10 Best Free Cyber Security Online Courses For 2024
Cybersecurity is a continual process that requires regular monitoring, assessment, and adaptation to handle emerging threats and weaknesses. Prioritizing cybersecurity is essential for both individuals and organizations to safeguard their digital assets and uphold public confidence in the digital realm.
Online cybersecurity courses can be a valuable resource for individuals looking to gain knowledge and skills in the field. However, the quality and effectiveness of these courses can vary depending on the platform, instructor, and curriculum.
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Online courses offer several advantages, such as flexibility in terms of timing and location, allowing learners to study at their own pace. They also often provide access to a community of learners and instructors, enabling collaboration and networking opportunities.
However, it’s important to note that online courses may not be suitable for everyone. Some individuals may prefer a more structured and traditional classroom setting for learning. Additionally, the effectiveness of an online course depends on the learner’s dedication, self-discipline, and ability to stay motivated without direct supervision.
What are Cybercrimes?
Cybercrime refers to criminal activities that are carried out using computers, networks, or the internet. It involves the use of technology to commit illegal acts or to target individuals, organizations, or even governments. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and software to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive information, commit fraud, disrupt services, or cause harm.
For these illicit activities, hackers typically use Linux operating systems and a few open-source tools.
Examples of cybercrime include:
1. Hacking
Unauthorized access to computer systems or networks to steal data, disrupt operations, or gain control over the system.
2. Phishing
Sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from reputable sources to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details.
3. Identity theft
Stealing personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account details, to impersonate someone else or commit financial fraud.
4. Malware attacks
Distributing malicious software, such as viruses, worms, or ransomware, to infect computers and gain control over them or extort money from victims.
5. Online scams
Deceptive schemes conducted online, such as fake online marketplaces, lottery scams, or romance scams, to defraud individuals or organizations.
6. Cyberstalking and harassment
Using digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or threaten individuals, often through social media or online messaging.
Due to the activities of cyber perpetrators, professionals with experience in security are now required by organizations to safeguard their networks, staff computers, and corporate information. To defend themselves against these actions, people must also understand how these instruments operate.
10 Best Free Cyber Security Online Courses in 2024
There are many free cyber security online courses to learn in 2024, but we have painstakingly picked the 10 best free Cyber Security online Courses to learn in 2024 and many IT workers who know cyber security trust these courses, which are rich in knowledge and prepared by experts in the field.
1. Introduction to Cyber Attacks [Coursera Free Course for Audit]
Introduction to Cyber Attacks offered by Coursera is the first on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security Online Courses in 2024. This course is good for beginners who want to take up a career in cyber security.
If you are new in the world of cybersecurity and you desire to work as a cybersecurity specialist, this is a good course to start with because it will teach you all the concepts you need to know before pursuing this career.
You will learn about a variety of topics, including network security, Internet of Things security, protecting against cyberattacks, and much more.
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This course is completely online and free. During this course, you will first learn about the basics of cyberattacks, including their hazards, weaknesses, and applications in real-world situations, after which you will learn how to protect against these assaults, including the use of cryptography and various authentication systems.
It is good to add that this course is also available as part of NYU Tandem School of Engineering’s Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization on Coursera.
Course Schedule
- 18 hours (approximately) with Flexible schedule
- 4 Module
- Shareable certificate
2. Staying Safe Online [Udemy Free Course]
Next on our list of the 10 best cybersecurity online courses in 2024 is Staying Safe Online offered by Udemy. This course focuses on children who are just starting to use the internet to browse other websites and watch YouTube. This course is probably the best way to teach them how to stay safe from social engineering and hacker attacks. Children are increasingly being used by people who breach their accounts and use their images against them.
An introduction to passwords and the many techniques hackers use to break them will be given at the outset.
You will eventually discover the advantages and disadvantages of social media use, as well as the data that hackers can obtain from your profile to determine what information you should and shouldn’t share on social media.
During the course, the best techniques for establishing strong, safe passwords and efficiently managing them will also be covered. In addition, students will learn how to spot and steer clear of online predators as well as how to report questionable activity.
