The importance of cybersecurity is gaining immensely nowadays, especially during the new normal we’re experiencing in 2021. The reason is simple: most businesses, financial institution, healthcare providers and other organizations are stepping up their online presence.
There are countless courses that provide cybersecurity certifications. Some of these courses are primarily meant for network and data protection.
Others are more elaborate and teach a lot more skills. These include cryptographic techniques, computer security, digital forensics, and designs for network perimeter defences.
In this article, I will discuss about the 10 best quality cybersecurity courses to kickstart your cyber career. Most of these courses are available online.
Usually, these courses also come with course material that you’ll require for completing it successfully and getting certifications to work as a cybersecurity expert.
Reasons to Take a Cyber Security Course
Nowadays, hackers are getting more and more sophisticated. They resort to ransomware attacks pose other cybersecurity threats that can affect any largest organization.
We’ve seen such attacks affect government organizations, banks and financial institutions, healthcare providers, transportation networks and much more.
As a matter of fact, some hackers even try and steal highly sensitive data from various networks. They do so by bypassing firewalls and other security measures that an organization deploys as protection.
Therefore, staying one step ahead of hackers is what organizations require. And these cybersecurity courses train you about how to remain updated and prevent any sorts of hacking or ransomware attacks on an organization’s network while preventing data thefts.
Cyber Warfare
Furthermore, the world is now facing the threat of cyber warfare. This is a real and tangible threat that countries such as India and America, among others, face.
Cyberwarfare differs from other kinds of attacks: it is carried out by hackers that backing from a rogue country. It is actually another form of state-sponsored terrorism.
The enemy country tries to steal data while disrupting several key sectors of another country’s economy and defence systems.
Since these hackers have the support of a foreign government, they have enough money to spend on hacking software and sophisticated computers. And the enemy government also provides them access to high-speed Internet and other infrastructure.
10 Topmost Cybersecurity Courses in 2021
Given the above facts, you can gauge the importance of cybersecurity nowadays. That’s the reason cybersecurity experts are in demand.
And they get very lucrative salaries too from their employers, which would generally be topmost corporations and government organizations.
If you wish to kickstart your career in cybersecurity, here’s my list of the 10 best cybersecurity courses in India and the world that you could consider.
1. Certified Ethical Hacker
A Certified Ethical Hacker course teaches you how to think and to perform like a hacker.
You will learn a lot about various technologies that hackers use, vulnerabilities in various computer operating systems, information security laws in India and abroad and many more related subjects.
Usually, there will also be practical, on-hand training through real-time hacking contests and tests.
Additionally, you will also learn how to hack a system as well as defend it against any hackers using the latest technology. This course is best for software engineers and IT experts that wish to kickstart their careers in cybersecurity.
2. Certified Information Security Manager
Certified Information Security Manager’s course is for IT professionals that work on enterprise levels only. Usually, those applying for a CISM certification require at least five years of experience in cybersecurity.
However, any IT professional or software engineer that wishes to kickstart their career in cybersecurity can also join this top course.
A CISM certification is valid for three years only. This is one of the highest levels of certifications in cybersecurity. And once you become a CISM, you need to pay an annual fee to retain the certification.
Also, after three years, it’s necessary to pass another test to prove you’re fit to hold the CISM certification.
You will learn various subjects such as Security Risk Management, Program Development and Management, Governance and Incident Management and Response.
3. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security Plus is the best cybersecurity certification for new ones. It is ideal for fresher candidates who wish to make a mark in their career in cybersecurity.
Generally, this course can be taken by anyone who holds a degree in computer sciences or IT.
If you’re an entry-level candidate in the field of cybersecurity, this would be the perfect course, because you will learn a lot about the field.
Usually, topics of CompTIA Security+ include network threats and defence techniques, Effective security policies, Network and Host-based security practices, Disaster Recovery and Encryption Standards and Products, among others.
4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP is one of the topmost and best cybersecurity courses you can do. That’s because most top organizations and government departments will hire only candidates that hold the CISSP certification.
