Cyber Security Graduate Jobs UK: Real Entry Routes That Work

For graduates looking to break into tech, cyber security jobs offer one of the most secure and fast-evolving career paths. Roles like Junior Security Analyst or IT Security Assistant are practical ways to start, helping you master the basics of protecting systems and data across cloud platforms, networks, and critical infrastructure.

With strong hiring demand across the UK and Europe, employers are actively looking for graduates who are curious, analytical, and eager to learn on the job. Unlike some areas of tech, cyber security offers a clear progression from graduate entry into specialist paths such as threat hunter, penetration tester, or cloud security engineer. 

If you’re motivated but unsure where to start, this guide will show you the real entry routes that work, how to prepare, and how to stand out in a competitive graduate market.

Entry-Level Cyber Security Jobs to Start Your Career

According to NCC Group, the future of cyber security is driven by global collaboration, smart innovation, and rising digital risks, making it one of the most vital careers of our time.

Entry-level cyber security jobs you may not have considered:

Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst

A SOC Analyst is a cyber security professional focused on monitoring, detecting, and responding to security events in real time. It's a common entry point into cyber security for graduates, providing hands-on experience with incidents and security tools. Collaborate with teams like SOC Managers and Incident Responders to protect systems from threats and ensure business security.

Typical Daily Tasks:

• Monitor SIEM dashboards for suspicious activity and alerts.
• Investigate alerts to confirm real threats and gather evidence.
• Follow response procedures to contain and remediate incidents.
• Run vulnerability scans and recommend key patches.
• Document incidents, actions, and lessons learned for reporting.

Junior Security Analyst

Start your cyber security career as a Junior Security Analyst, the first line of defence against potential threats. Working within a SOC or internal IT security team, you’ll help monitor systems, investigate suspicious activity, and keep defences running smoothly. 

Typical Daily Tasks:

• Monitor and investigate security alerts from SIEM tools.
• Identify and report genuine threats versus false positives.
• Run vulnerability scans and support remediation efforts.
• Manage endpoint protection and enforce security policies.
• Document incidents, updates, and escalations.
• Stay current on emerging cyber threats and attack trends.

IT Security Assistant

As an IT Security Assistant, you'll play a hands-on role in securing systems and assisting employees with security issues. Integrating technical support with cybersecurity, offering expertise in endpoint protection, access management, and the enforcement of security policies. You'll collaborate with IT and Security Teams, Help Desk staff, and IT Managers to strengthen user support and technical controls.

Typical Daily Tasks:

• Manage antivirus, anti-malware, and endpoint protection tools.
• Process user access requests and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Support staff with phishing investigations and password resets.
• Help deploy security patches and monitor system updates.
• Maintain documentation and contribute to compliance reporting.

GRC Assistant (Governance, Risk & Compliance Assistant)

You’ll often start your cyber security career as a GRC Assistant, focusing on policies and documentation that ensure compliance and good governance. This role differs from technical positions, as it prioritises adherence to security best practices and regulatory standards. You’ll collaborate with the GRC Team, Auditors, and Senior Leaders to align daily operations with organisational security goals.

Typical Daily Tasks:

• Maintain and update security policy documentation.
• Collect compliance evidence (logs, reports, screenshots) for audits.
• Track the Risk Register and monitor key risk indicators.
• Coordinate audit meetings and prepare required documentation.
• Support awareness initiatives such as compliance training and phishing simulations.

Skills That Help You Secure Graduate Cyber Security Jobs

Success in cyber security graduate jobs is not about being an expert hacker from day one. Employers hiring for graduate cyber security jobs look for candidates who think critically, stay curious, and work methodically under pressure. 

Here’s what “job-ready” looks like when you are starting.

Technical Foundations

• Networking – Learn how devices connect and share data. Understanding basic network traffic helps you spot suspicious activity.
• Operating Systems – Get comfortable using both Windows and Linux. Knowing how systems are set up and where to find logs is key to any security role.

