Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Security Essentials – Network, Endpoint, and Cloud

Whether you’re new to information security or a seasoned expert with a specialized focus, it provides the essential skills and techniques needed to secure critical information and technology assets, whether on-premises or in the cloud. The course teaches you how to apply these concepts directly into a winning defensive strategy, all framed in terms of combating today’s adversaries. This is how we fight, and this is how we win! With 20 hands-on labs, SEC401 empowers you to implement these skills effectively in real-world scenarios.

Certification: GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Foundations: Computers, Technology, & Security

Cyberpro Foundations is the most comprehensive, certified introductory cybersecurity course on the market. Developed by leading subject matter experts, it builds fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and skills, giving students with no prior technical or industry experience a level of proficiency that allows them to speak the same language as professionals. Learn foundational computer and security concepts and develop programming skills, in an interactive learning environment, supported by world-renowned instructors, video lectures, hands-on labs and exercises. SANS Foundations transforms learning into real-world, practical skills, going far beyond what all other foundational cybersecurity courses offer.

Certification: GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT)

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Introduction to Cyber Security

This introductory certification course is the fastest way to get up to speed in information security. Written and taught by battle-scarred cyber security veterans, this entry-level course covers a broad spectrum of security topics and is liberally sprinkled with real life examples. The course lecture explains terms and concepts in detail and the hands-on labs drive those concepts home. A balanced mix of technical topics explained in easy-to-understand ways makes this course appealing to attendees who need to understand the important facets of cyber security. If you need to lay your cyber security foundation quickly, explanations and 14 hands-on labs will have you covered!

Certification: GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF)

Cloud Security, Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Cloud Security Controls and Mitigations

Today’s organizations depend on complex, multicloud environments which must support hundreds of different services across multiple clouds. These services are often insecure by default and require substantially different methods to protect depending on the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) that hosts them. It is vital that security teams have a deep understanding of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud services to lock them down effectively. Checking off compliance requirements is simply not enough to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your organization’s data, nor will it prevent attackers from taking your critical systems down. With the right controls, organizations can reduce their attack surface and prevent security incidents from becoming breaches. Mistakes are inevitable but you can limit the impact.

Certification: GIAC Public Cloud Security (GPCS)

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Cybersecurity Writing: Hack the Reader

Want to write better? Learn to hack the reader! Discover how to find an opening, break down your readers’ defenses, and capture their attention to deliver your message-even if they are too busy or indifferent to others’ writing. This unique course, built exclusively for cybersecurity professionals, will strengthen your writing skills and boost your security career.

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials

Secrets to Successful Cybersecurity Presentation

This course shows you how to put together an effective security briefing, secure the interest and engagement of your audience, and confidently deliver presentations to a variety of groups. You will learn effective techniques to secure management approval for new security projects and tools, as well as how to handle the toughest questions and adjust on the fly. Designed exclusively for cybersecurity professionals, this course covers best practices for common security presentations such as penetration testing reports, security assessment reports, incident updates, after-action reports, security awareness briefings, and more.

Cybersecurity and IT Essentials, Cloud Security

AWS Secure Builder

Data breaches of cloud infrastructure can often be traced back to inadvertent misconfigurations made by non-security personnel. Cloud developers, engineers, architects, and other security-adjacent roles require platform-specific training to effectively prioritize security and reduce the likelihood of harmful breaches. SEC480: AWS Secure Builder fulfills this requirement by equipping technical professionals with the skills needed to embed security fundamentals into Amazon Web Services (AWS) workloads from the start. This course features eight comprehensive modules, each accompanied by a hands-on lab, ensuring participants gain practical experience in building secure AWS environments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Courses

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for organizations worldwide. The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing exponentially, with the World Economic Forum projecting a talent shortage of 85 million workers by 2030. As a result, IT professionals, whether aspiring or experienced, are increasingly focusing on upskilling to meet this demand.

The high stakes of cybersecurity mean that hiring managers maintain rigorous standards, creating a significant barrier to entry that only education and experience can overcome. This is where cybersecurity courses come into play, offering IT professionals the opportunity to enhance their skills, gain valuable experience, and improve their marketability in the competitive IT career landscape.

Despite the many training organizations claiming expertise in cybersecurity, only a select few are recognized by industry decision-makers. This blog addresses the most common questions from your peers about cybersecurity courses, providing insights that influence both upskillers and job seekers alike.

1. What are the courses for cybersecurity?

Specializing in a specific area of cybersecurity helps tremendously when developing a course and certification roadmap for your cybersecurity career. Areas of specialization are as vast as the cybersecurity discipline itself. So, focus on areas of passion and keen interest, areas where you’ve made positive change or achieved ‘wins’ for an organization.

A few areas of specialization in cybersecurity include:

• Cloud Security
• Cyber Defense
• Cybersecurity and IT Essentials
• Cybersecurity Leadership
• Digital Forensics, Incident Response, and Threat Hunting
• Industrial Control Systems Security
• Offensive Operations, Pen Testing, and Red Teaming
• Open-Source Intelligence

2. How long is a cybersecurity course?

The length of a cybersecurity course depends on the course type. Course types fall into three categories: in-person, live online, and on demand.

In-person cybersecurity courses range from five to ten days in duration and offer a series of networking and professional development opportunities aside from the core subject matter training.

