9 Best FREE Online Cyber Security Courses with Certifications

ByLawrence Williams Hours Updated

Cybercrime is a growing problem for individuals and businesses worldwide, and the demand for cybersecurity experts is growing day by day. In recent years, you will see a significant increase in tightening cybersecurity measures, creating even more jobs for cybersecurity professionals in the field.

Individuals and small businesses also want to protect themselves but lack the knowledge. That is why the demand for online cybersecurity certification has increased.

Below is a handpicked list of the Best Online Cyber Security Certificate Courses to gather knowledge about cybersecurity. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) cybersecurity courses.

Best Online Cybersecurity Courses with Certificate

Name Provider Price Key Topics Ratings Duration Link
Introduction to Cybersecurity Udacity Free Cybersecurity Foundations 5 4 Months Learn More
Security Engineer Udacity Free Security Engineering Fundamentals 5 4 Months Learn More
Cyber Security : Go From Zero to Hero Skillshare Free Facts about a Career in Cyber Security 4.5 2 Hours 3 Minutes Learn More
Cybersecurity for IT Professionals Linkedin 1-Month Free Trial Why Cybersecurity 4.3 2 Hours 26 Minutes Learn More
Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization Coursera Free What are the purpose of Cybersecurity as a discipline. 4.7 Approx. 4 months to complete Learn More

1) Introduction to Cybersecurity (Udacity)

Specs: Duration: 4 Months | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of network connectivity and operating system fundamentals.

Introduction to Cybersecurity is an online course that helps you learn the skills required to become a security professional. In this online cybersecurity program, you will learn to maintain and monitor the security of computer systems. This cybersecurity class will also teach you how to assess threats, respond to incidents, and implement security controls to minimize the risk.

udacity

Key topics:

  • Cybersecurity Foundations.
  • Defending and Securing Systems.
  • Incident, Threats, and Vulnerabilities Response.
  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance.

Features:

  • Real-world projects from industry experts.
  • Technical mentor support.
  • Career services.

Enroll Now >>

2) Security Engineer (Udacity)

Specs: Duration: 4 Months | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Python experience configuring AWS and Linux environments.

The Security Engineer course helps you master the foundational skills necessary to become a successful security engineer. This cybersecurity course teaches you how to protect a company’s computer systems, networks, and infrastructure from security threats or attacks.

udacity

Key topics:

  • Security Engineering Fundamentals.
  • System Security.
  • Infrastructure Security.
  • Application Security.

Features:

  • Real-world projects from industry experts.
  • Technical mentor support.
  • Personalized feedback.
  • Unlimited submissions and feedback loops.
  • Practical tips for industry best practices.

Enroll Now >>

3) Cyber Security : Go From Zero to Hero (Skillshare)

Specs: Duration: 2 Hours 3 Minutes | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner

Cyber Security : Go From Zero to Hero is a free cybersecurity training class. In this course, you will learn how to grow your career as a cybersecurity professional, which predicts the tremendous demand for cybersecurity experts by companies and governments worldwide.

This online cybersecurity course helps you develop the skills needed to become a cybersecurity professional. It is one of the best cyber security training programs designed to answer all the questions about cybersecurity. You will learn about various roles, jobs, and various certifications available in the cybersecurity industry.

skillshare

In this free cyber security training course, you will learn the following:

  • Learn about the various jobs and roles you can apply for in the cybersecurity industry.
  • The skills that you need to become a true cybersecurity expert.
  • You will learn about cybersecurity certifications to apply for the different kinds of roles in Cybersecurity.

Key topics:

  • Facts about a career in cybersecurity.
  • Skills Needed.
  • Jobs role section preview.
  • Security Analyst role.
  • Security Architect.
  • Penetration Tester.
  • Computer Forensics Analyst.
  • Cyber Security Manager.

Features:

  • Unlimited access to every class.
  • Supportive online community.
  • Learn offline with Skillshare’s app.

