In today’s interconnected world, almost every aspect of life—from shopping to schooling—depends on the internet. As digitalization increases and AI evolves, so do the cyber threats that target them, creating a growing demand for cybersecurity experts. Cybersecurity protects internet-connected systems, data, and devices and remains a global priority across industries and governments.
With threats becoming more frequent and complex yearly, the cybersecurity field is expanding rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 33% growth in cybersecurity roles between 2023 and 2033. Yet in 2025, the skills gap remains wide, emphasizing the need for and offering opportunities for newcomers and career switchers alike. As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands and data becomes increasingly valuable, cybersecurity professionals are more essential and in demand than ever, locally and globally. Amazing, yeah? I know. Interested in cybersecurity? Perfect! Are you a professional who needs a change? Are you a student already thinking of what the future holds, and you need a chance to diversify? Are you a recent graduate from any field? Are you a job seeker? There’s a place for you in cybersecurity. Let’s explore our options together.
The African Cybersecurity Landscape
Africa is in the process of catching up with the world digitally. This translates to us getting a lot of digitization faster than continents that have had gradual growth. The downside to this is that we would also have the same threats to deal with as other developed continents. Luckily, investments in the cybersecurity sector are just beginning to be normalized, resulting in high demand for cybersecurity jobs. Remember that there is a talent shortage? Let’s check out the opportunities we have:
- Industries Hiring Cybersecurity Experts:
- Banks & Financial Institutions
- Telecommunications Companies
- Government & Defense
- Tech Startups & Consulting Firms
- Remote Work Opportunities:
- The talent gap in cybersecurity creates a global demand for cybersecurity experts. Many professionals work remotely for companies in other countries and continents. A number of these job opportunities can be found on Upwork and LinkedIn. Being a member of the cybersecurity community on platforms like X can also improve your chances of getting a remote job.
Where to Start and What to Expect
Cybersecurity is in high demand, but many aspiring professionals find it hard to get started despite the scarcity of skilled professionals. With diverse career paths and countless specializations, finding a place to start may be daunting. There is an overwhelming flood of advice, helpful or not, and it is easy to feel lost. A simple Google search can throw you into a maze of self-proclaimed experts and career promises that sound too good to be true.
Cybersecurity is vast and rapidly evolving, arguably one of the most dynamic and rewarding fields today. This constant change is due to new threats, tech advances, and laws. Cybersecurity offers endless opportunities for growth and impact and covers a wide range of technologies, roles (protecting networks and sensitive data, preventing cyberattacks, and solving complex problems), and industries. It includes technical areas like network security, cloud security, cryptography, and application security, and strategic domains, including risk management and regulatory compliance.
Cybersecurity offers opportunities to specialize in offensive roles (like ethical hacking), defensive roles (like incident response), or governance-focused careers (such as governance, risk, and compliance [GRC]). A career in cybersecurity promises to be versatile, as computer security is essential across all industries, from finance and healthcare to government and education. Additionally, it is a field that pays you well to make a real difference in keeping people and organizations safe, and your career remains relevant. Do you enjoy problem-solving, continuous learning, and making a meaningful impact? This is the perfect time to start your journey into cybersecurity.
So, where should you begin? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as to a large extent, your area of specialization depends on your personality and what you are good at. You may be impressed by the hackers in movies and how they always crack the code right in time to save everyone. Or you feel that because you have a law degree, you must be a GRC specialist. Let us take a bit of the burden off and send you in the right direction. Confused about what path to follow? Not sure what niche would match your natural skills and behavior? Take our Cybersecurity Quiz to get a clearer picture.
How to Begin a Cybersecurity Career: The Learning Path
Did the quiz assess your personality and skills well enough? Which one of the cybersecurity niches below suits your personality? Satisfied with the niche offered? Was that what you had in mind? Interestingly, apart from the “mother” niches, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has birthed a lot of hybrid cybersecurity career niches. The good thing is that you can also specialize in niches derived from the legacy ones, expanding the field and multiplying career opportunities. The main career paths in cybersecurity are listed below:
- Security Engineering & Architecture
- Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
- Incident Response & Digital Forensics
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
- Cloud Security & DevSecOps
- Threat Intelligence & Cybersecurity Research
- Security Awareness & Training
Let’s put the indicated niche at the back of our minds and move on to select a learning path.
