Learn Cybersecurity

Learn Cybersecurity in 2021: What it Is, Job Outlook & Where to Learn it

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Cyberattacks are happening all the time, meaning that keeping software, hardware, and data safe and secure is more important than ever.

And there is a shortage of people with these skills, so learning how to get started in cybersecurity can have huge payoffs for your career. According to the ISC Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the amount of computer security professionals would need to increase by 62% to meet the growing demands of today’s businesses.

Even if you’re not looking to start a full cybersecurity career, learning cybersecurity for beginners can help you shore up your personal internet safety.

In this post, we’ll cover what cybersecurity entails, why there is such a massive demand for these skills, how to get into cyber security, what cybersecurity career options are available, and more.

What Is Cybersecurity?

In short, cybersecurity is exactly what it sounds like. As Chris Coleman, president of Woz U, sums it up, cybersecurity is “the practice of protecting electronic data, networks, computer systems, and other confidential information.

”Specifically, this content needs to be protected from cyberattackers. The goal of cyberattacks is typically to sabotage business processes, extort money from users, or access, steal, or destroy sensitive information.

Why Is Cybersecurity Important?

Cybersecurity matters for everyone from governments and large companies to small business owners, employees, and even individuals at home. But why is cybersecurity important for so many?

“We live in a world of unprecedented connectedness,” says Josh Feinblum, former CSO at DigitalOcean. “Every year we see more everyday devices connected to the Internet. At the same time, nearly every part of our lives are tracked electronically. This includes all of our health records, financial information, power consumption, what we wear, when we get home, where we travel and when etc. With the right data, machines can build profiles that understand us better than we understand ourselves.”

This underlines the importance of individual knowledge and action when it comes to your information security. “Your data is spread more places than ever, and it’s up to you to protect it,” says Robb Reck, CISO at Ping Identity. “You need to take accountability for knowing where you share your data, understanding the implications of that sharing, and taking every step you can to manage the risks for yourself.”

For companies, cyberattacks are increasingly common and costly. IDC reports that enterprises are expected to spend upwards of $174.7 billion on network security in 2024, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2020 to 2024. Not only that, but PwC reports that more than half (55%) of enterprise executives plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets in 2021, with 51% adding full-time cybersecurity staff in 2021.

📈 Cyber crimes have also spiked as a result of COVID-19. In fact, the FBI recently reported that the number of cyberattack complaints they’ve received has reached as high as 4,000 per day, which is a 400% increase from pre-COVID.

“There’s an exploding number of unmanaged and unprotected IoT [Internet of Things] devices in use within companies, so the attack landscape is growing exponentially,” says Nadir Izrael, co-founder & CTO at Armis. “Cybercriminals and nation states are targeting IoT due to the lack of security built into these devices. I’ve seen vending machines doing data exfiltration. We saw IoT attacks up 300% in the first part of 2018.”

Because cyberattacks have the potential to cripple businesses, companies are recognizing the need to make cybersecurity training and hiring a priority. “In the past several years, security has transformed from a technical discipline within IT to a business risk management function,” explains Reck. (And it’s warranted, as nearly five million data records are lost or stolen worldwide every single day.)

On a larger scale still, even politics, diplomacy, and social cohesion is at stake. “We see nations stealing untold amounts of secrets and intellectual property from each other, influencing each other’s elections, and even our broader social discourse,” Feinblum continues. “Machines can be used at scale to affect nearly every part of our society, all the way down to an individual level. This increases the need to combat security risks.”

However, it’s tough to implement these measures as technology (and hackers’ means) are always changing. New ways to pose digital threats and circumvent IT security are constantly emerging.

So, the translation of all of this?

Professionals with cybersecurity know-how are more in-demand than ever before.

Information Security vs Cybersecurity

Many people think of information security and cybersecurity as being synonymous, but they’re actually a little bit different. Even though they’re closely related, information security (also known as “InfoSec”) is about keeping data secure and confidential — whether that data is in a digital or physical form. For example, protecting sensitive information in a physical filing cabinet may fall under the information security umbrella.

Cybersecurity, on the other hand, is solely about protecting data that is stored digitally (e.g., network, computer, server, the cloud). Another key difference is that information security typically involves preventing unauthorized access, modification or destruction, while cybersecurity most often involves preventing cybercrimes, cyber threats and digital fraud.

Overall, you can think of cybersecurity as a subset of information security.

