The best security professionals don’t all start their careers in security. Unlike many professions, the industry has never relied on a single route to attract talent.
Some people arrive from the uniformed services and the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), others through university, while many happen to ‘fall’ into security. I was no different. Although I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in intelligence, my route began with a philosophy degree rather than a traditional security qualification.
Some may view the lack of a traditional route into security as a weakness. I see it as one of the industry’s greatest strengths.
As the profession continues to evolve, we should encourage diverse pathways, particularly as organisations increasingly recognise the role security plays in protecting people, enabling business, and building resilience.
The age of converged security
Security today is no longer a collection of isolated disciplines. The concept of converged security recognises that cyber incidents quickly become business continuity challenges, physical security increasingly relies on digital infrastructure, intelligence informs investigations, and risk management underpins strategic decision-making. Rather than operating in silos, security is becoming embedded across organisations, influencing strategy, operations, and culture from the outset.
As the profession evolves, so too do the skills it demands. Security now spans intelligence analysts, behavioural scientists, protective security advisers, ethical hackers, resilience professionals, physical penetration testers, and countless other specialisms. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is also reshaping the profession, creating new opportunities while introducing new risks that security professionals must understand. More than ever, success depends not only on technical expertise, but on curiosity, adaptability, and informed human judgement.
Skills over stereotypes
This shift has changed what employers value. Technical knowledge will always matter, but increasingly it is transferable skills such as communication, analytical thinking, and adaptability that distinguish exceptional security professionals.
Organisations are recruiting for potential, as well as experience. Looking back, my philosophy degree did not teach me how to write intelligence reports or conduct investigations. What it did teach me was to question assumptions, evaluate evidence objectively, and communicate complex ideas clearly – skills I now use every day.
Rather than asking whether your background is the ‘right’ one, it is increasingly worth asking what unique perspective you can bring that others cannot. Diverse experiences strengthen organisations by challenging assumptions, reducing the risk of groupthink and bias, and encouraging better decision-making. They also strengthen the wider security profession.
Redefining the ‘early career’ concept
One of the biggest misconceptions in the profession concerns what we mean by ‘early career’. It is easy to assume the term applies only to graduates or young professionals, but in reality it refers to experience within the profession rather than age. Someone changing careers after twenty years in another profession may be starting their first security role, just as a graduate or school leaver is starting theirs.
Both face the same challenge of understanding qualifications, exploring career pathways, and building professional networks.
As Co-Chair of The Security Institute‘s Early Careers Network (ECN), one of the most common questions I hear is, ‘How do I get into security when I don’t have a security background?’ My answer is almost always the same: there isn’t one.
With so many routes into the industry, making choices can be overwhelming. That is exactly why organisations such as The Security Institute play an important role. The ECN exists to support people at the beginning of their security careers, whether they are 20 or 54, entering directly from education or transitioning from another profession. Through webinars, networking opportunities, and access to experienced professionals, the Network helps make the profession more accessible and gives members a clearer understanding of the breadth of opportunities available.
The future of security depends on attracting talented people from every background and at every stage of their careers. Security has never been stronger because everyone thinks the same; it is stronger because people bring different experiences, perspectives and ways of solving problems. By continuing to welcome people from diverse backgrounds and recognising that there is no blueprint for a career in security, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and more innovative profession.
Jasmine Palmer-Garrick
Co-Chair of The Security Institute’s Early Careers Network (ECN)
