Cybersecurity is a growing issue for businesses and individuals alike, and the demand for training in the field is on the rise. Would you like to tighten up your cybersecurity measures at home or at work? Or perhaps you’re an employer wanting to step up your business’s security measures and educate your employees on the topic. Maybe you’re considering a career in cybersecurity and are looking to get started. An online cybersecurity course for beginners can help.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to delve deeper into the world of cybersecurity, there is sure to be an online course that’s right for you. Teaching tools vary greatly in terms of accessibility, scope, suitability for various levels of competence, and of course, price.
There are a ton of options to choose from, such that the selection process can become overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top seven online cybersecurity courses out there. Before we get into the details here’s an at-a-glance list of the best cybersecurity course available online.
Best Cyber Security Courses Online:
- StationX VIP Membership: Gives you unlimited access to a huge range of cyber security courses including ethical hacking, penetration testing, and much more. Caters for all levels and great value for money.
- Coursera Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization: Covers 4 entry-level courses to help you on your way to a career in cyber security.
- SANS Cyber Aces Online: Courses cover security fundamentals around networking, operating systems, and system admin.
- edX Essentials of Cybersecurity: Good option for those looking for a university accredited course.
- Heimdal Cyber Security for Beginners: A course geared more towards the general user who wants to increase their understanding of cyber security.
- Cybrary Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity: Covers network engineering, system administration, forensics, and penetration testing.
- Harvard Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age: Cyber security course covering attack types, risks, and mitigation strategies alongside compliance and legal issues.
Why take a cybersecurity course?
Cybercrime is a growing problem that’s becoming an inherent part of our everyday lives. Almost everyone now uses the web in some way, shape, or form at home, at work, and on the go. Even the relatively few who shy away from technology still have to deal with companies for which cybercrime is a real potential threat.
As such, it has become more of a basic requirement for people to make themselves aware of the risks that are out there and what they can do to protect themselves. Here are the three main reasons for taking a cybersecurity course:
- To protect yourself and your family. It’s easy to plead ignorance and say that we should leave things to the experts, but think of it this way: we leave it to the police to catch thieves, but that doesn’t mean we make a habit of leaving our front doors unlocked or leaving our keys in the car. The fight against cybercrime needs to be a group effort, and educating yourself on threats and how to mitigate them is a great place to start.
- To protect your business. Businesses, large and small, are at risk of falling behind when it comes to cybersecurity. All too often business-owners only decide to step up their game when it’s too late and they’ve already suffered losses. DDoS attacks, data breaches, phishing schemes, and more can trigger major monetary losses and a lot of stress. Taking a cybersecurity course can help you be proactive in beefing up your business’ cybersecurity before it’s too late.
- To pursue a cybersecurity career. If you’re passionate about cybersecurity and think you’d like to pursue a career in the field, you’re in luck. It’s predicted that by 2021, there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings. This industry is expected to grow from $75 billion in 2015 to $170 billion in 2020. Taking a cybersecurity course for beginners can help you decide if this really is your calling, and if so, which discipline you’d like to specialize in. E-learning courses are low cost, and with suitable qualifications can open up the potential to a high-paid career in cybersecurity.
Tips for pursuing a cybersecurity career
Do you think a cybersecurity career could be right for you? Below we’ve put together our top 4 tips to help any beginners launch a cybersecurity career.
Here are some tips to help you get started in cybersecurity:
- Explore different areas of cybersecurity: There are so many directions a career in cybersecurity can take so it’s a good idea to explore all options and not narrow things down too quickly. Many of the above courses are inexpensive or free so you could complete multiple programs as part of your exploration.
- Practice as much as you can: To truly prepare for a cybersecurity career, you need to put your skills into practice. Many courses will include hands-on projects, but there are also lots of events, competitions, and other programs you can use to perfect your skills. For example, capture the flag events, hackathons, and bug bounties can all provide fun ways to put your knowledge into practice. Internships also offer excellent opportunities for honing your skills and might be a solid option if you’re struggling to gain the experience you need to break into a fulltime role.
- Join networking groups: The cybersecurity field is bursting with networks and forums comprised of like-minded individuals. Participants share knowledge and can help each other further their careers.
- Find a mentor: Another benefit of networking groups is you may be able to find yourself a great mentor. A mentor can be incredibly helpful as you navigate your cybersecurity career as someone to share ideas with and help guide you through key career decisions.