Free and inexpensive cybersecurity courses to consider in 2026

Whether you are in the cyber field or not, skills in security have a range of benefits that can empower virtually every career.

The cybersecurity space is endlessly evolving as new technologies, protocols and systems demand heightened security measures. Unfortunately, malicious people can circumvent cybersecurity tech almost as quickly as it is invented, so it takes time and commitment to stay on top of skills in this space.

Upskilling in cybersecurity shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, nor should it be inconvenient to your day-to-day life. With that in mind, SiliconRepublic.com has created a list of some of the most interesting cybersecurity courses designed to suit almost every lifestyle and budget, whether you are a novice, a student or a veteran professional.

Cisco Networking Academy 

Cisco Networking Academy is running an Introduction to Cybersecurity course. The free, six-hour, self-paced course covers the basics and aims to give students and professionals the skills needed to protect their personal digital life and gain insights into the biggest security challenges facing companies, governments and educational institutions. There is also a paid option that is instructor-led and may be better suited to a student or professional looking for additional structure. 

There is also a three-hour Cybersecurity Landscape course that will give learners a greater understanding of cybersecurity core concepts, risk management and what it takes to develop a career as a SOC analyst. The academy noted that this is the first course in its Cybersecurity Defense Analyst Career path.

Coursera

Education platform Coursera has dozens of free, inexpensive and slightly more pricey courses open to professionals and students looking to advance their cybersecurity knowledge. For example, there is a CompTIA Security course for people at an intermediate level. At 10 hours a week, the flexible course roughly takes two weeks to complete, enrollment is free and areas covered include cyberthreat intelligence, incident response, risk management, governance and cryptography, among others. 

There is also a Certified Cloud Security Professional course. Similarly it is for people at an intermediate level, can be undertaken in 10 weeks and is free to take part in. Skills gained from the various modules include, IT security architecture, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, computer science and encryption. 

There are also a range of options that, if you are unsure about what you are looking for, offer free trials. Consider courses such as Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials, Google Cybersecurity, IBM Cybersecurity Analyst and Cybersecurity for Everyone.

EdX

Learning resource EdX has plenty of courses for cybersecurity students to avail of, including an IBM Beginners Guide to Cybersecurity course, Cybersecurity Basics: Tools and Cyberattacks course and the Launch your Cybersecurity Career course. 

Advanced professionals have options such as Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Cybersecurity Risk Management. Both courses take eight weeks on average to complete, with a commitment of roughly 10 to 12 hours per week and come with a certificate to show you are now qualified, provided you pass the course. 

TryHackMe

TryHackMe is a gamified, hands-on cybersecurity training platform designed for people of all skill levels. The browser-based resource offers users guides, challenges and learning content for complete beginners as well as seasoned hackers.

Students and professionals can enroll in programmes such as Cyber Security 101, Pre Security, Jr Penetration Tester, Soc Level 1, