In today’s environment with a multitude of online cybersecurity courses, sorting through the best selections can be quite a challenging endeavour.
Entering the realm of cybersecurity can feel daunting, particularly for newcomers embarking on their journey. As you commence this adventure, one of the initial hurdles you’ll encounter is navigating the extensive array of online cybersecurity courses, each touting its ability to impart the knowledge and expertise essential for success in this domain. You might be pondering: how can I discern which cybersecurity course aligns best with my needs?
As the volume of our personal information stored in digital form continues to rise, the significance of cybersecurity has escalated to a critical level for nearly all businesses in the contemporary landscape.
Many cybersecurity professionals initiated their careers by enrolling in online courses or participating in cybersecurity classes. These educational programs are invaluable for acquiring essential cybersecurity competencies such as threat identification, security system management, computer forensics, and penetration testing. Additionally, they lay the foundation for understanding fundamental concepts like Wi-Fi security, cyber threat intelligence gathering, and system administration. With these foundational skills, you can pursue a specialization in cybersecurity, such as obtaining certifications as an information security professional or cybersecurity engineer.
It’s essential to note that the notion of “free” is somewhat elusive in the realm of free online cybersecurity courses. Many free courses often require students to pay for a certificate afterwards. At the same time, certain online platforms offer brief trial periods of seven or 30 days, followed by a recurring monthly subscription fee. Notably, federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) serve as excellent sources of free security-related information. Additionally, newcomers to the field may find valuable resources through organizations such as the National Cyber Security Alliance.
That’s precisely why we’ve curated a list of the four best cybersecurity courses for beginners. In the following section, we will explore four outstanding cybersecurity courses tailored specifically for beginners, aiding you in selecting the ideal cybersecurity program that matches your preferred learning approach. Let’s embark on your cybersecurity training journey!
4 best cybersecurity courses
Hack The Box
Hack The Box provides individuals, businesses, and universities with the tools to improve their cybersecurity capabilities continuously. Hack The Box stands out as a prominent cybersecurity platform that gamifies the process of honing one’s cybersecurity skills, obtaining certifications, and assessing talent. This versatile software platform serves the needs of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions, equipping them to refine their offensive and defensive security proficiencies. It is the perfect solution for cybersecurity experts and organizations seeking to elevate their preparedness against cyberattacks consistently. This is achieved by strengthening their capabilities in red teaming, blue teaming, and the fusion of both, known as purple teaming.
Federal Virtual Training Environment
The Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) provides an array of cybersecurity courses online without any cost to federal government employees and veterans. This initiative recognizes the valuable expertise that former military personnel bring to the security industry. Operated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FedVTE boasts an extensive collection of over 800 hours of training, covering a broad spectrum of subjects, including ethical hacking, surveillance, risk management, and malware analysis. The courses offered cater to a range of proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced learners. Furthermore, many of these courses align with various IT certifications, such as CompTIA’s Network+ and Security+ and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
TryHackMe
TryHackMe is an online cybersecurity training platform accessible via web browsers. It offers a comprehensive array of learning materials designed to cater to individuals with varying skill levels, spanning from complete novices to experienced hackers. TryHackMe’s curriculum is tailored for those new to cybersecurity, encompassing a diverse spectrum of subjects that address both offensive and defensive security strategies. Additionally, TryHackMe provides Capture the Flag exercises complemented by detailed write-ups contributed by users, enabling members to gain insights into problem-solving approaches and techniques.
SANS Cyber Aces Online
SANS Cyber Aces Online functions as a nonprofit entity under the oversight of the SANS Institute, which generously contributes training courses. The SANS Institute is renowned for overseeing one of the most esteemed security training organizations globally. Through Cyber Aces, educators, business professionals, and security practitioners can access fundamental security knowledge without cost. These self-paced courses are handpicked from the extensive SANS professional development curriculum. They encompass a blend of tutorials and video materials, allowing students to learn at their own pace and convenience.