Network Security vs Cybersecurity

While cybersecurity is a subset of information security, network security is a subset of cybersecurity. Like the name suggests, network security specifically involves securing computer networks and ensuring any data that gets sent through them is not compromised.

Solutions that fall under network security include firewalls, anti-virus software, password protocols, multi-factor authentication, and virtual private networks (VPNs). It’s particularly important for companies to invest in good network security.

Is Cyber Security Right for Me?

To figure out if cybersecurity is right for you, try taking a free cybersecurity course to dip your toes in or watching “day in the life of a cybersecurity engineer” videos on YouTube to get a feel for what the day-to-day looks like in this career.

❤️ Think about what you enjoy doing and what you have a passion for. For example, if you enjoy solving problems and figuring out what could happen before it happens, cybersecurity could be a great fit for you.

💻 Additionally, evaluate the skills you already have and the skills you need to learn to break into cybersecurity. Are you willing to commit to learning these skills? Not only that, but because the cybersecurity field is constantly changing, are you willing to continue learning throughout your entire career? If you are, cybersecurity could be a great match.

📍 Another factor to consider is employer demand in your area. Try looking up cybersecurity roles on job sites and filter by your location to see how many cybersecurity jobs are currently available. Some people may be open to relocating for a new career, but others may not.

How to Get Started in Cybersecurity

So, are you mulling over a career change, or just want new information security skills in your arsenal to help maintain your own data and computer security? Let’s go through the process of what transitioning to cybersecurity might look like, from the idea and planning phases to the skills you need to learn and resources to help you learn them.

❓ Questions to Consider Before Starting a Career in Cybersecurity

Leonard Simon, one of Springboard’s cybersecurity program mentors, recommends asking and researching the following questions to gauge how to proceed with learning cybersecurity:

• Do I have any previous experience or certifications related to the IT or cybersecurity field?
• Is there a certain information security technology I should learn first?
• What skills would I need for a career in computer security?
• How will I get experience in this field?
• Is there a lot of traveling involved in IT security roles?
• Are there entry-level/internship opportunities available?
• How are the career advancement opportunities?

I’ll answer a few of these below, like learning cybersecurity skills and technologies — but others will be dependent on your goals and the demand from employers where you live.

🎓 Is a College Degree Necessary for a Cybersecurity Career?

The short answer: not necessarily. “Our industry was pioneered by people without college degrees,” says Josh Feinblum. “Work hard to get involved in the community, contribute to open source projects, try to speak at conferences about cool research — these are all things the original pioneers did and can provide opportunities for smart, hard-working individuals to enter the industry.”

Kristen Kozinski, who is now an Information Security Trainer at the New York Times, has seen (and personally experienced) the same trend.

“Most of the people I’ve met in the field are self-taught,” she says. “I have a very non-traditional path myself. A few years ago, I was working at MailChimp and our Information Security team opened up an apprenticeship position to work with the security engineers. It felt like the perfect opportunity. I did a little studying on The Open Web Application Security Project and got the job. I went on to work with that team as a Junior Security Engineer.” Now, Kozinski also runs her own security awareness business, Don’t Click on That.

However, if you do have a computer science or related degree, it will likely expand your cybersecurity career options. As Feinblum notes, “College degrees are frequently a checkbox expected by many large companies, so not having a degree may limit some opportunities.” It’s not a deal-breaker, just another factor to consider!

🛣️ Pick a Cybersecurity Career Path

One of the most exciting things about cybersecurity is that there are a ton of paths you can choose. And, as I talked about above, you don’t need a tech background to pursue them.

The first step to choosing a cybersecurity career path is to identify your strengths based on your unique background. “I recommend that your first step is to take an honest evaluation of your own skills and interests,” says Robb Reck. “Are you a people person? An application developer? A policy wonk? A networking guru?”

Listing out your preferences and skills will help you pinpoint the type of IT security position that’s the best fit for you. “Some popular areas are penetration testing, security engineering, and incident response,” says Kristen Kozinski.

Once you’ve started to narrow it down, begin deeper research on the fields of interest you’ve selected within cyber security and learn the lingo. “Look for books that dive into that area,” recommends Kozinski. “No Starch Press has a lot of great security books. I also recommend looking at the Awesome Infosec Github page, which is a crowd-sourced collection of educational resources.”

Also, it will help to get in touch with others in the industry, to build connections and reach out for advice. “Get on Twitter,” Kozinski recommends. “The cybersecurity community there is very open and a lot of people give great advice on how to find work and where to find learning resources in your area of interest.”

