If you’re new to cybersecurity and looking for free resources to get you started, this guide outlines a clear learning path from foundational skills to specialized areas like ethical hacking and blue team specialties.
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Where to Start Your Learning Journey?
New to Tech (No IT Background)
Why: You need to understand hardware, software, and basic troubleshooting to build a foundation for cybersecurity.
Start Here: CompTIA A+ teaches PC components, operating systems, and troubleshooting, giving you the groundwork for IT and cybersecurity concepts.
Resources:
Professor Messer: Free, comprehensive CompTIA A+ video tutorials covering hardware, software, and troubleshooting basics for complete beginners.
YouTube: Professor Messer’s Free Certification Trainings (Part 1 & Part 2)Udemy (CompTIA A+ Courses): Affordable courses (often $10–$20 during sales) by instructors like Jason Dion or Mike Meyers, with structured A+ prep and practice tests.
Some Tech Knowledge but New to Networking
Why: Cybersecurity relies on understanding networks, as threats often exploit network vulnerabilities, and CompTIA Network+ covers essential concepts like IP addressing and protocols.
Start Here: CompTIA Network+ teaches networking basics like routers, switches, and protocols, preparing you for cybersecurity fundamentals.
Resources:
NetworkChuck (YouTube): Engaging videos on CompTIA Network+ prep, covering IP addressing, protocols, and network setups for visual learners.
Professor Messer: Free Network+ video tutorials and study materials explaining networking fundamentals like subnets and firewalls.
Udemy (CompTIA Network+ Courses): Budget-friendly Network+ courses (often on sale) with practice exams to solidify networking knowledge.
Know Tech and Basic Networking
(Familiar with OSI Model, TCP/IP, etc.)
Why: With an understanding of tech and basic networking concepts like the OSI model and TCP/IP, you’re ready to learn cybersecurity concepts.
Start Here: CompTIA Security+ introduces cybersecurity fundamentals, including risk management, cryptography, and network security, building on your existing knowledge.
Resources:
Professor Messer (Security+): Free, in-depth Security+ video series and study guides covering threats, encryption, and cybersecurity basics.
Udemy (Security+ Courses): Affordable Security+ prep courses (often on sale) with practice exams and labs to master cybersecurity fundamentals.
Advanced Specializations:
Ethical Hacking, Penetration Testing, and Blue Team
Why: After Security+, you can specialize in areas like ethical hacking (offensive security), penetration testing, or blue team roles (defensive security, e.g., cloud security).
Start Here: Explore hands-on platforms and courses to develop skills in penetration testing, ethical hacking, or blue team strategies like securing cloud environments.
Resources:
Hack The Box: A hands-on platform with free and premium labs to practice ethical hacking, penetration testing, and blue team skills like cloud security.
Website: hackthebox.comNetworkChuck (YouTube – Advanced Topics): Free videos on ethical hacking, penetration testing tools (e.g., Kali Linux), and blue team strategies for specialized areas. YouTube: NetworkChuck
Udemy (Specialized Courses): Affordable courses on ethical hacking, penetration testing, and blue team specialties like cloud security (e.g., Azure, AWS), often discounted.
Join Cybersecurity Club (It’s Free!)
We are a world-wide community of cyber enthusiasts with vast experience levels, from beginners to world-class professionals and top cybersecurity trainers.
Join us for collaboration, mutual support, skills development, networking, and connecting with like-minded individuals.