Practical Skills

• Scripting – Learn simple Python, PowerShell, or Bash commands to automate tasks and solve problems faster.
• Log Analysis – Practice reading system and network logs to recognise unusual patterns or early signs of an attack.
• Incident Response – Understand the basic steps for responding to a security alert, such as identifying, containing, and reporting issues calmly and clearly.

Professional Skills

• Communication – Write clear documentation and explain technical problems in simple terms. Strong communication builds trust with your team.
• Soft Skills – Curiosity, teamwork, and attention to detail show employers you’re ready to learn and grow in an entry-level cyber security job.

Employers do not expect you to stop major cyberattacks on day one. They do expect curiosity, discipline, and a readiness to learn from every incident. In cyber security, the right mindset is your strongest defence and your best interview asset.

Key Security Tools to Explore as a Cyber Security Graduate

When applying for graduate or entry-level cyber security jobs, employers don’t expect you to be a professional at every tool in a SOC. What matters most is awareness. 

For graduate cyber security jobs, showing awareness means you can:

• Explain each tool’s purpose in simple terms.
• Understand how tools interact with each other
• Show curiosity about learning them hands-on once in the role.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

The SIEM acts as the “brain” of a SOC. It collects and analyses log data from across the network.

• Purpose: Correlates events from multiple sources to detect suspicious patterns and trigger alerts.
• Also used for: Reporting and compliance audits.
• Awareness for interviews: Be ready to describe how a SIEM helps identify unusual activity across multiple systems.
• Tools to be aware of: Splunk, ELK Stack, Microsoft Sentinel. 
  
  

2. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

EDR focuses on protecting and monitoring endpoints, such as laptops and servers.

• Purpose: Detects malicious behaviour, isolates compromised systems, and records endpoint activity for investigation.
• Awareness for interviews: Understand what endpoints are, how EDR tools monitor them, and why endpoint visibility matters for threat detection.
• Tools to be aware of: CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne, Carbon Black.
  
  

3. Ticketing Systems (Case Management)

Every SOC uses ticketing systems to efficiently track and manage incidents.

• Purpose: Organises alerts, escalations, and investigations in a structured workflow.
• Awareness for interviews: Be able to explain how analysts document their findings, assign tasks, and maintain accountability using these platforms.
• Tools to be aware of: ServiceNow, Jira, or SOAR platforms like Splunk Phantom and Cortex XSOAR.
  
  

4. Vulnerability Scanners

Vulnerability scanners identify weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.

• Purpose: Scan networks, operating systems, and applications for known flaws or misconfigurations.
• Awareness for interviews: Understand that vulnerability management is about prevention, prioritisation, and collaboration with IT teams to fix issues.
• Tools to be aware of: Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS, Nmap.

Employers recognise that most graduates lack experience in a SOC. What stands out is the ability to connect how various tools work together. If you’re figuring out how to get an entry-level cyber security job or how to become a SOC analyst with no experience, start by building familiarity with these tools. Showing awareness, structure, and curiosity in your interview can often matter more than practical expertise.

Network+, CCNA, or Security+: Which Certification Is Right for You?

Each qualification has its own unique features. 

Network+

• Best for: Absolute beginners
• Cost: ~£300 (exam only)
• Time to prepare: 6–8 weeks part-time
• Focus: Vendor-neutral fundamentals covering networking basics, protocols, troubleshooting, and security.

Network+ is ideal if you’re starting from scratch or coming from a non-technical background. It builds foundational knowledge without tying you to a specific vendor.

CCNA certifications

• Best for: Candidates with some technical background or lab experience
• Cost: ~£300–£350 (exam only)
• Time to prepare: 10–12 weeks part-time
• Focus: Cisco-based networking, routing, and switching, CLI configuration, security, and automation.

CCNA is more advanced and aligns closely with what employers use in real environments, especially in roles involving routers, switches, and firewalls. It shows you're ready to work with real-world infrastructure.

Security+

• Best for: Individuals transitioning from an IT background directly into cyber security roles like Junior SOC Analyst or entry-level penetration tester.
• Cost: ~£350 (exam only)
• Time to prepare: 8–12 weeks part-time
• Focus: Core security principles, threat analysis, and risk management. Covers network security, cryptography, identity and access management, architecture, and incident response.

