How to get started in Cyber Security
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Many Cyber Security professionals, including myself, started with a deep curiosity about how technology works and how digital systems can be secured. Cyber Security is like digital detective work—it involves problem-solving, critical thinking, and continuous learning.
The Learning Phase
Self-Study and Exploration
The first step in Cyber Security is to build foundational knowledge.
Here’s how:
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Reading Cyber Security blogs such as Krebs on Security, Schneier on Security, and Tao Security to stay updated on threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices.
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Following online resources, tutorials, and engaging in Cyber Security communities.
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Exploring YouTube channels like Network Chuck, John Hammond, David Bombal, and Professor Messer to gain insights from professionals.
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Cyber security Certifications
and Courses
1.Introduction to Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Coursera):
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ibm-cybersecurity-fundamentals
A foundational cybersecurity certification covering essential security skills and best practices.
3.CompTIA PenTest+
Emphasises threat detection, analysis, and response using behavioral analytics and tools.
4.CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Emphasizes threat detection, analysis, and response using behavioral analytics and tools.
5. Certified Ethical Hacker (EC-Council)
Trains professionals to think like hackers in order to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
6. Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (EC-Council)
Focuses on building effective threat intelligence programs and analyzing threat data.
7. Certified SOC Analyst (EC-Council)
Prepares individuals for tier-1 and tier-2 SOC roles, emphasizing real-time threat monitoring and response.
8. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
A hands-on, performance-based certification proving practical penetration testing skills.
9. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (SANS)
Teaches incident handling, system compromise analysis, and hacker tools and techniques.
10. GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (SANS)
Focuses on analyzing malicious code, identifying functionality, and mitigating malware threats.
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Cyber Security
Websites
A platform offering practical ethical hacking and penetration testing courses for cybersecurity enthusiasts.
Offers hands-on, lab-based cybersecurity training through INE’s eLearnSecurity certifications.
3. Udemy
A massive online learning platform with affordable courses on cybersecurity, programming, IT, and more.
4. Coursera
Partnered with top universities and companies to provide professional certificates and academic courses online.
5. edX
Offers high-quality courses and programs from global universities and institutions, including free options.
6. Udacity
Focused on career-ready nanodegree programs in tech fields like data science, programming, and cybersecurity.
Stanford offers online courses and professional education in computer science, AI, and cybersecurity.
8. Cybrary
An online platform with guided learning paths for cybersecurity, IT, and SOC professionals.
A leader in advanced cybersecurity training and certifications, including GIAC credentials.
10. W3Schools
A beginner-friendly web development site offering tutorials and references for coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
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YouTube for
Cyber Security Learning
Delivers engaging content on cybersecurity, networking, ethical hacking, and tech career tips — all fueled by coffee.
2. Outpost Gray
Cybersecurity insights, career advice, and threat intel breakdowns from a U.S. Army veteran and cyber professional.
3. David Bombal
Teaches networking, cybersecurity, and ethical hacking with practical labs and expert interviews.
4. John Hammond
Explores malware analysis, CTFs, and red team tactics through deep-dive technical videos.
5. The XSS Rat
Focuses on bug bounty hunting, web app security, and ethical hacking tutorials.
6. Cyrill Gossi
Covers cybersecurity fundamentals, malware analysis, and reverse engineering with clarity and depth.
7. Cyberspatial
Visualizes complex cybersecurity and networking topics with animated, beginner-friendly explanations.
Offers free, in-depth video courses and live study groups for CompTIA certifications like Security+, Network+, and A+.
9. Hak5A long-running channel that showcases hacking tools, pentesting gear, and fun infosec experiments.
Shares training content, career guidance, and certification tips from cybersecurity instructors and experts.
11. HackerSploit
Provides hands-on tutorials in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and cybersecurity tools and frameworks.
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Cyber Security Platforms
1. Cybrary
An online learning platform offering guided cybersecurity courses and career paths for SOC, pentesting, and more.
2. TryHackMe
Interactive, gamified labs for learning cybersecurity and ethical hacking from beginner to advanced levels.
3. TCM Security
Provides affordable and practical cybersecurity training, labs, and certifications focused on real-world skills.
4. OverTheWire
A set of free wargames that teach Linux, security, and CTF skills through command-line-based challenges.
5. Hack The Box
A widely used hands-on platform for practicing hacking skills in realistic lab environments and virtual machines.
6. PentesterLab
Offers hands-on web app security and exploitation labs with real-world vulnerabilities and guided exercises.
7. Root Me
A free platform with CTF-style challenges in ethical hacking, reverse engineering, cryptography, and more.
8. Let’s Defend
A blue team-oriented platform simulating SOC environments with real-time incident response training.
9. VulnMachines
Provides virtual machines designed for hands-on vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and pentesting practice.
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Cyber Security Platforms
1. Cybrary
An online learning platform offering guided cybersecurity courses and career paths for SOC, pentesting, and more.
2. TryHackMe
Interactive, gamified labs for learning cybersecurity and ethical hacking from beginner to advanced levels.
3. TCM Security
Provides affordable and practical cybersecurity training, labs, and certifications focused on real-world skills.
4. OverTheWire
A set of free wargames that teach Linux, security, and CTF skills through command-line-based challenges.
5. Hack The Box
A widely used hands-on platform for practicing hacking skills in realistic lab environments and virtual machines.
6. PentesterLab
Offers hands-on web app security and exploitation labs with real-world vulnerabilities and guided exercises.
7. Root Me
A free platform with CTF-style challenges in ethical hacking, reverse engineering, cryptography, and more.
8. Let’s Defend
A blue team-oriented platform simulating SOC environments with real-time incident response training.
9. VulnMachines
Provides virtual machines designed for hands-on vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and pentesting practice.
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Hands-On Practice
Cybersecurity isn’t just about theory; practical skills are crucial.
Here’s how to develop them:
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Setting up virtual labs and experimenting with cybersecurity tools.
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Participating in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges on platforms like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, and PentesterLab to apply hacking techniques legally.
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Exploring cybersecurity platforms such as OverTheWire, Root Me, and Let’s Defend for real-world security challenges.
🧠 Specialisation & Growth in Cybersecurity
As you gain knowledge, you’ll discover areas of interest such as:
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Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking – Finding vulnerabilities in systems.
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Threat Intelligence & Incident Response – Analyzing and mitigating security threats.
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Cloud Security & Network Defense – Securing cloud environments and networks.
🧐 FINALLY!
KEEP LEARNING
AND STAY CURIOUS!
Remember, Cyber Security is ever evolving.
Stay curious, practice, and keep learning!
Cyber Security is an ongoing process.
Stay informed, adapt to new threats, and collaborate with the community to build a safer digital environment.
