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Free expert-led sessions on exam strategies, industry insights, and certification guidance—live and on-demand.
In this session, Tabitha Flax, CEO of Haystack Solutions, drew on years of placing cybersecurity talent to share which paths actually work, which certifications open doors fastest, and what separates candidates who land jobs from those who stay stuck. Whether you’re a career changer, an IT professional looking to pivot, a recent graduate figuring out where to start, or someone overwhelmed by conflicting advice on certs and career paths—this recording walks you through a realistic plan built on what actually gets people hired.
This session brought a talent strategist’s perspective to cybersecurity career entry—covering what employers actually care about, how to build hands-on skills without enterprise access, and realistic timelines for both career changers and recent graduates. Topics included which entry-level certifications open doors versus which ones to skip, how to position help desk or networking experience toward security roles, and what to do if you’re starting with no IT background at all.
✔Which entry-level certifications employers actually prioritize—and which to skip
✔How to build hands-on skills without access to enterprise environments
✔Realistic timelines for career changers versus recent graduates
✔How to position existing IT experience—or start from scratch—toward a security role
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
— Confucius
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CompTIA Security+ Boot Camp
The most widely recognized entry-level security certification—taught in an intensive boot camp format with hands-on labs and exam prep built in.