Top 5 Sites for Security Training: Boost Your Cyber Skills:

 The Top 5 Cybersecurity Training Sites

The goal of this article is to highlight the top websites where you can receive cybersecurity training and access helpful resources to boost your cyber skills. Whether you're looking to start a career in the field, advance your existing position, or simply gain knowledge to better secure your own devices and data, quality cybersecurity education is essential. The websites discussed below offer a range of options from free introductory materials to in-depth certification programs. Read on to discover the top cyber training platforms based on the quality of their content, flexibility of learning formats, and overall user experience. With the right training, you can gain the expertise needed to help combat cyber threats and ensure greater security.

1. Udemy                     

Udemy is an online learning platform that offers over 183,000 courses in topics ranging from programming to yoga. With its massive course catalog and low prices, Udemy has become a go-to destination for affordable online learning.

Udemy stands out for its breadth of course offerings and flexible pricing models. Courses can range from free up to a couple hundred dollars, with most falling in the $10-20 range. This makes it easy to find high-quality courses at budget-friendly prices. Instructors set their own prices, so students can often wait for sales and snag courses for huge discounts.

In the realm of cybersecurity, Udemy offers a deep bench of relevant courses for beginners to advanced practitioners:

CompTIA Security+ - One of Udemy's highest rated security courses that prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Taught by security expert Mike Meyers.

Certified Ethical Hacker - Training course for the EC Council's Certified Ethical Hacker exam. Covers latest hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies.

Cyber Security Training for Beginners - Entry-level course providing a comprehensive intro to cybersecurity concepts, terminology, and best practices.

With its combination of breadth, flexibility, affordability and quality, Udemy is a top choice for cybersecurity training and continuing education. The platform makes skill-building in cybersecurity accessible and budget-friendly for career changers, students, and professionals alike.

2.Cybrary

Cybrary is a free online cybersecurity training platform created in 2010 by IT and cybersecurity professionals. It offers courses for individuals looking to break into the cybersecurity field, advance their career with new skills and certifications, or supplement their existing knowledge.

Cybrary's course catalog includes over 3,000+ lessons covering topics like ethical hacking, CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+), CISSP, and more. The platform is unique in that all of its courses are available for free for anyone to access. Many other cybersecurity and IT training platforms charge a subscription fee or fee per course.

Cybrary’s training courses are structured into a series of short video lessons, typically 5-15 minutes long. The videos feature instruction from subject matter experts and educators in the field. Supplemental learning resources like labs, eBooks, cheat sheets, and more are also available. Users can track their learning progress, highlight key takeaways, take quizzes, join study groups, and earn CPE certificates for completing courses.

With its hands-on learning approach, vast course catalog, and accessibility as a free platform, Cybrary has become a popular destination for any IT or cybersecurity professional looking to build or expand their skills. It regularly serves over 2 million users across businesses, government agencies, colleges, and more. Cybrary is an invaluable resource for launching or supplementing a cybersecurity career.

3.SANS Institute

SANS is one of the most renowned organizations for cybersecurity training and certifications. Originally founded in 1989, SANS aims to provide intensive immersion training to information security professionals.

SANS is best known for their in-person training events held multiple times per year across the globe. These intensive classes allow participants to focus deeply on a security topic over 5-6 days with instruction from field experts. SANS offers over 35 unique course topics as part of its security curriculum.

In addition to classes, SANS provides widely recognized certifications like the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) and the SANS Technology Institute (STI) Master's Degree program. These certifications validate expertise across domains like penetration testing, incident response, and security leadership.

Beyond in-person courses, SANS also offers online training options. SANS courses translated into self-paced online formats give professionals flexible and affordable access to SANS training materials. Though not as immersive as live classes, online SANS courses allow learners to train on their own schedule.

With renowned instructors, respected certifications, and flexible online options, SANS training provides a premier cybersecurity education. It remains an ideal choice for taking an information security career to the next level.

4. EdX

EdX is a massive open online course (MOOC) platform that offers free online courses from over 160 top institutions worldwide, including MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, and other prestigious universities. EdX is a great option for high-quality cybersecurity programs and certifications.

Some key advantages of EdX for cybersecurity training:

Courses are developed and taught by professors from leading universities. This ensures you learn from top experts in the field.

There are courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced students. You can start from the basics and progressively build your skills.

Many courses are self-paced so you can learn on your own schedule.

Upon completing courses and passing assessments, you can earn certificates to showcase your skills. Some courses also offer college credits.

All courses are available for free. However, you can choose to pay a fee for graded assignments, certificates, and college credits.

 

Some popular cybersecurity courses on EdX include:

CS50: Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard - provides a solid base in programming and computer science.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals from Rochester Institute of Technology - covers cybersecurity basics like cryptography, risk management, and network defense.

Cybersecurity MicroMasters from Rochester Institute of Technology - in-depth program covering topics like software security, digital forensics, and penetration testing.

With its rigorous university-level courses and certifications, EdX is a great way to take the next step in your cybersecurity education. The flexible self-paced format also makes it easy to fit learning around your schedule.

5. Coursera

Coursera is one of the world's largest online learning platforms, offering over 4,000 courses and 400 specializations from top universities and companies worldwide. Founded by Stanford professors in 2012, Coursera aims to provide affordable and accessible education to anyone around the globe.

