Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing fields in the computer science and IT industries. Due to a severe concern for safety within companies worldwide, security experts are in higher demand than ever. If you’re interested in a career in cyber security, why not start with some cyber security courses online?
We’ve compiled a list of the best ways to learn cyber security from the comfort of your home. Some of these online courses even allow you to start with cyber security courses for free to provide a foundation for future training and more career prospects.
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What to Expect From Cyber Security Courses
The massive variety in online cyber security courses means that students can take their pick between beginner-friendly, intermediate, or expert-level courses. Some of the courses you will find on popular MOOC (massive open online course) platforms are comprehensive and require a considerable prerequisite knowledge in IT and programming. These are generally more expensive and require a greater time investment.
In some cases, you might even need to get custom-made software and hardware kits to perform your homework assignments and projects.
Cheaper (or free) courses aren’t as intensive and are more theoretical lessons that give students a firm grasp of the essential concepts. As a rule of thumb, don’t expect a significant amount of student-teacher interaction for courses that cost less than $100. At best, you’re looking at a few hours of video lessons, with some courses including examples and downloadable content.
Overall, your mileage with courses can vary significantly, depending on what you want to accomplish. Some introductory courses are excellent ways to get information quickly and cover a broad range of basics needed for further understanding. On the other hand, a dedicated online bootcamp with a stricter schedule that takes months to complete is more comparable to traditional university classes. These can typically prepare you for a career in the field but will require dedication and budgeting.
Best Cyber Security Courses Online
Our listed entries can be divided into two broad categories: online lessons and active boot camps. The first option is more for beginners and budget-friendly, allowing users to peruse some cyber security courses for free and learn the industry basics.
The second is intended for students who are serious about pursuing a career in cyber security.
1. The Complete Cyber Security Course – Udemy
- Cost: $365
- Duration: +-50 hours
- Qualification: Certificates of completion
This is a four-volume course in cyber security essentials, giving users the necessary foundation knowledge to pursue a career or supplement their existing abilities.
The first volume is essentially a crash course in cyber security and vulnerabilities present in existing operating systems and how hackers exploit them to access information. The subsequent volumes follow a similar pattern on network security, browsing, and end-point protection, respectively. Together, the classes provide an excellent starting point and have a solid amount of information.
When put together, the four volumes have just over 50 hours of video lessons. While it’s possible to take a single course only, and not watch them in order, it’s highly recommended to get the entire course sequentially to gain a fuller picture. One of the possible downsides of the course is that it provides mainly theoretical information. For best results, users are encouraged to conduct standalone research to supplement their learning.
The course is presented by Nathan House, one of the most popular and highly-rated online tutors for cyber security with over 25 years of industry experience. Here are the links to the entire course: volume 1, volume 2, volume 3, and volume 4.
2. Cybersecurity Specialization From University of Maryland – Coursera
- Cost: $39 per month, free 7-day trial
- Duration: +-8 months
- Qualification: Shareable certificate
While there are very few cyber security courses on Coursera, this one is great for expanding your existing cyber security knowledge and getting some practice designing secure systems or breaking down vulnerabilities.
As an intermediate-level course, it’s highly suggested that students know the basics of cyber security, for which other courses might be more suitable. However, if you are well-versed in internet research, it’s possible to enroll in the course with minimal prerequisite knowledge and learn as you go. The classes are presented by instructors from the University of Maryland and are available in multiple languages for convenience.
The course is designed to run for eight months with minimal time investment (only two hours per week). Due to Coursera’s payment structure of monthly fees for enrolled students, we highly recommend spending as much time as possible on the course.
A vast majority of the course can be completed asynchronously, with only the final capstone project requiring peer and instructor reviews. This might prolong the time necessary to finish the course (and how much you’ll pay for it by the end). It might be good to review the schedule for the project to ensure you don’t miss the final project.
3. MicroBachelors Program in Cybersecurity Essentials – edX
- Cost: $1,494 (for certificate), free (no certificate)
- Duration: 1 year
- Qualifications: Beginner-level certificate and university credit available
One of edX’s innovations in the MOOC industry is the MicroBachelors program. These courses are similar to existing course structures found on edX and other platforms but also contribute towards university credits.
The support for the program is currently limited but is nonetheless an excellent bridge between unofficial courses and full online degrees. In essence, the program can be considered as one or two university class equivalents, providing a more in-depth look into cyber security basics.
This is one of the more demanding courses, intended to last for up to a year with eight to ten hours of student activities per week. It’s structured into nine separate classes, each costing $166, but paying for the entire course will make you eligible for a 10% discount.
If you’re on a budget and don’t need official certification or practice material, you can audit most of the classes, which means you can take this cyber security course for free. Instructors teaching the course are from New York University Tandon School of Engineering, with the class credits redeemable for Thomas Edison State University BA program.
4. Intro to Cybersecurity Nanodegree – Udacity
- Cost: $399 per month
- Duration: +-4 months
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
Udacity has gained popularity due to its innovative Nanodegrees, which bridge the gap between passive video lessons and online college courses.
This cyber security essentials course is a great way to begin learning everything you need to know about the industry. Udacity also provides free introductory lessons for material covered in the Nanodegree, so you can use the platform even if you’re an absolute beginner.
The course is intended to be completed within four months, with users paying $399 per month they attend. You can get a 15% discount if you pre-purchase four-month access. The class focuses on delivering theoretical knowledge first, then supplementing it with practical exercises and instructor-reviewed projects. While the course is not intended to prepare you for a specific job title, it provides a broad enough foundation for future knowledge expansion and certification.
5. Cyber Security Career Bootcamp – Springboard
- Cost: $9,900 – $16,900, depending on the financing option
- Duration: +-6 months
- Qualification: Intermediate level, shareable certificate
While this is one of the least budget-friendly options on the list, it’s one of the best if you have some existing knowledge and are determined to get a job in the industry.
The best course for cyber security will probably be the one that allows you to find a job in the field immediately after completion, and Springboard’s program seems to check all the boxes. With a focus on teaching everything from fundamentals to advanced techniques, the course also provides career guidance through personalized mentorship.
One of the significant downsides compared to other programs on the list are the time, effort, and money investment. The program is intended for part-time or full-time study, giving students 20 hours of lessons and practice work per week for up to six months.
The price is also not to be scoffed at, ranging from $9,900 to $16,900, depending on the financing plan you choose. One of the benefits to U.S. citizens with a bachelor’s degree is the deferred tuition plan. You can pay a small deposit immediately, and the rest will come out of your paycheck after you start a job in the industry. Due to the program’s intense focus on developing marketable and career-oriented skills, this is one of the best motivators available.
Conclusion
There are many more cyber security courses online that can provide a similar or higher level of industry knowledge, depending on how deep your pockets are. The courses on our list are an excellent starting point, and users can combine a few for a more thorough student experience.
If you only want to learn the essentials of the sector, there are some free, basic courses to choose from. However, you’ll most likely need to invest more time and money if you intend to create a career from scratch.
Browse the Coursary website for more Cyber Security course options.