A Crisis in Cybersecurity Talent
The world is facing a digital defense crisis. With over 4 million unfilled cybersecurity roles globally, organizations are scrambling to secure critical systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Meanwhile, thousands of military veterans transition to civilian life each year—bringing with them an arsenal of relevant, battle-tested skills. Their unique capabilities make them ideal candidates to fill the cybersecurity workforce gap.
Why Veterans Fit So Well in Cybersecurity
1. Trained for Threats
Veterans are trained to assess risk, stay alert, and respond decisively. These abilities align perfectly with cybersecurity roles, where identifying unusual system activity or responding to breaches is the daily mission.
“That instinctive vigilance is exactly what cybersecurity teams need,”
— James Murphy, Forces Employment Charity
2. Disciplined and Process-Oriented
Cybersecurity requires structured, often protocol-driven responses—whether during penetration testing, incident response, or system auditing. Veterans’ comfort with SOPs and chain-of-command culture fits well here.
3. Built for Teamwork and Leadership
In cybersecurity, collaboration is everything. From red teams simulating attacks to blue teams defending against them, veterans are already used to operating in high-pressure, team-based environments.
Successful Pathways for Veterans
Programs like TechVets offer veterans hands-on training and job placement in cybersecurity.
TechVets (UK)
This initiative helps 15–20 veterans monthly transition into tech, with up to 60% entering cybersecurity roles. It provides hands-on labs, mentorship, and job access to accelerate career shifts.
Corporate Pipelines
Companies like Palo Alto Networks and Cisco are actively building veteran-focused training academies, offering certifications and job placement upon completion.
Fast-Track Military Training
Some militaries now offer accelerated cyber training before discharge. Successful candidates emerge job-ready, with competitive entry salaries and industry-recognized certifications.
Veterans Who’ve Made the Shift
Mo Ahddoud went from Royal Artillery to Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Mo Ahddoud
After years in the British Army, Mo transitioned to cybersecurity and became a CISO—leading digital defenses for enterprise organizations.
Methods Digital (UK)
This consultancy employs 25 veterans, most in cyber roles. They offer a six-week onboarding bootcamp, resulting in industry certifications and real job placement.
Why It Matters
Cybersecurity isn’t just a paycheck—it’s a purpose-driven mission that resonates with veterans’ values: protect, defend, serve.
Average starting salaries: $70K–$90K in the U.S.; £40K–£60K in the UK
Mid-career roles can exceed six figures
Purpose: The mission doesn’t end—it evolves
Addressing the Challenges
While veterans are well-suited, some face hurdles:
Translating military roles into corporate language
Learning technical tools (e.g., SIEM, firewalls, scripting)
Adapting to private sector pace
- Programs must focus on mentorship, certification pathways, and soft skill development to help veterans fully thrive.
Conclusion: Mission Reimagined
Military veterans have always answered the call to serve. Today, that call has a new sound—the hum of servers, the alerts of SIEM dashboards, and the race to stay ahead of digital enemies.
From battlefield tactics to digital defense strategies, veterans are proving to be one of the cybersecurity industry’s strongest allies.