Security+ is a globally recognised, independent, entry-level certification that validates the essential, foundational skills required for core security functions.

Which Certification Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your background and goals.

New to IT or networking?

Start with Network+. It builds vital networking knowledge and confidence. Ideal if you’re coming from a non-technical background.

Have some technical or lab experience?

Go for the CCNA. It’s more practical with real Cisco networking and shows readiness for infrastructure-focused roles.

Are you transitioning into cyber security?

Choose Security+. It’s the most recognised entry-level cert for roles like Junior SOC Analyst or entry-level penetration tester.

No matter which path you take, certifications prove commitment and help bridge the gap between learning and job readiness, especially when you’re just starting out in graduate or entry-level cyber security jobs.

Need help preparing or choosing? Join the Hamilton Barnes graduate hub for tailored guidance and tools to get started.

Weekend Projects That Show Real Cyber Security Skills

Weekend cybersecurity projects help graduates turn theory into practice by demonstrating fundamental, hands-on skills to employers. They show initiative, problem-solving, and genuine interest, making candidates stand out with practical experience beyond certifications.

Free Tools to Use for Cyber Security Practice

• Cisco Packet Tracer: Practice CLI commands, configurations, and network design in a simulated environment.
• GNS3: Emulate real routers, switches, and firewalls for more advanced network setups.
• Wireshark: Capture and analyse network traffic to understand protocols and detect suspicious activity.
• VirtualBox + VMs: Create Linux and Windows virtual machines to safely simulate realistic networked environments.
• TryHackMe: Interactive, guided labs and learning paths to practice real-world cybersecurity tasks; ideal for beginners and portfolio project building.

Examples Project Ideas 

• Use Wireshark to capture and analyse suspicious network traffic, such as port scans or failed logins.
• Set up a vulnerable web app (like DVWA) in a VM and practice identifying and reporting common web vulnerabilities.
• Build a small SIEM lab using Splunk Free or ELK to detect simulated brute-force attacks.
• Simulate a phishing incident and create a short incident response report documenting your investigation steps.

How to Use This on Your CV:

• Document your setup, screenshots, and what you learned.
• Write 3-4 bullet points that explain the outcome (e.g. "Captured and analysed malicious network traffic using Wireshark").
• Host your work on GitHub or share insights on LinkedIn.

How to Transition from SOC Analyst to Penetration Tester (12–24 Month Plan)

Breaking into penetration testing takes time and commitment, usually 12–24 months of steady learning and hands-on practice. But if you’re curious, analytical, and ready to build on your defensive skills, cybersecurity offers one of the most rewarding career paths you can start today.

Months 0–8 — Build Offensive Fundamentals

• Master a Linux-based offensive environment and become fluent in scripting.
• Deepen networking and OS knowledge from an attacker’s perspective
• Practice regularly on hands-on, sandboxed platforms and document every challenge and solution.
  
  

Months 9–18 — Specialise & Bridge Blue/Red Skills

• Pick a speciality (e.g., web apps or internal network exploitation) and focus your practice there.
• After each exploit, review what defensive controls and logs would have detected it.
• Convert your best exercises into professional-style reports with clear risk ratings and remediation advice.
  
  

Months 19–24 — Portfolio & Job-Ready

• Complete complex, end-to-end scenarios that demonstrate lateral movement and escalation.
• Publish a polished portfolio (detailed reports, walkthroughs, and scripts) and tailor your CV to highlight how SOC experience improves your offensive edge.
• Apply for junior penetration testing or vulnerability assessment roles and prepare to explain methodologies and the difference between scanning and true penetration testing.
  
  

Focus on fewer, deeper projects rather than many shallow ones. Employers value clear documentation, repeatable methodology, and the ability to explain findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Tips to Take Your First Steps Towards a Career in Cyber Security

Breaking into cyber security graduate jobs can feel competitive, but small, consistent actions make a big difference. Whether you’re applying for graduate cyber security jobs, SOC analyst jobs, or entry-level penetration testing positions, these tips will help you secure an entry-level cyber security job.