Enroll Now >>

4) Cybersecurity for IT Professionals (LinkedIn)

Specs: Duration: 2 Hours 26 Minutes | Price/Fee: 1-Month Free Trial | Certification: Yes

Cybersecurity for IT Professionals is a free cybersecurity training course. You will learn how to use the latest tools to discourage and combat hackers who snoop attempting to infiltrate your Windows and Linux systems. This online cybersecurity course also helps you to build protection into your system: antivirus protection and firewalls.

In this college and university level course, you will learn how you scan your network for suspicious files, detect intruders, and identify vulnerabilities.

linkedin

Key topics:

  • Why Cybersecurity.
  • Antivirus.
  • Firewalls.
  • Network Scanning.
  • Network Connections.
  • Vulnerability Scanning.
  • Web Applications.
  • Monitoring Packets.

Enroll Now >>

5) Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization (Coursera)

Specs: Rating: 4.7 | Duration: Approx. 4 months to complete | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner

Introduction to Cyber Security is an online course that helps learners develop a deeper understanding of modern information security, system protection, technology, and various methods.

With the help of this online cybersecurity course, learners can develop a lifelong passion and appreciation for cybersecurity. Students, developers, managers, and even private citizens can take benefits from this online cybersecurity class.

coursera

Key topics:

  • What are the purpose of cybersecurity as a discipline?
  • How to summarize the basics of identification and authentication in Cybersecurity?
  • Important pros and cons of security using obscurity.
  • How to create a lifelong learning plan for potential careers in Cybersecurity.

Features:

  • This free cyber security training offers a shareable certificate.
  • 100% online course.
  • Flexible schedule.
  • Self-paced learning option.
  • Practice quizzes.
  • Graded programming assignments.

Enroll Now >>

6) Cybersecurity Foundations (LinkedIn)

Specs: Duration: 1 Hours 59 Minutes | Price/Fee: 1-Month Free Trial | Certification: Yes

Cybersecurity Foundations is a free cybersecurity training course. This online training course will teach you how to assess and mitigate risks using different cybersecurity frameworks. It is one of the best cybersecurity courses that teach about pertinent cyber threats and how they operate, including how cyber-criminals hide their attacks, how advanced persistent threats (APTs) work and determine fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).

This university-level course is one of the best cyber security online courses that help you manage cyber risk and helps you select and apply controls, overall cybersecurity lifecycle, from managing defense to responding to cybersecurity incidents.

linkedin

Key topics:

  • Framework and Controls.
  • Cyber Threats.
  • Managing Cyber Incidents.

Enroll Now >>

7) Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business Specialization (Coursera)

Specs: Rating: 4.6 | Duration: Approx. 5 months to complete | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner

Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business Specialization is a course where you will learn how to assess and mitigate risks using different cybersecurity frameworks. It is one of the best cybersecurity courses that teach about pertinent cyber threats and how they operate, including how cyber-criminals hide their attacks, how advanced persistent threats (APTs) work and determine fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).

It will help you develop an awareness of risks and cyber threats, and attacks related to modern technologies. You will learn key technical and managerial skills for information security.

coursera

Key topics:

  • Cybersecurity and Mobility.
  • Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things.
  • Cybersecurity and the X-Factor.
  • The Business of Cybersecurity Capstone.

Features:

  • Flexible deadlines.
  • Offers shareable certificate.
  • 100% online course.
  • Language: French, Italian, English, Spanish.

Enroll Now >>

8) The Complete Cyber Security Course : Hackers Exposed (Udemy)

Specs: Rating: 4.5 | Duration: 12 hours on-demand video | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner | Prerequisites: This online course is for anyone who wants to become an expert in security, privacy, and anonymity.

The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed is a cybersecurity training course. You will learn how to use the latest tools to discourage and combat hackers who snoop attempting to infiltrate your Windows and Linux systems. This online cybersecurity course also helps you to build protection into your system: antivirus protection and firewalls.

