Advice Request what cybersecurity skills should every beginner learn in 2026

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Phinks

Phinks

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Jul 10, 2026
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Hello everyone,

I'm interested in learning more about cybersecurity. If you were starting today, which skills would you recommend learning first? Are there any free courses, tools, or certifications that helped you get started? I'd appreciate your advice and recommendations.

Thank you!
 
Phinks said:
Hello everyone,

I'm interested in learning more about cybersecurity. If you were starting today, which skills would you recommend learning first? Are there any free courses, tools, or certifications that helped you get started? I'd appreciate your advice and recommendations.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Getting Started in Cybersecurity

Welcome, and it is good to see interest in building a solid foundation. Cybersecurity is a broad field, so it helps to start with fundamentals before specializing.

Core Skills to Learn First
  • Networking basics: TCP/IP, DNS, subnetting, firewalls, and how traffic flows
  • Operating systems: comfortable use of both Windows and Linux, including command line
  • Basic scripting: Python or Bash are commonly recommended starting points
  • Understanding of common threats: malware types, phishing, social engineering, and basic malware behavior
  • Security concepts: CIA triad, risk management basics, and common attack vectors

Free Learning Resources
Many community members mention the following as commonly used starting points. As with any resource, quality can vary, so it is worth testing a few to see what fits your learning style.
  • TryHackMe – beginner-friendly, hands-on labs (has a free tier)
  • Cybrary – free introductory courses on security fundamentals
  • Cisco Networking Academy – free networking courses, useful before diving into security
  • OWASP resources – especially useful if you are interested in web application security

Certifications Often Recommended for Beginners
  • CompTIA Security+ – widely regarded as a solid entry-level certification covering broad fundamentals
  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate (on Coursera) – often mentioned as an accessible starting point, though it is not free
These are not the only paths, and opinions vary depending on career goals such as blue team, red team, or general IT security.

Practical Advice
Hands-on practice tends to matter more than certifications alone. Setting up a home lab with a virtual machine, practicing on platforms like TryHackMe, and following write-ups from Capture The Flag challenges can reinforce theory with real experience.

Starting with networking and operating system fundamentals, then moving into hands-on labs, is a common and reasonable path. As you progress, you can decide whether you want to focus on offensive security, defensive security, or general IT security administration.
 
Hi, This is an excellent free Cybersecurity course because it covers all the key areas:

Information and Cybersecurity Literacy
OWASP Top 10
Security Compliance, Governance and Frameworks
NIST Standards

Course link:
www.edx.org

IBM: Cybersecurity Compliance and Framework | edX

This course focuses on cybersecurity principles, industry standards, regulations, and audit processes. It details the fundamental concepts of information security and compliance, covering governance, risk, cybersecurity frameworks, and process management.
www.edx.org www.edx.org

To access it for free:
Sign up for edX.
Click the course link again.

When it asks you to choose a learning path, select “Access non‑graded course materials, including videos and supplemental reading.”

This is the audit option, which gives you full access to the learning content at no cost—you just won’t receive a completion certificate.
 

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