The course will also go into how to prevent data breaches and the dangers of revealing private information online. Using privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to manage who can access your information will be covered in the course.
Lastly, the training will teach students how to use shopping and banking websites safely. To make the course content interesting and simple to understand, it is presented in an interactive manner using videos, tests, and practical activities.
Course Schedule
- 6 sections
- 19 lectures
- 39 minutes total length
- 30 minutes of on-demand video content
3. Personnel & Third-Party Security
The next on our list of 10 best cybersecurity online courses in 2024 is Personnel & Third-Party Security offered by the University of California, Irvine through the Coursera platform.
The Personnel & Third-party Security course will teach you everything you need to know about putting in place efficient training, awareness, and education initiatives.
Additionally, taking this course you will investigate how personnel security safeguards the material, intellectual, and creative assets of an organization. The procedures necessary for efficient vendor risk management (VRM), such as contracting, monitoring & accessing due diligence, and termination, will also be covered.
You will also have the opportunity to interact with contemporary case studies that support the major ideas you will learn during the course as you will be allowed to turn in assignments where you use the knowledge gained in real-world situations.
Course Schedule
- 9-10 weeks
- Flexible schedule
- On-Demand
- Paid Certificate Available
- Free Online Course (Audit)
4. Privacy Law and Data Protection
We also have the Privacy Law and Data Protection offered by the University of Pennsylvania on our list of the 10 Best Free Cyber Security Online Courses in 2024.
The Privacy Law and Data Protection online course will enable students to examine the practical side of negotiating the intricate web of privacy regulations as well as gain a deeper comprehension of privacy regulations and data protection that can help to defend their company and the constituents who rely on it to protect their data.
To understand why regulations, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal information were developed. The course will first make students look at the historical background of Privacy Law and Data Protection.
The course will concentrate on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), a federal legislation on health privacy, and the requirements for adhering to it.
Students will also learn several approaches that support the security of personal data and investigate the idea that one cannot have privacy without robust security. In line with this, breach notification rules will be taught in detail—one of the biggest forces for organizational change—and talk about methods for enhancing data protection in general.
Finally, we will examine state and international legislation as well as the special and significant role that the Federal Trade Commission plays in preserving privacy.
It is important to note that having taught students the basics of Privacy Law and Data Protection, students are made to get down to business: we’ll talk about realistic, hands-on ways that compliance officers may best safeguard their companies by navigating the complicated world of privacy regulations.
Course Schedule
- Period of 12 weeks
- 12 hours (approximately)
- Flexible schedule
- 4 module
- Paid Certificate Available
5. Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains
We also have Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains on our list of the Best Free Cyber Security Online Courses in 2024. This course is offered by the University System of Georgia to familiarize working professionals, students, and the general public with the fascinating topic of cybersecurity.
Participants of this online course will converse online and participate in community dialogue. The subjects of cybersecurity and related fields will become more familiar to the participants.
During the period of this course, students will interact with professionally produced videos, learn from business continuity and disaster recovery experts, take part in knowledge tests, practice evaluating their environmental awareness, and have access to resources covering governance and risk management, compliance, software development security, access control, network security, security architecture, security operations, and physical and environmental security.
Strategies that are in line with knowledge and comprehension will be used to evaluate learning and you do not need to have any prior expertise with IT security for you to succeed in this course. All that is required is an openness to learning.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to apply to Kennesaw State University for undergraduate course credit (subject to acceptance as either a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student).
Course Schedule
- Free Online Course (Audit)
- Paid Certificate Available
- 24 weeks
6. The Information Security Big Picture [Pluralsight free trial]
Next on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024 is The Information Security Big Picture. This course needs to be the first in the field of cyber security to teach students about cyber security and dispel some myths about protective measures, such as utilizing an antivirus program to completely shield against malware among other things.
Some of the security issues that persons in this field encounter will be covered in class, including the fact that installing an antivirus program won’t provide you with total security.
