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Cyber Security for Absolute Beginners

Essential Concepts

4.7

Based on 2,210 ratings

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Are you an aspiring IT professional that needs to better understand how cybersecurity works? If so, this is the perfect course for you.

In this 4-hour course, I'll show you step-by-step, the fundamentals of cyber security, teaching you essential cyber security core principles you need to know, as well as enlightening you about the various types of cyber threats we face.

If you’re looking to advance or begin your career in Information Technology (IT), this course is a must.

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Read about what's good

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Develops essential cybersecurity core principles, which are helpful for understanding cybersecurity

Useful for individuals seeking to advance their career in Information Technology (IT)

Provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity concepts and threats

Suitable for aspiring IT professionals with little to no prior knowledge of cybersecurity

Delivered in an engaging and accessible manner

Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in cybersecurity

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Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly cybersecurity fundamentals for it careers

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for absolute beginners in cybersecurity, particularly those aiming for an IT career. Many praise the instructor's ability to explain complex topics in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand manner, making it accessible even without prior technical knowledge. Students consistently highlight the course's effectiveness in providing a solid foundation in essential cybersecurity concepts and types of threats. While generally well-received for its introductory nature, some note that the 4-hour duration naturally limits its depth, serving more as an overview than a comprehensive deep dive. The lectures are often cited as engaging, although a few wished for more practical, hands-on activities.

Course serves as an overview, not a deep dive into advanced topics.

"While excellent for beginners, I felt it only scratched the surface, leaving me wanting more depth."

"It's a good introduction, but don't expect to become an expert after just 4 hours."

"I found it to be a solid overview, but definitely requires further study for practical application."

Helpful for those looking to start or advance an IT career.

"This course is a must if you're looking to advance or begin your career in Information Technology (IT)."

"It provided me with the necessary foundational knowledge to consider a path in cybersecurity."

"For aspiring IT professionals, this course offers a great starting point for understanding cyber security."

Provides a strong understanding of core cybersecurity principles.

"I gained a solid understanding of the essential cybersecurity core principles I needed to know."

"This course provided a good overview of the basic concepts and various types of cyber threats."

"It really helped me get a grip on the fundamentals necessary for an IT security career."

Instructor's teaching style is highly praised for clarity and engagement.

"The instructor explains everything so clearly and concisely, making it easy to follow along."

"I really appreciated how the instructor broke down difficult concepts into simple, digestible pieces."

"The instructor’s delivery was engaging, keeping me interested throughout the entire course."

Excellent course for those new to cybersecurity, providing a clear foundation.

"This course is perfectly designed for absolute beginners, making complex topics easy to grasp."

"As someone with no prior knowledge, I found this to be an incredibly helpful and accessible introduction."

"It truly lives up to its name, offering a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in cybersecurity."

Some learners desired more practical exercises or labs.

"I wish there were more hands-on activities or practical labs to reinforce the concepts."

"The course is very theoretical; adding some practical demos would enhance the learning experience significantly."

"While the content was good, I would have loved to see more real-world examples and interactive exercises."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cyber Security for Absolute Beginners: Essential Concepts with these activities:

Read 'Cybersecurity for Beginners' by Jeff Schmidt

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity concepts and will help you build a solid foundation for the course.

View Cybersecurity Law on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters of the book
Take notes on the key concepts covered in each chapter
Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter

Review past cybersecurity courses or materials

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Reviewing previous cybersecurity materials will help you refresh your memory and ensure that you have a strong foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Principles

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Go through your notes or materials from previous cybersecurity courses
Take practice quizzes or review questions to test your recall

Review basic networking concepts

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Cybersecurity relies heavily on sound knowledge of networking concepts. Starting this course with a refreshed memory on the subject will help you better grasp the course material.

Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals

Show steps

Review notes or online resources on networking fundamentals
Go through practice questions or quizzes on networking protocols

Six other activities

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Join a study group or online forum

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Engaging with peers can enhance your understanding of cybersecurity concepts and provide you with different perspectives.

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Find a study group or online forum that aligns with your learning goals
Participate in discussions and ask questions
Share your knowledge and insights with other members

Follow online tutorials on specific cybersecurity topics

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There are numerous online resources that provide in-depth tutorials on specific cybersecurity topics. These tutorials can help you delve deeper into areas that interest you or require additional clarification.

