SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
The cybersecurity job bubble has burst. What was once hailed as a guaranteed career path has become a ruthless proving ground, where only the most capable candidates endure. The market has delivered its verdict loud and clear: mediocrity is no longer acceptable. This isn’t scaremongering, but a wake-up call. And it’s a wake-up call supported by facts:
- Thousands of “six-figure cybersecurity” bootcamp graduates flood the market each month, but many lack practical skills — they understand theory but struggle with log analysis, scripting, or managing real incidents.
- In 2020, transitioning from IT to cybersecurity was feasible. By 2025, however, most employers require two to three years of direct security experience, even for so-called “entry-level” roles.
- SOC Tier 1 roles are being automated, with AI now managing basic alert triage. As a result, companies are hiring fewer junior staff, often preferring one experienced engineer over multiple entry-level hires.
- Tools like ChatGPT now generate scripts and reports, further reducing the demand for junior analysts with limited hands-on expertise.
Mark Child, a Cyber London Director, chips in:
“It’s a compelling snapshot of industry evolution, laying bare how automation, oversaturation, and inflated expectations have shifted the landscape. The comparison between 2020’s accessibility and 2025’s brutal selectivity hits home. It echoes the truth: cybersecurity is now a proving ground, not a safety net.”
CYBERSECURITY INTERNSHIPS
Cybersecurity remains a fulfilling career, but 2025 demands more than ever before. The question is no longer whether jobs exist, but whether you’re prepared to do what it takes to stand out in the most competitive market we’ve ever encountered. The choice is yours: rise to the challenge or become another statistic in the graveyard of failed career changers. What will you do differently tomorrow to avoid becoming just another CV in a pile of 5,000 applicants? Applying for a cybersecurity internship is an immediate and practical step forward.
THE BENEFITS OF CYBER INTERNSHIPS
- Internships provide hands-on experience that reinforces academic learning and builds a strong foundation in cybersecurity concepts.
- They significantly enhance a CV by showcasing practical skills and real-world experience to potential employers.
- Internships offer opportunities to network with industry professionals, mentors, and peers, creating valuable connections for future career prospects.
- Many companies treat internships as a trial period, with successful interns often receiving offers for full-time positions.
- Interns develop both technical skills (such as programming and data analysis) and soft skills (such as communication and problem-solving).
- Working on real-world projects and receiving feedback from experienced professionals boosts confidence in one’s abilities.
- Internships offer insight into the daily operations and culture of cybersecurity teams, helping interns understand workplace expectations.
- They allow individuals to explore various areas within cybersecurity and discover career paths aligned with their interests and strengths.
- In a highly competitive field, internship experience gives candidates a notable edge in the job market.
- Internships help close the cybersecurity skills gap by offering practical training to a diverse range of aspiring professionals.
SKILLS TRUMP PAPER CREDENTIALS
While certifications continue to hold value, they are increasingly seen as the bare minimum, simply the price of admission into the cybersecurity field. Earning a certificate shows that you’ve studied the material, but in today’s highly competitive market, it’s no longer enough to stand out. Employers are placing far greater emphasis on real-world, hands-on experience. Setting up your own home lab, experimenting with tools, building security projects, and contributing to open-source work on platforms like GitHub speak volumes about your capabilities and commitment. These practical demonstrations of skill and curiosity show that you’re not just learning, but you’re applying knowledge in meaningful ways. On this Mark Child adds:
“GitHub contributions and scripting mirror exactly what employers now value. Certification is useful, but this reminds us that it’s only the ticket to the stadium—you still have to play the game.”
In a field where adaptability and problem-solving are key, this kind of initiative often carries more weight than any exam pass.
YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR LIFELINE
Your professional network plays a crucial role in shaping your cybersecurity career. In many cases, simply submitting cold applications online leads to disappointment, as countless CVs end up lost in HR systems, never reaching the eyes of a decision-maker. The reality is that the most promising opportunities often arise not from job boards, but through the relationships you’ve built within the industry. Whether it’s a former colleague, a mentor, someone you met at a conference, or a connection from an internship, these personal interactions can open doors that formal applications cannot. Conversations, referrals, and recommendations frequently lead to interviews that wouldn’t otherwise happen. Investing time in building and maintaining genuine connections. This could be through networking events, online communities, professional groups, and social platforms like LinkedIn is one of the most effective ways to advance your career in cybersecurity. In a field driven by trust, reputation, and collaboration, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Mark Child tells us:
“In a world of automated HR filters, your next opportunity might come from a LinkedIn DM, not an online application. This section reminds readers that reputation and relationships often open doors that resumes can’t.”
CYBER LONDON INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Cyber London Baseel Internship Program is a remote, international internship designed for students seeking practical industry experience. With a minimum duration of 6 to 12 months, the program enables interns to contribute to live projects across diverse domains, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
- Cybersecurity & Data Protection
- Software Development
- Cloud, Network, and Server Technologies
- Project Management, Sustainability, Fund Management, and more
The internship is thoughtfully structured and well-supported, offering dedicated mentorship from experienced professionals, regular feedback through monthly and mid-term evaluations, and direct access to senior staff to encourage learning and collaboration. Interns are expected to commit to the full 6–12 month duration, actively engage in project work with initiative and adaptability, collaborate effectively within a cross-cultural remote team, and proactively develop both technical and interpersonal skills. Of the Cyber London Bassel Internship Program, Mark says:
“The Baseel internship highlights a well-balanced approach: The structured mentorship, global exposure, and multi-domain training make this sound like a model program for career readiness. It communicates both the challenge and the support system, making it inviting without sugarcoating expectations.”
Are you ready to take the next step in your cybersecurity journey? Sign up now.
