Cybersecurity Online Courses & Certifications

Nowadays, organizations spend heavily on defending their computer operating systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks. The frequency of cyberattacks is rising. This is why qualified cybersecurity professionals are in demand to help ensure safety for individuals and organizations.

If you are planning to get started in this fast-growing career, then you take up an online cybersecurity course to learn the in-demand cybersecurity skills.

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity Definition: Cybersecurity refers to the methods, technologies, controls, and processes that protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks or unauthorized access.

Must Explore: What is Cybersecurity?

A data breach can result in devastating consequences for any business. Thus, every business must have an effective and efficient cybersecurity system. The system must be able to protect its critical systems and sensitive information from cyber threats. It should also save it from disruptions caused due to natural disasters.

Cybersecurity is made up of the following sub-domains:

1. Network security
2. Application security
3. Information security
4. Operational security
5. Cloud security
6. Mobile security
7. Disaster recovery
8. End-user education

What are Online Cybersecurity Courses?

Online cybersecurity courses are educational programs delivered via the Internet that teach various aspects of digital security. These courses cover topics related to protecting computer systems, networks, programs, and data from digital attacks, unauthorized access, and other cyber threats.

Here are some of the key aspects of online cybersecurity courses:

1. Cybersecurity courses online cover a wide range of topics such as network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, risk management, and security policies.
2. Students can learn at their own pace and schedule, making it convenient for working professionals.
3. Cyber security courses teach concepts and skills through video lectures, interactive exercises, quizzes, and virtual labs.
4. Many online cybersecurity courses are designed to help students prepare for industry-recognized certifications like - CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
5. These courses are available for all levels, i.e., beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced professionals.

The cost/price of an online cybersecurity course ranges from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 1,00,000. It can vary depending upon the type of course (certificate/bachelor’s/master’s), mode of learning, and course provider. 

Online Cybersecurity Course Highlights

Aspect	Details
Type of Course	Online, Self-paced, Distance learning
Duration	1 week - 6 months
Course Pedagogy	Video lectures, interactive simulations, hands-on labs, coding exercises, virtual security projects, quizzes
Specializations	Network Security, Ethical Hacking, Cryptography, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Penetration Testing, Incident Response
Eligibility Criteria	Often no formal prerequisites; some advanced courses may require basic IT or programming knowledge
Top Providers	Coursera, edX, Udemy, Cybrary, SANS Institute, EC-Council
Top Recruiters	IT companies, financial institutions, government agencies, cybersecurity firms, consulting services
Certifications	CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

Online cybersecurity courses can benefit a wide range of individuals. Here's a list of who should consider taking these courses:

1. IT professionals looking to specialize
2. Career changers interested in entering the cybersecurity field
3. College students majoring in computer science or related fields
4. Business owners who want to protect their digital assets
5. Employees in data-sensitive industries (e.g., finance, healthcare)
6. Government workers handling sensitive information
7. Developers aiming to create more secure applications
8. Network administrators seeking to enhance security skills
9. Individuals interested in ethical hacking or penetration testing
10. Anyone concerned about personal digital security

Explore popular Cyber Law Courses

How to Choose the Best Cybersecurity Course

Before you take up an online cybersecurity course, you should ask the following questions. Your answers to these questions will help you decide which course to choose.

Q1: What are my career goals?

Thoroughly evaluate your objective for pursuing a cyber security course.

1. You can choose beginner-level courses to get an industry overview when new or changing careers. Anyone can take these courses as they teach you how to protect your data. Opt for free cybersecurity courses.
2. At the intermediate level, you would like to learn about important concepts that you can apply in the cybersecurity industry.
3. Opt for advanced-level courses, often certifications, to earn a better salary or designation.

Q2: What skills do I need to work as a cybersecurity professional?

Identify the key skills required in the cybersecurity field. These typically include:

1. Threat intelligence and management
2. Incident response
3. Security architecture
4. Risk assessment and management
5. Cryptography
6. Ethical hacking and penetration testing
7. Programming (e.g., Python, C++, Java)
8. Knowledge of operating systems and databases

Prioritize cybersecurity courses that cover the skills most relevant to your target role or area of interest within the domain.

Q3: What cybersecurity skills do I already have?