To get the CISSP, you should hold a degree in IT or computer management, with cybersecurity as one of your graduation subjects.
Alternatively, you should have a minimum of three years of experience in cybersecurity. With this course, you will acquire skills in Access Control, Cryptography, Telecommunications and Networking, among other topics.
5. GIAC Security Essentials
GIAC Security Essentials or GSEC is one of the best cybersecurity courses for entry-level certification. if you wish to make a career in cybersecurity. This course is especially for IT professionals that want to take jobs in cybersecurity.
As a GSEC student, you would acquire skills in identifying and preventing wireless attacks, access controls, authentication, password management, DNS, cryptography fundamentals, ICMP, IPv6, critical public infrastructure, Linux, Network Mapping, and Network Protocols.
The GSEC certification is valid for four years. You can renew this certification every four years by paying the necessary subscription fees.
This certification also specializes in Security Program Development and Management, Information Security Management, Information Security Incident Management, Information Risk Management and Compliance
6. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst
This certification is the equivalent of Certified Ethical Hacker because you’ll learn about different hacking technologies and tools.
With an EC-Council Certified Security Analyst certification, you can get jobs such as a Network Server Administrator, Information Security Tester, Firewall Administrator, System Administrator, Risk Assessment Professional, and similar ones.
Here too you will be put through real-time scenarios such as hacker attacks, ransomware attacks and others, while you have to defend your systems with the tools and skills you acquire from this course.
This is an ideal course for IT professionals and software engineers that want to launch a career in cybersecurity. ECSA certification is available around the world.
7. GIAC Penetration Tester
GIAC Penetration Tester is yet another wonderful course for those eyeing a career in cybersecurity.
Generally, IT experts that’s involved in target networks and find security vulnerabilities can do this course. Fresher applicants with relevant degrees and some experience in cybersecurity can also apply.
Topics covered in this course Password Formats and Hashes, Advanced Password Attacks, Attacking Password Hashes, Exploitation Fundamentals, Escalation and Exploitation, Domain Escalation and Persistence Attacks, Kerberos Attacks, Metasploit, Moving Files with Exploits, Penetration Test Planning, Penetration Testing with PowerShell and the Windows Command Line, Scanning and Host Discovery, Vulnerability Scanning, Web Application Injection Attacks and Web Application Reconnaissance, among others.
8. Certified in Risk and Information System Control
CRISC is an enterprise type risk management qualification for IT professionals who want to enter the field of cybersecurity.
The syllabus includes Business Risk, identification, and implementation of Business Systems Control. In fact, CRISC was among the top and first certifications in the field of cybersecurity.
Generally, this certification can land you topmost jobs with some of the largest organizations in the world. This certification is ideal for IT Professionals, Risk Professionals, Control Professionals, Business Analysts, Project Managers and Compliance Professionals, among others.
9. Certified Information Systems Auditor
CISA certification is yet another superb cybersecurity course you can consider. This course lays emphasis on Information Auditing. CISA certified professionals usually possess superb audit experience and are able to manage different kinds of vulnerabilities.
You’ll need five years of experience in cybersecurity or in the IT industry for doing this course. The broad syllabus consists of topics including Information Systems Auditing, IT Management and Governance and Protection of Information Assets, among others.
10. SSCP: Systems Security Certified Practitioner
This certification imparts advanced technical skills in cybersecurity. They would enable you to enforce, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure efficiently while eliminating any cyber threats.
You will learn the best security practices, procedures, and policies that are used worldwide by cybersecurity experts.
This certification is ideal for IT administrators, managers, directors, and network security professionals. Fresher candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in the IT field, especially in systems and databases.
In Conclusion
These top courses for kickstarting your career as a cybersecurity expert is by no means simple or easy. That means you’ll have to hold at least a basic graduate degree in IT and software or systems management.
Cybersecurity is big business because of the high stakes it involves. These courses aren’t something that you could consider casually. Instead, they require full dedication and a genuine interest in the field of cybersecurity to even begin.