Your First 90 Days in Cybersecurity — Don't Blow It

Episode 7: Your First 90 Days in Cybersecurity — Don't Blow It You've landed your first cybersecurity job. Congratulations! But now comes the real challenge: proving they made the right decision. Your first 90 days can set the tone for your entire cybersecurity career. And here's something that might surprise you: success isn't necessarily about how much technical knowledge you have. It's about your attitude, relationships, willingness to learn, and ability to contribute. In this episode of Hacking Your Cyber Career, Steve draws on more than 30 years in IT and his experience hiring and leading cybersecurity teams to share what really separates new employees who thrive from those who struggle. From enthusiastic newcomers who exceed expectations to overconfident hires who expect promotions before they've contributed anything, Steve shares lessons from the hiring manager's side of the desk. In this episode, you'll discover: Days 1–30: Why understanding the organization, its culture, and the people around you matters more than immediately demonstrating technical expertise. Enthusiasm vs. impatience: How to maintain your motivation when your new employer doesn't move as quickly as you'd like. Understanding the business: Why great cybersecurity professionals understand business risks, not just security tools. Days 30–60: How to identify your most important skills gaps and create a practical learning plan. Mistakes and accountability: Why owning your mistakes can actually strengthen your manager's confidence in you. From the Hiring Desk: What Steve really looks for in new employees, and the behaviours that quickly undermine trust. Days 60–90: How to move from learning to delivering tangible value and taking ownership of your work. Finding your place: How to adapt to your team's culture without losing your personality or ambition. Your Next Move: A practical 30/60/90-day action plan, followed by two pieces of advice Steve wishes he'd understood when starting his own career. Whether you're beginning your first cybersecurity role, transitioning from another IT discipline, or preparing for your next career move, this episode will help you build credibility, earn trust, and establish the foundations of a successful career. Remember: Getting the job opens the door. What you do next is what builds the career. #CybersecurityCareers #CybersecurityJobs #BreakingIntoCyber #CareerDevelopment #First90Days #CybersecurityTraining #HackingYourCyberCareer Send us Fan Mail