--- title: Why Entry-Level Talent Is Key to a Stronger Cybersecurity Workforce description: Entry-level talent is key to closing the cybersecurity gap. Learn how UD’s top-ranked master’s program prepares students for career success. image: https://blog.udallas.edu/hubfs/blog/AdobeStock_470107765_reduced.jpeg --- ## Why Entry-Level Talent Is Key to a Stronger Cybersecurity Workforce [ Dr. Sandra Blanke ](https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/author/dr-sandra-blanke) | July 7, 2025 --- In today’s fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, few things are more critical than building a resilient, future-ready workforce. As Program Director of the University of Dallas Cybersecurity Program, I closely follow research from highly respected organizations like [ISC2](https://www.isc2.org/), whose data and insights help shape curriculum, hiring practices, and professional development. One recent report that stood out is ISC2’s **June 11, 2025 publication**: > ***2025 Cybersecurity Hiring Trends: Why Investing in Entry- and Junior-Level Talent Is Key to Building a More Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce*** > > ****** > > *** [![Read the full report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20518287/interactive-192096865392.png) ](https://blog.udallas.edu/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIuC9gTX1QzsLCTgtf2OUKW4jBdC%2Fy5kg3IDDRJ%2BkOFwD1KVFRFqlu8%2BuiN%2BUD%2FU97f97leDemunjJSbTwI5Fxdg4wvhaq%2BR2%2BjAYZ7A9M%2Fg%2Fs64w%2Fnn5cWT%2FRgN0cpoE9kVf8PWu%2FGQzJ%2BEY%2FRVyyug2Fv9QxhTwBJlpnxaFI4ik5eXbTQM%2F3LFxwV595QsbIb055vN1Rj8nEpgnGEb8tzITTz0%2Frri2Iu&webInteractiveContentId=192096865392&portalId=20518287) *** > > *** *** While the study reveals many noteworthy trends, three findings especially resonate with me—and with what we emphasize in our graduate cybersecurity program at UD.   ## 1. Job Descriptions Are Still Missing the Mark The disconnect between job postings and the actual skills needed for entry-level roles remains a significant barrier. Too often, employers list advanced certifications like the CISSP—which requires 4–5 years of experience—as a prerequisite for positions meant for junior professionals. 🔑 Why it matters: This creates a needless bottleneck. Adjusting job descriptions to better reflect realistic qualifications would instantly expand the candidate pool and open doors to new graduates and career changers who are ready to contribute.   ## 2. Cybersecurity Talent Is Coming from Unexpected Places According to ISC2, many hiring managers are now sourcing candidates from **non-technical fields.  Some of those fields I am seeing include: ** - Business and finance - Legal and compliance - Marketing and communications - Human resources and leadership 💡 **This is great news** for anyone making a mid-career transition or coming from an interdisciplinary background. Cybersecurity is no longer just about coding—it’s about strategy, communication, and organizational awareness.   ## 3. Soft Skills Are Really Power Skills One of the most exciting insights from the report is that “soft skills” like **teamwork**, **problem solving**, and **analytical thinking** are ranked as the **top desired traits** in junior cybersecurity hires. 📊 Technical skills still matter—particularly in areas like cloud and data security—but they follow these interpersonal strengths in priority. 👥 In other words, being a good communicator and team player is as important as technical proficiency when starting out in cyber.   ## What We’re Doing at the University of Dallas At UD, we’ve built our Cybersecurity master’s program to reflect this real-world alignment between education and industry need. For more than 21 years, our program has: - Been recognized as a **National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-CD)** by the NSA - Attracted students from across the U.S. military, federal agencies, corporate enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures - Ranked the **#1 online cybersecurity program in Texas** and **#13 nationally** by *Fortune* in 2024 - Cyber courses align with **certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) and others.  **Additionally, UD is an academic partner aligned with ISC2 who offers the CISSP exam and many others.   ### Program Highlights: - **30-credit-hour MS in Cybersecurity** - 6 credits focused on leadership and communication - 24 credits across key cybersecurity domains - 100% **online format**, tailored for full-time and part-time students - Designed for **early-career professionals**, **career changers**, and **seasoned practitioners**   ## Ready to Take the Next Step? If you're considering a career in cybersecurity—or looking to deepen your expertise—we’d love to talk. Our team can help you match your career goals with the right graduate path. 📩 Contact: - **Michael Sarles**, Director Graduate Admissions & International Student Services — [*msarles@udallas.edu*](mailto:msarles@udallas.edu)* * - **Dr. Sandra Blanke**, Cybersecurity Program Director and Associate Professor  — [*sblanke@udallas.edu*](mailto:sblanke@udallas.edu)* * 🌐 Learn more at: [udallas.edu/cybersecurity](http://udallas.edu/cybersecurity) or view our [**Cybersecurity Program Guide**](https://blog.udallas.edu/hubfs/Imported%20Asset%20Files/Cybersecurity%20Program%20Guide%20%5BGCOB%5D.pdf) for details on program format, concentrations, and how to apply.   > *Cybersecurity is an exciting, fast-paced, and ever-changing field—and there’s a place in it for you.*   [![080_Classrooms_Constantin_UDallas0418-1](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20518287/interactive-186368961973.png) ](https://blog.udallas.edu/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLK%2Fn1FobhGxee1OopTKW1Qt8rU2stJWBDCGWh74Z6lrsMVvIhWsBMkwnNEsq6sOCse0C4AssQAc8e7fUK5yh7xlIHWl6QIrZJjPyCsJFYCuqiLFJlYDprTE9Paty3eHnMpEdD%2F3wVvxUO1H5jhCBcELIa1Yl5rgg2zJRsbFoCdRqtTipR7WuKS5RdblickljB%2FQeB%2Fr%2BcwO%2BHn7imHe8jraDgT4lpwdcBwc35gS415CEA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=186368961973&portalId=20518287) ## Latest News [![Two female business professionals in suits sit at desk, engaged in strategic discussion](https://blog.udallas.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/AdobeStock_1317236909_reduced.jpeg?width=352&name=AdobeStock_1317236909_reduced.jpeg) ](https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/masters-in-finance-careers-5-potential-paths) ### [Master's in Finance Careers: 5 Potential Paths](https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/masters-in-finance-careers-5-potential-paths) [ Read More ](https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/masters-in-finance-careers-5-potential-paths) [![Two people in an office work at a computer. 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Subscribe to our blog [ In the News ](https://news.udallas.edu/) ## Team Member Name ** ![team-member](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5377389/theme/images/stock-images/team-member-1.png) Team member bio information. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dr. Sandra Blanke", "url" : "https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/author/dr-sandra-blanke" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-07T18:13:15.251Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-07T18:13:15.000Z", "headline" : "Why Entry-Level Talent Is Key to a Stronger Cybersecurity Workforce", "image" : [ "https://blog.udallas.edu/hubfs/blog/AdobeStock_470107765_reduced.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.udallas.edu/tower-thoughts/why-entry-level-talent-is-key-to-a-stronger-cybersecurity-workforce", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.udallas.edu/hubfs/UD%20Rebrand/UD_Logo_Stacked_Blue.png" }, "name" : "University of Dallas" } } ```