Here's how you can learn network security skills on a budget.

Network security skills can be learned on a tight budget. Free and Economical Educational Resources For example online tutorials. 1) Coursera, edX, Udacity 2) Cybrary 3) YouTube: Professor Messer, NetworkChuck are fascinating channels. 4) books and eBooks 5) Project Gutenberg and Open Library offer free technical publications. 6) PDFs online 7) Forums and blogs: Hacker News, Krebs on Security, Schneier on Security. 8. Open-Source Tools. A Linux distribution with several network security capabilities is Kali Linux. 9) Wireshark: for network investigation. 10. Metasploit Penetration Testing framework 11) Nmap network scanning 12) Test your own home lab security settings with VMware or VirtualBox virtual machines.

Check Cisco's networking courses. All of those are free and resourceful and the way topics are explained is also great and can also visualize how packets are transferred using Cisco's packet tracer software.

Acquiring network security skills on a budget can be achieved using diverse, cost-effective resources. Free and affordable online platforms, YouTube tutorials, websites, blogs, and online communities offer valuable knowledge exchange opportunities. Virtual labs, conferences, and certifications provide practical experience and professional development. Familiarity with open-source security tools like Wireshark and Nmap contributes to hands-on network security analysis and pentesting experience.

Connecting with your local ISC2 group in your state or city is essential. Simply getting involved and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is crucial for learning new skills. Networking is key—by building connections, you create opportunities to apply what you've learned. While online content is abundant, gaining practical experience often requires stepping out and creating opportunities for yourself.

Online Courses ? Cybrary: Free courses on network security and ethical hacking. ? Khan Academy: Basics of computer science, including networking. ? Coursera and edX: Free cybersecurity courses from top universities. Books and E-books ? Open Security Training: Free materials on various security topics. ? Security+ Study Guide: Free summaries and notes available online. ? The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Free excerpts available. Labs and Simulations ? Hack The Box: Practice penetration testing with virtual challenges. ? TryHackMe: Guided training paths and hands-on labs. ? OverTheWire: Wargames to learn security concepts.

There are a ton of open source tools and more specifically developer tools to help engineers build their own virtual environments. Almost every major tech provider with a product you want to learn has some kind of a free developer Instance you can go sign up for and spin up without paying a dime or for very cheap. Microsoft, Apple, AWS and others have free accounts that will provide a plethora of free resources for you to learn from. These companies WANT you to learn their products so you go out and sell their products for them. Go take advantage of these freebies.

I would encourage everyone, including seasoned professionals, to invest in a Sy0-601/701 textbook, which typically costs around $20-30. These textbooks not only cover fundamental topics such as cryptography and protocols but also serve as comprehensive resources for preparing for Security+ certification. They often include online resources and labs that allow you to apply these foundational concepts effectively.

A personal project that I'm especially proud of and recommend is building your own virtual machine (VM). This project allows you to explore system hardening, penetration testing, and other skills without the risk of damaging your main system. Building and managing your VM provides a safe environment to repeatedly practice hardening techniques, conduct tests, and explore various applications. It's a hands-on approach that enhances your understanding of system security and gives you practical experience in a controlled setting.