Comment by _DeadFred_

I moved from software dev to IT management. I took specifics I already new (I was always the guy responsible for understanding the hardware/implementation side, preventing/mitigating performance impacts, generating hardware requirements/recommendations, etc, creating the network portions of our troubleshooting guides) to sell myself. If I can be the remote/high level IT for all of my customers whom they go to when they can't figure things out as a random side port of my job, I can do it as my main focus for a single company easily.

Off the top of my head you could look into business process consulting, specifically ERP/MRP implementations/reimplementation/improvements along with custom report creation. I'd build skills generally via consulting (much lower bar to get into because the consulting company provides the 'domain competence' proof versus companies looking at your previous work history as proof), then key in on an area of interest and/or what industries where you live is a hub for (pharma, auto manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, service centers) and apply for an individual position.

Maybe you could go a similar route for cybersecurity. When I was writing PCI compliant software the PCI validation people were idiot consultants working under the 'social proof' umbrella of the testing company (again you leverage the consulting company to satisfy the customer while you build up the personal credibility). That might be an easy space to get entry into that would also look good transitioning to something more 'real'. "I did security audits for VISA with oversite over customers totalling <X million> financial transactions annually, highlighting areas of risk/potential improvements" might sound impressive to a rando looking for a security person.

Edit: Not sure how to phrase this. This may be harder if you are a woman. I have found getting in the door is social engineering + confidence but sadly I'm not sure my 'confidence' part would work the same if I was female. I played center at football. I'm used to stepping in and taking control. I'm large and physically strong. I do not outwardly show stress. Eh, I don't know how to express this. But I think good looks/presentation/outward expressed masculinity/ability to project leadership has helped me walk onto random roles more easily as much as anything. Whereas a woman that stepped in the same way might be judged differently at some places.