In-person groups are invaluable too. “Get connected with groups like Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) or ISACA, all of which likely have regional chapters somewhere near you,” advises Robb Reck. “Start volunteering with these groups, get plugged in with Open Source projects on the internet. You don’t need a job to get experience in security. The connections you make in those groups will likely be the vehicle to finding your next career.”

🖥️ Cybersecurity Prerequisites

As with any tech field, it’s useful to start by gaining programming fundamentals. “Being able to understand a programming language will give you a good start in cybersecurity,” says Kristen Kozinski. “You don’t need to be an expert, but being able to read and understand a language is a good skill to have.” This is not a must-have cyber security prerequisite, but it’s definitely nice to have.

🔒 Key Cybersecurity Technologies and Skills to Learn

Successful cybersecurity engineers are also able to think like a cybercriminal, says Chris Coleman. “It’s only with a firm understanding of the vulnerabilities of systems that someone can predict and prevent cyberattacks.”

Other specific technical skills you need will vary based on the area you choose to focus on. However, here are some general cybersecurity skills that Coleman recommends:

• Security and networking foundations
• Logging and monitoring procedures
• Network defense tactics
• Cryptography and access management practices
• Web application security techniques

So what’s the best way to learn cybersecurity? No matter what you specialize in—be it network security, information security, IT security, etc.—the key to most security work is understanding systems. “When encountering new technology or processes, learn to take a systems view first,” advises Andy Ellis. “Ask questions like, ‘What is happening in this system that I can’t directly see? What goals does the system owner or designer have? What sort of unavoidable loss could be there? How could it happen?’”

For instance, if you’re thinking about vulnerabilities in a payroll system, you’d start by considering questions like:

• How does an employee get paid?
• Where is their data?
• How can that fail?

“Asking yourself these questions, and learning the answers, is a great way to get started on a journey to helping secure the future,” Ellis continues.

Working in Cybersecurity

Now, let’s turn to cybersecurity careers themselves — starting with why it’s a field that welcomes those from all backgrounds, including non-technical ones. Then, we’ll cover the computer security job outlook and specialties you can explore.

The Value of Transitioning From a Non-Technical Background

“It’s a mistake to think of security as a single career path,” says Reck. “There are dozens of distinct career paths within security, offering opportunities for anyone with a passion for protecting our cyber infrastructure. The need for security professionals is skyrocketing and shows no signs of stopping, so the future is bright for those seeking careers in this field.”

If you think you need a CS degree and ten years of experience in tech to consider the field, think again. “Doing security well, at scale, requires a mix of law, psychology, sociology, technology, and organizational sciences,” adds Feinblum. “Cybersecurity offers a wide variety of opportunities for technical and non-technical people.”

“Most people tend to focus on technical operators and incidence response engineers as the base career paths, but cybersecurity also needs program managers, software developers, professional communicators, data scientists, systems analysts, and more,” adds Andy Ellis, CSO at Akamai. “And that doesn’t cover all of the go-to-market careers in a security company, like product management, marketing, public relations, and sales.”

In this way, a non-technical background can actually be an advantage, which sets you apart and gives you unique perspectives and abilities. “My security team includes people who have been librarians, journalists, lawyers, and control systems engineers,” says Ellis. “We hire them because we need those skill sets in the security career fields.”

For example, says Feinblum, “Security practitioners can cover policy and law, while others can build large-scale distributed systems, find security flaws, or focus on finding evil that’s lurking where it doesn’t belong.”

Cybersecurity Job Outlook

Given the massive (and increasing) need for digital protection, it’s no surprise that the potential of cybersecurity careers is more favorable than ever. “The job outlook for cybersecurity professionals is extremely promising, probably more so than any other industry right now,” says Michelle Moore, PhD, Academic Director at the University of San Diego. This is especially true given the recent shift to remote work, which has opened up companies to additional security vulnerabilities.

Data from the BLS confirms that the job outlook for 2019-29 is much faster than average. While the average growth rate for all occupations is 4%, it’s 31% for information security analysts: four times the average.

Meanwhile, (ISC)²’s 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study found that the number of unfilled cybersecurity positions stands at over 3.1 million.

Unfortunately, the implications of this shortage could be drastic. “As much as we’d like to believe the future will be a safer and brighter one than the one we’re in today, that doesn’t match with recent history,” says Andy Ellis. “The development of new technologies — which bring with them amazing opportunities across the board — almost always include new opportunities for dangerous losses. Protecting against those losses is always going to be a necessary function for enterprises large and small.”

