Free Online Cybersecurity Courses and Certifications in 2025(photo credit: job corner)

Discover 15 free online cybersecurity courses and certifications in 2025. Learn from IBM, Microsoft, Google, and more to boost your career today.

Cybersecurity is no longer optional in today’s digital-first world—it’s essential. Whether you’re a beginner or an IT professional, upgrading your skills is crucial in 2025 as cyber threats grow more sophisticated. The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands on training. There are free online cybersecurity courses and certifications designed to help you build expertise and even boost your career opportunities.

In this guide, we’ll cover 15 of the best free cybersecurity courses and certifications available in 2025—complete with links, highlights, and reasons why you should enroll.

Why Choose Free Cybersecurity Courses in 2025?

Learning cybersecurity today gives you a competitive advantage. With industries moving to cloud-based systems, the demand for skilled security professionals continues to grow. Free programs are an excellent way to:

Build foundational knowledge in IT and cybersecurity.
Gain hands-on practice with real-world tools.
Earn shareable certificates to showcase on LinkedIn or your resume.
Prepare for advanced, paid certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP.

Trusted platforms like Coursera, edX, and Microsoft Learn host most of these programs, ensuring you learn from industry experts.

Top 15 Free Online Cybersecurity Courses and Certifications in 2025

1. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Offered on Coursera, this program covers security frameworks, incident response, and SIEM tools. It’s beginner-friendly and provides a professional certificate upon completion.

2. Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

This certificate prepares learners for Microsoft security roles, focusing on threat detection and endpoint protection. Great for IT professionals entering cybersecurity.

3. Cloud Application Development Foundations Specialization

Ideal for beginners in cloud security, this program introduces development fundamentals while emphasizing secure app design.

4. Developing Applications with Google Cloud Specialization

Learn how to build secure applications on Google Cloud while gaining practical insights into API security and DevOps integration.

5. Introduction to Cloud Computing

A beginner-level course to understand the backbone of cloud infrastructure, including its security implications.

6. Understanding Google Cloud Security and Operations

Explore Google Cloud’s approach to securing data and operations—perfect for aspiring cloud security analysts.

7. Innovating with Data and Google Cloud

Learn how businesses innovate with secure cloud data solutions. A good course for data security enthusiasts.

8. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe Cloud Concepts

This Microsoft Learn pathway covers the basics of Azure with an emphasis on cloud security concepts.

9. Google Cloud Computing Foundations: Cloud Computing Fundamentals

Hosted on edX, this free program gives beginners a structured learning path into cloud computing and security.

10. Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101)

Great for complete beginners, this Coursera course explains cloud architecture and introduces secure deployment methods.

11. IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization

A complete specialization covering networking, system administration, and cyber defense basics.

12. Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks

Get hands-on knowledge of firewalls, cryptography, and ethical hacking basics.

13. Cyber Security Course for Beginners

A quick introduction offered by Great Learning Academy, suitable for complete beginners.

14. Introduction to Cyber Security

Another Great Learning Academy course that overlaps with core topics but emphasizes prevention techniques.

15. Cyber Security Basics – For Beginners

Simplilearn’s free program introduces the foundations of cybersecurity, covering threats, attacks, and protection measures.

How to Choose the Right Free Cybersecurity Course

When selecting a free course, consider:

Your career goal – Do you want to become a penetration tester, cloud security engineer, or SOC analyst?
Platform credibility – Stick with trusted providers like Coursera, edX, and Microsoft.
Certification value – Choose programs that offer verified or shareable certificates.
Time commitment – Some certificates take weeks, while others can be completed in a few hours.

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in 2025, and starting with free online cybersecurity courses and certifications is the smartest move you can make. These programs let you learn from industry leaders like IBM, Microsoft, Google, and Simplilearn without financial risk.

Don’t wait—pick one course from the list above and begin your journey today. Whether your goal is to boost your resume, pivot careers, or simply understand how to protect yourself online, these free courses are a game-changer.

Explore the programs, bookmark this guide, and start learning with Coursera, edX, or Microsoft Learn today. Your cybersecurity career begins now!