Coursera offers a wide selection of cybersecurity courses and specializations developed in partnership with leading universities and organizations. You can take individual courses in topics like cryptography, ethical hacking and network security from schools like University of Colorado Boulder, University of Maryland and New York University. Specialization certificates, which combine multiple courses, are also available in cybersecurity areas like IT security, information security and cyber defense.

A key benefit of Coursera is learning from renowned professors at top universities around the world. The platform also provides flexibility to take courses at your own pace. By partnering with universities and companies, Coursera is able to offer in-demand and industry-relevant cybersecurity content. Whether you're looking to learn new skills or advance your cybersecurity career, Coursera has a range of quality courses and specializations to choose from.

Other Resources

In addition to the top websites mentioned above, there are many other places to find cybersecurity training and build your skills.

YouTube channels like John Hammond, Hackersploit, and STÖK offer a massive amount of free cybersecurity tutorials and videos. Many other cybersecurity experts share their knowledge on YouTube as well.

Podcasts like Darknet Diaries, CyberWire Daily, and Unsupervised Learning discuss the latest cybersecurity news, topics, and interviews.

Blogs from respected cybersecurity companies like Kaspersky and Sophos provide analysis on cyber threats, security alerts, and research. Individual experts also maintain cybersecurity blogs.

Online platforms like Reddit, Discord, and LinkedIn enable connecting and learning from other cybersecurity professionals. Their forums contain discussion threads on a wide range of cybersecurity subjects.

Leveraging these additional resources along with structured training websites provides well-rounded cybersecurity skills education. Relying solely on a single resource limits perspective. Combining multiple free and affordable learning materials online allows aspiring cybersecurity specialists to become fully prepared.

Choosing the Right Training

When selecting a cybersecurity training program, it's important to consider your individual learning needs and goals. Here are some key factors to think about:

Learning Format         

Cybersecurity training is available in different formats:

Self-paced - These programs allow you to learn at your own pace. They offer flexibility but less structure and accountability.

Cohort-based - These programs have a set start and end date. You progress through the material in a structured format with a group of peers. This provides more accountability but less flexibility.

Bootcamps - Intensive, short-term programs that aim to prepare you for cybersecurity roles. Great for fast skills development but requires full-time commitment.

University degrees - Earn a bachelor's or master's degree in cybersecurity. Allows more in-depth learning but takes longer to complete.

Consider which format best matches your learning preferences and schedule availability.

Skill Level

Some programs are geared towards beginners, while others require some existing knowledge. Assess your current skill level to find the right starting point. Beginner programs cover cybersecurity fundamentals, while intermediate/advanced programs focus on specialized skills.

Credentials

Many programs help prepare you for industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP etc. Research which credentials are most valuable for your career goals. Prioritize programs that align with relevant certifications.

Budget

Cybersecurity training costs range from free online courses to multi-thousand dollar bootcamps or degree programs. Set a reasonable budget and look for programs within your range. Consider exploring free or low-cost options first.

Teaching Method

Programs use different teaching methods like video lectures, hands-on labs, case studies, quizzes etc. Identify methods that fit your learning style. A mix of theory and hands-on practice is ideal for cybersecurity skills.

Explore different programs to find the one that best suits your needs. Think about which aspects are most important like format, flexibility, credentials and budget. With the right training, you can gain in-demand cybersecurity skills and advance your career.

Getting Certified

Getting certified in cybersecurity can greatly benefit your career. It validates your skills and knowledge in the field, makes you more marketable to employers, and allows you to command higher salaries. Some of the top certifications to consider are:

Security+: CompTIA Security+ is one of the best entry-level cybersecurity certs. It covers network security, compliance policies, security threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities. The exam costs $339 and getting Security+ certified shows you have baseline cybersecurity skills.

CEH: The Certified Ethical Hacker certification is for those who deal with penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. Offered by EC-Council, the CEH exam costs $100-$1,000 and teaches how to think like a hacker and find weaknesses.

CISSP: The Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification is considered the gold standard in cybersecurity. Offered by (ISC)2, the CISSP requires 5 years experience and covers security engineering, access management, risk management, and more. The exam fee is $699.

CISM: Certified Information Security Manager is geared towards security managers and executives. Offered by ISACA, CISM covers security strategy, governance, program development, and incident management. Exam fee is $575-$760.

The main benefits of cybersecurity certifications are:

Proving your skills and credibility in the field

Making your resume stand out and be more competitive

Increasing your earning potential and salary

 

Opening doors to cybersecurity jobs, promotions, or leadership roles

Demonstrating commitment to staying current on threats and technologies

Gaining knowledge on latest cybersecurity frameworks and best practices

Getting the right certifications can greatly boost your cybersecurity career. They validate proficiency in key areas employers are looking for.

Conclusion                     

Ongoing learning and upskilling is critical for anyone pursuing a career in cybersecurity. This list of top training websites provides a range of options to continue advancing your skills and knowledge in the field.

Revisiting the top cybersecurity training platforms covered in this article, Udemy offers affordable on-demand courses, Cybrary provides free training for beginners, SANS Institute delivers intensive technical programs, EdX has courses from top universities, and Coursera features specializations and professional certificates. While these were highlighted as top contenders, many other high-quality resources exist online as well.

The key takeaway is that continuous learning is essential to keep up with the latest cyber threats and technologies. Whether you are looking to break into the industry or advance as a seasoned professional, make time for regularly developing your cybersecurity skills. The online training platforms and resources mentioned here are a great way to stay sharp. With dedication and consistent upskilling, you will elevate your capabilities, expand your knowledge, and maximize your career potential in this rapidly evolving field.