This post provides a wealth of information on free online cyber security courses with certificates that interested individuals can join to get familiar with cybersecurity, get equipped with adequate skills, and take their careers forward.
Mankind has made many inventions to improve human life and to learn more about our existence. Among these inventions is the internet, this singular invention has improved lives in many ways, made our way of life easier, and paved the way for other innovations as well.
There is no doubt that the internet is a great invention. However, just like any other invention, there is bound to be a good part and a bad one too. Yes, while it is used for beneficial purposes there are also malicious purposes of this tool.
Just as how there are many benefits born from the internet, there are also demerits or disadvantages. A major disadvantage of the internet is insecurity. You hear hackers, the dark web, cyberattacks, etc. are some of these demerits and the need for efficient cybersecurity systems and skills is in high demand.
Cyberattacks happen often, causing the victims to lose a great deal of data and other resources. And in today’s world, data is extremely important. With data, you can read market trends which can help you, a business, an organization make informed decisions. People who read and analyze this data are called Data Analysts or Data Scientists and they are top in the list of highest-paid people in the world.
If a career in data science interests you, joining one or more free online data science courses will help you get started, but an IBM data science professional certificate or the Google data analytics professional certificate will equip you with more advanced skills and give you a certificate with worldwide recognition.
Just like data analysts, cybersecurity specialists are in high demand due to the rise of businesses going digital and the need to protect their data from cyberattacks keeps getting high. There are more cybersecurity jobs than there are cybersecurity specialists.
You can take advantage of this and create a place for yourself in this field by getting adequate skills by taking one or more of the free online cyber security courses with certificates listed here and get the qualification and skills to fill in the role of a cybersecurity specialist.
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What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security, also known as computer security or information technology security is the protection of computer systems, networks, programs, devices, and data from information disclosure, theft, damage, and cyberattacks. It is a branch of computer science that aims to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and protect against the unauthorized exploitation of systems, networks, and technologies.
As cyber attackers and hackers become increasingly sophisticated in the tech space, cybersecurity is quickly becoming one of the most important roles in the industry. Any digital device, from a computer to a smartphone that can connect to the internet is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and that is what cyber security is here to contain and eradicate, if possible.
How Can I Become A Cyber Security Expert?
A person whose responsibility is to protect these computer systems, programs, devices, data, etc. from cyberattacks is known as a Cyber Security Specialist or Expert. Other responsibilities of a cyber security specialist include:
- Creating new defensive systems and protocols
- Constantly monitoring the system for any unusual activities, attacks, and intrusion
- Examining and evaluating security strategies and defenses
- Developing and implementing information security standards, guidelines, and procedures
- Building firewalls into network infrastructures
- Finding the best way to secure the IT infrastructure of an organization and many more
To become a cybersecurity expert or specialist, you need to have adequate skills, knowledge, and techniques, to evade cyberattacks and protect data and digital devices. To get these skills, you need to pursue a master’s degree in computer science to be considered an expert.
The free online cyber security courses with certificates listed in this post can help prepare you for a career in cybersecurity or help to sharpen your skill.
Where Can A Cyber Security Personnel Work?
Cyber security personnel can work in the following places:
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Government
- Network providers
- Schools and universities
- Security consultancy firms
- Healthcare facilities and organization
- Airlines
- Large organization with a database
Free Online Cyber Security Courses with Certificates
The free online cyber security courses with certificates listed and discussed here are designed to prepare you for a career in cyber security and deepen your interest in pursuing a degree at the university level. It is also for cyber security specialists whose skills have dulled and who are looking to sharpen them or learn new techniques that will improve their efficiency as cyber security specialists.
Each of the free online cyber security courses with certificates is extensively discussed to give you a complete insight into what each of the courses offers. Application links are also provided for each of the free online cyber security courses with certificates for you to start learning any of the courses that pique your interest.
Without further ado, the free online cyber security courses with certificates are:
- Cyber Security (Short Course)
- Level 5 Cyber Security Diploma
- Certificate in Cyber Security
- Introduction to Information Security
- Ethical Hacking for Beginners
- Digital and Cyber Security Awareness
- Software Security
- Cyber Forensics
- Operating Systems – Systems Security
- Advanced Diploma in Computer Networks and Internet Protocol
- Introduction to Cloud Security
1. Cyber Security (Short Course)
On our first list of free online cyber security courses with certificates is the short course on cyber security offered by Oxford Home Study. It is a course designed for both beginners and experienced personnel looking to take their careers to the next level in cybersecurity. In the training, you will gain essential knowledge and industry insights directly from industry professionals and experts.
Cyber Security (Short Course) explores the fundamentals of cyber security, teaching you the functions, objectives, and limitations of cybersecurity, along with the roles and responsibilities of primary cybersecurity personnel. You can enroll in the course anytime and get a free certificate emailed to you when you complete the program.
2. Level 5 Cyber Security Diploma
This is also one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates offered by OHSC. This is an advanced course on cyber security, it provides an in-depth overview of the cybersecurity profession, ideal for newcomers and experienced personnel from all backgrounds. The diploma explores a broad range of essential topics and knowledge areas including cyber security tools and techniques, developing cybersecurity policies, and a look at cybersecurity risk mitigation plans.
If you are looking to boost your CV or resume and stand out this is an opportunity for you to do so. And at the end of the program, you will get a certificate that you can attach to your existing qualifications.
3. Certificate in Cyber Security
Looking to enhance your knowledge and learn new techniques used in cyber security? Then you should consider joining this free online cyber security course. And if you have no prior knowledge of cyber security to looking to get some without risking your money, this course is also a package you will enjoy. It is designed for both beginners and experts alike to gain some skills that will be beneficial to their careers and ultimately take them to the next level.
