For Beginners
Your cyber security journey begins today! These FREE (self-study) courses will help you gain a general understanding of cyber security and the different topics you will encounter as you progress your learning.
NOTE: These resources have been developed by other organisations. I have simply researched and curated them here to save you time. You can find a number of free resources on a number of online platforms.
Introduction to Cyber Security (Part 1)
This FREE ‘Introduction to Cyber Security’ from the Cisco Network Academy is good for beginners with a general knowledge in IT. Topics covered include common Cyber Attacks, Data Protection, and Cyber Security Technologies. Self-paced and instructor-led options available.
Test knowledge level using their “My Knowledge Check” feature
Provided by Cisco Academy | Approximate study time: 15 – 20 hours
Introduction to Cyber Security (Part 2)
This 2-hour FREE ‘Introduction to Cyber Security’ course (with a completion certificate) from SimpliLearn covers Cyber Security fundamentals, Enterprise Architecture, Security Governance and Risk Assessment and Incident Management.
Provided by SimpliLearn | Approximate study time: 2 hours
Introduction to Cyber Security (Part 3)
Developed by The Open University with support from the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Programme, this ‘Introduction to Cyber Security’ course allows you to earn an Open University digital badge (unaccredited) upon completion. Topics covered include Threat Landscape, Authentication, Malware, Networking and Communications, Cryptography and Security Risk Management.
Provided by The Open University | Approximate study time: 24 hours
Linux Essentials
Linux proficiency is crucial for cyber security professionals. Linux offers a vast array of built-in and third-party security tools for tasks such as vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, penetration testing, and forensics. Specialised Linux distributions like Kali Linux are widely used for in-depth penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
The Linux command line interface (CLI) provides powerful capabilities for system administration, network monitoring, and security tasks, which are essential skills for cyber security experts.
Provided by Cisco Academy | Approximate study time: 70 hours
Networking Basics
Networking knowledge provides the foundation for protecting networked systems, allowing cybersecurity professionals to identify vulnerabilities and secure systems effectively. A solid understanding of networking protocols, architectures, and communication enables professionals to monitor, identify, and respond to potential threats more efficiently.
With strong networking skills, cybersecurity experts can design more secure networks, strategically placing firewalls and other defenses to provide maximum protection.
Provided by Cisco Academy | Approximate study time: 22 hours
Networking Fundamentals
YouTube has a ton of FREE resources. This playlist of over 20 videos from the gurus at Network Direction will teach you the fundamentals of networking. Learn about basic terminology, IP addressing, the OSI model, VLANs, DNS and common networking protocols including TCP/IP, SNMP, DHCP and more.
Provided by Network Direction | Approximate study time: 20 hours
Python Essentials 1 & 2
Learning Python is a crucial skill for a cybersecurity career due to its versatility, ease of use, and powerful capabilities in various security-related tasks. Python’s simplicity and flexibility make it an invaluable tool for cybersecurity professionals, enabling them to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in protecting digital assets.
Mastering Python is beneficial for ethical hacking and penetration testing, malware analysis, digital forensics and network security
Provided by Cisco Academy | Approximate study time: 70 hours
Cloud Security for Beginners
Before diving into vendor-specific cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud etc), a neutral course that covers security topics relevant to cloud computing at a high level is useful for beginners.
Topics covered by this free resource include: Cloud computing, Cloud architecture, Risk management, Disaster recovery, Business continuity, Threat modelling, Encryption, Identity and access management.
Provided by SimpliLearn | Approximate study time: 7 hours
Beginner Certifications
While you do not need a university degree to get into cyber security, industry-recognised certifications could provide you with useful knowledge and a foundation to build upon.
Entry-level certifications to consider include:
Cyber Security Specialisations
The UK Cyber Security Council is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to enhance and expand the nation’s cyber skills, knowledge and profession.
They have created this useful summary of 15 areas of cyber security where you can aim to specialise. I really like this resource because not only does it describe each specialism in detail, but it also suggests pathways through and between each of them.
Source: UK Cyber Security Council