This online cybersecurity class talks about the fundamental building blocks of the required skill set for cybersecurity. You will learn about the threat and vulnerability landscape with the help of threat modeling and risk assessments.

In this free cybersecurity training class, you will explore the darknet and mindset of the cyber-criminal. You will also learn about the global tracking and hacking infrastructures that nation states run in these free online security courses with certificates.

udemy

Key topics:

  • Start a career in Cybersecurity to become a cybersecurity specialist.
  • Latest up-to-date information and methods.
  • Operating system security, privacy, and patching Windows 8, Windows 10, macOS, and Linux.
  • How to master encryption.

Features:

  • 4 volumes.
  • 1 downloadable resource.
  • Access on mobile and TV.
  • Certificate of completion.

Enroll Now >>

9) The Complete Cyber Security Course : End Point Protection (Udemy)

Specs: Rating: 4.5 | Duration: 16.5 hours on-demand video | Price/Fee: Free | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner | Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of using operating systems, networks, and the Internet.

The Complete Cyber Security Course: End Point Protection covers end-point protection, an extremely important and hot topic in cybersecurity to become a cybersecurity specialist. You will start from a beginner to an advanced level in this easy-to-follow expert course.

In this free online security course with a certificate, you will understand the current and next-generation antivirus solutions, how they work, how you can select the best products, and how you can apply them. This cybersecurity class helps you to select and implement solid disk encryption technology. It is one of the best cyber security training programs that helps you to protect devices from disk decryption attacks.

udemy

Key topics:

  • Learn about practical skill-set in securing laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.
  • Application control, machine learning, and AI.
  • How to detect and monitor for threats like malware and hackers.
  • How to perform operating system hardening to decrease the attacker surfaces of your devices.

Features:

  • Full lifetime access.
  • Access on mobile and TV.
  • Access to 5,000+ top courses
  • Certificate of completion.
  • Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Enroll Now >>

10) The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security (Udemy)

Specs: Rating: 4.6 | Duration: 12.5 hours on-demand video | Certification: Yes

The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security is a cybersecurity training program that is designed for personal and home cybersecurity, privacy, and anonymity. You will learn the practical skill-set for network security against threats like hackers, trackers, exploit kits, WiFi attacks, etc. You will also be able to discover security vulnerabilities from an entire network by using network hacking techniques and vulnerability scanning.

udemy

Key topics:

  • Start a career in Cybersecurity. Become a cybersecurity specialist.
  • Important security vulnerabilities across an entire network.
  • Learn how to configure firewalls on all platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • How you can configure and architect a small network for maximum physical and wireless security.
  • Learn to identify potential hackers and malware using tools like Tcpdump, Wireshark, and Syslog.

Features:

  • 106 lectures.
  • 2 downloadable resources.
  • Full lifetime access.
  • Access on mobile and TV.

Enroll Now >>

11) The Complete Cyber Security Course: Anonymous Browsing (Udemy)

Specs: Rating: 4.5 | Duration: 13.5 hours on-demand video | Certification: Yes | Level: Beginner

The Complete Cyber Security Course: Anonymous Browsing is online. In this cybersecurity course, you will learn a practical skill-set in staying anonymous online and maintaining privacy against even a well-resourced adversary along with global influence.

This free online security course with a certificate helps you to explore chaining and nesting anonymizing services. It is one of the best cybersecurity online courses that cover bypassing censors, firewalls, and proxies. In this cybersecurity class, you will also learn how to bypass the trickiest censoring devices like DPI. This cybersecurity course program also teaches both the theory and practice of setting up everything required to maintain privacy and security.

udemy

Key topics:

  • The latest up-to-date information and methods.
  • How to use the SSH protocol for optimal security and privacy.
  • How to use off-site connections like WiFi hotspots and Internet cafes for privacy and anonymity.
  • How you can use cellular networks for privacy and anonymity.

Features:

  • Full lifetime access.
  • Access on mobile and TV.

Enroll Now >>

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FAQ:

❓ Which Cyber Security Course is Best?

