Do I need to be an expert to create cybersecurity content?

You don't need to be an expert, but you need genuine knowledge and active learning. Documenting your journey from beginner to certified professional is valid content. However, technical accuracy is non-negotiable — your audience will immediately catch errors, and they'll leave.

What CPM does cybersecurity content earn?

US cybersecurity content earns $20-$45 CPM from training platforms, enterprise security companies, and VPN advertisers. Training platform affiliates add significantly — TryHackMe and HackTheBox commissions can generate $1,000-$5,000/month for active channels.

Is it legal to demonstrate hacking on YouTube?

Yes, as long as you use authorized practice environments (TryHackMe, HackTheBox, your own lab) and never target real systems without explicit written authorization. Always clarify in your videos that you're using legal practice environments.

Which cybersecurity content gets the most views?

Career guidance (how to break in, certification guides) gets the highest search volume. Data breach analysis gets the biggest spikes. CTF walkthroughs build the most loyal audience. The best strategy combines all three: steady career content, timely breach coverage, and regular technical demonstrations.

Guide

CybersecurityYouTubeUSA

How to Start a Cybersecurity YouTube Channel in the US (2026 Guide)

Cybersecurity has 750,000 unfilled positions in the US and the gap is growing. Millions of people want to break into the field, and they're turning to YouTube for career guidance, certification prep, and technical training. Channels like NetworkChuck, John Hammond, and The Cyber Mentor have built massive audiences. The niche commands $20-$45 CPMs and has exceptional monetization through training platform affiliates and courses.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

Establish your cybersecurity credentials

Get at least one recognized certification (CompTIA Security+ is the best starting point) or have professional experience. Document your certification journey as content.

Set up a home lab and practice environment

Build a home lab for demonstrations and tutorials. Use TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and VulnHub for legal practice environments. Your lab setup video will be one of your most popular.

Create career entry content

Career roadmap and certification guide content drives the most traffic. Create comprehensive guides for breaking into cybersecurity at different experience levels.

Build technical tutorial series

Create structured series on specific topics: Kali Linux basics, web app security, network defense. Progressive difficulty keeps viewers coming back for the next installment.

Partner with training platforms

Join affiliate programs for TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and certification providers. These are the natural recommendations for your audience and provide strong recurring revenue.

The cybersecurity content opportunity

Cybersecurity content serves both career changers and working professionals in a $200+ billion industry.

Market data:
- 750,000+ unfilled cybersecurity positions in the US
- Average cybersecurity salary: $120,000-$170,000/year
- Industry growing 12% annually
- 'How to get into cybersecurity' gets 100K+ monthly searches
- CompTIA Security+, CEH, and CISSP certification content in high demand

Revenue potential:
- CPM range: $20-$45 (cybersecurity companies, training platforms, and enterprise software advertise)
- Training platform affiliates: TryHackMe, HackTheBox, INE pay $10-$50 per subscriber
- Certification prep affiliates: CompTIA, Coursera, Udemy ($20-$80 per enrollment)
- Course sales: Cybersecurity courses sell at $97-$997
- VPN affiliates: ExpressVPN, NordVPN ($30-$100 per signup)

Why this niche favors passionate creators:
Cybersecurity is complex and intimidating. Creators who can make it approachable and interesting build incredibly loyal audiences because their content directly impacts viewers' career trajectories.

Content strategy for cybersecurity channels

Career entry content (highest search volume):
1. "How to break into cybersecurity with no experience — 2026 roadmap"
2. "Best cybersecurity certifications ranked — which to get first"
3. "CompTIA Security+ study guide — pass on your first attempt"
4. "Cybersecurity career paths explained — which is right for you?"
5. "Building a home lab for cybersecurity practice"

Technical tutorials:
6. "Capture The Flag (CTF) walkthrough — beginner to intermediate"
7. "Kali Linux tutorial — essential tools for penetration testing"
8. "Network security basics — understanding firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs"
9. "Web application security — OWASP Top 10 explained"
10. "Malware analysis for beginners — setting up a safe environment"

News and current events:
11. "[Major breach] explained — what happened and what it means"
12. "New vulnerability discovered — CVE analysis and impact"
13. "AI in cybersecurity — threats and defenses in 2026"

Shorts:
- "One Linux command every security professional knows"
- "The easiest cybersecurity certification"
- "How hackers actually break in"

Building cybersecurity content credibility

Cybersecurity audiences are technically sophisticated and demand accuracy.

Credibility requirements:
- Hold relevant certifications (Security+, CEH, OSCP, CISSP) or work in the field
- Demonstrate technical skills through live hacking challenges and CTF solutions
- Cover current events accurately with technical precision
- Acknowledge when topics are outside your expertise
- Follow responsible disclosure practices when discussing vulnerabilities

What builds trust:
- Showing your actual work (sanitized) and real-world experience
- Ethical hacking demonstrations with proper authorization
- Certification journey documentation (studying, passing, career impact)
- Tool tutorials using real environments (home labs, practice platforms)
- Balanced career advice that acknowledges the field's challenges

Legal and ethical considerations:
- Never demonstrate attacks against unauthorized targets
- Use legal practice platforms (TryHackMe, HackTheBox, VulnHub)
- Don't share exploit code for unpatched vulnerabilities
- Follow responsible disclosure if you discover vulnerabilities
- Be clear about the legal boundaries of penetration testing

Monetization unique to cybersecurity content

Cybersecurity content has specialized monetization paths.

Training platform affiliates (primary revenue for most):
- TryHackMe: $10-$30 per subscriber (massive beginner audience)
- HackTheBox: $15-$40 per subscriber
- INE (eLearnSecurity): Higher-value referrals
- PluralSight: Cybersecurity learning paths
- These platforms actively recruit YouTube creators as affiliates

Certification affiliates:
- CompTIA exam voucher affiliates
- Coursera and Udemy cybersecurity course referrals ($20-$80 per enrollment)
- Study guide and book referrals via Amazon Associates

VPN and security tool affiliates:
- VPN services: $30-$100 per signup (massive budgets for creator partnerships)
- Password managers: 1Password, Bitwarden ($10-$30)
- Security tools and services for individuals

Courses and resources:
- Certification study courses: $97-$497
- Home lab setup guides: $29-$49
- Career transition guides: $47-$97

Sponsorships:
- Cybersecurity companies, training platforms, and security tools: $3,000-$15,000 per video at 50K subscribers

Use FluxNote to create Shorts with quick cybersecurity tips, terminal command demonstrations, and career advice — these drive strong engagement and subscriber conversion.

Pro Tips

Data breach coverage videos should be published within 24-48 hours of major incidents — these drive the biggest traffic spikes in cybersecurity content
CTF walkthrough videos have the highest retention rates — viewers watch the entire solution process, which means more mid-roll ads and higher revenue per view
Terminal and command-line demonstrations should use a large, clear font with a dark theme — readability on mobile devices is critical
Create a 'Cybersecurity Roadmap' video updated annually — it becomes your most-shared resource and top traffic driver
Collaborate with other cybersecurity creators for CTF team challenges and career advice roundtable content — the cybersecurity community is highly collaborative