Build your free cybersecurity engineer path
Your plan
Your beginner cybersecurity engineer plan
5 coursesabout 5.3 monthsat 8 hours a week (a steady evening habit most days of the week)
- 1Step 01
Cybersecurity Foundations
Start with TryHackMe's Pre-Security path. It covers networking, the web, and Linux from scratch, designed specifically for people with no prior security knowledge.
- 2Step 02
Introduction to Cybersecurity (Harvard CS50)
Harvard's free cybersecurity course covers how attackers think, common vulnerabilities, and defensive principles. The lecture quality is unmatched and it comes with a free certificate.
beginnerHarvard CS50CertificateCS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity
30h · Free
- 3Step 03
Hands-on Hacking Labs
TryHackMe's Cyber Security 101 is the most beginner-friendly way to practice in real lab environments. You'll exploit systems, escalate privileges, and defend networks, all in a browser.
- 4Step 04
Security Fundamentals Certification (Microsoft)
Microsoft's SC-900 is a free certification-prep course covering security, compliance, and identity in cloud environments. It's a recognised entry-level credential and a strong résumé signal.
beginnerMicrosoft LearnCertificateMicrosoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
6h · Free
- 5Step 05
Automate with Python
Security work leans hard on scripting: parsing logs, scanning networks, and building small tools. Harvard's CS50P teaches Python from scratch, the language most security engineers reach for when they need to automate a task or write a quick script.
beginnerHarvard CS50CertificateCS50's Introduction to Programming with Python
36h · Free