Aspiring cybersecurity experts have access to free cybersecurity training and certifications and can take several paths to careers in this industry. Bootcamps, self-directed education, and academic degrees can all open doors to entry-level positions. Management, leadership, and advanced technical roles may require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Pursuing cybersecurity education requirements can be worthwhile. According to Payscale, employees with master’s degrees in cybersecurity earn an average base salary of $89,000 per year. In addition, cybersecurity experts often report very high levels of job satisfaction.
Aspiring professionals with a mind for math and technology, or a desire to combat an emerging global problem, may want to pursue careers fighting cybercrime. Those on this path can start their journeys with formal education in the field.
What is cybersecurity?
Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It’s also known as information technology security or electronic information security.
The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.
- Network security is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.
- Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data its designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.
- Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.
- Operational security includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fall under this umbrella.
- Disaster recovery and business continuity define how an organization responds to a cyber-security incident or any other event that causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery policies dictate how the organization restores its operations and information to return to the same operating capacity as before the event. Business continuity is the plan the organization falls back on while trying to operate without certain resources.
- End-user education addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: people. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure system by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.
Cybersecurity training
Cybersecurity awareness training is a resourceful approach that companies often use to help staff members develop their knowledge and awareness of best practices and methods for keeping sensitive data secure. It can extend beyond the IT department and encourage colleagues across different teams to improve their approaches to accessing and using company data.
Some companies may also use training to support policy development regarding cybersecurity practices.
Completing a workshop or training program can be a beneficial way to develop the skills necessary to manage digital information.
What does cybersecurity training teach?
Cybersecurity awareness training can include a wide range of topics and applications, depending on the type and skill level. There are several common areas security training can cover, including practices like:
Data and record management
One important aspect of cybersecurity awareness training is that it teaches teams how to monitor and manage company data securely. Processes like secure file setup and data transfer are often part of security training, where teams learn and apply best practices for storing and accessing information.
Documentation and incident reports are also essential to security training, as reporting is integral to addressing and mitigating risks like viruses and malware.
Password safety
Password security is another key concept cybersecurity awareness teaches. Training helps teams learn how to create stronger passwords for different applications, including email accounts, secure data files and social media platforms. Cybersecurity awareness also helps teams understand the importance of updating passwords regularly to maintain secure networks and accounts.
Installation protocols
Software and application installations are often necessary for many organizations to maintain business information and communicate with staff, shareholders and customers. Cybersecurity awareness teaches teams how to install third-party applications and software programs safely on company computers.
Security training can also give direction on the types of programs suitable to install on shared networks and deepen teams’ understanding of the risk of installing unlicensed software.
Internet, email and mobile use
Secure internet use and online interactions are also integral to cybersecurity awareness. Security training often teaches employees best practices and security protocols for communicating through email, managing social media accounts and accessing sensitive business data from mobile devices.
Several key concepts you may learn regarding this area of cybersecurity include identifying and avoiding malicious emails. You also learn to develop social media and mobile device policies for secure interactions, communication, and data use.
Alert response procedures
Cybersecurity awareness training often teaches response procedures for addressing and managing risks to computer systems. Teams can learn how to identify threats like cyber attacks, data hacks and phishing activities, along with the protocols for assessing the risk level, reporting the incident and fixing the issue.
This aspect of training can also cover how to identify different types of security threats so staff can apply mitigation strategies according to the specific alert or security notification.
Policy standards and implementation
Cybersecurity awareness training also supports the development of standards of practice that companies can use to establish policies for data management and internet use within company networks. Teams can develop their understanding of industry standards and use these cybersecurity criteria to create protocols outlining risk mitigation strategies, emergency response plans and best practices for protecting sensitive data.
Cybersecurity training can also help support technology teams by encouraging nontechnical staff to follow the policies IT personnel establish.
Free cybersecurity training and certification preparation courses
Certification prep courses can help certification-seekers prepare for the topics and questions found on official certification exams. Depending on the provider, they can be entirely free, free under a trial basis or partially free. Most require a paid membership for full access.
The following preparation courses are just a sample of the many available. Please note that these prep courses do not result in certification; they simply prepare you for a certification exam.
IT Masters CISM course
Offered by IT Masters through the Australian-based Charles Sturt University, this four-module information security manager course includes pre-recorded webinars on information security governance, risk management and compliance, program development and management. Students have access to each module’s neat and organized slide decks. Learners are expected to complete and pass a quiz in each module.
This course is a free sample of IT Masters’ larger cybersecurity Master’s qualifications course. It provides access to four weeks of prerecorded webinars
Relevant Certification: CISM
SkillUp CISSP course
The SkillUp CISSP course goes over the same eight domains covered on the CISSP exam. These domains include security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations and software development security.
