still an urgent need for qualified professionals in the sector, making now an excellent time to pursue a career in cyber security.

CYBER EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR MILITARY SKILLS

The soft and hard skills that you gain in the military make many veterans the perfect candidates for cyber security jobs. Ex-military people have extensive experience in protecting multiple assets, both in the UK and in hostile environments, and as a result, they have developed a deep-seated security mentality. It is their soft skills combined with their experience that have created a high demand for military veterans to join cyber and security business teams.

Companies such as IBM, Quorum Cyber, Santander and Advanced Computer Software are benefiting from the ex-military talent pool to fill cyber security or related skills gaps. There are also many specialist smaller businesses such as Securious, Cool Waters Cyber and Quorum Cyber; SMEs are often the best place to start and gain additional skills and practical experience. With the right cyber training and investment, ex-military people bring well-developed security skills and cultural diversity to organisations suffering from an acute shortage of cyber skills talent. Discover our shortlist of the most valuable soft skills needed for cyber security that military people likely already possess.

What Opportunities Exist in Cyber Security? 

The pathways into cyber security are extensive and it can be quite daunting when trying to decide which roles to go into. The most important thing to note is that ‘spray and pray’ does not work. You need to focus on the destination job, or at least narrow it down to 2 or 3, then you can start to look at the steps you need to take to get there. 

Below is a list of the top 10 entry or mid-level cyber security jobs that are best suited to military people:

• SOC Analyst or Manager
• Incident Response Analyst or Manager
• Information Assurance Manager
• Penetration Tester or Vulnerability Analyst
• Security Consultant
• Threat Intelligence Analyst of Manager
• Digital Forensics Analyst
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Manager
• Fraud and Financial Crime Analyst or Examiner
• Project Manager

But which pathway do you choose? You’ll need to do your research to find out more about what each of these cyber security roles entails and which might be of interest to you, what salary you can expect from cyber security roles and the ‘destination jobs’ they are likely to lead to. SMJ Pathways Programme and TechVets offer a range of introductory courses which are a great starting point – they are designed to give you an insight into the cyber security industry and a basic understanding of the career opportunities available.

Think about what roles you might be best suited to. Look at what skills, qualifications, and experience you’ve got under your belt and think about how these could apply too.

Once you’ve decided on your route, you’ll notice that each of these roles will require different qualifications, prerequisite cyber training and experience. So take a moment to research what employers are looking for and start to think about where the gaps on your CV lie. Many companies offer cyber training, insight days and work experience specifically for military veterans, so read on to find out more about these opportunities and how to get your hands on them.

How Do I Fill My Cyber Skills Gaps? 

Your military experience and skills are valuable when looking to get into cyber security but it is also important to remember it is unlikely you’ll walk into a role (though it’s not impossible) without some civilian experience, qualifications and training behind you. Though technical qualifications aren’t necessarily essential, it is worth exploring what other training you can undertake to make sure you really stand out from other job applicants. 

Translate Your Military Skills and Training

It is likely that some of your military training is actually very beneficial to commercial employers but it may need translating into ‘civvy language’ so that they can understand what you have to offer. The best way to do this is to start by listing out all your relevant hard and soft skills – your soft skills are non-technical skills such as communication, leadership, motivation and problem-solving. 

Next, you’ll have to assess your skills from a civilian perspective – it might help to ask your family and/or friends to look at your list of skills and to give you feedback on how they would present them for a CV. Remember that you’ll also need to break down or translate your military job titles and any military-specific acronyms so that civilian employers can understand what you did and achieved – never just assume that they will know what they mean.

Add Recognisable Qualifications to Your Portfolio

Qualifications are not essential, so don’t panic if you don’t have any relevant ones but equally, there are a number of qualifications and training you can get – either while still in the military or when you have left. Getting some qualifications or completing some cyber training – even if it is basic – will help make you a more competitive candidate.

