Top 9 Cybersecurity Courses for Beginners for a Great Career Ahead!

The total worth of the global cyber security market was valued at USD 153.65 billion in 2022. Good news is that it is expected to grow from 172.32 billion in 2023 to USD 424.97 billion in 2030. 

Going by the recent study of cyber security ventures it is safe to say that there will be 3.5 million jobs open in the field by 2025. The right time is now to pursue a career in cyber security because it is impactful and lucrative. 

Let’s talk about the best 9 Cyber Security Courses, which will definitely boost your career path.

What is a Cybersecurity Course? 

A Cybersecurity Course is a program that typically includes the cybersecurity essentials and basics. These programs help you become a professional, and they usually have subject matter like vulnerability management, risk assessment, encryption, regular security audits and much more. 

Once you learn the skills in these courses, you can make a career out of them along with offering protection from cyber threats.

What are the reasons to pick a cybersecurity course ?

Let’s see why you need to enroll in a cybersecurity course and what difference it can make.

• Growing demand for these courses: If we go by stats, in 2023 alone, 1 billion malware exists. These cyber security issues are not going to disappear on their own. They need experts. This demand ensures a consistent requirement for skilled professionals in the field.
• Job opportunities: Cybersecurity skills are applicable across industries ranging from finance to healthcare. This creates a diverse range of job openings. 
• Learn valuable strategies: Cybersecurity courses teach strategies to safeguard sensitive data from hacking, breaches, and other cyberattacks. If you are smart enough to acquire these skills, you can play a pivotal role in preventing data leaks that are growing in number.
• Career advancement: Going by the job demand for cyber experts, it’s obvious that if you are proficient in cybersecurity it can lead to rapid career growth. Organizations prioritize experts who can mitigate risks and protect digital assets.
• Cybersecurity field is rewarding: The nature of cybersecurity is dynamic and professionals are continuously challenged to stay updated on coming threats and defense strategies. So the aspect of continuous learning keeps the field intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
• Ethical hacking and the prospect of personal security: Ethical hacking is a core skill that is taught in cybersecurity courses. It enables professionals to identify vulnerabilities in systems before malicious hackers can exploit them. 

Top 9 Cybersecurity Courses for beginners

Although plenty of cyber security courses are available online, some are beyond extraordinary. We have scanned the entire internet and come up with these brilliant courses that will change the concept of cyber security in your life. 

1. Springboard’s cybersecurity course

If you’re a real cybersecurity enthusiast, this course is exactly what you need. Springboard’s Cyber security course offers everything required to begin a job in this department. It may be a beginner-level course, but once you enroll, you’ll see how it covers all the important details. 

One of the perks of enrolling in this course is that you won’t have to travel miles to learn it. It’s a 100% online course and runs for six months. You can do anything interesting while understanding it, as it requires only 15 to 20 hours of commitment per week. 

Once you complete it, you’ll receive a CompTIA Security+ Certification with a very positive reputation in the world of cyber security. Also, once you finish it, you can land a job within the first six months after graduation. 

What will you learn?

• Common cyber security threats and the methods to prevent attacks.
• Advanced fundamentals of network security along with the cybersecurity job market.
• How to identify, repair and prevent cyber vulnerabilities.
• Basic foundations of penetration testing.

Spec: 

Price: $9,900

Rating: 4.6/5

Timeline: 6 months 

Pros

• 1-1 mentorship
• Taught by experts
• Comes with career coaching
• Involves peer collaboration

Cons

• Not for those who do not prefer online learning
• Relatively expensive 

2. Udemy’s Complete Introduction to Cybersecurity 2023

Who has yet to hear of Udemy? It’s known for its extraordinary courses that have helped change the lives of millions of students around the globe. Now if you want to love cyber security in an updated version, a complete introduction to cybersecurity 2023 is for you. 

The course can help you learn how to track down deadly hackers and malicious attackers easily. It’s compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, and Linux. 

The curriculum offered by this course is versatile. It covers various topics, from encryption to hacking infrastructures, zero-day vulnerabilities, and nation-state tracking. You’ll find yourself immersed in the universe of phishing, malware and darknet just to figure out how to get out of it.

What will you learn?

