We’ve all heard the claim—there are millions of open cybersecurity jobs. But if you’ve ever applied for one, you know it’s not that simple. Breaking into cyber is tough, and job postings asking for five years of experience for an entry-level role don’t help.

In this talk, I’ll share how I got into cybersecurity, the lessons I’ve learned from growing my own career, and what I’ve seen from hiring lots of people—many into their first roles. We’ll break down what actually works, including:

✔️ Technical skills you need (and the ones you don’t)
✔️ Soft skills & mindset that set successful candidates apart
✔️ Networking strategies to make connections that lead to job offers
✔️ How to stand out in the hiring process (even without experience)
✔️ Why your first role isn’t your last role—and how to use it as a launchpad

If you’re trying to break into cybersecurity—or helping others do so—this session will give you a realistic, actionable roadmap to getting hired and thriving in the industry. Because the jobs are out there—but only if you know where (and how) to look.