Cybersecurity Roadmap 2023: How do I start in cybersecurity?

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How do I start in cybersecurity?
What basic skills do I need to get into cybersecurity?

I am sure a lot of people asked you these questions or similar ones. I was also asking the same questions back in 2018 when I first started studying cybersecurity.

So, this week I decided to write about a roadmap or more like a list of resources which could help you build your basics if you are trying to break into cybersecurity.

Below are some of the resources:

1. TryHackMe — Pre-Security Training — This learning path on TryHackMe teaches you the fundamentals you need to know about cybersecurity, networks, the web, Linux and windows operating systems. I would highly recommend this to someone who does not have a technical background, those who have a technical background can skip it.
2. TryHackMe — Introduction to Cybersecurity — This learning path on TryHackMe introduces you to the basic concepts of offensive and defensive security with lessons on web application security, operating system security, network security, security operations, digital forensics etc.
3. TryHackMe — Complete Beginner — This learning path on TryHackMe teaches you about Linux, Web Application Security, Network Security, Cryptography, Scripting, Privilege Escalation etc. This learning path is leaned towards offensive security.
4. (ISC)2 Certificate in Cybersecurity — (ISC)2 launched this entry-level certification last year to encourage entry into the cybersecurity workforce, and close the skill gap in the industry. This entry-level certification is a good starting point for those who are just starting in cybersecurity as it covers the fundamentals of various domains of cybersecurity. Also, (ISC)2 is offering free online self-paced training for this exam for the first 1 million students.
5. CompTIA Seurity+ — Security+ is the entry-level certification administered by CompTIA. I would encourage anyone starting in cybersecurity to go through the official guide of security+. It covers the fundamentals of various domains of cybersecurity nicely.

These courses will not make you job ready, but cover various domains of cybersecurity, and help you understand the fundamentals. Once your fundamentals are strong, you can explore the topics you like in-depth from various sources like TryHackMe, Udemy, Coursera, edx etc.

It’s the first step which is often difficult to take. Once you have taken the first step, you get the confidence to find subsequent steps on your own. The resources I listed above can help you take the first step in your cybersecurity journey.

Again, the goal of this article is to list the resources which can build a strong understanding of various domains of cybersecurity for beginners, not just one specific topic in cybersecurity.

If you are a cybersecurity professional reading this, please feel free to add additional resources in the comments that could be a good first step in the learning process.

If you are a beginner, and looking for advice, feel free to check out the articles I published earlier — Cybersecurity Careers: The Best Advice I Ever Received.