Level 1 -- The NOOB

The most common question I get asked -- how do I get started in #cybersecurity.

Here's my answer for an absolute, serious beginner. Not someone who's been in Information Technology for the last 6 years, but a true beginner. This is the path for your 6th grader or your grandma. It might also be the path for you, hey, I'm not judging!

Note, this is just my opinion, not the matter of fact must follow this path or bust plan. You can start wherever you want, skip around, ignore this altogether. Whatever. You do you.

You might be beyond this knowledge and looking for more #cybersecurity stuff. We'll get there, but if you're totally new, you is The Noob.

LEVEL 1 -- The NOOB

This is your foundation. Focus on the absolute basics of networking, operating systems, virtual machines, and system administration. You might be so new you're still learning what a computer is, how to get email, use social media, and such. Cool. Start at the beginning and work down:

1) Digital Basics

This is the beginning for everyone. Never used a computer before, not positive what email is, never connected a device, don't have a social media account -- you will get all of this in this CISCO Networking Academy Get-Connected course: https://www.netacad.com/courses/os-it/get-connected

2) Operating systems and basic connectivity

Learn some software applications, cybersecurity, and safe Internet practices (optional CompTIA ITF+ cert): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWtnlPWTnuw

3) Intro to Linux

Meet the command line. You'll learn about basic installation and configuration and get to interact with Linux: https://www.netacad.com/courses/os-it/ndg-linux-unhatched

4) Hands-on Linux

You don't have to install it yet. You just need a web browser to get this training, making it really easy to grab some hands-on knowledge. You want to do the first 3 games on OverTheWire.org/wargames (Bandit, Natas, and Leviathan) before you move on.

5) Windows Command Line

A intro to some basic command and a way to watch the entire Star Wars "A New Hope" in ASCII graphics, so that's cool and yes we're geeks:

Digital Trends: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-use-command-prompt/

6) Virtual machines

You need this to be able to create a home lab later. Not now, but like later. We'll get there. Back to Udemy for a free crash course on virtualization: https://www.udemy.com/course/virtualization-one-hour-crash-course/

Choose your poison. Lot's of folks like VirtualBox, personally I prefer VMware. Doesn't really matter what virtualization choice you make, but you do need one or the other to start creating your home lab. You do not need to build your home lab just yet and you could totally go cloud instead of either of these, more on that later:

a) VirtualBox: https://www.udemy.com/course/master-virtualbox-in-one-day/

b) VMware: https://www.vmwarevideos.com/free-vmware-training

7) Build Your Home Lab

If you're ready or just curious, check out this home lab knowledge from SANS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL2Ng191KQE

8) System administration

Why? So later when people are talking about system administration work, you can have meaningful conversations and your first role might even be something related to system or network administration: https://www.coursera.org/learn/system-administration-it-infrastructure-services

9) Networking

You need this. In fact, I'd spend more time here than in all the other sections combined. I promise, you won't regret this part:

a) Get an Introduction first for complete beginners: https://www.udemy.com/course/introduction-to-networking-for-complete-beginners/

b) Then Go Meet the Professor (optional CompTIA Network+ cert): https://www.professormesser.com/network-plus/n10-007/n10-007-training-course/

Certifications:

Note, you do NOT need certification. But if desired and you want to prove you learned this stuff, these are solid certifications to start with:

1. CISCO CCT: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/entry/technician-cct.html
2. CompTIA ITF+: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/it-fundamentals
3. CompTIA Network+: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network
4. Cyber First Responder (CFR): https://certnexus.com/certification/cybersec-first-responder/

Employment:

If you're looking for you first job in IT/Cybersecurity and have completed the training outlined in Level 1 -- Noob, your skills align to entry-level and beginner roles in Information Technology. Job titles you could search for include:

• IT Support Specialist
• Help Desk Technician
• Junior System Administrator

That's it...if you've completed all of this training, you can move on to Level 2 -- The BEGINNER.

Next up, Level 2 -- The BEGINNER

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/level-2-beginner-mic-merritt/

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