Become a Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in tech and one of the few where you can go from zero to job-ready using entirely free resources. These four courses take you from networking basics to hands-on ethical hacking — no prior experience needed.
Your Step-by-Step Path
Step 1: 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.
Pre-Security Path
50h · Free
Step 2: 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.
CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity
30h · Free
Step 3: 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.
Cyber Security 101
60h · Free
Step 4: 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.
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
6h · Free
More Courses to Explore
Harvard's introduction to cybersecurity for technical and non-technical audiences. Covers threats, authentication, networking, system security, and operational security. Free to audit; certificate available via edX.
Pre-Security Path
TryHackMe's free Pre-Security learning path. Covers cybersecurity careers, basic networking, web fundamentals, Linux, and Windows. Designed for total beginners with no IT background.
Cyber Security 101
TryHackMe's flagship beginner path covering the breadth of cybersecurity: networking, web exploitation, cryptography, defensive security, and incident response. Mostly free with hands-on rooms.
Microsoft Learn's path for the SC-900 certification. Covers security, compliance, and identity concepts, Microsoft Entra (Azure AD), and Microsoft security solutions. Free with an aligned cert.