Live online cybersecurity courses take place during a specific date and time and are conducted live, with participants having access to some or all course materials after the completion of the live portion of the course. The duration is equal to that of the in-person version of the course: five to ten days.

OnDemand cybersecurity courses offer students the chance to learn at a customized pace while receiving live support from subject matter experts. There are sometimes limits on the length of time learners can access the materials, in many cases ranging from four months to unlimited access.

3. How much does a cybersecurity course cost?

Courses increase in cost based on complexity of subject matter, length of the course, and the tools and resources included in the course to hone the learner’s skills in a particular area. High quality, highly specialized, and technical courses cost more than others in the market.

Cybersecurity course fees and their return on investment depend on a learner’s goals when seeking cybersecurity education. A cybersecurity pro looking to build a skill base can piece together a learning curriculum, but that can be like building in the dark with no blueprint.

SANS courses offer a curated learning experience with all resources necessary to learn and master the most relevant skills in a subject area. This saves students time and effort. When reviewing costs, consider these factors:

• Time: The lower the cost, the less structured and impactful the experience. Learners often end up pulling together information from disparate sources with no assurance that what they’re learning is important to hiring managers and internal decision makers in their organizations.
• Reputation: Some educational groups in cybersecurity need no explanation as to their expertise or level of trust in the marketplace. Others, while popular in small groups of specialized cybersecurity pros, may not have the name recognition to grab the attention of fast-moving decision makers looking to promote the next solid cybersecurity expert in their organization.
• Employer sponsorship: Some educational groups offer pricing designed for learners who self-fund their education, while other training organizations facilitate corporate pricing for high-level, specialized coursework for their employees. This often helps employers prove that they’re addressing a pressing issue or a gaping hole in their cybersecurity positioning.

Courses that offer this level of efficient delivery and a high-level learning experience range between $3,000 and $6,000 per course.

4. How difficult is a cybersecurity course?

Difficulty levels of cybersecurity courses vary based on the experience level of the learner, the prerequisite courses needed, and the complexity of the course subject matter.

More advanced courses held in a group setting often present the most complexity to learners. Ways to address perceived difficulty of course materials include selecting a course style that best suits the learner’s needs. For some, in-person experiences lessen course difficulty. Whereas on-demand courses offer those who favor self-paced learning the time to absorb and test new concepts until they become integrated into the learner’s skill set.

Consider reviewing prerequisites and consulting with an educational consultant provided by the cybersecurity course provider to select the best course type and to gauge the level of difficulty of each course.

5. What are the best cybersecurity courses for beginners?

This answer depends on your specific goals. There are foundational courses that provide certifications that employers expect potential hires to have when seeking to land a cybersecurity role.

In this case, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) offers employers proof of your mastery of cybersecurity essentials and foundational concepts, terms, and strategies. Areas of this certification include cryptography, cloud security operations for AWS and Azure, Linux hardening, and Windows access controls.

6. What are the best advanced cybersecurity courses?

As certain technologies gain popularity, an organization’s attack surface grows. Cybersecurity pros who master the fundamentals can branch out into emerging branches of the cybersecurity threat matrix. For instance, as machine learning becomes more useful in enterprise settings, cybersecurity pros look to codify their understanding of securing systems leveraging the technology.

Other solid advanced courses include:

• Red Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team operations
• Cloud Security
• Security Management
• Advanced Leadership

7. What jobs can you get in cybersecurity?‎

The cybersecurity industry offers many chances for passionate learners to upskill and land roles in the industry. Many cybersecurity pros come from the broader world of IT and move from being network administrators and software engineers to cryptanalysts and bug bounty hunters. Here’s a list of cybersecurity jobs and their associated categories:

Offensive Operations

• Red Team member
• Pen Tester

Defensive Operations

• Counterespionage Analyst
• Cryptanalyst
• Cyber Intelligence Specialist
• Data Privacy Officer
• Data Security Analyst
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Security Specialist
• Information Security Analyst
• IT Security Architect
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
• Security Awareness Training Specialist
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) Security Analyst

Leadership

• Chief Security Officer (CSO)
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager

Incident Response and Threat Hunting

• Threat Hunter
• Virus Technician
• Bug Bounty Hunter
• Ethical Hacker
• Incident Responder
• Malware Analyst
• Vulnerability Assessor

Threat Intel and Forensics

• Cyber Insurance Policy Specialist
• Cyber Operations Specialist
• Cybercrime Investigator
• Cybersecurity Lawyer
• Source Code Auditor

8. How can online courses help you learn cybersecurity?

While in-person learning experiences in cybersecurity offer networking opportunities, online courses provide learners with a focused environment for absorbing cybersecurity concepts and practicing their application online.

For the budget conscious, not having to travel makes online courses attractive. Learners also get the chance to engage with course materials at the times most convenient for them.

Another benefit, when course participants need one-on-one assistance, they can reach out to subject matter experts and/or course leaders only when needed. This independent learning format suits many in the cybersecurity industry.

Cybersecurity is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Investing in cybersecurity courses can significantly enhance your skills, boost your career prospects, and help bridge the talent gap in this critical industry. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance your expertise, there are courses tailored to meet your needs and ambitions. By understanding the various aspects of cybersecurity education, you can make informed decisions and set yourself on a path to success in the cybersecurity landscape.Post navigation.