How to Get Cloud Security Experience Without a Job — 2025 Edition
Do not let a lack of experience hold you back ..
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cybersecurity job hunt, this story might sound familiar:
You finally land a promising interview for a cloud security role.
You showcase your knowledge, demonstrate your enthusiasm, maybe even impress them with your certifications.
But then you get the dreaded email:
"We loved talking to you, but we went with someone who had more experience."
This isn't just frustrating — it's demoralizing.
But here’s the truth: experience trumps everything.
In today’s AI-driven job market, it’s not enough to just know concepts or pass exams.
You need to prove that you can solve real problems. The good news?
You don’t need to wait for someone to give you that first job. You can build experience yourself.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Build a Cloud Security Sandbox
Before anything else, you need an environment to learn and experiment. Luckily, cloud providers make this easy:
AWS Free Tier: 12 months of free services
Azure Free Account: Includes credits and ongoing free services
Google Cloud Free Tier: Includes always-free products
Tip: Set budget alerts! Even free-tier users can accidentally rack up charges. Use cost alerts to avoid surprises.
Your sandbox is your lab. It’s where you’ll practice IAM policies, logging configurations, misconfig detection, and more. No excuses here — it's accessible and free.
Step 2: Learn a Skill That Solves Real Problems
Nobody hires you for your certs.
They hire you to solve specific problems.
Your goal is to learn a skill that:
Is in demand
Has measurable output
Can be done in a solo sandbox
Examples:
Cloud security posture assessments (CSPM)
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning
Cloud incident simulation & detection
CI/CD pipeline security integration
Free tools to use:
Prowler — Cloud Security assessment
Checkov — IaC scanning
Bandit — Python code security
Stratus Red Team — Simulates real cloud attacks
CloudGoat or Cloud Code — Deliberately vulnerable AWS environments
Step 3: Showcase Your Skills Publicly
Doing the work isn’t enough — you need to show it.
Ways to showcase:
Build a portfolio on GitHub, Notion, or a personal site
Share projects or findings on LinkedIn or Medium
Record walkthroughs on Loom or YouTube
Even simple actions like summarizing a security assessment and posting it publicly show initiative and competence.
"If it’s not visible, it didn’t happen."
Step 4: Use Freelance Platforms to Gain Real-World Testimonials
Your next move is to convert skills into client testimonials. Start with:
Platforms to use:
Upwork (more search flexibility)
Fiverr (faster to get started)
What to offer:
Cloud security reviews
IAM audits
Logging and monitoring setup
The Goal: Start for $20-$50. Get a few 5-star reviews. These become your social proof.
Tips:
Always include a brief call to explain your findings
Send a clean PDF report (use Canva or Google Docs)
Ask for a testimonial after each gig
Use screenshots of reviews in your CV, LinkedIn, or portfolio.
Step 5: Pitch Cloud Security Reviews to Small Businesses on LinkedIn
Don’t stop at platforms.
Take control by reaching out to small businesses directly.
Why it works: Most small companies:
Use cloud services
Don’t have full-time security staff
Are unaware of misconfigurations
How to do it:
Search filters:
Company size: 1–50 or 51–200
Industry: SaaS, startups
Keywords: AWS, Azure, cloud-native
Target contacts:
CTO, Head of Engineering, DevOps Lead
Avoid HR
Message example:
Hi [Name], I’m building my cloud security portfolio and offering a free cloud security review of your environment. No strings attached — I’ll send you a short PDF report and recommendations. All I ask is a testimonial if you find it helpful. Would you be open to that?
You can deliver a short, non-invasive review with a few tools, a clear report, and a request for feedback.
Tools That Make You Look Professional
Canva / Google Docs: Design clean reports
Notion: Create structured project pages
Loom: Walkthrough videos
Calendly: Schedule calls
ChatGPT: Help draft messages and summarize findings
Final Thoughts
You can’t wait for permission to build your career. Take control. The steps are simple:
Build your sandbox
Learn problem-solving skills
Use free tools
Share your work
Get real testimonials
Reach out directly to real businesses
In a world where HR systems filter you out and AI replaces routine work, your proof of value is your ticket in.
Good luck in your cloud security career !