Beginning your cybersecurity education paves the way to a realm where innovation intersects with resilience. For those just starting, I’ve compiled a streamlined selection of resources that have helped me lay the groundwork and expand my understanding of the digital security landscape.
As you explore these materials, remember that this is a starting point. Cybersecurity is a vast and ever-changing field; continuous learning is crucial to any career. This is only the beginning of the rabbit hole!
As a starting point:
- Sign up for one of the free courses offered below.
- Then, sign up for various newsletters and start listening to podcasts when possible.
- Keep adding to your base knowledge and going deeper.
Online Courses
- Cybrary – Offers a range of courses from beginner to advanced levels, including cybersecurity for IT professionals.
- Introduction to Cybersecurity – Offered by Cisco’s Networking Academy, this beginner-friendly course covers the basics.
- Free Cybersecurity Course by Springboard
- Introduction to Cybersecurity by edX
- Computer Systems Security by MIT
- Cybersecurity for Business—This course, provided by the University of Colorado, is available on Coursera and is ideal for understanding cybersecurity in a business context.
- ISC2 CC – Certified in Cybersecurity
Blogs and Websites
- Krebs on Security—This blog, by journalist Brian Krebs, covers in-depth security news and investigations.
- Schneier on Security – A blog by Bruce Schneier that comprehensively covers security issues.
- The Hacker News – Offers the latest cybersecurity news, including trends and significant breaches.
- The Cyber Snapshot – shameless plug; nothing compared to the sites mentioned above!
Podcasts
- Darknet Diaries – Real stories from the dark side of the Internet, including hacking and data breaches.
- Cyber Security Sauna – Hosted by F-Secure, offers insights from cybersecurity professionals.
- The CyberWire – Daily podcast that provides a summary of the latest news in cybersecurity.
Webinars
- Webinars by SANS Institute – Often free to attend and cover various current security topics.
Professional Networks
- LinkedIn Groups – Join groups like “Cybersecurity Professionals” to engage in community discussions.
- Find your local cybersecurity groups! (Meet-up, Slack)
Newsletters
- SANS NewsBites – A concise, twice-weekly email digest of the top computer security news items.
- Infosecurity Magazine – Free to subscribe and provides the latest cybersecurity news, analysis, and opinions.
Books
- The Art of Invisibility” by Kevin Mitnick – An excellent start for understanding the importance of privacy in the digital age.
- Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know by P.W. Singer and Allan Friedman – Provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity’s critical aspects.
- Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick – offers an insider’s look at hacking and how it influences security measures.
- Confident Cyber Security: How to Get Started in Cyber Security and Futureproof Your Career by Jessica Barker.
The Cloud Eh!? 