• Overview of cybersecurity concepts, technologies, and principles.
• Cybersecurity Attacks and Defenses
• Overview of Password Cracking
• Basics of cybersecurity defenses

Specs

• Price: $13 ( for a limited time )
• Rating: 4.5/5
• 40 lectures – 

Pros

• Lifetime access to the whole course
• Accessible on any device

Cons

• No 1-1 mentorship
• No job guarantee.

3. FutureLearn – Introduction to CyberSecurity

FutureLearn’s Introduction to Cyber Security is a course for those who want to equip themselves with the basics and musts of cyber security. It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of cyber security or have been in it for quite some time, this course, offered by Open University, is suitable for almost everybody. 

The main focus of this course material is cryptography and network security, in addition to numerous methods of safeguarding important data. 

If you’re worried about the authenticity or worth of its certificate, you don’t need to panic at all. The UK Government’s National Cyber Security Programme supports it. Moreover, it’s accredited by NCSC Certified Training and ISP, which adds much more value to this course. 

From practical activities to informative discussion sessions, from knowledgeable articles to helpful videos, a lot of course material is always at your service. You don’t just learn a theoretical framework in this course, but you also learn how to apply it. Once you complete this course, you can use risk analysis and varying management techniques when countering cyber threats.

What will you learn?

• Threat landscape and malware.
• Networking and communication.
• Cryptography
• Network security and defenses.

Specs 

• Price: $27.99
• Rating: 4.⅘
• Timeline: 3 hours per week.

Pros

• 100% online for easy access
• Interactive environment
• It can be accessed through any device

Cons

• No job guarantee

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4. Coursera’s IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Cybersecurity courses are taking the world by storm because of all the online crimes and malicious hacking incidents. People who have never tried it want to learn about it and launch a career in this field. 

The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate offered by Coursera is one of the most preferred courses globally. Their curriculum is quite broad and covers most of the essentials related to Cybersecurity. Once you join it, you’ll learn about endpoint protection, threat intelligence, incident response, network security and much more. 

To understand something properly, real-life examples and depictions are really important, and Coursera has kept it in mind while designing this course. The Cybersecurity curriculum is integrated with real-world security breach projects that help students gain practical exposure and enable them to apply whatever they’ve learned in a real situation. 

Not only this, but the students can also earn about ten college credits as ACE approves this program. You won’t come out of it as the same person before. You’ll be much more enlightened and up-to-date about the Cybersecurity essentials. 

What will you learn?

• Practical skills that data scientists or cyber security experts use in real life.
• Essential tools and strategies employed by cyber experts.
• Machine learning and Python programming.
• Data mining and GitHub.

Specs 

• Price: for now, the course is free
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Timeline: 5 months at 10 hours a week.

Pros

• Professional certification
• Real-world security breach projects
• Shareable Certificate that can be uploaded on professional sites and resumes 
• Access to technical tools like Python libraries, IBM Resilient etc

Cons

• No 1-1 session available

5. Brainstation’s cybersecurity course

Brainstation’s Cyber security course offers you with a wide range of topics and exercises that can help you tackle cyber security threats or vulnerabilities easily. If you’ve decided to make a career in this field, this course is surely for you. 

The hands-on project-based learning enables you to have a much more immersive experience. Plus, the lectures delivered by expert instructors help you gain industry-relevant skills in an easy manner. 

Most of the time, the main problem that arises after graduation is the path towards your career. With Brainstation’s course, you won’t have to face this issue. Along with an extraordinary curriculum, it makes sure to provide you with the ultimate career advice and coachings. 

Since day one, you’ll be a part of regular career related workshops. Their career support team is always by your side to help you take a positive and impactful path in life. This course is all about taking tuitions for the duration of 8 weeks.

What will you learn?

• Detailed understanding of how to protect mission critical data.
• Understanding cyber security and how to apply these skills in real life.
• Project based learning model.
• Day to day Malware protection.

Specs 

• Price Tuition – $3250
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Timeline: 8 weeks 

Pros

• Promotes collaborative learning
• More than 90% hiring rate 
• 1-1 interactive lectures

Cons

• Sessions are a bit lengthy 

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6. Fullstack Academy cybersecurity analytics bootcamp

As the name suggests, Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamps is a complete guide to a successful professional life in cybersecurity. The course covers basic to expert-level topics and strategies. With the help of this bootcamp, you can get inside the mind of a cybercriminal and figure out how it works so you can fight off cyber vulnerabilities effectively. 

