Free Cybersecurity Training Course: Beginner to Job-Ready
A structured, 19-module cybersecurity training course designed for complete beginners and aspiring security professionals. Learn networking, Linux, cryptography, attacks, defensive and offensive security, SOC operations, cloud security, forensics, threat intelligence, and career preparation — all in one place.
Start Learning ↓Last updated:
About This Free Cybersecurity Training Course
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand fields in technology. But most beginners struggle because they don't know where to start or what order to learn things in.
This free cybersecurity training course solves that problem. It's organized into 19 modules that build on each other — starting with the absolute fundamentals of cybersecurity, networking, and operating systems, then moving into cryptography, attacks, defensive security, offensive security, security operations, cloud security, forensics, and eventually career preparation.
Each module contains a curated list of lessons, tutorials, and guides that have already been published on PasswordGeeks. As the site grows, new lessons will be added to each module so the course continues to expand.
Your progress through each module is tracked with a simple circular meter — so you always know how far you've come and what's left to complete.
What You'll Learn in This Cybersecurity Course
- Core cybersecurity concepts: the CIA Triad, threat actors, and attack types
- Networking fundamentals: IP, TCP/IP, DNS, ports, protocols, and firewalls
- Linux and operating system security essentials for security analysts
- Cryptography: encryption, hashing, digital signatures, PKI, and TLS
- Defensive security: blue teaming, SIEM, EDR, and defense in depth
- Offensive security: penetration testing, reconnaissance, and exploitation
- Security operations (SOC), incident response, and threat hunting
- Cloud security, IAM, digital forensics, and threat intelligence
- Cybersecurity frameworks: NIST, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls
- Career preparation: certifications, resumes, and interview skills
Who This Cybersecurity Training Is For
- Complete beginners with no prior IT or security experience
- IT professionals transitioning into cybersecurity roles
- Students preparing for Security+, CySA+, or OSCP certifications
- Aspiring SOC analysts, penetration testers, and cloud security engineers
- Anyone who wants a structured, free path into cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Training Modules (1–19)
Click any module to see the list of lessons inside it. Each module has its own progress meter.
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Core concepts, the CIA Triad, threats, attacks, defense, networking, firewalls, identity & access, and core security principles.
Lessons · 9
-
✓
What Is Cybersecurity? A Complete Beginner's Guide
CIA Triad, Red vs Blue Teams, security domains, common threats.
→
-
✓
What Is Offensive Security?
Penetration testing, red teaming, vulnerability assessment, ethics.
→
-
✓
What Is Defensive Security?
Blue teaming, prevention, detection, response, SIEM.
→
-
✓
Types of Cybersecurity Attacks
Malware, ransomware, phishing, DDoS, MITM, SQLi, XSS.
→
-
✓
Types of Cyber Threat Actors
Script kiddies, cybercriminals, hacktivists, insiders, nation-state actors. Includes a 5-question quiz.
→
-
✓
Networking for Cybersecurity
Packets, IP addresses, ports, protocols, OSI, DNS, routing.
→
-
✓
Firewall Basics
Firewall rules, packet filtering, stateful inspection, NGFW, WAF.
→
-
✓
Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA)
Identity verification, permissions, MFA, RBAC, accounting logs, RADIUS, TACACS+. Includes a 5-question quiz.
→
-
✓
Core Security Principles
Least privilege, defense in depth, zero trust, separation of duties, need to know. Includes a 5-question quiz.
