Cybersecurity is One of the Highest Paying Fields in IT: 20 Free Courses to Start Your Career

Cybersecurity is One of the Highest Paying Fields in IT: 20 Free Courses to Start Your Career

Cybersecurity is one of the highest paying fields in IT. Explore 20 free cybersecurity courses and certifications to launch your career today.

Why Cybersecurity is a Top Career Choice

Cybersecurity is one of the highest paying fields in IT, with demand growing rapidly as businesses face increasing threats from hackers, malware, and phishing attacks. According to reports from (ISC)², the global cybersecurity workforce gap continues to expand, creating endless opportunities for skilled professionals. Whether you want to work as a security analyst, penetration tester, or cloud security engineer, getting the right training is the first step.

The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to learn the basics. There are free cybersecurity courses and certifications available online that can prepare you for entry-level roles and even help you transition into specialized areas.

20 Free Cybersecurity Courses to Kickstart Your Career

Below is a curated list of 20 free cybersecurity courses from trusted platforms such as edX, Coursera, Udemy, and Google. Each one covers critical topics, from security basics to advanced threat detection.

1. Introduction to Cybersecurity – University of Washington on edX

Learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including threats, vulnerabilities, and defense strategies. Perfect for beginners.

2. Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate (Coursera)

Google’s professional program is designed for beginners seeking career-ready skills.

3. Introduction to Cybersecurity (Udacity)

This beginner-friendly nanodegree gives a hands-on introduction to cyber defense.

4. Introduction to Cyber Security (Simplilearn SkillUp)

A self-paced course covering cyber hygiene, firewalls, and encryption basics.

5. Security Engineer Nanodegree (Udacity)

While premium in full, parts of the program are accessible for free.

6. Cyber Security Basics – Great Learning

Includes case studies and interactive quizzes to strengthen knowledge.

7. Cybersecurity for Everyone (Coursera)

Covers practical aspects of securing personal and organizational data.

8. Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization (Coursera)

A complete specialization for beginners, covering multiple modules.

9. Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business (Coursera)

Great for business owners and managers looking to secure operations.

10. Cloud Security Basics (Coursera)

Focused on cloud security essentials and data protection.

11. Cyber Security for Beginners – Level 01 (Udemy)

Step-by-step lessons tailored for individuals new to cybersecurity.

12. Security Awareness Campaigns (Lite) – Udemy

Practical guide for building awareness programs in organizations.

13. Cyber Security Advanced Persistent Threat Defender (Udemy)

Explains advanced cyberattack techniques and defenses.

14. Types of Cyber Security – Great Learning

Explore the different categories of cyber protection.

15. Advanced Cyber Security – Threats and Governance

Covers governance frameworks and compliance requirements.

16. Common Malware Attacks – Great Learning

Dive into malware, ransomware, and common cyberattack methods.

17. Cyber Security Basics – Simplilearn

Another beginner-friendly cybersecurity fundamentals course.

18. Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Grow with Google)

Google’s alternative learning portal offering security skills training.

19. Complete Cyber Security Tutorials (YouTube)

A free, full-length video tutorial series.

20. Cyber Security Handbook + Notes (Google Drive)

Free downloadable PDF resources and handwritten notes.

Why Take Free Cybersecurity Courses?

Free courses give you a chance to:

• Build a strong foundation without financial risk
• Explore career paths before investing in premium certifications
• Gain practical skills that can boost your employability
• Prepare for industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH

For deeper skill development, you can later invest in advanced certifications from platforms like (ISC)² and EC-Council.

How to Succeed in Cybersecurity Training

To get the best out of these courses:

1. Dedicate consistent weekly study time.
2. Practice using free cybersecurity labs and tools like TryHackMe or Hack The Box.
3. Join cybersecurity communities on Reddit, LinkedIn, and GitHub.
4. Work on small projects to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.

Cybersecurity is one of the highest paying fields in IT, and it continues to grow with the rise of digital transformation. With these 20 free cybersecurity courses, you can begin your learning journey today without spending a dime.

Don’t wait—explore the free courses above, start practicing hands-on skills, and prepare yourself for one of the most rewarding careers in tech.