Bear in mind that…
- Lifelong Learning is a Must: Cybersecurity evolves constantly, requiring professionals to keep up with the latest threats, technologies, and best practices.
Courses and Certifications: Both structured training and recognized certifications help you stay competitive and job-ready.
The Ultimate Dilemma: Free or Paid Cybersecurity Training?
Are you wondering why you should pay for cybersecurity training when there are free ones available? Reasonable. What you should know about free and paid training.
- Pros:
- Free of charge and available to everyone with data
- Self-paced with no time pressure
- Great for learning the basics and exploring a cybersecurity career.
- Cons:
- Not industry certified or recognized
- Limited to learning just the basics and maybe intermediate skills
- Does not impart enough to land you an entry-level job
- You still need to get costly certifications after the training to enable you to get a job
- Course content is rarely updated, as you are expected to get more training afterward
- Does not give you access to instructors, mentors, and premium resources
- Often more structured and time-bound within deadlines and examinations
Conversely, paid training offers a whole lot more and is, in the long run, the logical choice.
- Pros:
- Specifically curated for career advancement and specialization
- Content depth is intermediate to advanced; often in-depth and role-specific
- Widely recognized by employers and industry professionals
- Often structured with deadlines and exam requirements
- Also good for learning concepts and building a base
- Adds significant weight to resumes and job applications
- Offers community-based support (forums, discussion boards)
- Offers access to instructors, mentors, and premium resources
- Globally recognized certificates at the end, making your goal of landing a role more attainable
- Cons:
- Can be expensive (fees for courses, exams, renewals)
- Requires registration and payment
The In-Between…
Hacktales Cybersecurity Foundation Program (CFP) is a comprehensive program that empowers individuals with the required knowledge and skills to succeed in a cybersecurity career. Benefits include all-around mentorship, career support, and expert-led and flexible training. As industry partners to reputable global cybersecurity organizations, our certifications are recognized globally and presented after you gain hands-on and theoretical knowledge.
Are you wondering why you should pay for cybersecurity training when free courses are available? Here’s the truth: free courses are great for learning the basics, but they don’t offer structured learning, hands-on experience, or expert guidance—all of which are crucial for standing out. Additionally, industry-recognized certifications, which employers value most, aren’t usually free. Instead of piecing things together on your own, why not invest in a pocket-friendly program that would give you the skills and confidence to earn those certifications and break into cybersecurity faster? You can find out more here
Hacktales Cybersecurity Program Overview
Program Breakdown:
- Cybersecurity Foundation Program (CFP):
In this 2-month course, we bridge the personality gap by giving you a glimpse into core cybersecurity knowledge areas. You’ll explore the fundamentals, complete assignments, and use industry tools to test the waters. This will help you identify the area that aligns best with your interests and strengths.
- Internship Experience
The next 4 months offer a hands-on internship to immerse you in your chosen career path. We focus on getting you industry-ready with advanced training, a capstone project, and access to essential tools and certifications. This experience equips you to build your portfolio and stand out to employers looking for candidates with real-world expertise.
- Recruitment Support
Landing interviews is key to securing your next opportunity. We offer tailored support, including CV reviews, LinkedIn profile optimization, and interview preparation. Our goal is to empower you to confidently navigate the job market and land the interviews you desire.
- Mentorship Initiatives
Six months may not be enough to learn everything, but it’s a strong foundation. That’s why our alumni community provides ongoing mentorship, offering guidance as you continue your journey. Mentors are there to help you overcome challenges, share insights, and accelerate your growth.
How The Hacktales CFP Gives You An Advantage In The Job Market
I would be worried about my job prospects if I just started a new career path, especially in a country that sets scores based on how much experience a job seeker has. The trick is to have transferable skills and proof that you have what it takes to keep up with the dynamic cybersecurity field. Our CFP can help with these *Register Here*. Let’s delve into how to showcase the skills learned in our CFP.
- Build a portfolio:
- The CFP requires you to set up a home lab to practice cybersecurity skills: cybersecurity is a practical field, and learning just the theory is never enough.