→
Networking Fundamentals
Deep dive into network protocols, addressing, and communication.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- TCP ✓ TCP/IP Deep Dive Detailed protocol analysis and packet structure. →
- SUB ✓ Subnetting & CIDR IPv4 addressing, subnet masks, and practical subnetting. →
- DNS ✓ DNS, DHCP & ARP Name resolution, dynamic addressing, and address resolution. →
Operating Systems & Linux Fundamentals
Linux, Windows, file systems, permissions, processes, and the command line.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- CLI ✓ Linux Command Line Basics Essential commands for security professionals. →
- PRM ✓ Linux File Permissions Users, groups, and permission models. →
- WIN ✓ Windows Security Fundamentals Windows security features and administration. →
Cryptography Fundamentals
Encryption, hashing, digital signatures, PKI, and TLS.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- SYM ✓ Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption AES, RSA, and key exchange concepts. →
- HSH ✓ Hashing & Digital Signatures SHA, MD5, and integrity verification. →
- PKI ✓ PKI & TLS Certificates, CAs, and secure transport. →
Cybersecurity Attacks
Attack types, techniques, and real-world case studies.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- MW ✓ Malware Analysis Basics Understanding malware behavior and types. →
- PH ✓ Phishing & Social Engineering Human-focused attacks and defenses. →
- WEB ✓ Web Application Attacks SQLi, XSS, CSRF, and OWASP Top 10. →
Defensive Security
Blue teaming, detection, monitoring, and incident prevention.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- MON ✓ Security Monitoring Fundamentals Logs, alerts, and detection strategies. →
- EDR ✓ Endpoint Detection & Response EDR concepts and deployment. →
- DID ✓ Defense in Depth Layered security architecture. →
Offensive Security & Ethical Hacking
Penetration testing, red teaming, and vulnerability assessment.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- PT ✓ Penetration Testing Methodology Planning, reconnaissance, exploitation, and reporting. →
- REC ✓ Reconnaissance Techniques Passive and active information gathering. →
- EXP ✓ Exploitation Fundamentals Understanding and safely validating vulnerabilities. →
Cybersecurity Tools
Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and more.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- NM ✓ Nmap Deep Dive Port scanning, service detection, and NSE scripts. →
- WS ✓ Wireshark for Security Analysts Packet analysis and traffic investigation. →
- BS ✓ Burp Suite Essentials Web application security testing. →
Security Operations (SOC) & SIEM
SIEM platforms, alert triage, threat hunting, and SOC workflows.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- SOC ✓ SOC Analyst Fundamentals Roles, workflows, and shift operations. →
- SIEM ✓ SIEM Essentials Splunk, Elastic, and Microsoft Sentinel. →
- TH ✓ Threat Hunting Proactive detection and hypothesis-driven investigation. →
Incident Response
Preparation, detection, containment, eradication, and recovery.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- IRL ✓ Incident Response Lifecycle NIST and SANS frameworks. →
- CE ✓ Containment & Eradication Practical incident handling steps. →
- PIR ✓ Post-Incident Review Lessons learned and improvement. →
Vulnerability Management
Scanning, prioritization, remediation, and reporting.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- VS ✓ Vulnerability Scanning Tools and methodologies. →
- CVSS ✓ CVSS Scoring Understanding severity and risk. →
- PM ✓ Patch Management Prioritization and remediation workflows. →
Web & Application Security
OWASP Top 10, secure coding, APIs, and web hardening.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- OW ✓ OWASP Top 10 Explained Common web application vulnerabilities. →
- API ✓ API Security Authentication, authorization, and rate limiting. →
- SC ✓ Secure Coding Practices Input validation and output encoding. →
Cloud Security
AWS, Azure, GCP security, IAM, and cloud-native controls.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- CLD ✓ Cloud Security Fundamentals Shared responsibility model. →
- IAM ✓ Cloud IAM Roles, policies, and least privilege. →
- MIS ✓ Cloud Misconfigurations Common cloud security mistakes. →
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Authentication, authorization, MFA, SSO, and PAM.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- AA ✓ Authentication vs Authorization Core IAM concepts. →
- MFA ✓ MFA & Passwordless Modern authentication methods. →
- PAM ✓ Privileged Access Management Protecting admin accounts. →
Digital Forensics
Evidence collection, disk forensics, memory analysis, and reporting.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- FF ✓ Forensics Fundamentals Chain of custody and evidence handling. →
- DSK ✓ Disk & File System Forensics Recovering and analyzing digital artifacts. →
- MEM ✓ Memory Forensics Volatility and live-system analysis. →
Threat Intelligence
IOCs, TTPs, threat feeds, MITRE ATT&CK, and CTI.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- TI ✓ Threat Intelligence Basics Strategic, operational, and tactical CTI. →
- ATK ✓ MITRE ATT&CK Framework Mapping adversary behavior. →
- IOC ✓ IOCs & TTPs Indicators and behavioral detection. →
Cybersecurity Frameworks & Standards
NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and compliance.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- NST ✓ NIST Cybersecurity Framework Identify, protect, detect, respond, recover. →
- ISO ✓ ISO 27001 Basics ISMS and information security controls. →
- CIS ✓ CIS Controls Prioritized security best practices. →
Practical Cybersecurity Labs
Hands-on labs, home lab setup, CTFs, and safe practice.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- LAB ✓ Building a Home Lab Virtualization and network isolation. →
- TGT ✓ Practice Targets Intentionally vulnerable systems and CTFs. →
- SC ✓ Lab Scenarios Realistic security training scenarios. →
Cybersecurity Career Preparation
Certifications, resumes, interviews, and job roles.
Lessons · Coming Soon
- JOB ✓ Cybersecurity Career Paths SOC, pentesting, cloud, GRC, and more. →
- CERT ✓ Certifications Guide Security+, CySA+, OSCP, and cloud certs. →
- INT ✓ Interview Preparation Technical and behavioral interview tips. →