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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
Some companies may also use training to support policy development regarding cybersecurity practices. <\/p>
Completing a workshop or training program can be a beneficial way to develop the skills necessary to manage digital information.<\/p>
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:<\/p>
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. <\/p>
Documentation and incident reports are also essential to security training, as reporting is integral to addressing and mitigating risks like viruses and malware.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
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.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
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.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
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.<\/p>
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,\u00a0emergency response\u00a0plans and best practices for protecting sensitive data. <\/p>
Cybersecurity training can also help support technology teams by encouraging nontechnical staff to follow the policies IT personnel establish.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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\u2019s neat and organized slide decks. Learners are expected to complete and pass a quiz in each module.<\/p>
This course is a free sample of IT Masters\u2019 larger cybersecurity Master’s qualifications course. It provides access to four weeks of prerecorded webinars<\/p>
Relevant Certification:<\/strong> CISM<\/p> 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.<\/p> 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.<\/p> This course is free, and can take 12 hours of self-paced video lessons.<\/p> Relevant Certification:<\/strong>\u00a0CISSP<\/p> This free course includes sample lectures from Master of Project Academy\u2019s 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. <\/p> However, it does not include any quizzes or offer a certificate of completion. It consists of four video lectures totaling approximately 30 minutes<\/p> Relevant Certification:<\/strong> CISA<\/p> 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. <\/p> Students receive over 200 pages of thorough instructor notes as well across\u00a07 hours and 6 minutes<\/p> Relevant Certification:<\/strong> CEH<\/p> Relevant Certification:<\/strong> CISSP<\/p> 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.<\/p> The majority of this course is available behind a subscription paywall and runs for 7 hours and 50 minutes<\/p> Relevant Certification:<\/strong> CompTIA Security+<\/p> This course is offered by CISSP-certified Kelly Handerhan and reviews the eight domains that (ISC)\u00b2 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.<\/p> 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.<\/p> As with many other fields, cybersecurity has many professional certifications to choose from. And there\u2019s no way around it: Globally recognized and accredited cybersecurity certifications will cost you money.<\/p> 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.<\/p> The following certifications are among the most popular for cybersecurity professionals:<\/p> 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\u2019s expertise in using risk-based approaches to audit engagements.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong> $575 for ISACA members, $760 for nonmembers<\/p> 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.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong> $749 (exam registration fee)<\/p> Certification Overview:<\/strong> 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.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong> $1,199 through Pearson Vue or $950 through the ECC exam; $100 nonrefundable application fee<\/p> 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.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong> $575 for ISACA members, $760 for nonmembers<\/p> The CompTIA Security+ certification is for those early in their cybersecurity careers. This certification verifies a security professional\u2019s 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.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$392<\/p> Free cyber\u00a0security 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.\u00a0<\/p> 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\u00a0security interest, YouTube will have content on that subject, often provided by cyber\u00a0security experts or industry-leading businesses in the field.\u00a0<\/p> Coursera<\/a> 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. <\/p> 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\u2019t get a certificate of completion. However, in most cases, you have access to all course materials and everything you need to complete the course.\u00a0<\/p> Many of the top universities have open-source courseware freely available that allows\u00a0you to learn cybersecurity concepts from some of the best college-level instructors. The world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has provided its\u00a0OpenCourseWare<\/u><\/a> program since 2001 as an avenue to help lead a \u201crevolution in free access to knowledge.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>SkillUp CISSP course<\/strong><\/h3>
Master of Project Academy CISA course<\/strong><\/h3>
Cybrary Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking<\/strong><\/h3>
Cybrary CompTIA Security+ course<\/strong><\/h3>
Cybrary CISSP course<\/strong><\/h3>
How much do cybersecurity certifications cost?<\/strong><\/h2>
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)\u00ae<\/strong><\/h3>
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)<\/strong><\/h3>
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)<\/strong><\/h3>
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)\u00ae<\/strong><\/h3>
CompTIA Security+<\/strong><\/h3>
Can I get cybersecurity training and certifications for free?<\/strong><\/h2>
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References<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>