Did you know that cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025? That’s more than the combined GDP of Japan, Germany, France, and the UK. Cybercrime is not only a threat to businesses and governments, but also to individuals like you and me. Every day, we use our devices and online services to communicate, work, shop, learn, and entertain ourselves. But how secure are we from hackers, scammers, spies, and cyberterrorists who want to steal our data, money, identity, or even our lives?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting information systems, networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access, use, or damage. Cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding personal privacy, national security, business operations, and social welfare. Cybersecurity is also a dynamic and exciting field that offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is projected to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.If you are interested in learning cybersecurity or advancing your career in this field, you might be wondering where to start. You might also be concerned about the cost of education and certification in cybersecurity.
Well, we have some good news for you. There are many free cybersecurity courses and certifications available online that can help you learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, develop your skills and knowledge, boost your resume and career prospects, and earn recognition from reputable organizations. You can also save money by auditing the courses for free and only paying for the certificates if you want to.
In this blog post, we will share with you some of the best free and affordable cybersecurity courses and certifications available in 2023. We will also give you some tips and resources for learning cybersecurity for free online. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a student or a professional, a hobbyist or a enthusiast, you will find something useful and valuable in this blog post.
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Free Cybersecurity Courses from Reputed Platforms- With Certificate upon Completion
A certificate of completion is a document that verifies that you have successfully completed a course or training program. A certificate of completion in cybersecurity can help you demonstrate your interest and commitment to learning the subject. It also helps you to showcase your achievements and skills to potential employers or clients.
A certificate of completion is different from a professional certification, which is a credential that validates your skills and expertise in a specific domain or industry. A professional certification usually requires passing an exam or completing a project that demonstrates your proficiency and knowledge.
There are many free cybersecurity courses that offer a certificate upon completion which you can pursue online. These courses cover various basic topics related to cybersecurity, such as cyber threats, cyber attacks, cyber laws, cyber security frameworks, cyber security tools, cyber security best practices, and more.
These courses are generally designed for beginner learners who can formulate an overview on the subject after completion. Most of these courses are self-paced and standalone, while some are part of a larger program or specialization.
Here we have shared some of the best free cybersecurity courses with certificate that you can take online:
| Course Name | Provider | Description | Duration | Certificate |
| Many Short Courses on Cyber Security | My Great Learning | Free online courses that covers the basics of cybersecurity, firewall, cyber forensics, information security, network security, etc. | Self Paced short courses | Get a certificate after completion |
| Fortinet Cybersecurity Training Courses | Fortinet | 24 advanced security courses available for free that cover topics ranging from Secure SD-WAN, public cloud security and secure access, etc. with on-demand labs | Self paced courses | Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) certificate on completing each level |
| Cybrary Basic Access | Cybrary | Get full access to over 50 courses, including certification prep, selected virtual labs, and 2 foundational career paths with 40 hours of content | Self paced courses | Get a certificate after completion |
| Microsoft Virtual Training Day | Microsoft | Learn how to harness powerful Microsoft security capabilities to keep information and remote access secure and protected against threats. You need to be a working professional at some capacity to join | Register beforehand for the 2-5 hours of virtual traing with pre-allotted dates. | A certificate of participation |
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | Cisco Networking Academy | Learn how to protect your personal privacy online while gaining additional insight on the challenges companies, and governmental and educational institutions face today | 15 hours Self paced course | A digital learning badge after completion |
| Cybersecurity Essentials | Cisco Networking Academy | Develop an understanding of cybercrime, security principles, technologies, and procedures used to defend networks | 30 hours Self paced course | A digital learning badge after completion |
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Course | ISC2 | Security Principles Business Continuity (BC), Disaster Recovery (DR) & Incident Response Concepts, Access Controls Concepts, Network Security, Security Operations | Self paced course | Register and pass the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity exam from a Pearson VUE test centre with one free exam promo code |
| CISSP | Simplilearn through SkillUp | This program provides an introduction to information security and helps you to become an expert in defining IT architecture—and in designing and maintaining a secure business environment | 12 hours, Self paced video lessons | Get a certificate after completion |
| Introduction to CISSP Security Assessment & Testing and Security Operations | Simplilearn through SkillUp | Through this introductory course you will develop a comprehensive understanding of security assessment & testing and security operations | 4 hours, Self paced video lessons | Get a certificate after completion |
| Introduction to Cryptography for Beginners | Simplilearn through SkillUp | You will learn the basics of cryptography, its significance, and applications | 3 hours, Self paced video lessons | Get a certificate after completion |
| IBM: Cybersecurity Basics | IBM via edX | In this course you will explore information security from its history to a description of various cybercriminals and cybersecurity threats concluding with the tools needed to prevent an attack | 4 weeks, Self paced @4-8 hours/ week | Earn a skill badge upon completion |
| Cyber Security Diploma | Oxford Home Study Centre | This free course covers a broad range of essential topics and knowledge areas, including cyber security tools and techniques, developing cyber security policies and a look at cybersecurity risk mitigation plans | Self paced 450 hours of content | Pass the assignments to earn a certificate |
These are some of the free cybersecurity courses with certificate that you can take online. You can enroll in these courses anytime and anywhere, and learn at your own pace and convenience. You can also earn a certificate of completion that you can share on your resume, portfolio, or social media profiles.
Cybersecurity Courses from Top Universities – Free to audit
Taking cybersecurity courses from top universities can help you gain access to high-quality education from world-class instructors and institutions. You can also learn about the latest research and best practices in the field of cybersecurity. Taking cybersecurity courses from top universities can also help you prepare for more advanced or specialized courses or certifications in cybersecurity.
There are many cybersecurity courses from top universities that you can take online. These courses cover various aspects related to cybersecurity, such as network security, software security, system security, cryptography, digital forensics, cyber risk management, cyber incident response, cyber physical systems security, cloud security, and more.
These courses are designed for learners of different levels and backgrounds. Some of these courses are self-paced, while others are instructor-led. Most of these courses are standalone, while few are part of a larger program or specialization.
But for many of us it may not be possible to pay the high fees or provide time regularly to learn from these universities. You can save money by auditing the courses for free and only paying for the certificates if you want to.
So here are some of the best cybersecurity courses from top universities that you can either enroll-in for a fee or audit for free:
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