🛡️ Cybersecurity Roadmap
Beginner to Job-Ready Cybersecurity Professional
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Understand cybersecurity concepts, common threats, security principles, and defense strategies.
Computer Networking
Learn IP addresses, ports, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, and network protocols.
Linux Fundamentals
Master Linux commands, file permissions, users, processes, and system administration basics.
Windows Fundamentals
Understand Windows administration, users, permissions, services, and Event Viewer logs.
Command-Line Skills
Use Linux Terminal and Windows PowerShell to automate tasks and troubleshoot systems.
Networking Tools
Practice with Wireshark, Nmap, ping, traceroute, and other network diagnostic tools.
Cybersecurity Threats
Understand malware, ransomware, phishing, social engineering, and common attack techniques.
Security Fundamentals
Learn authentication, authorization, encryption, hashing, firewalls, VPNs, and access control.
Ethical Hacking Basics
Understand penetration testing methodologies, authorization, scope, and responsible security testing.
Web Application Security
Learn HTTP requests, cookies, sessions, authentication flaws, and common web vulnerabilities.
OWASP Top 10
Study common web application risks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and access control failures.
Penetration Testing Tools
Practice authorized security testing with Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit in a controlled lab.
Vulnerability Assessment
Identify, validate, prioritize, and document security weaknesses using tools such as Nessus.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Learn log collection, event correlation, dashboards, and threat detection using Splunk or Wazuh.
Log Analysis
Investigate Windows Event Logs, Linux authentication logs, firewall events, and suspicious activities.
Incident Response
Learn alert triage, investigation, containment, recovery, and incident documentation.
Threat Intelligence
Understand indicators of compromise (IOCs), threat feeds, MITRE ATT&CK, and attacker tactics.
Digital Forensics Basics
Learn evidence preservation, file analysis, system artifacts, and basic incident investigation.
Security Operations Center (SOC)
Understand SOC workflows, alert monitoring, escalation procedures, and Tier 1 analyst responsibilities.
Cloud Security Fundamentals
Learn cloud security principles, identity and access management, logging, and basic AWS or Azure security.
Python for Cybersecurity
Automate repetitive tasks, process log files, and write simple security analysis scripts.
Practical Security Labs
Build a home lab using virtual machines and practice defensive monitoring and authorized penetration testing.
Cybersecurity Projects
Create a SIEM detection dashboard, investigate a phishing email, analyze security logs, and document a vulnerability assessment.
Resume and Interview Preparation
Build a cybersecurity resume, document your projects, practice technical interviews, and prepare for entry-level security roles.
Job Readiness Assessment
Demonstrate practical skills through security investigations, lab exercises, incident reports, and a final cybersecurity project.