There are hundreds of courses and qualifications you could choose so it is important to look at your options. Carefully consider which area of cyber security you want to work in before choosing which courses you want to take as different roles will require different skills and training. Of course, if you are unsure you can enrol on SMJ Pathways Programme’s cyber security fundamentals course, which will give you an idea of the career opportunities available in the sector. 

How Do I Solve the ‘Lack of Experience’ Barrier? 

When you read job descriptions, you’ll see many of them require commercial experience in order to get into even some of their entry-level positions. So if you haven’t already, we always recommend gaining work experience with a company that offers cyber security opportunities. 

Work experience and internships can play a vital role in strengthening your CV and can undoubtedly make you become more employable by building your own skillset as well as showcasing your strengths and experience to potential employers. You can also gain important insights about a job role, an employer and whether this is really the right path for you.

Get Some Commercial Experience 

Many employers offer work placement opportunities for veterans to help you get an insight into the commercial world. Have a look to see if you can find companies that offer these for veterans interested in going into cyber security. Here are a few ways you can go about getting that valuable commercial experience that many employers might be looking for:

• Networking Networking is important as you will be able to find out who offers these opportunities. If you like a company there is always no harm in asking too, as some employers may be keen to help you gain experience that could lead to employment.
• Armed Forces Covenant
  Take a look at companies that have signed the Armed Forces community through Troopr’s directory of Forces-friendly organisations, which lists all these supportive employers and their live opportunities – and get in touch to see what work experience or job shadowing opportunities they offer. 
• Many of the organisations we work with are keen to offer job shadowing and mentoring opportunities to members of the Armed Forces community. Many of these opportunities will be listed on our website. However, if nothing is listed it would still be worth getting in touch with the organisation you’re interested in as they might well be able to help.

Do an Apprenticeship 

There is often a belief that apprenticeships are only open to teenagers just out of college but there is no upper age limit, and some are a great entry route into rewarding second careers.  For example, SaluteMyJob is developing an Accelerated Cyber Leadership programme to help people into cyber management roles.  Follow this link for further tips on how to find a cyber security internship.

Do not be put off by the term apprenticeships, or the wage. Apprenticeships have changed hugely and pay during training is increasing. Importantly, an apprenticeship will help you gain the essential practical and commercial experience as the foundation for a meaningful and well-rewarded career in cyber security.

Attend an Insight Day

Designed to give you a feel for a sector or specific organisation, insight days can be a very useful stepping stone to get you to where you want to be. If you are weighing up which career or industry sector might be for you, then attending an insight day could be invaluable as it will provide you with the information you’ll need to learn more about the industry and the career paths it can offer. Many insight days also outline the training programmes and opportunities that are on offer to help you secure a job within the organisation. 

Insight days also provide a great opportunity to network, so make sure you go prepared to make connections with future employers and fellow veterans who might be able to help and support you along the way. 

Many companies run regular insight days. It is worth keeping an eye on the CTP events list as they are frequently updated with good options across all sectors. For cyber-specific options these companies often host a good insight day: 

• Cognizant
• Barclays
• Amazon

Getting a Job in Cyber Security

Now that you understand what career path you’re interested in and you feel that you’ve got sufficient skills and experience, it’s time to find yourself a cyber security job. So where do you start?

Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Essentially, the more you include in your LinkedIn profile, the more likely you are to be found by recruiters and employers. Also, you’ll want to be sure that your profile is a good summary of your full skillset and experience as many recruiters and employers will click on your profile to learn more about you and what people think of you. So, don’t be negligent – make sure you fill out every section of your LinkedIn profile. 

Tailoring your LinkedIn profile to cyber security roles and showcasing your skills and experience is important. It means potential employers will be able to see not only your ambition to begin a career in cyber but also why your experience sets you apart from others. 

