How to Write a Cyber Security CV in 2025 (Guide with Examples)
As digital threats continue to grow in both sophistication and frequency, the demand for skilled cyber security professionals has never been higher. The UK's Cyber Growth Action Plan aims to boost jobs and innovation in the £13.2 billion cyber security sector. This development highlights the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field, making it an excellent time to pursue a career in cyber security.
This guide provides a step-by-step approach to creating a good CV that not only highlights your qualifications and experience but also performs effectively with applicant tracking systems (ATS) – a must for today’s competitive job market.
Customise this cyber security CV example
Cyber Security CV example
Download this cyber security sample CV in PDF
Peter Clark, a seasoned Cyber Security Specialist, selected the Otago template to emphasise his extensive experience. He combines strategic planning, threat analysis, and cross-functional cooperation to bolster cyber security outcomes. With a profound understanding of security measures, Peter provides expert leadership in developing innovative solutions.
What to include in a cyber security CV?
To succeed in a competitive field, your cyber security CV must showcase your expertise, certifications, and a clear record of protecting digital assets. Here’s how to structure a modern CV for maximum impact with potential employers:
Personal information: Include your full name, professional contact details, LinkedIn profile link, and location. This helps employers connect with you quickly and easily.
Personal summary: Write a focused overview of your strengths, relevant experience, and career goals. Aim to give a clear snapshot of your professional profile.
Tailored content: Customise your CV for each application. Emphasise the skills and qualifications most relevant to the specific job you’re targeting.
Remember, tailor your CV for each job application by emphasising the skills and qualifications that align with the specific role you're applying for. Refer to our CV writing process article for more tips on how to tailor your CV.
Writing a personal profile highlighting cyber security experience
Begin with a concise personal summary that brings your most relevant skills and achievements to the forefront. A well-written profile positions you as a qualified and motivated candidate. This section should:
Summarise your technical expertise in cyber security and certified information systems security professional CISSP.
Highlight your approach to risk mitigation, incident response and penetration tests.
Emphasise your ability to work across IT, compliance, and operational teams.
Show your years of experience.
Where possible, provide examples of how you've applied your security operations skills in real-world scenarios, whether through internships, certifications, freelance projects, or in-house security roles.
Personal profile on a CV
Whether you are a student, a graduate, or a seasoned professional, a personal profile is essential for your CV when targeting the UK job market. This statement should grab the attention of employers and set you apart from other applicants.
Learn more about how to successfully pitch yourself in a personal profile.
Entry-level Cybersecurity CV Personal Profile Example
Recent graduate, passionate about cyber security and eager to launch into this dynamic field. Possess a strong foundation in cyber security principles and a dedication to staying updated on emerging threats. Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail valuable asset in safeguarding digital environments and contributing to a secure digital future.
Security Architect CV Personal Profile Example
Experienced Security Architect with a 10-year track record of designing and implementing robust security solutions. Adept at developing comprehensive security strategies that align with business objectives while mitigating risks effectively. Excel in translating complex security concepts into understandable terms for cross-functional teams.
Chief Information Security Officer CV Personal Profile Example
Seasoned CISO, bringing extensive leadership and strategic vision to cyber security initiatives. Reputable track record of successfully enhancing organisations security postures through risk management, compliance, and incident response. Thrive in building and leading high-performing security teams that protect valuable assets and ensure regulatory adherence.
Cybersecurity Engineer CV Personal Profile Example
Results-driven Cyber security Engineer with experience in crafting and implementing security solutions. Technical prowess includes network security, vulnerability management, and secure coding practices. Excel in identifying vulnerabilities and devising solutions to fortify digital ecosystems.
Penetration Tester CV Personal Profile Example
Highly skilled Penetration Tester, passionate about uncovering vulnerabilities before malicious actors do. Experienced in ethical hacking, network penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments. Adept at simulating real-world cyberattacks to strengthen defences and enhance security.
Computer Forensics Analyst CV Personal Profile Example
Computer Forensics Analyst, specialising in digital investigations and evidence collection. Strong attention to detail and knowledge of forensic tools, enabling faster uncovering of cybercrime evidence and providing expert testimony when needed.
Cloud Security Specialist CV Personal Profile Example
Highly motivated Cloud Security Specialist, adept at securing cloud environments and ensuring data integrity. Strong proficiency in cloud service providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Dedicated to implementing robust security controls and best practices to protect cloud assets.
