7 cheap or free cybersecurity training resources

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, but the industry faces a significant skills shortage. While experienced security engineers are in high demand, hiring senior staff alone isn’t a sustainable solution to fill the talent gap. Companies need to focus on training and hiring junior staff, and thankfully, there are numerous free and low-cost online resources available to help upskill employees and job seekers alike.

Here’s a list of some of the best platforms for cybersecurity training:

1. Cybrary

Cybrary offers a freemium model, providing courses for those interested in earning entry-level security certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and CISSP. Job seekers looking to break into the industry can work their way through many of Cybrary’s free courses, while enterprises can take advantage of cost-effective subscriptions to upskill their employees. The platform is an affordable option for those looking to enter junior cybersecurity roles.

2. Hack the Box

Hack the Box is an excellent platform for individuals aiming to take the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification. It offers a variety of free virtual machines (VMs) to practice hacking. Users must first hack the login form to gain access, ensuring only the dedicated get in. While the platform offers free lab machines, full access to retired machines and walkthroughs comes at £10 ($12.80) per month, with enterprise pricing available for larger organizations.

3. Pentester Academy

Focused on red teaming and penetration testing, Pentester Academy provides an affordable subscription model for learning pen testing basics, including x86 assembly, Metasploit, and forensics. Access to these resources starts at $99, with a monthly fee of $39. The platform also offers a red teaming lab network, though the pricing for this is higher, beginning at $399 for 30-day access.

4. SANS Cyber Aces

SANS, a well-known provider of high-quality (and often expensive) cybersecurity training, offers Cyber Aces, a free course covering core concepts like operating systems, networking, and systems administration. This is a great starting point for less-technical employees or job seekers, providing a foundation in cybersecurity before moving on to more advanced topics.

5. OWASP Broken Web Apps Project

For self-learners, the OWASP Broken Web Applications Project provides a virtual machine packed with deliberately vulnerable web applications. It’s a hands-on learning tool for anyone looking to understand web application security. The project offers tutorials for users to practice both offensive and defensive security techniques, making it a great free resource for developers and aspiring penetration testers.

6. Offensive Security’s Free Metasploit Course

Offensive Security, the creators of Kali Linux, offer a free course on Metasploit, one of the most widely used penetration testing tools. This course is an excellent introduction for those new to ethical hacking and penetration testing, and it’s structured in an intuitive, hands-on format. While the course is free, Offensive Security encourages donations to charity as an optional contribution.

7. No Starch Press Books

For those who prefer traditional learning methods, No Starch Press offers some of the best technical books in the industry. Their collection on hacking and computer security includes indispensable resources like Georgia Wiedman’s Penetration Testing and Practical Malware Analysis by Sikorski and Honig. Every purchase comes with a DRM-free electronic version at no additional cost, making it easy to access your books anywhere.

Conclusion

With these tools and resources, it’s easier than ever to train a new generation of cybersecurity professionals without the need for heavy capital investment. Whether you’re a job seeker looking to break into the field or a company aiming to upskill your workforce, these platforms provide affordable and effective pathways to mastering the basics and beyond. By investing in training for junior staff, companies can help alleviate the industry’s talent shortage while ensuring long-term success in safeguarding their digital assets.