As of 2026, employers have dropped one of the most critical prerequisites for entering the IT field, i.e., a computer science (or even an associate degree) is no longer required to work as an IT professional.
However, the myth is still around due to some IT professionals gatekeeping the industry or thinking that years of experience are crucial to become a competent tech personnel, especially if you’re aiming for a critical role like an information security analyst or coming from a non-technical background.
The truth is, it’s not about a four-year degree; it’s about getting the right hands-on training with cyber security courses online and the certifications that prove you have the skills.
Let’s break down the biggest questions about switching to this in-demand field.
Most Common Questions Answered
The following questions are sourced from Google People Also Ask regarding this myth, and online cyber security courses in particular.
Q1: Is an IT background a necessity to start?
A: Not at all. Reputed cyber security courses online are designed especially to help people get into IT without any technical background. This is their entire business plan, actually. These courses are usually laid in this manner:
- First, you’ll learn the fundamentals of how computer hardware, software, and networks actually work.
- You’ll only move on to complex topics like detecting cyber threats after you have a strong foundation, so you’re never overwhelmed.
It should be noted that most beginner-friendly IT courses are designed with non-technical individuals in mind; however, if you can someone who already possesses some IT experience, advanced courses are recommended.
Q2: Are IT courses different from a traditional college course?
A: In short, yes. Online training (or short courses) teaches you the specific skills you’ll actually use on day one of the job.
Traditional college courses, on the other hand, tend to focus more on background theory and general knowledge, as well as advanced aspects of the IT industry, which are often not required by a beginner.
When deciding how to learn IT skills, especially for a little advanced roles like cybersecurity or network technician, it’s helpful to compare the two main approaches on a few key points:
- Curriculum Focus
- Traditional College: Emphasizes heavily theoretical and general IT knowledge.
- Modern Cyber Training: Focuses on practical, hands-on skills with real-world tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Kali Linux.
- Time Commitment
- Traditional College: Requires 2-4 years to complete a degree.
- Modern Cyber Training: Can be completed in as little as 6 months.
- Primary Outcome
- Traditional College: Results in a degree, which can be a requirement for some high-level roles.
- Modern Cyber Training: Prepares you for specific, in-demand industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) that validate job-ready skills.
For employers, hiring someone with this kind of certified, hands-on training means they can be effective in a role like SOC Analyst much faster.
Q3: What’s the most important thing when choosing an IT program?
A: Look for a program that focuses on certification prep. Some of the industry-recognized certifications include:
- CompTIA Network+: Proves you understand how computer networks function, which is the foundation of all security.
- CompTIA Security+: This is the most common and respected entry-level certification for any cybersecurity job.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Shows you understand how hackers think, so you can better defend against them.
Final Words
Ultimately, the myths surrounding the IT programs and the industry itself have been around for many years, and it will take some years to break them completely. However, on an individual level, you can aim for roles like network tech or even cybersecurity analyst without any IT background.
Just know that the industry has shifted. What gets you hired now isn’t a long resume, but your proven ability to do the work.
