Did you know that a cyberattack happens every 39 seconds on average? According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. These numbers are not just statistics; they are a reality that affects individuals, small businesses, and even global corporations.
Every time you log into your social media, make an online purchase, or share files at work, your data is at risk of being compromised. That’s where cybersecurity comes in. It’s not just about becoming an ethical hacker in a hoodie; it’s about defending sensitive information, protecting financial assets, and ensuring digital safety in a hyper-connected world.
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing. In fact, (ISC)² estimates that there is a global shortage of over 3.5 million cybersecurity experts, making this one of the fastest-growing career paths today. But here’s the best part—you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or years in school to get started.
There are plenty of free cybersecurity courses for beginners available online that cover the fundamentals of network security, online threats, ethical hacking, and more. Whether you’re a student exploring future careers, a professional looking to upskill, or simply someone curious about protecting your digital footprint, these courses are a perfect starting point.
In this article, we’ll share the best free cybersecurity courses for beginners, explain what you’ll learn in each, and guide you on how to take your first step toward becoming a cybersecurity professional.
Why Learn Cybersecurity?
Before diving into the course list, let’s understand why cybersecurity is a valuable skill:
- The most valid reason of learning the cybersecurity course is it’s high demand in the current digital world. Since most industries, including businesses, governments, and ed-tech companies, are expanding their presence to digital platforms, all require cybersecurity experts to maintain security.
- Cybersecurity as a career provides diverse job opportunities from ethical hacking to cloud security. So you will get diverse opportunities to create your career.
- The base salary package for the Cybersecurity professionals often earns above-average pay. Here is the list of probable salaries of cybersecurity experts:
| Role / Experience Level | Typical Salary in Mumbai / India |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level / Freshers (0-1 yr) | ~ ₹3-6 lakh per annum (LPA) |
| Cybersecurity Analyst (1-3 yrs) | ~ ₹5-10 LPA depending on company, skills, certifications. |
| Mid-Level (3-5 yrs) | ~ ₹8-15 LPA and sometimes more with specialisation. |
| Specialized / Senior Roles (5-8 yrs +) | ~ ₹13-25 LPA often, higher if roles like Penetration Testing, Security Architect, Cloud Security specialist. |
| Very Senior / Leadership / Executive (CISO, Head of Security, etc.) | In large companies, salaries often cross ₹30 LPA, sometimes up to ₹1 crore+ for top executive roles, depending on the organization size, sector, responsibilities. |
Best Free Cybersecurity Courses for Beginners
Here is the 6 best courses on cybersecurity for beginners that you can start for free today:
Introduction to Cyber Security
The Introduction to Cyber Security course is offered by The Open University on FutureLearn. It is designed for complete beginners who want to understand the fundamentals of digital safety. This course breaks down complex topics like malware, cryptography, and data protection into simple concepts that anyone can grasp.
- Platform: FutureLearn
- Duration: 8 weeks (2 hours per week)
- Cost: Free (certificate available at extra cost)
- What You’ll Learn: Cyber threats, malware, cryptography basics, protecting personal data online
- Eligibility: Students, professionals, and beginners with no prior experience
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (paid upgrade)
- Job Opportunities: IT support roles, cybersecurity intern, security analyst trainee
- Join this course: Introduction to Cyber Security
Cybersecurity Basics – IBM (edX)
This beginner-friendly course is offered by IBM on the edX platform. It provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity concepts, covering common types of cyberattacks and practical defense strategies. It’s a great entry point for those considering a professional career in IT security.
- Platform: edX
- Duration: Self-paced
- Cost: Free (certificate available for a fee)
- What You’ll Learn: Cybersecurity concepts, types of attacks, security best practices, threat prevention
- Eligibility: Beginners, students, and IT enthusiasts
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (paid)
- Job Opportunities: Junior security analyst, IT administrator, system support roles
- Join this course: Cybersecurity Basics
Introduction to IT & Cybersecurity – Cybrary
Offered by Cybrary, this course is perfect for learners exploring a career in IT and cybersecurity. It introduces different job roles, essential tools, and the skills required to succeed in the field.
