The cybersecurity industry faces a paradox. While companies desperately need qualified professionals to protect their digital assets, the traditional pathways into the field remain prohibitively expensive and unnecessarily complex. Christian Santos, a governance, risk, and compliance specialist who has worked with Apple and Ralph Lauren, believes he has found a solution.
Santos is preparing to launch CYBERTRIX ACADEMY, a training program designed to help people enter cybersecurity careers without traditional four-year degrees. The academy, scheduled to open in January 2026, already has a growing waitlist of prospective students eager to break into the field.
The program emerged from Santos’s own experiences navigating the cybersecurity industry. After years of working through certifications and demanding projects while supporting his family, he recognized how the field’s high barriers to entry were excluding capable candidates.
“I was tired of watching people get discouraged by job descriptions that demand five years of experience and four certifications for an entry-level role,” Santos explained. “That’s not how this should work. There’s a better way.”
The cybersecurity training program will focus on practical skills in high-demand areas like PCI DSS compliance, HIPAA, NIST, and CMMC frameworks. Unlike traditional bootcamps that often charge thousands of dollars for generic content, the academy promises job-ready training tailored to actual market demands.
Students will access courses through a custom Learning Management System hosted at CybertrixLMS.tech, featuring on-demand lessons, quizzes, assignments, and certifications. The curriculum extends beyond technical knowledge to include resume development, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, and job marketing strategies.
Santos projects that graduates could secure positions in risk analysis, compliance, vulnerability management, or incident response, with starting salaries ranging from $90,000 to $150,000 annually. The academy plans to partner with recruiters and staffing firms to facilitate job placements for students.
The educational venture represents one component of Santos’s broader business strategy. Through CYBERTRIX, LLC, he also provides cybersecurity consulting services to businesses requiring PCI DSS readiness and compliance support. The consulting arm conducts gap assessments, implements controls, and prepares clients for audits.
“I wanted to be the bridge between companies who need compliance and the professionals who can deliver it,” Santos said. “That’s how we solve both the talent shortage and the security gaps at once.”
Future expansion plans include pursuing government contracts to help agencies and contractors prepare for PCI DSS and CMMC compliance, positioning the company to serve both public and private sector clients.
As a Puerto Rican entrepreneur and father, Santos views the academy’s mission as extending beyond individual career advancement. The program will offer welcome kits, career-building resources, and community engagement initiatives including school visits and workshops aimed at inspiring future cybersecurity professionals from underrepresented communities.
“I’ve seen firsthand how a good-paying job in cybersecurity can change lives,” Santos noted. “It’s not just about income. It’s about dignity, freedom, and creating a better future.”
The company is developing three websites to support its dual business model: Cybertrix.tech for consulting services, CybertrixAcademy.tech for the training academy, and CybertrixLMS.tech for the learning management platform. Marketing campaigns across Google, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok will target career-changers, recent high school graduates, military veterans, and others seeking stable careers in technology.
“I want people to know that you don’t have to be a hacker to break into cybersecurity,” Santos emphasized. “You just need the right training, the right mindset, and someone who believes in you.”
With cybersecurity job openings continuing to outpace qualified candidates, Santos’s approach of combining affordable education with practical job placement support could provide a model for addressing the industry’s persistent talent shortage. The academy’s focus on removing traditional barriers while maintaining quality standards represents a shift in how cybersecurity education might evolve to meet growing demand.
Interested students can join the waitlist by contacting [email protected] or calling (945) 259-5301.