Incident Manager CV Personal Profile Example
Established Incident Manager with 5+ years of proven success in high-pressure situations, coordinating incident response efforts to minimise damage and recovery time. Strong leadership and communication skills with experience in orchestrating incident resolution and post-incident analysis.
Certified Ethical Hacker CV Personal Profile Example
Certified Ethical Hacker, with a mindset to identify and address vulnerabilities ethically. Experienced in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking techniques enables me to contribute to organisations security while maintaining ethical standards.
Malware Analyst CV Personal Profile Example
Established Malware Analyst, specialising in dissecting and analysing malicious code to identify threats and vulnerabilities. In-depth understanding of malware behaviour and reverse engineering skills enable me to contribute effectively to threat detection and mitigation efforts.
In the current landscape, cyber security holds significant importance in specific domains. Refer to our articles featuring CV examples tailored for the retail, finance, healthcare, and civil service sectors to understand this relevance.
Enhance your CV with relevant cyber security skills
Skills on a CV are crucial for showing why you’re the ideal candidate for a cyber security role. Be sure to include both technical capabilities and key soft skills, such as problem-solving and attention to detail, alongside in-demand hard skills like network security, incident response, and risk analysis.
Essential cyber security skills (with examples)
Threat detection and response: Skilled in identifying and responding to cyber threats through log analysis, IDS/IPS tools, and SIEM platforms.
Vulnerability management: Experience scanning and remediating vulnerabilities using tools like Nessus or Qualys to reduce risk exposure.
Network security: Understanding of firewalls, VPNs, and secure network architecture to prevent unauthorised access.
Incident handling: Familiar with response frameworks and playbooks to contain and investigate security breaches.
Compliance and governance: Knowledge of GDPR, ISO 27001, and internal security auditing practices.
Communication skills: Ability to explain complex security issues to non-technical stakeholders and write clear reports.
Your CV should reflect the job description and highlight alignment with industry frameworks (e.g. NIST, ISO 27001), security principles, and a strong ethical mindset. Aim for a clear balance between technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and your ability to protect data and systems in real-world scenarios. To emphasise the impact of your skills, use action verbs in work experience entries such as "monitored," "secured," "analysed," "investigated," and "responded" to show your impact in past roles.
Use your personal profile to showcase soft skills in action
“Analytical and adaptable cyber security graduate with hands-on experience in monitoring security events, investigating incidents, and supporting secure infrastructure. Strong communicator with a passion for protecting data in high-pressure environments.”
| Hard skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Network and system monitoring (SIEM, Splunk) | Critical thinking and problem-solving |
| Threat intelligence analysis | Adaptability in fast-moving threat landscapes |
| Penetration testing and ethical hacking basics | Team collaboration and cross-functional support |
| Cloud security fundamentals (AWS, Azure) | Attention to detail |
| Vulnerability scanning and patch management | Time management |
| Understanding of risk frameworks (NIST, ISO) | Communication under pressure |
You can also integrate these skills into your work experience section
“Monitored and analysed real-time events via Splunk, contributing to a 40% faster incident response time and improved threat visibility across the network.”
Showcase cyber security work experience
Demonstrate your impact for hiring managers by highlighting specific achievements and quantifiable results to showcase the value you bring. Rather than using vague statements, provide clear examples that illustrate your contributions. For instance, mention key projects you led, challenges you resolved, or goals you exceeded within IT.
What should each work experience entry include?
Job title of current or previous role
Organisation name and location
Dates of employment (month/year)
A concise paragraph detailing your duties
Followed by 2–3 bullet points that highlight your key achievements or measurable impact.
Learn more about the work experience section in a CV.
Use bullet points in your experience section to showcase real achievements – not just responsibilities. Wherever possible, include metrics or tangible outcomes (e.g. threat reduction, response time improvement, compliance rates) to make your achievements stand out.
Good
"Implemented SIEM monitoring (Splunk), reducing average incident response time by 40% within six months."
Bad
"Responsible for managing firewall configurations."
Good
"Conducted a security audit aligned with ISO 27001, leading to zero major findings during external compliance review."
Bad
"Helped with company’s cyber security strategy."