CV Tips

Your CV is your first chance to show that you’re job-ready, even without commercial experience. Focus on what you’ve done, not just what you know.

Strong CV Bullet Point Examples

• Built a home lab to simulate attacks and practice defensive analysis.
• Investigated and reported on suspicious network activity.
• Earned CompTIA Security+ and applied learning through online labs
• Took part in beginner CTF challenges to strengthen problem-solving skills.
• Created a GitHub portfolio to showcase projects and progress.

Quick Tips:

• Use action verbs: analysed, implemented, documented, configured, and presented.
• Be specific about what you achieved and what you learned.
• Prioritise hands-on projects over theory
• Keep your CV concise (ideally one page) and tailor it to each job.

How to Read Job Ads

Entry-level or graduate cyber security jobs can look intimidating because they often list every skill in the company’s toolkit. Don’t be put off.

What to focus on:

• Identify recurring keywords like SIEM, incident response, log analysis, or vulnerability management. These show what matters most.
• Treat the “requirements” list as a wish list, not a checklist. 
• Emphasise transferable skills from labs, study, or any IT support experience.
• Treat job ads as a roadmap that shows you exactly what skills to build next.

Salary Expectations

Salary varies between jobs and regions. To find salary expectations by region and role, download our Salary Insights for Careers in Cyber Security document.

Reaching Out to Recruiters

Many entry-level cyber security jobs are found through networking, not just applications. A simple, confident message goes a long way.

Example Message:

Hi [Name],

I’m an aspiring cyber security professional currently building my hands-on skills through home labs and online training. I’m particularly interested in junior or graduate SOC analyst jobs. Could I send you my CV or connect to learn more about what employers are looking for in entry-level candidates?

Tips:

• Keep it polite, short, and specific.
• Mention one skill or certification you’re working on.
• Follow up if they engage, and thank them for their time.

For more resources on how to stand out as a graduate in the current competitive tech market, explore our Resources Page 

90 Days in a Cyber Security Graduate Job

Starting your first job as a cyber security graduate, whether as a Graduate SOC Analyst, Junior Security Analyst, or in another entry-level cyber security role, can feel overwhelming.

The key is to focus on learning the environment, understanding processes, and building trust with your team. Here’s what your first three months might look like.

Month 1: Observe and Learn

• Get familiar with the tools you’ll use daily (SIEM, EDR, or ticketing systems).
• Understand incident response workflows, escalation paths, and documentation standards.
• Shadow experienced analysts, take notes, and ask thoughtful questions about real incidents.

Month 2: Take Ownership

• Begin handling low-risk alerts or tickets under supervision.
• Practise clear, structured documentation for every investigation or response.
• Relate what you learn at work to your home lab or online practice environments to reinforce your skills.

Month 3: Show Growth

• Request feedback from your manager or mentor to identify focus areas.
• Contribute to team improvements — for example, refining documentation or creating short knowledge guides.
• Offer to support onboarding or share insights with other new starters to build confidence and visibility.

Kickstart Your Cyber Security Career with Hamilton Barnes

Breaking into cyber security can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Hamilton Barnes, we specialise in helping graduates and early-career professionals secure their first role in cyber security, whether that’s in SOC analysis, penetration testing, vulnerability management, or cloud security.

Our consultants work with entry-level candidates every day. We’ll help you identify jobs that align with your skills and interests, polish your CV to highlight your hands-on experience, and prepare you for interviews that test both your technical knowledge and problem-solving mindset.

We also run Empowering Future Network Professionals, a dedicated hub with tools, guides, and practical advice for students and graduates starting their journey.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you’re building your first home lab, completing certifications like Security+, or applying for cyber security graduate jobs, your cyber security career path is clearer than you think.

At Hamilton Barnes, we’ll support you from application to offer, helping you stand out in a competitive job market and take that first step into a lasting career in cyber security.

Explore:

• Empowering Future Network Engineers
• Careers Page 
• Cyber Security  and Penetration Testing

When you’re ready to start, get in touch with our team to discover how we can help turn your cyber security potential into a professional placement.