Assess your current knowledge and experience to avoid redundancy and focus on areas for improvement:

1. List your existing technical skills (e.g., networking, programming, system administration)
2. Evaluate your soft skills (e.g., problem-solving, communication, teamwork)
3. Review any relevant certifications or training you have already completed
4. Consider your practical experience in IT or security-related roles

This assessment will help you identify gaps in your knowledge and choose courses that complement your existing skillset.

Q4: How much money can I invest in acquiring new cybersecurity skills?

Determine your budget for cybersecurity education:

1. Free options: MOOCs (e.g., Coursera, edX), YouTube tutorials, free courses, open-source learning materials, etc.
2. Low-cost options: Udemy courses, monthly subscription platforms (e.g., Pluralsight, LinkedIn Learning), etc.
3. Moderate investment: Professional certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CEH), etc.
4. High investment: Advanced certifications (e.g., CISSP, OSCP), university degree programs, etc.

Consider the potential return on investment for each option in relation to your career goals.

Q5: Which cyber security courses best suit my learning style?

Identify your preferred learning methods:

1. Visual learners: Video tutorials, infographics, diagrams
2. Auditory learners: Podcasts, audio lectures, group discussions
3. Reading/writing learners: Textbooks, written guides, note-taking
4. Kinesthetic learners: Hands-on labs, practical exercises, CTF challenges

Look for courses that align with your learning style or offer a mix of methods to keep you engaged and maximize your retention of the material.

Top Online Cybersecurity Courses in India

Here is the list of popular online courses on cyber security:

1. Internet of things (IoT) Training & Certification Courses
2. Cybersecurity Boot Camp
3. Associate of applied science in Cybersecurity
4. Certificate in Cybersecurity and FinTech
5. Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management
6. Advanced Executive Program in Cybersecurity
7. Cybersecurity/information Security Analyst
8. Cybersecurity Leadership for Non-Technical Executives
9. Cybersecurity Expert Training Program
10. M.S. in Cybersecurity
11. Master's in Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity Specialization
12. Fundamentals of the Law and Cybersecurity
13. Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology
14. Stanford's Advanced Cybersecurity Program

Online Cybersecurity Courses Preferred by Working Professionals

Some of the best online cyber security courses that are opted mainly by working professionals are:

1. Lead CyberSecurity Professional Certificate - LCSPC
2. Industrial Cybersecurity: Healthcare
3. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CSA+)
4. Mastering Threat Intelligence
5. CDMC-MICA: Mastering the big three!
6. Online Post Graduate Certificate in Cyber Law
7. Online Certificate in Ethical Hacking By Ankit Fadia
8. Online Certified Ethical Hacker
9. Online Certificate Course in Cyber Law
10. Becoming a Secure Cyber Professional
11. Defending Against Cyber Bullying
12. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v10) Online Training & Certification Course 
13. Ethical Hacking And Prevention - Online Training
14. CompTIA Security+ SY0-401

Top Free Cyber Security Courses Online

If you are short on funds but want to learn about this rapidly growing field, you can opt for free cyber security courses. Some of the best ones are listed below:

1. Google Cybersecurity Action Team: Cybersecurity Essentials
2. Cybersecurity Essentials
3. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
4. Cybersecurity Compliance Framework & System
5. Cisco Netacad - Introduction to cybersecurity
6. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Assessment
7. Advanced Cybersecurity Concepts and Capstone Project
8. The Foundations of Cybersecurity
9. Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains
10. Certified in Cybersecurity Specialization
11. The Cybersecurity Culture Blueprint: A Proactive Approach
12. Cybersecurity Architecture
13. Cybersecurity Solutions and Microsoft Defender
14. Cybersecurity Attack and Defense Fundamentals

Must Explore - What is Cyber Law? 

How to Become a Cyber Security Professional?

To become a cyber-security professional, you would need to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber security or a related field. In addition, you should have a have a hands-on experience and practical exposure towards industry level problems. Here are some of the basic steps at different experience levels to help you become a cyber-security professional – 

 

No Prior Knowledge 

1. Study cyber security thoroughly 

1. Take up a Cyber Security certification course 

1. Learn about viruses and worms,  Trojan horses, spyware and adware, zero-day/zero-hour attacks, types of hacker (white hat, black hat, grey hat, etc) denial of service attacks, data interception and theft, and identity theft. 

