I have a business degree and want to eventually move into cloud security or an entry-level application security role. I would also be willing to start as a cloud engineer, IT specialist, or support technician and work my way up. I'm currently based in Qatar, where SOC positions seem more available, but career and salary growth can be slow. Cloud roles appear to pay better initially, although I've heard that many companies expect software or backend engineers to handle cloud and DevOps responsibilities instead of hiring dedicated cloud engineers. What would be the most realistic starting point, and what roadmap should I follow to move from an IT support background toward cloud engineering or cybersecurity?
4 Answers
Cloud engineering, security engineering, and application security usually aren’t true entry-level fields. A realistic route is to begin with IT support or systems administration, then build experience with operating systems, networking, scripting, and troubleshooting. It can take several years to move into cloud or security, so focus on developing strong fundamentals rather than trying to skip directly to an advanced title.
Cloud is now part of normal software and infrastructure work, so dedicated “cloud” roles may be limited in some markets. Security is also competitive despite the demand. Consider adjacent roles such as systems analyst, network technician, QA, junior developer, or infrastructure support. Once you’re working, you can build projects and take on responsibilities that support a transition into cloud or security.
Start with Linux administration, networking, Git, command-line tools, scripting, troubleshooting, and understanding how applications are deployed and monitored. Build small projects around those skills instead of only collecting certificates.
Going back to university for computer science, information systems, or a related field may improve your chances, since many employers want either a relevant degree or several years of related experience for these roles. If that isn’t practical, start with support or systems administration and work toward certifications and projects in Linux, networking, and one major cloud platform. Security should be treated as a specialization you add after understanding the systems you’re protecting.
You’ll need to understand software and systems before specializing. Learn how to administer an operating system, use the command line, configure services, and understand how applications communicate over networks. Python is a practical first language for automation; Bash is useful for Linux, and Go can come later if you become interested in infrastructure tooling. A structured degree or postgraduate program could also help compensate for an unrelated business background, but it should be combined with hands-on practice.
For a DevOps-oriented path, I’d prioritize Python, networking, Linux, and Bash first. Python is especially useful for automation. After the fundamentals, you can explore Go if you enjoy programming and infrastructure work.
What do you mean by basic engineering skills? I’m currently in support and want to move into core engineering roles.