Those seeking a new career path should consider enrolling in cyber security courses. This rapidly expanding field offers lucrative compensation and exciting new challenges. With the best cyber security course, you can acquire the necessary skills to thrive in this industry. At Hackr, our community regularly contributes tutorials and resources for cyber security experts. After reviewing these submissions, we have compiled a list of the top online cyber security courses. Our evaluation criteria included the expertise of the instructors, cost (free or paid), depth of content, and overall value. Read on to discover our recommendations for the best cyber security courses online.
Best Cybersecurity Courses Online
What is Cyber Security?
If you’re wondering about the meaning of cyber security, it can be defined as the protection of computers, software systems, databases, and digital data. Its purpose is to defend against malicious individuals such as hackers, scammers, spammers, and other threats that aim to steal, damage, or compromise data and systems.
Why Take a Cyber Security Course?
Cybercrime has become a prevalent issue in our daily lives. Hackers, phishers, scammers, and thieves are widespread, making cyber security the last line of defense against these malicious individuals. Cyber security professionals are responsible for various aspects in this field. If you aspire to become a professional in this industry, taking a course is one of the best ways to achieve your goal. Here’s why:
1. Faster Path: Courses are highly beneficial in providing you with the necessary knowledge and experience in a shorter timeframe. If you aim to start your career within six months to a year, enrolling in a high-quality course from a reputable institution is an excellent choice.
2. Affordability: While earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cyber security or computer science (with a specialization in cyber security) is another viable option, traditional education can be costly and potentially lead to significant debt. Courses, on the other hand, are often more affordable, even if some may require a few thousand dollars in investment.
3. Specialization: Courses cover a wide range of cyber security aspects. By choosing a course that aligns with your specific interests, you can specialize more efficiently.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to pursue online cyber security training is the high demand for professionals in this field. Cyber security has been experiencing substantial growth, with projected revenues of nearly $160 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach a market volume of almost $300 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 13.33%. This rapid expansion has resulted in a significant demand for career professionals. With most professionals earning six-figure salaries annually, cyber security is a lucrative field. For instance, information security analysts earn an average of $102,600 per year, as highlighted on the BLS page. The job outlook from 2020 to 2030 is also promising, with a healthy growth rate of 33%, several times higher than the average.
Top Cyber Security Courses in 2024
1. Cybrary – Offers Extensive Free Courses
Our Rating: 4.4/5
Duration: Varied
Price: Nearly 500 free courses; upgrade costs $59/month paid monthly or $53/month billed annually
Cybrary, aptly named, serves as an online library for IT, InfoSec, and cyber security-related materials. Creating a free account grants access to a wide selection of free courses, which can be filtered by skill level or vendor (e.g., Microsoft, Cisco). Many of Cybrary’s courses focus on specific cyber security niches, facilitating specialization.
Pros:
– Large library of free courses covering a wide range of topics
– Courses delve into specific aspects of the field, aiding specialization
– User-friendly browsing and search options
Learn More About Cybrary
2. The Complete Cyber Security Course (StationX) – Best Cybersecurity Training for Beginners
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Duration: Self-paced; 50 hours of on-demand video
Price: $65 (normally $500) for this course; $149 (normally $1,199) for annual membership
The Complete Cyber Security Course, taught by Nathan House, the CEO of StationX and a cybersecurity expert, comprises four volumes that cover essential topics for beginners. You can enroll in the course individually or opt for an annual membership, granting unlimited access to all courses on the platform. The course volumes are also available individually on Udemy, with Volume 1 alone boasting over 240,000 students and an average rating of 4.5 stars from more than 44,000 reviews.
Pros:
– Comprehensive coverage of fundamentals
– Affordable course, especially during sales, and excellent value for annual membership
– Regular updates
Cons:
– Some lessons can be complex
– Limited interactive lesson materials such as quizzes and tests
Learn More About The Complete Cyber Security Course (StationX)
3. Harvard Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age – Best for Business Risk Management
Our Rating: 4.7/5
Duration: Self-paced; 8 weeks
Price: $2,900
Harvard Cybersecurity offers a course that comprehensively addresses mitigating cybersecurity risks for businesses. Split into eight modules, each lasting a week, the course requires approximately eight to eleven hours of weekly commitment. Completion of this short course earns you a premier certificate from Harvard University, a prestigious addition to your resume. However, given the affiliation with Harvard, the course comes with a higher price tag.
Pros:
– Concise course with coverage of various aspects of cyber security for businesses
– Prestigious certificate upon completion
Cons:
– Expensive
– Additional courses may be necessary to kickstart your career
Learn More About Harvard Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age
4. Cybersecurity Certification by University of Maryland (Coursera) – Best for Learning to Construct Secure Systems
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Duration: 8 months
Price: 7-day free trial; then $59/month or $399/year for Coursera Plus
This specialization, offered by Coursera and the University of Maryland, is ideal for intermediate learners. If you prefer to learn without obtaining a certificate, you can audit the course for free. To receive the certificate of completion, you must subscribe to the Coursera Plus membership for the course’s duration. The specialization consists of five modules: usable security, software security, cryptography, hardware security, and a capstone project. While the estimated completion time is eight months, a self-paced option is available. The course includes readings, videos, graded assignments, and quizzes to reinforce your knowledge. Beginners may want to consider the Google Career Certificate for an introductory program before pursuing this intermediate course.
Pros:
– Self-paced option available
– Abundance of interactive learning materials (quizzes, programming assignments, etc.)
– Free audit option without a certificate
Cons:
– Potential cost if learning at a slower pace
– No refunds
Learn More About Cybersecurity Certification by University of Maryland (Coursera)
5. MicroMasters® Program in Cybersecurity (RIT | edX) – Best for Advanced Learners
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Duration: 10 months; instructor-led; 10-12 hours weekly
Price: $1,436.40 (normally $1,596)
The MicroMasters® Program from the Rochester Institute of Technology covers fundamental and advanced topics, including computer forensics, network security, and cybersecurity risk management. Unlike the other programs mentioned, this one is instructor-led and not self-paced, requiring you to accommodate the classes within your schedule.
Pros:
– Earn a certificate that counts toward a master’s degree
– Covers advanced topics to enhance career opportunities
– Includes a capstone project for solidifying knowledge
Cons:
– Longer learning duration compared to other courses
– Suitable for advanced learners only
Learn More About MicroMasters® Program in Cybersecurity (RIT | edX)
Honorable Mention: The Complete 2024 Cyber Security Developer & IT Skills Bundle – Best Discounted Bundle
As an honorable mention, we would like to highlight an extensive bundle of courses designed for cyber security professionals. Purchasing this bundle individually would amount to $1,378, but it is available at a discounted price.
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