You will also discover how secure passwords are, how to use them to your advantage, and a host of other issues on smartphones, encryption, and the internet.
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Course Schedule
- 4 module
- 137 minutes
- downloadable Courses
7. Cyber Security [Free Udemy Course]
Cyber Security offered by Udemy is a free online course and next on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024. This is one of the most modern and cutting-edge professional courses in the Cyber security sector.
This course will take students through an extensive introduction to cyber security principles and procedures, starting with the basic principles of cyber security, the course will further explore center technology including encryption, sandboxing, and antivirus software. It also covers how to undertake cyber activities, secure online transactions, email security, and safeguard your WordPress website and online identity.
The course also consists of fifteen video lessons and supplementary materials. The videos explain security principles and help non-technical internet users comprehend the world of cyber security and how to safeguard their online identities.
Although the study is self-paced, you could finish the entire series in about a week depending on how fast you want to finish the course.
Furthermore, to help the general people protect themselves against online predators, we have made sure to include themes that explain the fundamentals of cyber security.
Course Schedule
- 1 section
- 13 lectures
- 1h 8m total lengths
- Online video content
8. CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity
The next on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024 is the CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity offered by Harvard University and the course is for both technical and non-technical audiences.
With this course you will discover how to safeguard your personal information, gadgets, and networks against current risks as well as identify and assess potential ones in the future—both at home and at work.
The course will also make you acquire the mindset that cybersecurity is not absolute, but rather relative, based on an adversary’s risks and rewards as well as your costs and benefits.
It will also make students realize that usability itself must be sacrificed for cybersecurity. Based on this course CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity, Students receive all the technical knowledge they need to comprehend both high-level and low-level examples of risks in this course.
It is good to note that anyone interested is welcome to “take” this course for free through OpenCourseWare, even if you are not a Harvard student. All you need to do is to work through the course’s five weeks of content and the final assignment.
Course Schedule
- 5 weeks, 2-6 hours a week
- $449.00 Certificate Available
- Free Online Course (Audit)
9. Introduction to Risk Management
The next on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024 is Introduction to Risk Management. This course is offered by the University of California, Irvine and it is aimed at educating students on risk management in the Cyber Security sector.
This course, Introduction to Risk Management, gives students an understanding of how good risk management may assist an organization in lowering the cost of conducting business. Students taking this course will further their careers as safety and health professionals.
Students taking this course will also examine the many stages, effects, and methods of the risk management procedure during the period of the study of the course.
As part of the course package, students will be taught the main priorities of a safety professional which are detecting, evaluating, and creating controls in the cybersecurity sector.
The course will also broaden students’ understanding of risk management and develop their capacity to recognize, assess, and evaluate risk about assets, liabilities, employees, and business disruption.
In addition to gaining the knowledge and abilities to assist management in raising an organization’s operational effectiveness and profitability. The introduction to Risk Management course also assists participants in having important new insight into how these risks are financed in the event of any loss of data
Course Schedule
- 10 weeks
- Paid Certificate Available
10. Principles of Secure Coding
The next on our list of 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024 is the Principles of Secure Coding. This online course is offered by the University of California and it is for 4 months.
During this course, you will learn about the foundations of secure programming. The idea and tenets of secure programming are first covered, followed by a discussion of robust programming and how it relates to secure programming.
The course will take students through a thorough example of building secure code, as well as looking at several typical programming issues and how they relate to writing secure programs overall.
Students will be exposed to how to apply the eight design principles that underpin secure coding to their work. Students will also be taught about how bad design decisions affect coding implementation.
Course Schedule
- 4 Months
- Paid Certificate Available
- Online video content
Conclusion
Individuals and organizations are advised to choose from any of these 10 Best Free Cyber Security online Courses in 2024 to equip themselves since the number of cyberattacks has been on the increase recently and because they can seriously harm an organization’s reputation and incur large financial costs, hence, everyone should learn either online or on-campus about cyber security and how to prevent their privacy and data from being compromised.