- The assignments are designed to reinforce the theories learned and to give you opportunities to practice using industry tools.
- You get to participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges (e.g., TryHackMe, Hack The Box), honing your skills and expanding your portfolio.
- Documentation: As part of the CFP recommendations, assignments and projects are completed and published on Medium, helping build an online portfolio for you. You can also document completed personal CTF challenges.
- Networking & Job Hunting:
- Join cybersecurity communities: Hacktales has a strong alumni community with a strong LinkedIn presence that you automatically become a member of when you complete the program. You can also join other cybersecurity communities on LinkedIn and X.
- Attend cybersecurity conferences, webinars, compendiums, and meetups.
- Accept internships and entry-level roles like SOC Analyst or IT Support Specialist, irrespective of whether it is your chosen area of specialization.
- Volunteer with cybersecurity organizations to gain experience.
Does It Really Work?
Yes, it does. This is what some of our alumni have to say about our programs:
“My CFP experience was eye-opening. Coming from a non-technical background, I appreciated how the tutors, Chikodili and Jide, simplified complex concepts and made the classes engaging. The program laid the foundation for my career, and I landed my first role within a year. I am grateful for the knowledge and connections I made. I have already recommended Hacktales to others, and my friend is now enrolled.”
Susan Onyekachi
(June 2022 Cohort)
In December 2023, Susan Onyekachi was employed as an Information Security Analyst at Cytek Security.
“I attended Nigeria’s first cybersecurity career village championed by Hacktales and decided to join the academy. So far, it has been an interesting journey, and I’ve met really amazing people. Hacktales’ internship prepared me and helped me secure a cybersecurity job in the financial sector just a month after NYSC. Thanks to Hacktales and the tutors for the consistent support and advice.”
Adebowale Ajala
(June 2022 Cohort)
In January 2023, Debo was employed as an Information Security Officer at Globus Bank.
“My growth in six weeks was beyond astonishing. I watched myself go from having zero knowledge about cybersecurity to topping the CFP 2021 leaderboard. I am excitedly looking forward to gaining industry experience as a Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Analyst in the 2022 internship program.”
Wuraola Taiwo
(October 2021 Cohort)
In May 2022, Wuraola was employed as a Project Associate, Privacy and Security, at CcHub.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of CFP 2021. The classes were particularly interesting, and I looked forward to every module. For me, the training was pretty much perfect for a foundation course. I am eagerly awaiting the 9-month internship program starting in January 2022.”
Samuel Omale
(October 2021 Cohort)
In January 2023, Samuel got employed as a GRC analyst at Afenoid Enterprise Limited.
Capping It All…
To break into a dynamic field like cybersecurity, dedication, consistency, continuous learning, and hands-on practice are essential. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields, and the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. However, breaking in without guidance can be overwhelming. That is where the Hacktales Cybersecurity Foundation Program (CFP) comes in. With Hacktales, theories are not all you learn—you will gain hands-on experience and be certain that a mentor is a message away, eager and willing to help you gain the experience you need, build a job-ready portfolio, and connect with a powerful network of industry professionals. The structured mentorship and partnerships with global organizations like Fortinet and ISC2 ensure you are set up for success from the first day.
🎯 Why Choose Hacktales CFP?
✅ Industry-standard curriculum aligned with top certifications.
✅ Hands-on projects, Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and real-world simulations.
✅ Weekly Kahoot challenges and a competitive leaderboard to keep learning engaging.
✅ Direct mentorship from experienced cybersecurity professionals.
✅ A strong alumni network and career support to help you land your first job.
✅ Extremely pocket-friendly.
🔥 Don’t wait! The rapidly growing cybersecurity industry and its opportunities will not wait for you. Join Hacktales CFP today and start your journey toward a high-demand, high-paying career.
🔗 Take the Cybersecurity Quiz to find out your perfect path and Register for the Hacktales CFP and take the first step toward your cybersecurity career!
There are opportunities in this high-demand field, whether you are in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, or anywhere in the world. Stay persistent, be consistent in learning, remain encouraged, and soon you will get your first job in the industry.