Cyber security CV work experience examples
Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Intern, Security Solutions, Belfast, Ireland, 2022
Assisted senior team members in monitoring network traffic for unusual activities and potential threats. Conducted regular vulnerability assessments on company systems, identifying and reporting security weaknesses. Collaborated with incident response team to analyse and respond to security incidents.
Played a key role in documenting security procedures and assisting in the creation of training materials for new employees.
Assisted in the implementation of security policies and procedures, contributing to a more secure digital environment.
Cyber Security Specialist, Digital Defence Solutions, London, UK, 2021 - Present
Responsible for designing and implementing cybersecurity measures to protect corporate networks and ensure regulatory compliance. Delivered training and security solutions that significantly reduced cyber threats.
Reduced cyber threat incidents by 60% through advanced intrusion detection systems.
Conducted security audits to maintain GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance.
Trained staff on phishing awareness, achieving a 40% reduction in successful attacks.
Network Security Specialist, TechNet Secure, Manchester, UK, 2019 - 2021
Managed and secured a large-scale corporate network, focusing on firewall configurations, threat monitoring, and network optimisation. Played a key role in mitigating threats and reducing vulnerabilities.
Mitigated five major cyberthreats within 24 hours through proactive network monitoring.
Implemented a network segmentation strategy, reducing potential attack surfaces by 35%.
Maintained secure VPNs and firewalls for over 500 users.
Security Analyst , SecureOps Ltd, Birmingham, UK , 2018 - 2020
Monitored and analysed security systems to detect and respond to potential threats. Collaborated with teams to improve system security and operational efficiency.
Enhanced incident response efficiency by 45% through threat analysis and monitoring.
Patched critical vulnerabilities, maintaining 99.9% uptime for key systems.
Created detailed threat reports, supporting risk management and informed decision-making.
Include cyber security education and qualifications on your CV
Whether you're a recent graduate, a student, or someone with limited or no experience, it's important to include your educational background. This should encompass your degrees, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
For additional guidance, visit our article on how to effectively list courses and certificates on a CV, or check out our article on how to list education on a CV for more information.
Pro Tip
Even if you're new, talk about labs, personal projects, or online challenges (like TryHackMe or Hack The Box) to prove hands-on experience. Real-world application always stands out more than buzzwords.
Key takeaways
Writing an effective cyber security CV requires a delicate balance between showcasing key skills and how you can successfully serve as a guardian of data and networks. By structuring your CV to include a targeted personal profile, work experience, and skills sections, you can present yourself as a strong candidate for the position.
Next steps?
We offer a diverse range of modern CV templates with an extensive range of CV examples that can be tailored to your liking. If you have little to no experience or seek professional assistance, consider our professional CV Writing Services.
FAQs
How do I write a cyber security CV?
Tailor your CV for each job application by focusing on the specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements. Additionally, keep the below in mind.
Start with a clear and concise summary at the beginning of your CV that highlights your key skills and objectives in the field.
List your relevant work experience, including details of your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments in each position.
Emphasise your technical skills and highlight your certifications, such as CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+, or other relevant certifications.
Include any academic qualifications, like degrees or relevant coursework.
Mention any projects or personal initiatives you've undertaken.
Showcase your problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and teamwork skills.
Is 30 too old for cyber security?
No, 30 is definitely not too old to start a career in cyber security. Many people switch into the field later in life, and your existing skills and life experience can actually be a big advantage. With the growing demand for cyber professionals, there are plenty of entry points and learning resources to get you started at any age. If you are considering a cyber security boot camp, check out our career change CV example for more tips.
Is cybersecurity a good career in the UK?
Yes, it is a promising career as it offers strong job prospects, competitive salaries, and opportunities for advancement. The increasing number of cyber threats and the importance of protecting data put cybersecurity professionals in high demand.
Where can I learn cybersecurity in the UK?
Cyber security training can vary but you can explore universities or online courses, apprenticeships, and professional training centres. Consider institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, or specialised cybersecurity training providers like SANS Institute or CompTIA.
How do I become a cybersecurity professional in the UK?
Start with a strong educational foundation by pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or a related field such as computer science. Additional or alternatively, obtain relevant certifications, such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+, where you thereafter gain practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or personal projects. Additional tips include:
Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends and threats.
Network with professionals in the field and seek mentorship opportunities.
Apply for entry-level positions, such as security analyst or junior cybersecurity roles, to begin your career journey.
