10 Cyber security certifications for beginners
Data crime is everywhere and everyone is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. That’s why it’s important to know the basics of cyber security. We’ve compiled our top picks for cyber security certifications for beginners to get your teams started on the basics of data protection and information security.
1. Cyber Security by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
SC Training (formerly EdApp) hosts some of the best cyber security certifications for beginners because of how comprehensive and engaging they are. Cyber Security by SC Training (formerly EdApp) is an introductory training program that extensively tackles topics such as safe data practices, protected email practices, unauthorized software access, password management, document management strategies, and more. Although the topics cover a lot of things, each module takes just a few minutes to finish.
This is thanks to SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s microlearning model, an advanced elearning strategy that uses bursts of memorable and engaging learning content to encourage learners to train much more efficiently. So complicated lessons like information security are broken down into digestible modules that integrate interactive media and quizzes to make them fun and simple. Sitting through hour-long lectures on security compliance training is now a thing of the past.
And of course, all of the courses come with completion certificates which your teams can share on their professional social platforms. SC Training (formerly EdApp) certificates are always up to date with industry standards, so you can be sure your teams will earn something to be proud of.
- Cost: Free
- Scope: cyber security basics, data safety practices, password management, phishing, safe internet use, document management strategies
Created By SC Training (formerly EdApp)
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2. Cybersecurity & Internal Threats by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
One of the best cyber security certifications for beginners is this course on internal threats by SC Training (formerly EdApp). Internal threats are cyber attacks within your organization that come from either negligent or malicious employees. So it’s important to keep your team aware of the possible threats and prevent accidents/mistakes caused by ignorance of cyber secure practices. This course will teach you concrete strategies to avoid internal threats completely.
Since this course is an entry-level cyber security certification, it only has three modules. The first lesson is all about common cyberattacks like email phishing, malware, man-in-the-middle attacks, and social engineering. The second module will then talk about internal attacks and how to spot them. Once your learners know the types of internal threats, the third module will discuss effective preventive measures to protect your data.
One of the best features of SC Training (formerly EdApp) courses is that they're completely customizable. So if you’re planning to integrate this program into your cyber security certifications path you can easily add more content, learning materials, and documents. And you can even customize the design to match your company’s branding. All of this is easy to accomplish on SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s intuitive course creator tool.
- Cost: Free
- Scope: internal threats, malicious and negligent internal threats, risks assessment, company data protection, information security management system
Created by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
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3. Introduction to Cybersecurity by FutureLearn
FutureLearn creates entry-level cyber security certifications that are supported by the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Programme, are National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Certified Training, and are Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) accredited. This course in particular is a sprawling comprehensive course on all aspects of cyber security. Your team will learn about authentications, malware, network security, cryptography, and more.
While most learners nowadays prefer microcourses, this massive course will equip your team with technical knowledge of information security. If you’re looking for more short-form courses, consider looking into cybersecurity training tools.
- Cost: Paid subscription
- Scope: cyber threat landscape, malware, network security, cryptography, defense failures (and preventions), and security risk management, authentications
Created by FutureLearn
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4. Unlocking Information Security by edX
edX is an online learning resource that provides certification and degrees on a variety of industry topics. Unlocking Information Security is a cyber security certification for beginners that is taught by data security professionals from Tel Aviv University. The course spans about three months (4-6 hours a week) and will cover cryptography, data leak mitigation, principles of secure computer systems, operating systems, and more.
It’s a self-paced course but still requires a heavy time commitment on the part of learners. So keep that in mind when delivering this course to your team.
- Cost: 268.20 USD
- Scope: main concepts and technologies of cyber security, secure computer systems, operational vulnerabilities, cyber attacker and defender mindset, how to identify and make informed decisions on information security
Created by edX
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5. Be a Scam Scanner by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
It’s not enough to know about technical data information to be cyber secure. Because at the end of the day, cybercriminals are people too and scammers have patterns. Be a Scam Scanner by SC Training (formerly EdApp) is a practical certification course that covers common scam types from retail to internet scams. It’ll also give an overview of why people scam in the first place to educate your learners on the root cause of this crime.
