Kyle Lim, turning 28, had spent two years running a hawker stall, selling chendol at the market. Self-employment taught him a lot, but he wanted something steadier.
“When you’re doing your own business, there are a lot of different factors that come in. I wanted something more stable.”
He reasoned that cybersecurity was a safer long-term bet. “As technology advances, it’s always a necessity.” So he gave it a shot, with no IT background to fall back on.
Learning by doing
What worked for Kyle was the hands-on approach. Less talking about security, more doing it.
“It really equips you with hands-on stuff. We have labs, we have scenarios we have to do. The scenarios are fun, I love the scenarios. It equips you with the skills the industry actually needs, and how to be more efficient in your work.”
He is clear that this kind of practice is hard to get any other way.
“CFCI gives you the time to practise and makes you feel capable. It prepares you for what’s to come when you go out to work.”
He also rates the teaching plainly.
“The instructor is very patient, very knowledgeable. For the CFCI programme, the instructor is top tier.”
No certificates, no degree, still hired
The part of Kyle’s story that surprises people most is where he started from on paper.
“I went to CFCI and managed to get a job with no certs. I don’t have any relevant degree or diploma in IT or cybersecurity, and I still managed to secure a job.”
We share Kyle’s experience because it is a real outcome, not a promise. No one can promise a job. What we can do is build the practical skills, the portfolio and the confidence that give you a genuine chance, and that worked for Kyle.
Thinking of trying it?
For a broader look at how people with non-IT backgrounds make this transition, see our complete guide to making a mid-career switch into cybersecurity in Singapore.
If a stable, growing field appeals to you and the lack of a tech background is what is holding you back, start with the free experiential workshop after a short info session. You will run a real scenario and find out whether the work suits you before committing.
The flagship Career Kickstart programme then takes you from the basics to job-ready. Most of our graduates who secured cyber roles had no prior IT background, and 80% of graduates who completed the full programme and career services secured cybersecurity employment (as of early 2026). To see the range of people making this switch, browse more graduate stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a cybersecurity job without certifications or an IT diploma?
It is possible. Some of our graduates have secured roles without prior certifications or an IT diploma, on the strength of practical skills, a portfolio of hands-on work, and the way they think through problems. Certifications can help later, but they are not the only way in.
Why are scenario labs important in cybersecurity training?
Scenario labs let you practise on realistic situations rather than just reading theory. You build the skills the job actually needs and learn to work efficiently under pressure, which is hard to pick up from a textbook and makes the transition into real work far smoother.