  

Basic Knowledge 

1. Pursue internship in Cyber Security 

1. Learn to perform penetration tests on web applications, networks and computer systems 

1. Take up any entry-level role as a security administrator, system administrator or network engineer 

1. Develop specialized ethical hacking skills with training and certification 

Intermediate Knowledge 

1. Gain experience with a Cyber Security organization as a security analyst, engineer, consultant or auditor 

1. Take up relevant industry certifications and earn more advanced IT certifications and training 

1. Take up an MBA programme focusing on IT security and/or management 

 

Advanced Knowledge 

1. Take up an MBA programme focusing on IT security and/or management 

1. Enter a management position overseeing a security team 

1. Get promoted to a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role 

1. Learn to develop strategies and plans to deploy information security technologies and improve the current programs 

1. Spearhead IT security investigations and offer the required courses of action 

  

Preparing for an interview? Check out our top interview question and answer articles:  

1. Top Network Security Interview Questions and Answers 

1. Top Ethical Hacking Interview Questions and Answers 

1. Top Cyber Security Interview Questions and Answers 

Also Read: Best Cyber Security Programming Languages to Learn

Popular Job Profiles in Cybersecurity

There are a variety of job roles in the field of Cybersecurity. Some of the most popular cybersecurity job profiles include:

Role	Average Salary (INR)
Security Analyst	3.0 Lakhs to 10.0 Lakhs
Security Architect	12.5 lakhs to 50 lakhs
Security Engineer	3.0 Lakhs to 22.0 Lakhs
Chief Information Security Officer	16.5 lakhs to 98 lakhs
Penetration Tester	51.0 Lakhs to 56.0 Lakhs
Security Manager	3 lakhs to 28.2 lakhs
Security Software Developer	2.0 Lakhs to 15.4 Lakhs
Security Specialist	9.6 Lakhs
Security Consultant	13 Lakhs

 

Why Should You Choose Cybersecurity as a Career Option?

Technological advancement has led to an increased demand for Cyber Security professionals. Cyber Security trend has jumped approximately 200% over the last 5 years, paving way for more employment opportunities. It is interesting to learn that cyber security has extended beyond the digital world and is entering the physical world, thereby ensuring a real-world impact.

Some of the reasons why you should take up a career in cyber security, include - 

An Exciting Field

In the digital era, information security, network security, and cybersecurity play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of data as well as the systems that support businesses. A security professional will be faced with new and challenging situations and will try for each day to keep the ever-demanding infrastructure secure.

Shortage of Talent

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, “there is a critical shortage in cybersecurity talent and the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs is expected to rise from 2 million in 2013 to 4.5 million in 2024.”

Due to the increasing severity and frequency of cyber attacks, there is a need to bridge the cybersecurity skill gap and fill the shortage of cyber talent. While all firms are struggling to find cybersecurity talent, it could be a great chance for you to learn the most in-demand security skills and enter the interesting field of security.

High-Paying Jobs

Security professional jobs are among the most sought-after as well as the highest-paying jobs. Security professionals work in challenging, fast-paced work environments and are often faced with odd hours. The sensitive nature of their jobs creates a significant earning potential for them. As per Ambition box, dated 25/07.2024 the average salary of a cybersecurity professional ranges between 10 lakhs to 19 lakhs. 

Growth Opportunities

The field of security offers a variety of career opportunities to IT professionals. If you are someone who likes to be challenged, the security industry will offer you many opportunities for development and growth in terms of career paths and remunerations.

Job Security

With growing cyber-attacks, the demand for security professionals is also increasing. As hackers and cyber-criminals develop new ways to access sensitive information, many companies in the world are becoming more vigilant about security vulnerabilities. It means that for information security analysts cybersecurity specialists, and network security, job security is guaranteed.

Conclusion 

Be it a large organization or a small enterprise, every company with an online presence is readily hiring cybersecurity experts. They look for professionals who are well-versed in IT and network security. There are many opportunities for candidates to start and advance their careers within cybersecurity. 

The top-rated online cybersecurity courses listed on Shiksha Online will offer you a quick and accessible way to train up in cybersecurity skills. They will make you prepared for landing cybersecurity jobs.

Enroll in an online cybersecurity course today and kickstart your career in the lucrative and promising field of cybersecurity.