Welcome to another informative article, where we crack into the world of cybersecurity! In this digital age, protecting our sensitive information and networks is crucial, making cybersecurity skills highly sought after.
The Best Online Free or Affordable Courses to Learn about Cybersecurity
To help you get started on your cybersecurity journey, I've curated a list of top-notch free or affordable online courses that are beginner-friendly, respected within the industry, and taught by credible instructors. Let's jump right in and explore these top-notch courses that you can start taking right away!
This Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate by IBM and the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or ISC2, is an in-depth program that will equip you with essential skills and knowledge to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
This certificate program consists of 12 courses that can be taken as individual modules or as a comprehensive certificate program. Through a comprehensive curriculum, you will gain an understanding of data security, authentication, encryption, and device security practices. You will learn to enhance system security, safeguard online activities, manage devices, and troubleshoot network issues. You will also learn to identify and mitigate security threats, including malware, social engineering, and various attack vectors.
This certificate program also offers plenty of practical experience through hands-on projects that will allow you apply your knowledge to develop a robust security plan to protect systems, data, and network from cyber-attacks. By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects to showcase your expertise!
Course List
Introduction to Cybersecurity Careers
Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases
Introduction to Networking and Storage
Introduction to Cloud Computing
Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials
Security Principles
Incident Response, BC, and DR Concepts
Access Control Concepts
Network Security
Security Operations
Cybersecurity Specialist Capstone
Duration: Approximately 3 months at 10 hours a week (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Professional Certificate from IBM and ISC2
*As of 01/2024, completing this certification will also give you free access to the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Exam.
Cost: Fee for graded assignments and certification. Check Coursera for pricing and financial aid options in your region. Free audit available.
This course by Cisco Networking Academy provides a solid introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
Covering essential topics such as network security, secure communications, and security protocols, it is an excellent starting point for beginners. With practical examples and hands-on activities, you'll gain a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles. You can now take this course via Skillsforall.com and it's completetly free!
Duration: Approximately 15 hours (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Cost: Free
HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity provides a comprehensive overview suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences. This course is a part of their popular CS50 online introductory program in Computer Science.
In this course, you will delve into the intricacies of safeguarding your data, devices, and systems against current and emerging threats. The course takes a nuanced approach, emphasizing cybersecurity as a balance between risks and rewards, costs and benefits. It covers diverse topics such as hacking, social engineering, encryption methods, denial-of-service attacks, and more.
Real-world inspired assignments offer practical insights, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a foundational understanding of cybersecurity.
Duration: Approximately 5 weeks at 2-6 hours a week. (Self-paced
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Cost: Free to audit. Optional upgrade available for the certificate and graded assignments. Check EdX for pricing in your region.
This specialization by NYU (New York University) is a 4-course series that covers foundational topics, including understanding cyber attacks, malware, cryptography, and more.
Tailored for learners at various levels, this course offers a deep understanding of information and system protection technology and emphasizes applied learning through quizzes, projects, and industry interviews. it provides practical scenarios for assessing and improving cyber risk posture in real-world systems.Â
Each of the courses can be taken individually or as part of the specialization program. It is suitable for beginners and provides a solid base for those wanting to enter the cybersecurity domain.
Duration: Approximately 7 months (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes, shareable certificate of completion from NYU and Coursera.
Cost: Fee for graded assignments and certification. Check Coursera for pricing and financial aid options in your region.
If you're completely new to cybersecurity, this course by Cybrary is a perfect choice. It covers the basics of cybersecurity, including concepts like encryption, firewalls, and malware detection.
From a career standpoint, Cybrary's course will help you explore diverse roles in cybersecurity, including positions like Network Administrator, Incident Responder, System Administrator, Penetration Tester, Cloud Engineer, Cybersecurity Manager, and Privacy Analyst. With engaging video lessons and interactive quizzes, this course provides a beginner-friendly introduction to the world of cybersecurity.
Duration: Approximately 5 hours (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Certificate of Completion
Cost: Free
If you're looking for a shorter course instead of a specialization program, this six-module course by the University of Maryland is an excellent choice. Taught by seasoned cybersecurity expert Dr. Charles Harry, with extensive experience at the NSA and advising corporate leaders, this course was designed to equip learners with essential cybersecurity knowledge and skills. It covers key areas such as network security, cryptography, and access control.
With interactive quizzes and hands-on labs, you'll gain practical experience in tackling cybersecurity challenges.
Duration: Approximately 21 hours (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Shareable Certificate by University of Maryland and Coursera
Cost: Fee for graded assignments and certification. Check Coursera for pricing and financial aid options. Free audit option available.
Get a solid grasp of cybersecurity basics with IBM's beginner-friendly Specialization conducted by the IBM Skills Network Team. Covering essential IT elements, from hardware to security, this four-course program offers hands-on exercises for practical learning. Led by industry experts, it's perfect for anyone, providing key insights into addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges. Each of the four courses can be taken individually or as part of the Specialization program.
Duration:Â Approx. 2 months at 10 hours a week
Level:Â Beginner
Certification:Â Professional Certificate by IBM and Coursera
Cost:Â Fee for graded assignments and certification. Check Coursera for pricing and financial aid options. Free audit option available.
This course, offered by the University of Washington on edX, provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential principles of cybersecurity. Covering fundamental concepts and practices,the course is suitable for beginners seeking a solid start in the field.Â
Duration:Â Approximately 6 weeks at 2-5 hours a week.
Level:Â Beginner.
Certification:Â Yes, if you opt for the paid upgrade.
Cost:Â Free with limited access and no certificate. Optional upgrade for the certification and graded assignments. Check edX for pricing in your region.
The Certified in Cybersecurity Specialization offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or ISC2, is a comprehensive five-course program designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to embark on a successful career in cybersecurity.
It covers a range of essential concepts in cybersecurity -- from cybersecurity tools and processes to system administration, operating system and database vulnerabilities, types of cyber attacks, and networking basics. Additionally, you will acquire knowledge in important areas like cryptography and digital forensics!
Each of the five courses includes a practical case study that will allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Duration: Approximately 1 month at 10 hours a week (Self-paced)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification by (ISC)² Education & Training
Cost: Fee for graded assignments and certification. Check Coursera for pricing and financial aid options. Free audit option available.
Quick note:Â Coursera and EdX offer a free "audit"Â option that lets you explore most of the learning material at no charge. However, in order to gain access to the graded assignments and obtain a certificate, you'll need to purchase a paid plan, which is usually quite affordable. Always check the respective platforms for pricing details and potential financial aid options.
I hope you found this list useful and explore these great online courses. Remember, these courses have been carefully selected for their quality, credibility, and industry acceptance. Each course provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity, covering essential concepts, tools, and practices. Whether you're a beginner or looking to advance your existing knowledge, these courses will equip you with the skills necessary to navigate the cybersecurity landscape.
Feel free to explore these online courses in cybersecurity at your own pace and consider pursuing the certifications offered to enhance your professional profile.
Stay tuned for more curated learning recommendations on our blog, where we strive to provide you with the best educational opportunities to propel your career!
Stay secure and excel in your cybersecurity journey!
🔗 Subscribe to the Buildthatskill newsletter for more curated online learning recommendations! And if you find our blog articles valuable, please share them with your networks as well.
Disclosure:Â This blog contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support and maintain the blog, allowing me to continue curating valuable content. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe in and have personally used or extensively researched. Thank you for your support in helping this blog thrive
Comments