- Platform: Cybrary
- Duration: 4 hours (self-paced)
- Cost: Free
- What You’ll Learn: IT fundamentals, network defense basics, overview of cybersecurity career paths
- Eligibility: Students, fresh graduates, and job seekers
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (with Cybrary account)
- Job Opportunities: IT technician, network assistant, junior cybersecurity analyst
- Join this course: Introduction to IT & Cybersecurity
Foundations of Cybersecurity by courses
The Foundations of Cybersecurity course is part of Google’s Career Certificates on Coursera. It introduces learners to the fundamentals of security analysis and gives them insights into real-world tools used by professionals.
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: Self-paced (approx. 1 month at 10 hrs/week)
- Cost: Free to audit (certificate requires subscription)
- What You’ll Learn: Security principles, risk management, tools for security analysis
- Eligibility: Beginners, students, and entry-level job seekers
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (paid)
- Job Opportunities: Security analyst, SOC analyst, IT helpdesk specialist
- Join this course: Foundations of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity for Everyone by University of Maryland (Coursera)
This course, offered by the University of Maryland, is designed to make cybersecurity concepts accessible to a wide audience. It emphasizes both theory and practice, making it a great option for learners from non-technical backgrounds.
- Platform: Coursera
- Duration: 4 weeks (approx. 3–5 hours per week)
- Cost: Free to audit (certificate requires subscription)
- What You’ll Learn: Network security fundamentals, social engineering, security strategies for individuals and businesses
- Eligibility: Students, professionals, and non-technical learners
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (paid)
- Job Opportunities: Cybersecurity trainee, IT assistant, business risk analyst
- Join this course: Cybersecurity for Everyone
ALSO READ: Skill India FREE Cybersecurity Course with Certificate 2025Â
Introduction to Cybersecurity – Cisco Networking Academy
This free course by Cisco Networking Academy is one of the most popular beginner-friendly cybersecurity programs. It provides a strong overview of online threats, protective measures, and career opportunities in the field.
- Platform: Cisco Networking Academy
- Duration: Self-paced
- Cost: Free
- What You’ll Learn: Cybersecurity essentials, data protection, digital forensics, overview of cyber jobs
- Eligibility: Students, IT beginners, professionals exploring cybersecurity careers
- Prerequisite: None
- Certificate: Yes (Cisco digital badge)
- Job Opportunities: IT support, security operations trainee, network administrator
- Join this course: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Tips for Getting Started in Cybersecurity
Here is the tips to get started on your journey in a cybersecurity course that will actually be beneficial for you:
Start small: Don’t try to learn everything at once. Begin with beginner-friendly courses that cover the basics like cyber threats, passwords, and online safety.
Practice often: Cybersecurity is a hands-on skill. Play around with online labs or simulations to try out what you learn—like spotting weak points or understanding how attacks work.
Keep learning: The digital world changes fast. Follow blogs, news, or updates from trusted sources to stay in the loop.
Think about certifications: Once you’ve got the basics down, consider getting certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, or CISSP. They make your skills more official and help with job opportunities.
Following these simple steps makes it easier to start your cybersecurity journey and build real skills confidently.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have compiled Top 6 Best free cybersecurity courses for beginners as well as professionals.
Cybersecurity isn’t just a career; it’s a skill everyone needs in today’s digital world. Starting with free courses is a smart way to learn the basics, gain hands-on experience, and figure out which areas interest you most. Remember, it’s okay to start small, practice regularly, and take your time to understand the concepts.
As you grow, consider certifications and advanced courses to boost your career opportunities. Whether you want to protect personal data, help businesses stay secure, or become a cybersecurity professional, the key is to keep learning, stay curious, and stay safe online.
Start today, take one step at a time, and you’ll be well on your way to building a strong foundation in cybersecurity.