Most cybersecurity roadmaps are too detailed to be useful. This one zooms out and lays out the milestones that actually matter — from your first cert to your first six-figure role.
0–12 months
Security+ certification, home lab, junior SOC or help-desk role. Aim for clean fundamentals and one or two visible lab projects.
1–3 years
Specialize — SOC analyst, GRC, AppSec, cloud security. Add a domain-specific cert and a portfolio of relevant work.
3–5 years
Senior IC track or move into team lead. CISSP if you’re heading toward management; OSCP / cloud specialty if you’re heading toward technical depth.
The bottom line
Cybersecurity is a marathon, not a sprint. Pick a direction by year two, commit to it, and the senior money follows.
