From avionics technician to certified cybersecurity professional: Building a new career with Infosec Institute training

For almost a decade, I have lived and breathed aviation. I’m a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force serving as both an avionics technician and NCO in charge of a missile alert facility, and, as you might expect, the work is multifaceted.

As an avionics technician and facilities manager, I ensure the safety and functionality of complex electronic, mechanical, building and IT infrastructure. In both these positions, I pursue the highest operational efficiency and security standards for my colleagues and the nation’s defense systems. 

Working in the Air Force has been a great experience, but it won’t last forever — my contract will soon expire. Looking ahead to the next adventure, I decided on a career rich with opportunity and in high demand: cybersecurity.

An opportunity to level up right away

I always knew my life after the Air Force would involve IT in some capacity, and cybersecurity is fundamental to everything IT-related. Every person and business who connects to the digital world depends on cybersecurity. From national security documents to credit card numbers to social media passwords, mountains of data sit under digital lock and key, and society depends on cybersecurity professionals to keep it — and us — safe.

Once I knew what I wanted, I began laying the groundwork for my new career. In 2021, I started a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and forensics at American Military University. I wanted in-depth training on cybersecurity theories and methodologies, and that’s what I’m getting. But I also realized that a bachelor’s degree wasn’t enough. Employers and recruiters seek people with industry certifications demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of cybersecurity threats and solutions.

While researching those industry certifications, I discovered the CompTIA Security+ Boot Camp from Infosec Institute. This five-day intensive prepares participants for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam, the world’s most popular credential for entry-level cybersecurity jobs in the private and government sectors, including the Department of Defense.

The boot camp offers live, expert instruction with fully updated learning materials synced to the latest version of the certification exam. It’s the perfect way to show recruiters and prospective employers that one has the current skills and knowledge they demand.

I applied for the Infosec Accelerate Scholarship for new talent joining the industry. I was one of four recipients, opening the gateway for a more advanced understanding of potential security threats, incident response and more.

Finding inspiration inside and outside the classroom

The boot camp was a transformative experience. I knew it would prepare me for the certification exam, but I didn’t expect it to be so rewarding and eye-opening.

Infosec structured the boot camp as a Monday–Friday commitment, with an eight-hour session each day. Participants spent five days reviewing test material with 30 other participants and our instructor. Toward the end of each day, we would work independently on labs and pre-test exercises, then reconvene as a group to work on questions where we got stuck. You don’t give up a week of your life unless you’re serious about a career in cybersecurity, and it was great to work with other learners so committed to their future success.

I was especially impressed and inspired by our instructor. He previously served in the military, and I could relate to his experience and dedication to cybersecurity. He had built a home lab with a honeypot setup that emulated vulnerabilities to lure attackers to his home network. I was so captivated by the idea that I put together a similar system when I returned home. I enrolled in the boot camp to better understand cybersecurity basics, but his example showed me how to maintain my curiosity outside work hours. It wasn’t just about becoming a cybersecurity professional on paper; I had also begun to think like one.