The course has no final exam and only requires learners to watch 85% of the video lessons. Each lesson features multiple videos that provide clear visuals and examples of the specific content. Knowledge checks in the form of multiple-choice questions are scattered throughout the course.
This course is free, and can take 12 hours of self-paced video lessons.
Relevant Certification: CISSP
Master of Project Academy CISA course
This free course includes sample lectures from Master of Project Academy’s more comprehensive and paid training courses. The lectures include a review of the process of an information technology (IT) audit, an IT report sample, an information system strategy, and IT investment practices.
However, it does not include any quizzes or offer a certificate of completion. It consists of four video lectures totaling approximately 30 minutes
Relevant Certification: CISA
Cybrary Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking
Across 13 modules, aspiring penetration testers receive video instruction on ethical hacking. By the end of the course, students should be able to understand the phases of hacking, different types of security control, and applicable laws and regulations. They are also introduced to web attacks, the Internet of Things, and operational technology hacking.
Students receive over 200 pages of thorough instructor notes as well across 7 hours and 6 minutes
Relevant Certification: CEH
Relevant Certification: CISSP
Cybrary CompTIA Security+ course
This course is geared toward those who are new to network security. It has no prerequisites. This course covers fundamental information security topics like types of attackers and attack vectors and basic cryptography. Void of supplementary materials, the course requires students to take notes and study them diligently before attempting the official exam.
The majority of this course is available behind a subscription paywall and runs for 7 hours and 50 minutes
Relevant Certification: CompTIA Security+
Cybrary CISSP course
This course is offered by CISSP-certified Kelly Handerhan and reviews the eight domains that (ISC)² includes on its CISSP certification test. As this course is considered advanced, some suggested prerequisites include CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications and network or risk management experience.
Most of this course is locked behind the Cybrary Inside Pro subscription, which costs $59 per month. It runs for 15 hours and 43 minutes.
How much do cybersecurity certifications cost?
As with many other fields, cybersecurity has many professional certifications to choose from. And there’s no way around it: Globally recognized and accredited cybersecurity certifications will cost you money.
These certification programs are different from prep courses, which may or may not be free and could result in certificates of completion. While a certificate indicates that you completed a course or training, a certification verifies your skills in a specific professional area. Generally speaking, certifications are more valuable than certificates when it comes to finding cybersecurity jobs.
The following certifications are among the most popular for cybersecurity professionals:
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)®
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) offers the CISA certification, ideal for entry- to mid-level security professionals. CISA certification showcases the holder’s expertise in using risk-based approaches to audit engagements.
Cost: $575 for ISACA members, $760 for nonmembers
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP credential is the gold standard for cybersecurity professionals, globally recognized by employers in this industry. CISSP-certified professionals have years of experience, along with strong education, ethics, and expertise in eight different information security domains.
Cost: $749 (exam registration fee)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certification Overview: Being a CEH shows that you understand how to look for and ethically penetrate the vulnerabilities in a security system to implement countermeasures before an attack actually occurs.
Cost: $1,199 through Pearson Vue or $950 through the ECC exam; $100 nonrefundable application fee
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)®
Also offered by ISACA, the CISM certification serves those who want to move into managerial roles. Individuals must demonstrate expertise in four domains: information security governance, risk management, program development and management and incident management.
Cost: $575 for ISACA members, $760 for nonmembers
CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification is for those early in their cybersecurity careers. This certification verifies a security professional’s abilities through practical security problem-solving, including assessing and monitoring the enterprise environment, following the principles of governance, risk and compliance and responding to security incidents.
Cost: $392
Can I get cybersecurity training and certifications for free?
Free cyber security training exists all over the internet. Several industry-leading organizations provide free cybersecurity training to combat the number of unfilled cybersecurity positions across the globe and to increase the number of those who are underrepresented in the field of cybersecurity.
One of the most well-known free cybersecurity training resources is YouTube. YouTube has millions of hours of content, much of it devoted to educating those interested in learning. Whatever your cyber security interest, YouTube will have content on that subject, often provided by cyber security experts or industry-leading businesses in the field.
Coursera is another great resource for training. While Coursera is probably most well-known for its faculty being made up of professors from some of the most prestigious universities across the planet, the training provider also allows students to audit many of their courses for free. There are some limitations, based on the course and the instructor when auditing a course.
For instance, when auditing a Coursera course, you may not have access to the class discussion forum, the tests, or the final exam, and you won’t get a certificate of completion. However, in most cases, you have access to all course materials and everything you need to complete the course.
Many of the top universities have open-source courseware freely available that allows you to learn cybersecurity concepts from some of the best college-level instructors. The world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has provided its OpenCourseWare program since 2001 as an avenue to help lead a “revolution in free access to knowledge.”
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