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How I Would Start Cybersecurity in 2026 (If Starting From Zero)

Luke Gough

94,404 views

If I had to start my cyber security career from absolute zero in 2026, knowing everything I know now as a recruiter, this is exactly what I'd do. This video provides straightforward advice for cybersecurity for beginners, helping you navigate how to get into cybersecurity and secure those crucial cyber security jobs. We'll cover the essential cybersecurity skills and outline a clear cybersecurity roadmap to avoid common pitfalls and achieve your career guidance goals.

0:00 - Introduction
1:07 - Mapping the battlefield
3:18 - Building foundations
5:23 - Portfolio's
7:36 - Community immersion
9:25 - Certifications
12:06 - Job applications

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🔗 RESOURCES

▸ Cybersecurity Job-Ready Blueprint (2026 Edition), my step-by-step guide to getting interview-ready:
https://lukegoughcoaching.com/product...

▸ Resume + LinkedIn Video Review, recorded feedback from a cybersecurity recruiter (no call needed):
https://lukegoughcoaching.com/product...

▸ Pocket Prep IT and Cybersecurity practice:
https://pocketprep.sjv.io/2RYKo0

▸ CyberDefenders CCDL1 (Certified CyberDefender Level 1), 10% off with code LUKE:
https://cyberdefenders.org/?via=e5c717

▸ Get 40% off your first three months on Coursera:
https://imp.i384100.net/JkkmLr

Coursera certificate links:
▸ CompTIA Security+ Preparation: https://imp.i384100.net/3kA6Mn
▸ Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate: https://imp.i384100.net/vDzGgL
▸ Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate: https://imp.i384100.net/0GG0aO
▸ IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate: https://imp.i384100.net/YVDEkr

Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you use some of the links above, at no extra cost to you.

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🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

▸ The Career Compass, my free cybersecurity career newsletter:
https://lukegoughcoaching.com/newslet...
▸ LinkedIn: LinkedIn: luke-gough
▸ X: https://x.com/Avidityrecruit
▸ Subscribe: @luke-gough

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#Cybersecurity #CyberSecurityRoadmap #CyberSecurityBeginner

20 Comments

@Luke-Gough Creator 7 months ago (edited) Pinned

Just launched something I've been building for a while and very excited about.
If you're serious about landing a cybersecurity job in 2026, I've put together the Cybersecurity Job-Ready Blueprint. Everything I know as a recruiter, in one step-by-step guide.
Only $14.99 - Grab your copy here: https://thecareercompass-newsletter.beehiiv.com/products/cybersecurity-job-ready-blueprint

@thesentry8981 8 months ago

Undergrad student in cybersecurity here. Realized that I wasn’t taking my education seriously and I need to shape up. Wish me luck as I take my shot at following this plan.

@ronson3313 16 hours ago

Thank you for this video.

@amirdzg5297 9 months ago

I'm 2 months into my google's cyber security professional certificate and this video was perfect to me because i wasn't sure what to do after i finish this certificate and find this gem of a video , the field of security is perfect for me because i used vertual machines before with some linux distributions i'm also really into IT stuff idk what i was doing few years ago studying civil engineering i was following my brother and i think i made a mistake I've show signs of passion for technology and computers from young age ,and now i hope i'm not late im 29 now hopefully i can find my future career in this field

@arthurmorgan7086 8 months ago

Im 39. Worked like a horse all my life. Im great with technology, computers, games etc, always have been. Im looking up what qualifications i need to go after and please god i get them. This is my goal. I will report back

@PrivacyProfessionalTraining 7 months ago

Honest advice from a recruiter’s view is gold, this kind of clear roadmap can save beginners a lot of time and frustration.

@Luke-Gough Creator 9 months ago

Quick question for you: What's the biggest barrier stopping you from starting your cybersecurity career right now?
Drop it below: I read every comment and I'm planning content based on what you're actually struggling with.

@Origtrinichinee 8 months ago

I'm a third of the way through the Google cybersecurity certificate and planned to do Sec+, this video was a huge help in mapping the next steps to actually being considered for a job.

@chadbrown5966 6 months ago

Just starting the journey on my cyber security path. Day 0. I'm making the career change from Finance/Accounting so any helpful advice is welcome and this video did just that! Thank you!

@dianeneel3294 8 months ago

I have wanted to do cybersecurity now for the last couple months but don’t have IT experience or knowledge so I have been watching, taking notes, flash cards and preparing for the first CompTIA tech fc0-u71. I don’t want to be a help desk person but I need the knowledge. Then I was going to go next into CompTia a+, CompTIA network, CompTIA security. I had started in 2024 started watching and taking notes on the Qualys Vulnerability free classes. But that’s why I started from the beginning. I am still going to implement your routine in my studies. I am an older student and I have the time. Thank you for your information! I live in Washington state and I am 60 years old. Thank you Diane

@NeelVaidya-b7m 8 months ago

I was really interested in starting out, at least looking at first, in the vast and booming field of CyberSecurity.I just found this amazing video and got a decent idea on how to structure my journey from here. Pumped to get started.
Thank you!

@JDMH22AVTEC 6 months ago

So I finished my Google Cyber Security Certification in 2024 but due to life and kids I had to work 2 jobs and didn’t have time to complete further any skills but thankfully now I have plenty of time and reviewing the course so I can get back on track and pure my dream and start new career and this video was super helpful and wait to level up 😁🙏🏼💪🏼

@natalieamaya3401 8 months ago

This video had helped me understand the basics i need to start. I start my classes in cybersecurity this month, and this has gave me a good understanding of how it will look like. I am also just starting out and i am a little nervous. Thank you for the video!

@CNjoke9 9 months ago

Thanks for the video, its always surprising to see how helpful people are in the cyber field. I am working on breaking into the Cyber field an I think the biggest difficulty for me is the impostor syndrome. Im trying to jump from a carrier as a network field tech for an access control company, an while all the professionals I speak to are welcoming I cant seem to shake the impostor feeling.

@diogenes2560 9 months ago

I do have a home lab on my Windows laptop, but it's been a while since I got my hands dirty, so I'll literally have to look up how to start a virtual machine in VirtualBox 😂😂 The hardest part is of course consistency.

@ModelMatt 2 months ago

Thank you for this video Luke. I was recently apart of Microsoft July Layoffs (Sales side.) I have been putting off starting this journey & ill be replaying this as I start my Cyber journey. Thank you & look forward to updating you in the future. Cheers from the US

@jordanmitchell2393 1 month ago

Hey Luke, thank you so much for this video. I’m just now starting my journey and honestly wasn’t sure where to even start or how to go about things. I’m locked in and dedicated to this and going to begin learning my way through this process

@juaneguerrero8456 8 months ago

I am trying to do a career change in 2026, so I will start with my network path this month.

@c.kheprafelixwilson3552 2 months ago

Thanks!

@LeesOutside 8 months ago

Thanks for mapping this out. It’s nice hearing from a recruiter. I’m just scratching the surface on the idea of changing careers to cyber security. I’m surprised with the right approach this can be achieved in 6 months.