If you’re craving a career where you can truly see the impact of your work, learning how to get started in cybersecurity could be perfect for you.

Cybersecurity Careers

Since cybersecurity is such a wide field, there are many different paths when it comes to how to get into cybersecurity for beginners.

And while obviously cybersecurity salaries will vary based on the specific role, as well as your qualifications, negotiation chops, and time in the field, you’re not likely to be eating instant ramen for every meal. “The average salary for a cybersecurity professional is about $115,000 per year,” says Moore.

Keep in mind that exact cybersecurity job titles can vary from company to company, but in general, here are some common roles:

• Cybersecurity generalist: a jack of all trades for smaller companies
• Network security engineer: a role found at large companies, these people are involved in managing the security of their company’s network hardware and software, from firewalls to routers to VPNs
• Cloud security engineer: as the title indicates, this role involves providing security for cloud-based platforms
• Application security specialist: specializing in protecting applications from threats using a mix of hardware and software skills
• Identity and Access Management (IAM) engineer: a sub-field of cybersecurity focusing on digital identities and access rights within an organization to ensure correct levels of system access for all employees and prevent unauthorized use
• Security architect: designs, builds, and manages the implementation of network and computer security for a company
• Penetration tester: get paid to legally hack into software, systems, etc., in order to identify security vulnerabilities
• Malware/forensics analyst: job title could be “cyber forensic malware engineer” or “analyst.” They dig into malware to figure out what it does, where it came from, and so on.
• Incident response analyst: first responders to any type of security breach or issue, rapidly addressing threats to find the cause and limit the damage
• Cryptographer: builds ways of encrypting sensitive information to ensure individual and corporate privacy
• Security trainer: trains employees in security best practices
• Security auditor: reports on a security system’s effectiveness and suggests ways to improve it; different than penetration tester because a security auditor is more high-level and uses established standards to evaluate a system
• Governance, Risk and Compliance professional: a more senior role with oversight of regulatory and legal compliance and overall business practices
• Cybersecurity engineer: designs, develops, and implements network solutions to defend against cyberattacks, hackers and other threats

And there are more! Plus, even those currently in careers that aren’t security-focused on the surface can still benefit from learning cybersecurity for beginners. At the very least, basic knowledge of security can help you protect your own data.

Cybersecurity as a Side Gig

Aside from full-time roles, there are also ways you can flex cybersecurity skills in part-time or non-traditional roles. (There are lots of benefits to side gigs!)

Casey Ellis says that “to stay ahead of adversaries, companies will need to depend more and more on crowdsourced security programs, such as bug bounty, vulnerability disclosure and next-gen penetration testing, to identify vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. In our latest survey, we found that 30% of CISOs that don’t already run these programs plan on implementing crowdsourced security in the next year.”

Bug bounties involve testing a company’s application or software from the outside. Typically, you’ll do this on your own time. If you find any security vulnerabilities, you can report them to the company for their teams to fix before someone malicious finds the same gap. You’ll quite often be rewarded for this. Here’s a comprehensive list of companies that offer bug bounty programs.

It also provides a fun and productive way to use and hone your skills on the side. “Bug bounty programs are a method to funnel your creative energy and develop new skills,” says Ellis. “You have the opportunity to hack some of the biggest brands in the world and earn money for it. While there are full-time hunters, many participants do this as a way to continue their ongoing security education and test themselves. There is a vast and growing community out there that is more than happy to offer guidance as well as a growing number of resources to help you along the way.”

Aside from that, if you’re interested in cybersecurity but not ready for a career change, rest assured that educating yourself won’t be a waste. Chris Coleman believes employees outside the tech department need to be educated, too.

“Cyber threats continue to evolve, and expertise in this category will not be isolated to a single department,” he says. “Software engineers, product designers and C-suite executives will all need to be knowledgeable about cybersecurity for organizations to operate effectively. It will be important for employees company-wide to have a baseline knowledge of cybersecurity and fully understand the practices and procedures in place by the company.”

With all that in mind, what are you waiting for!?

How to Learn Cybersecurity (Courses, Books, and Online Training)

If you’re thinking of going back to college instead of learning online, be aware that formal cybersecurity training is in short supply. “There aren’t enough paths carved out for students learning cybersecurity,” says Nadir Izrael. “While we discuss computer science educational tracks, we have an equal need for security professionals, but not enough formal training in higher education.”

Because of the current cybersecurity shortages, self-teaching, along with practicing and networking, is often enough to land you in a job. “The skill gap is so high currently that employers are less concerned with the traditional education path and are looking for demonstrable competencies,” says Coleman.