The course is offered completely online, it is self-paced and flexible, therefore you can learn at your own time and fit it into your existing responsibilities. The certificate you will get once you complete the course is accredited and recognized by HR anywhere in the world. Take this course and set yourself high above the competition.
4. Introduction to Information Security
This is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates offered on SkillUp for individuals who want to test the waters in cybersecurity before pursuing it in higher institutions. It is also for people who want to have a basic idea of cybersecurity, learn the terminologies, and how to protect themselves online and their data.
If you are working on a school project on cybersecurity, taking this course will serve as a good resource and empower you with adequate knowledge to submit a compelling project or essay. The course content includes a 12-hour video lesson that you can start and finish on your own time and a certificate of completion.
At the end of the course, you will gain basic skills in security and risk management, IP addresses, network security, software development security, security assessment and testing, and many more.
5. Ethical Hacking for Beginners
What is ethical hacking and why is it important to organizations? Get these questions answered and other questions and confusions you may have concerning ethical hacking cleared when you join this course. It is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates from SkillUp and explores the fundamental concepts every aspiring ethical hacker should know.
If you are in the IT sector, you should consider expanding your horizon and adding ethical hacking skills to your portfolio. It will help you explore other parts of IT and bring more opportunities for you. The course consists of 3 hours of video lessons that you can take anytime and anywhere that you find convenient enough to learn. You will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.
6. Digital and Cyber Security Awareness
This is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates from Alison provided by the Workforce Academy Partnership. The course takes 4-5 hours to complete on your own time. Students who take the course will learn about digital citizenship, networking and personal branding, and cyber security awareness.
You can apply these skills to your career as cyber security personnel and go up the professional ladder. At the end of the course, you will get a certificate as proof of your skills which you can attach to your resume and stand above the competitive workforce.
7. Software Security
Software Security is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates offered on Coursera by the University of Maryland. The course explores the basics of software security and the defenses that prevent or mitigate these attacks, including advanced testing and program analysis techniques.
You will be learning directly from the professor of the computer from the university. The program consists of 6 courses and quizzes which take approximately 18 hours to complete. At the end of the course, you will earn an accredited certificate to show proof of your skills.
8. Cyber Forensics
Cyber Forensics is an upcoming profession in the field of cyber security and forensic science. If you are looking for a new and unique career to explore, you can check this out to understand what it entails and if it is for you. Get to learning and equip yourself with all the skills needed for you to become a proficient cyber forensics expert.
It is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates offered by Great Learning, this course is for beginners and consists of 1 hour of self-paced video.
9. Operating Systems – Systems Security
This is one of the free online cyber security courses with certificates offered on Alison by professionals at NPTEL. The course is designed to provide you with an invaluable understanding of systems security and also explore some of the techniques used by IT experts to secure modern operating systems to protect digital devices from cybercriminals.
The self-paced course takes 1.5 to 3 hours to complete. A digital certificate will be emailed to you when you complete the course.
10. Advanced Diploma in Computer Networks and Internet Protocol
Trust Alison to always give advanced courses for free to the public. This is an opportunity you should seize quickly because online courses like this are usually costly but here it is going out for free and online too for you to enjoy self-paced learning and flexibility.
This course is for computer science students and cybersecurity personnel looking to gain more skills to add to their existing ones. As you can see, it says “advanced” those who are just starting in the field should probably start with the ones above or take some computer science courses online first for this one to be easy for you to grasp.
It comes with an accredited certificate that you can add to your resume to bring you bigger and better opportunities and to set you apart from the crowd.
11. Introduction to Cloud Security
On our final list of free online cyber security courses with certificates is the course on Introduction to Cloud Security. In your quest to become cyber security personnel and later a specialist, learning cloud security is one of the skills you need to get. You will learn the effective strategies needed to maintain data security and apply it in countering threats to cloud storage infrastructure.
The online course is offered on SkillUp and consists of 7 hours of self-paced video lessons and a free certificate. At the end of the course, you will gain skills in disaster recovery, business continuity, cloud computing concepts, cloud infrastructure security, and much more.
This wraps up the post on free online cyber security courses with certificates and I hope they have been helpful. This way, you can kick start a career in cyber security and gradually build your way up to a professional level.
Free Online Cyber Security Courses with Certificates – FAQs
Are there special cyber security courses for beginners?
Yes, there are cyber security courses specially designed for beginners an example is the Heimdal Cyber Security for Beginners and any other course that the title begins with “introduction” or “basics” or “fundamentals” as they start from the basics.
Are there free cyber security courses in the UK?
Yes, there are free cyber security courses for people in the UK and you can find them here. You can also join any of the free online cyber security courses with certificates discussed here since they are online and open to anyone from any part of the world including UK citizens.
Are there free government cyber security training?
Yes, there are but not so many. An example is the Federal Virtual Training Environment which is offered by the government to train federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government employees, contractors, and veterans in cybersecurity.
The Department of Homeland Security also provides cybersecurity training to experts working for the government.
How much do cyber security experts earn?
The average salary of a cyber security expert falls between $90,000 and $160,000 per year.
How can I make money from cyber security if I don’t get a job?
You can make money from cyber security even without a job by creating your opportunity. You can create a startup, build and sell software, or enter bug bounty programs.
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Which order should I follow on this 11 courses, it appears really mixed?Henry
What are the charges for each certificate of 11 “free” courses?