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Introduction to Cybersecurity

Cisco's short free starter course on cyber threats, protecting your data and what a cybersecurity career looks like.

Taught byCisco Networking Academy
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About this course

This Networking Academy course explains why cybersecurity matters to individuals and organisations. It covers common attack types such as malware and social engineering, practical steps to protect personal data and privacy, how organisations defend networks, and the entry points into a security career.

Best for: Complete beginners curious about cybersecurity, including school and college students.

What you will be able to do

  • Recognise common cyber attacks and attacker motives
  • Protect personal devices, accounts and data
  • Describe how organisations defend their networks
  • Identify entry-level cybersecurity roles and next courses

Syllabus and your progress

Tick modules off as you finish them on Cisco Networking Academy.

0 of 5 modules done

Plan your pace

At 4 hours a week you would finish in about 2 weeks, using the course time estimate above.

Progress is saved in this browser only. No account needed.

Cost and certificate

Free certificate

Free course; passing the final quiz earns a free Cisco digital badge via Credly (a course badge, not a professional certification).

Cisco Networking Academy sets the terms and can change them. Check the course page before you commit serious time, and tell us if something changed.

Quick answers

Is Introduction to Cybersecurity really free?
Yes, the course material is free on Cisco Networking Academy. Free course; passing the final quiz earns a free Cisco digital badge via Credly (a course badge, not a professional certification).
How long does Introduction to Cybersecurity take?
Plan for about 6 hrs in total (Provider estimate: about 6 hours, self-paced). It is self-paced, so you can go faster or slower.
Do I need experience before Introduction to Cybersecurity?
No. It is a beginner course with no prerequisites listed.

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Introduction to Cybersecurity

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