⚡ Why take a Cybersecurity Course?

Here are some good reasons for taking Cybersecurity Courses Online:

  • Cybercrimes are a real treat for families and businesses and knowing how to protect yourself and your children is vital.
  • All types of businesses, smallest to the largest, are vulnerable to data breaches, DDoS attacks, and other malicious cybercrimes.
  • Cybersecurity is surely the fastest-growing and lucrative field to get involved with if you are interested in such technology.

🏅 What careers are available in the field of cybersecurity?

Here are the career options available in the field of Cybersecurity:

  • Security Engineer: In this job, you will design and build network security for a company or organization.
  • Incident Response Analyst: Provides first response to security issues and common breaches.
  • Security Generalist: Cybersecurity analyst working in smaller organizations.
  • Cryptographer: Mainly works for developing encryption systems for business privacy.
  • Network Security Engineer: Working in specific large organizations to manage their software and hardware networks.
  • Security Trainer: The person trains others in cybersecurity tools and techniques.
  • Security Auditor or Analyst: In this job, the auditor analyzes and improves the effectiveness of an organization’s security system.

👉 Can I get into Cybersecurity without a formal degree?

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Cybersecurity, or information technology surely improves your chances of finding a high-paying job in the field; cybersecurity professionals do not always hold a degree.

You should have relevant certifications and experience within the industry that can also open doors to various entry-level positions that offer hands-on learning opportunities.

For the people who are passionate about cybersecurity, a combination of real-world experience and formal training will increase success in finding the right career in cybersecurity.

❗ Are Free Cybersecurity Courses Worth It?

Cybersecurity is a lucrative field with a favorable outlook when it comes to job security. Even in the current pandemic situation, it remains stable. Students and professionals all over the world can take free online security courses with certificates that will help them start a new career or gain valuable skills that their current employer will appreciate.

🚀 What are the types of Cyber Security Courses?

Cybersecurity courses worldwide are offered in three broad categories:

  • Fresher: This course is specially designed for undergraduates who want to make careers in cybersecurity. These courses are recommended for students who like complex calculations, formulae, and computing.
  • Professional: These cybersecurity certificate programs are developed for people already working in IT departments of banks, companies, and government agencies.
  • Informal: These kinds of cybersecurity certificate programs are availed for younger students, homemakers, senior citizens, and anyone interested in basic cybersecurity.

❓ Does cyber security require coding?

Entry-level cybersecurity jobs do not necessarily require coding ability. Understanding programming languages is essential to stay ahead of hackers who have an intimate knowledge of these systems and exploit them.

⚡ What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the protection of hardware, software, and data from attackers. It protects data against cyberattacks like accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information.

🏅 What is Cyber Security Software?

Cyber security software is a computer program that helps to enhance the overall information security of a computer, system, or network. It helps to protect computer systems against intrusion, unauthorized use of resources, hacker attacks, etc. Cyber security software promptly alerts the user as it detects any threats in a computer system or a network.

🌟 What are the advantages of Cybersecurity?

The benefits of cyber security are as follows:

  • It protects the business against ransomware, malware, social engineering, and phishing.
  • It protects end-users security and privacy.
  • It gives good protection for both data and networks.
  • Increases recovery time after a breach.
  • Cybersecurity prevents unauthorized users.

💥 How does Cyber Security work?

A cybersecurity system has multiple layers of protection spread across devices, computers, programs, networks, etc. It helps you to protect your password, secure your network, safeguard your digital and physical data from intruders.

❗ Why Cyber Security is Important for Business?

Cyber security is important for businesses because it protects personally identifiable information, sensitive data, personal information, and more from theft. It can safeguard damage attempted by adversaries and criminals.

💻 Which are the Best Cyber Security Software?

Below are some of the best cyber security software:

  • SolarWinds Security Event Manager
  • Bitdefender
  • Malwarebytes
  • AVG Antivirus
  • VIPRE
  • Cyber Protect
  • Sitelock
  • SecureMac