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Identify specific cybersecurity topics that you want to explore further
Search for online tutorials or courses that cover those topics
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises provided

Practice solving cybersecurity exercises and challenges

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Regular practice helps solidify your understanding of cybersecurity concepts and prepares you for real-world challenges.

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Find online platforms or resources that provide cybersecurity exercises and challenges
Attempt to solve the exercises and challenges
Review the solutions and learn from your mistakes

Volunteer as a mentor to help other students

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Mentoring others can reinforce your understanding of cybersecurity concepts and provide you with opportunities to share your knowledge.

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Join a mentoring program or find opportunities to mentor other students
Provide guidance and support to mentees
Share your cybersecurity knowledge and experiences

Develop a cybersecurity incident response plan

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Creating a cybersecurity incident response plan will help you apply the knowledge gained in the course and test your understanding of cybersecurity principles.

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Identify the potential cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities that your organization faces
Develop a step-by-step plan for responding to and mitigating these threats
Test your plan through simulations or exercises

Contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects

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Contributing to open-source projects provides hands-on experience and allows you to apply your cybersecurity knowledge in practical settings.

Show steps

Identify open-source cybersecurity projects that align with your interests
Review the project documentation and codebase
Contribute bug fixes, new features, or documentation improvements

Career center

Learners who complete Cyber Security for Absolute Beginners: Essential Concepts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect an organization's computer networks and systems from both internal and external threats. This course is a great introduction to the field of cybersecurity, providing a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. With this knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and manage security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course is a great introduction to the field of cybersecurity, providing a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge is essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers identify vulnerabilities in an organization's computer networks and systems. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for developing and implementing an organization's cybersecurity strategy. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge is essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity Consultants provide guidance to organizations on how to protect their computer networks and systems from cyber threats. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Consultant

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts analyze malicious software to identify its behavior and vulnerabilities. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for responding to and mitigating cyber threats. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts assess the risks to an organization's computer networks and systems. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Forensic Investigator

Forensic Investigators analyze digital evidence to identify and investigate cybercrimes. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Investigator

Security Auditor

Security Auditors assess the security of an organization's computer networks and systems. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Auditor

Vulnerability Manager

Vulnerability Managers identify and manage vulnerabilities in an organization's computer networks and systems. This course provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Manager

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for Security Engineers as it provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage an organization's computer networks. This course may be useful for Network Administrators as it provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage an organization's databases. This course may be useful for Database Administrators as it provides a foundation in core security principles and the various types of cyber threats faced by organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Cyber Security for Absolute Beginners: Essential Concepts.

Cover image

Cover image

Cybersecurity For Dummies

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity basics, covering essential concepts and practical tips to protect against common cyber threats. It is an excellent resource for beginners to gain a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles.

Cybersecurity For Dummies

Cybersecurity For Dummies

Cover image

Cover image

Network Security Essentials: Applications and...

Save

Covers the fundamentals of network security, including protocols, standards, and technologies used to protect networks from unauthorized access and attacks. It provides a solid background for understanding the technical aspects of cybersecurity, making it a useful reference for network security professionals.

Network Security Essentials: Applications and...

Cover image

Cover image

Applied Cryptography

Save

Focuses on applied cryptography, providing a practical understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and their implementation. It valuable resource for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of cryptography and its applications in cybersecurity.

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and...

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and...

Cover image

Cover image

Penetration Testing

Save

Covers ethical hacking techniques and penetration testing methodologies, providing hands-on experience in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. It valuable resource for those interested in pursuing a career in ethical hacking or penetration testing.

Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to...

Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to...

Cover image

Cover image

The Art of Deception

Save

Provides insights into the human element of security, exploring social engineering techniques and psychological factors that can influence security breaches. It valuable resource for professionals seeking to understand and mitigate risks related to human behavior.

The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element...

The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element...

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Rating

4.7

Effort

4 total hours

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Udemy

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops essential cybersecurity core principles, which are helpful for understanding cybersecurity

Useful for individuals seeking to advance their career in Information Technology (IT)

Provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity concepts and threats

Suitable for aspiring IT professionals with little to no prior knowledge of cybersecurity

Delivered in an engaging and accessible manner

Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in cybersecurity

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