How to learn cybersecurity on your own? Of course, the resources that will be most valuable to you depend on exactly which cybersecurity career path you want to pursue and how time-intensive you want to get. That said, if you’re learning cybersecurity from scratch, here are some places to look for cybersecurity training online. With each platform, we’ll also highlight some cybersecurity courses that can get you started in cybersecurity for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Learn Cybersecurity on Coursera

Coursera offers cybersecurity courses and specializations for beginners to advanced individuals who are already in the field. You can access Coursera’s courses for between $39/month and $49/month, depending on the course.

Courses are offered by top universities and industry leaders, and Coursera has tons of courses related to cybersecurity and networks. See the topic page here.

Here are a few security-specific courses we suggest on Coursera:

• Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization: Cybersecurity training for beginners that uses hands-on learning to present students with authentic real-world security scenarios and the tools and countermeasures to use against threats. Taught by NYU Tandon School of Engineering professors.
• IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization: This course covers all the important fundamentals, including cybersecurity tools and processes, system administration, database vulnerabilities, types of cyberattacks, and the basics of networking, as well as more specialized information like cryptography and digital forensics. Offered by IBM.
• Cybersecurity Specialization: Intermediate-level course that covers both hardware and software concepts, and will teach you to really think like a security professional. 43% of students report starting a new career after completing this specialization. Offered by the University of Maryland.

Learn Cybersecurity on Udemy

Udemy has tons of cybersecurity courses. . Courses range in price from $9 to $300, but they frequently have sales.

If you’re getting started in cybersecurity, here are a few security-specific courses we suggest on Udemy:

• The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!: This course focuses on preventing hacking by shoring up tech defenses. It’s taught by Nathan House, who has over 24 years of experience in cyber security. You’ll gain an advanced practical skillset in defeating all online threats. This is volume 1 of 4 of the complete course.
• The Absolute Beginners Guide to Cyber Security 2021 – Part 1: Great beginner cybersecurity course for people with no experience. It covers key concepts such as hacking, malware, firewalls, worms, phishing, encryption, biometrics, BYOD, and more.
• The Ultimate Dark Web, Anonymity, Privacy & Security Course: This course will start you as a beginner and take you to an advanced level in personal internet security. It covers topics like anonymous web browsing and emails, cryptocurrency, VPNs, and more.

 

Learn Cybersecurity on EdX

Most courses on edX are free, but you can add a Verified Certificate by paying between $50 USD and $300 USD. See cybersecurity topic page here. Other courses on edX are Professional Certificate or MicroMasters courses that are more involved and come at a higher price.

Here are a few courses we suggest on edX to help you learn cybersecurity:

• Cyber Security Basics: A Hands-on Approach: In this cybersecurity course for beginners, you’ll learn how to think like a hacker, which will equip you to get into their heads and prevent potential threats to your online security. Topics covered include malware, computer forensics, XSS, SQLi, and more.
• Essentials of Cybersecurity: This is a Professional Certificate course, meaning that it takes a little longer (4 months) and costs a little more ($796), but the pay off will likely be higher. You will learn about the cybersecurity landscape, numerous sectors and various roles, competencies and career pathways, etc.
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals: This course from the Rochester Institute of Technology is part of the RITx Cybersecurity MicroMasters Program, but can also be audited on its own for free. Learn network fundamentals, basic cryptography, computing security, how to analyze potential threats, and more. This is a free cyber security course if you choose the audit option.

You can read our full edX review here.

Learn Cybersecurity on Udacity

Udacity offers both free and paid options to learn cybersecurity. With free cybersecurity courses to help you learn the fundamentals and then an extensive Nanodegree program to take your learning to the next level, Udacity has something for everyone, no matter what level you’re at. Check out all of Udacity’s cybersecurity courses here.

Here are a few security-specific courses we suggest on Udacity:

• Introduction to Cybersecurity Nanodegree: In this program, you will learn how to evaluate, maintain, and monitor the security of computer systems. You’ll also learn how to assess threats, respond to incidents, and implement security controls to reduce risk and meet security compliance goals. The program is self-paced and can be completed in around 4 months if you study for 10 hours per week.
• Intro to Information Security: This free cybersecurity course provides a one-semester overview of information security. If you already have computer and programming knowledge, this is perfect for you. You’ll get a broad overview of essential concepts and methods for providing and evaluating security in information processing systems.
• Network Security: This free cybersecurity course provides an introduction to computer and network security. After completing this class, you will be able to evaluate works in academic and commercial security and will have rudimentary skills in security research.

