The cybersecurity threat landscape has certainly seen an increase in the volume, and sophistication, of attacks in recent years. We all need to be on our toes these days, from multinational corporations protecting billions of dollars, right down to the casual internet user doing some online banking.
We’re all aware of the need to educate ourselves in cyber protection, but where do we start? Luckily, there’s a wealth of free information and online resources available, and we’re here to guide you to the best.
Online Courses
SANS Cyber Aces Online Courses
SANS has some great courses for high school students and job seekers thinking about breaking into the cybersecurity industry. The information is easily digestible and anyone is welcome to see what’s on offer.
By focusing on the fundamentals, you’ll be able to learn all about protecting different operating systems, networks and system administration. Best of all though, you don’t need to register any details, simply head on over to the website and jump straight into learning.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST sits within the US Department of Commerce, and at first glance might not seem an obvious place to get your hands on free cybersecurity training materials. However, you’ll actually find a treasure trove of courses, including how to educate your employees, resources to aid professional development and links to free remote training for security center employees.
Video Materials
Cybersecurity TED Talks
We all love a good Ted talk from time to time, and you can now find dozens of cybersecurity related videos and lectures both on TED’s own website and on Youtube. Popular topics covered include, how to protect your small business from malicious attacks, recognizing everyday cybercrime, password tips and how to prevent tech companies from snooping on your online activities.
The personable presenters break down subjects into simple concepts, meaning even those with only the most basic background knowledge are welcome to learn here.
BrightTALK
BrightTALK was initially founded as a platform to deliver fund manager presentations, but it expanded into other knowledge-based sectors once the founders realized its full potential. Now, it has one of the most comprehensive libraries of free videos related to cybersecurity on the internet.
Current top picks include presentations on zero trust networking, how to develop security operations from the ground up and the importance of cyber resilience in a post-Covid world. There’s a pretty extensive library to check out, or you can head over to the upcoming talks section to see what’s on the horizon.
Podcasts
The Social-Engineer Podcast
Pretend by Chris Hadnagy, the Social-Engineer Podcast not only delves into the nitty-gritty of cyber attacks, it also tries to put the threat environment in a psychological context. Chirs asks why we might be more susceptible to some types of hacks than others, and discovers what makes us click on spam. Especially insightful are the interviews with former cyber criminals, finding out what makes them tick.
The perfect combo of informative and fun, this is a great listen for us regular folk looking for a way to navigate the modern cyber landscape.
Security Now!
Founded all the way back in 2005, and still going strong today, each weekly show usually comes in at a meaty two hours long, meaning it’s packed full of useful info for cybersecurity experts keen to stay on top of industry developments.
While the focus is on major news stories and protective strategies for those in the corporate world, you’ll also find a lot of episodes that cater to the home internet user.
Twitter Accounts
Kaspersky
Kaspersky is one of the largest and most well-known vendors of internet security solutions. The company doesn’t skimp when dishing out free advice either, and you can find a host of useful posts over on its Twitter feed. Recently, the content has covered topics such as protecting your kid’s smartphone, links to webinars, live discussion sessions and securing your online privacy.
SentinelOne
Founded in 2013, SentinelOne has seen explosive growth over the last eight years and has created one of the leading all-in-one cybersecurity monitoring platforms in the industry. This expertise shines through on its social media accounts too, and the company regularly posts about evolving cyber risks, new technologies and the cyber skills crisis.
Perimeter 81
A relative newcomer to the cybersecurity industry, Perimeter 81 has quickly made a strong impression with its cutting-edge SASE solution. The company aims to provide innovative network security packages, and the team’s enthusiasm is self-evident when you take a look at its Twitter feed.
You’ll find plenty of info detailing SASE projects, and why they’re becoming the go-to choice in our remote working world, as well as links to useful webinars, emerging threats and analysis of headline-grabbing cyber attacks.
Talha Ali is your tech generalist, covering a wide spectrum of topics within the ever-evolving world of technology. With a curiosity for the latest innovations, industry trends, and breakthroughs. Whether it’s hardware, software, emerging technologies, or the intersection of tech with daily life, Talha’s articles provide readers with a well-rounded perspective on the dynamic landscape of the tech industry.