This academy was launched in 2012 and has been fulfilling the tech-related dreams of millions of people. 

The best part is that there are no fixed timings for the course and you can opt either for a full-time session or a part-time one at your convenience. Once you complete this course, you can combat cybercrime like a pro as you’re trained in multiple cybersecurity-related procedures and tools like Wireshark, Python, Kali Linux and Metasploit. 

You can work under the mentorship of a strong alumni network. Moreover, this academy even takes the career prospects of its students quite seriously and provides career support to ensure a better and more secure future for them. 

What will you learn?

• Real-life cyber security skills.
• Cyber security techniques and procedures.
• Basics of Cyber threats and the ability to combat them.

Specs 

• Price Tution – 17,980
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Timeline: 12-26 weeks

Pros

• Flexibility of schedule
• Scholarships for the needy
• Access to the preparatory course material before the boot camp

Cons

• No 1-1 sessions available

7. CYBRARY Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity 

CYBRARY’s Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity is like a glimpse of what you’ll be able to witness in Cyber security and vulnerabilities. It’s not a detailed course and is only meant for beginners. If you want to figure out which path you want to take in the world of cyber security, this course is intended for you. 

In simple words, it’s more like an overview of cybersecurity. From careers to responsibilities, from common skills to certifications, this course acts like a guide that can enlighten you a bit so you can enroll yourself in one of the fields of cybersecurity. 

What will you learn?

• Digital forensics and incident response.
• Cloud engineering and cyber security management.
• Penetration testing.
• Network administration.

Specs 

• Price: Not Mentioned 
• Rating: ⅘
• Timeline: 1 hour 45 minutes

Pros

• Provides a certificate of completion
• Helps you with career decision
• Perfect for beginners

Cons

• No practical work, only theory
• No 1-1 session

8. Harvard’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age

Harvard is the name that echoes across the globe. When you hear this word, success is the only prospect that comes to mind. Harvard’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age course is one of a kind. This particular course enables you to find out and detect security breaches. 

You can devise various plans and strategies to counter numerous cyber attacks. In addition, you’ll be able to access the vulnerabilities of the network of organizations or the institution you will work in. This course is a knight in shining armor for you if you’re struggling professionally and want to pursue a career that brings you good money. 

With the help of it, designing a mitigation strategy for your workplace won’t be an issue at all. In short, this course is not just all talk but is also some serious action.

What will you learn?

• Operation management and cyber security.
• Leadership and information technology.
• Optimal strategies for responding to Cyber threats.
• Identification of business systems and networks.

Specs 

• Price: $3190
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Timeline: 8 weeks

Pros

• You receive a premium certificate on completion
• The video transcript and course language are in English

Cons

• There’s no 1-1 training

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9. NexGenT’s Military-Grade Cybersecurity Training

NexGenT’s Military Grade Cybersecurity Training provides you with extensive experience that covers both basic and pro-level services. Created by two US Air Force Veterans, this training is designed to help the students enter the workforce upon completion. 

There are two parts. The first one is the basic level which acts as a prerequisite. You’ll be able to get yourself acquainted with the Full Stack Network Associate and Cisco Certified Network Associate certificates after this. 

The second level, Cybersecurity Specialization, covers everything you need to protect businesses from malicious attacks. If you already know the basics, you can skip the basic level. However, going through both groups is advised if you’re a beginner. 

What will you learn?

• You will get expert training to be a cybersecurity professional.
• All the basics of cyber security from level 1 to advanced.
• One-on-one mentorship and real-life skill training.
• Knowledge of in-demand cyber security skills.

Specs

• Price: $10,500
• Rating: ⅘
• Timeline: 30 weeks 

Pros

• High-level training
• Provides certifications
• Ensures career services

Cons

• Expensive.

Bottom line 

Cyber security is a broad field, and all the related skills are in demand. The right cyber security course will give you skills and opportunities. If you are smart, you can add money to it. The question is – are you ready?

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