CREATE A STAND-OUT YOUR CV

Your CV has 30 seconds to impress an employer so make sure it stands out and is clear and easy to read. We’ve outlined our top tips below:

• Have the key information at the start.
• Avoid military language & abbreviations where you can. Be sure to translate your military skills into ‘civvy language’.
• Keep it short (no longer than 2 pages).
• Make sure it’s easy to read and avoid fancy fonts and layouts. There is no perfect layout but there are many suggestions available. 
• Check your spelling and grammar - there must be NO typos. Make sure your spellchecker is set to the UK version of English and not the USA version.
• Create one master version of your CV, then tailor it for each job you apply for.
• Always submit your CV under a cover letter.

Do Your Research

Make a list of target companies you want to work for and organisations that have pledged to employ veterans. Over 12,000 organisations have now signed the Armed Forces Covenant so it’s worth doing your research to see which ones are employing ex-military people. Check out our Forces-friendly directory for a complete list.

Network

Once you’ve got your target list, start to connect with the relevant employees on LinkedIn  – think about their HR department, cyber security department and other ex-military employees.

Network, network, network! One of, if not the most important thing to do before you leave and when you have left the Armed Forces is to network. Also, it’s always worth reaching out to former colleagues and friends who are now in cyber security roles and linking up with your Corps or Regimental Association and their social media groups. If you don’t know where to start SaluteMyJob’s VetsNet Facebook group is a great place to connect with other veterans who will be able to offer advice and support. 

Where to Find Cyber Security Jobs 

It can be hard to know where to start when looking for a cyber security job when leaving the Forces. Fortunately, there are lots of organisations that are well-placed to help you make this transition. Here are some of the best places to start:

1. Recruitment Companies

SaluteMyJob specialises in the recruitment of ex-military people for cyber security jobs. They are proud to sit in the Defence Recognition Scheme Gold Alumni Group alongside 200 employers. They have connections with many employers specifically interested in hiring people with military skills and experience. 

There are many other companies that specialise in finding jobs for veterans. It is good practice to keep an eye on a few different job boards and recruitment companies to make sure that you don’t miss any opportunities.

2. Your Corps or Regimental Association

Your regimental association or corps are very well-connected places and are well worth checking out to see if they currently advertise any relevant vacancies. If they don’t have a specific jobs board they may have social media groups which you could get involved in and start to network with former colleagues.

3. IT and Cyber-specific Jobs Boards

There are many job boards on the web these days and it’s tricky to sift through the riff-raff. However, some of them are well worth looking into and we recommend looking at cyber specific jobs boards.

4. TechVets

TechVets is an online community of veterans helping veterans in the tech sector. It provides a bridge to help Veterans and service leavers into the cyber security and technology sector. 

5. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great place to look for cyber opportunities and also expand your networking contacts.

6. Service Charities

Many service charities and organisations offer employment support for the Armed Forces Community and run jobs boards with vacancies targeted towards your skill sets and experience. 

7. Your Target Organisations

As part of your research, you will have compiled a list of organisations that you aspire to work for. Reach out to these organisations to see whether they have any jobs in the pipeline. If they don’t have anything suitable it might be worth asking them to keep your speculative CV on file in case an opportunity comes up in the future. 

8. The Career Transition Partnership

The Career Transition Partnership helps Service leavers of all ranks, trades and backgrounds to find and remain in work. If eligible, Service leavers can access this veteran employment transition support service from their local Resettlement Centre for up to two years after their military discharge date. They often list IT security and cyber jobs on their job board so make sure you’re signed up and keep an eye on here.

Ready for a Career in Cyber Security?

Cyber security has been one of the leading sectors since 2020 and continues to grow, with a world of opportunities for the Armed Forces community within this evolving sector. From data analysts to threat intelligence - there are a huge number of pathways to choose from. Many employers are seeking people like you with generalist military skills and experience. So, you are already a strong candidate but make sure you are a stand-out candidate by checking that you’ve got all the necessary cyber training, relevant qualifications and commercial work experience that many of these employers are looking for.

Ready to launch your cyber career? Explore SMJ Pathways Programme’s dedicated cyber career programme or browse Troopr’s directory of Forces-friendly employers for your next opportunity. Don’t wait – start your journey today!