In four easy modules, your teams will cover common scams like phishing, card fraud, lottery swindles, sweethearting, refund fraud, identity theft, and more. Retail scams are one of the most prevalent types of scams so your team must know how to identify them easily. The course also delivers content in concrete situations with interactive content to make sure your learners are engaged throughout.
- Cost: Free
- Scope: cyber and non-cyber scams, sneaky apps on the app store, common internet scams, common retail scams, credit card fraud
Created by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
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6. Introduction to Cybersecurity by Cisco Networking Academy
The Cisco Networking Academy has a self-paced, instructor-led certification program for beginners that tackles the fundamentals of information security. The course was designed for everyone whether you’re new to cybersecurity or a digital technology professional. It’ll explore cyber trends and threats relevant to users so they can be equipped to protect their personal private information online.
- Cost: Request a quote
- Scope: impacts of cybersecurity trends, common information security threats, vulnerabilities, attacks, latest job trends and impact of security threats
Created by Cisco Networking Academy
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7. Cyber Security Awareness by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Cyber Security Awareness by SC Training (formerly EdApp) is a deep dive into more specific types of cyber threats. Through real-life simulations, your team will learn about common information security attacks, vulnerabilities, cyber malpractices, and more. Each module will also tackle preventative measures your learners can take immediately to stop these threats.
Nine quick and easy modules cover injection attacks, broken authentication, cross-site scripting (XSS), common attacks, broken access control, sensitive data exposure, cross-site request forgery (CSRF), vulnerable components, and underprotected APIs. These may seem like a lot of complex topics, but each lesson takes only a few minutes. And they’re designed with interactive content and compelling storytelling to make them enjoyable to take.
- Cost: Free
- Scope: injection attacks, broken authentication, cross-site scripting, broken access control, cross-site request forgery, underprotected APIs
Created by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
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8. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Security by Skillshare
Skillshare, a popular online elearning resource has a comprehensive three-part training program on all things cyber security for beginners. Just like every Skillshare course, this is taught by an industry expert who brings in years of experience, so your team is guaranteed insider knowledge. This is a sprawling course that covers almost everything you need to know including factor authentication, encryption attacks, and popular massive cyber threats like the Facebook Cambridge Analytica Scandal.
- Cost: Paid subscription
- Scope: factor authentication, IP and MAC addresses, HTTP+, Encryption attacks, email basics, cyber threats, Facebook and the Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Created by Skillshare
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9. Foundations of Cybersecurity by Springboard
Springboard is a cyber security training platform that offers this foundational cybersecurity course that examines the information security and technology field as a whole. The course aims to put perspective into cybersecurity roles, concepts, tools, and designs to help beginners understand the importance of information security in their daily lives. Your team will cover cybersecurity job roles, common data breaches, repairing vulnerabilities, and more.
Take note that the course is quite lengthy, there’s 40 resource content across nine modules. This program is a long-term learning commitment and may not suit other kinds of learning styles.
- Cost: Request a quote
- Scope: security fundamentals, cryptography, public-key infrastructure, penetration testing, common attacks, cybersecurity job roles
Created by Springboard
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10. Payment Security (for Cashiers) by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
This cyber security certification for beginners is specifically designed for retail teams and ways they can protect themselves from retail threats. This course talks about payment security and the many vulnerabilities cyber attackers and criminals take advantage of in stores. Your teams will learn about threats in contactless payments in point of sale (POS), payment methods like Google and Square, identifying different types of scams, and protecting against skimming.
It’s important to reinforce learning and make sure your teams are complying with cybersecurity training to guarantee data protection across the board. SC Training (formerly EdApp) makes this easy by integrating gamification into every course. This just means the training programs are fun to take with leaderboards, real rewards, and games that foster healthy competition within your teams. The more enjoyable training is, the higher the completion rates are.
- Cost: Free
- Scope: contactless payments (NFC), Google and Apple Pay, Square, Credit and Debit cards, suspicious transactions, skimming and scams
Created by SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Explore the courseProtect your valuable company data with cyber security certifications for beginners
Everyone is vulnerable to cyber attacks, especially now that cyber criminals and scammers are getting more and more creative. But cyber security practices are simple, and with the right training, even beginners can learn to be proactive against data crime. We’ve collected the best cyber security certifications for beginners to help your teams protect themselves and your company’s essential assets from data attacks.
Get cyber secure today with these top information security training programs!