Learn Cybersecurity on Skillshare

Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced techie looking to learn cybersecurity skills, Skillshare has some great classes. You can access Skillshare’s course library for $19/month or $99/year, and you can also take advantage of a 14-day free trial of Skillshare Premium.

Here’s a cybersecurity course we recommend on Skillshare:

• The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Cyber Security: This course is perfect as an introductory one for individuals and students who are interested in becoming cybersecurity or information security professionals. It is also ideal for students who just want to have a well-rounded knowledge about the basic concepts used in the world of information security.

Learn Cybersecurity on Pluralsight

Pluralsight has many specific courses related to information security and cybersecurity. You can check out the topic page here. They have courses and cybersecurity learning paths for beginners to advanced individuals who are already in the field. You can access Pluralsight’s course library for $29/month and take advantage of all their course offerings.

Here are a few security-specific courses we suggest on Pluralsight:

• Introduction to Information Security: Beginner-level cybersecurity course that teaches about information security programs used by organizations. You will learn foundational principles of information security, like confidentiality, governance, risk management, and compliance. You’ll also explore organizational assets and how they are protected through the use of security controls and how auditing, monitoring, and testing is used to review and evaluate the effectiveness of those security controls.
• Ethical Hacking: Understanding Ethical Hacking: Cybersecurity training for beginners course with over 1,000 positive reviews. Here you’ll learn to start thinking and looking at your network through the eyes of malicious attackers as well as understand the motivation of an attacker.
• Malware Analysis Fundamentals: Beginner-level cyber security course with high ratings where you’ll learn the skills required to properly, quickly, and safely analyze malware by examining both its characteristics and behavior.
• Cybersecurity Threats: Ransomware: Intermediate level course. In this course, you’ll learn to identify ransomware infection points, recover files without paying a ransom, defend against and respond to attacks, and pitfalls if you do pay.

Aside from one-off cybersecurity courses, Pluralsight also offers paths, which combine multiple courses with a particular end-goal. For instance, they offer an SSCP® path (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) which is an entry-level (ISC)² certification that helps newcomers enter the information security space. Read our full review of Pluralsight here.

Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps

If you’re interested in a more accelerated path to learning cybersecurity (and have a bigger budget and more time), a cybersecurity bootcamp could be a great option. Here are a few of the best ones:

• Cybersecurity Engineering Bootcamp via Flatiron School: Available in New York City and Washington, D.C. (currently remote due to COVID-19), this 15-week cybersecurity bootcamp will help you launch a career in cybersecurity. You’ll learn cybersecurity tools like Python, Wireshark, Linux, Metasploit, and more.
• Fullstack Cyber Bootcamp via Fullstack Academy: Full- or part-time options available. Currently, remote until early 2021. 17 weeks of full-time study or 26 weeks of part-time study. This cybersecurity bootcamp will qualify you for two specific cybersecurity roles: L Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst and Penetration Tester.
• Cyber Security Bootcamp via Springboard: Prepares you to take and pass CompTIA’s Security+ certification. 50 labs, 30 assignments, and one capstone project. Studying 15-20 hours per week, you should complete this bootcamp in around six months

Cybersecurity Books for Beginners

I’ve written an entire article on the best cybersecurity books but here’s just a selection found on Amazon*:

• Cybersecurity For Dummies: Introduces you to the basics of becoming cyber-secure, including different cybersecurity threats to be aware of, basic cybersecurity concepts, and what to do to be cyber-secure.
• Cybersecurity for Beginners: Great for people who have a non-technical background. Also has a glossary that helps you translate cybersecurity technical terms into plain, non-technical English.
• Hacking: A Beginners’ Guide to Computer Hacking, Basic Security, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing: Teaches the history of hacking, types of hacking, different hacking methods, and how to defend against them. Free on Kindle.
• Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software: A guide that helps you safely analyze, debug, and disassemble malicious software. Comes with hands-on labs throughout the book to help you practice your cybersecurity skills.

• Cybersecurity: The Beginner’s Guide: A comprehensive guide to getting started in cybersecurity

  🛒 Get it on Amazon

  Author: Dr. Erdal Ozkaya

  

  This book covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, how artificial intelligence and machine learning are helping to secure systems, the skills and tools you need to know to work in cybersecurity, and how to think like an attacker. Also dives into how to build practice labs, real-world use cases, and the various cybersecurity certifications that are available.

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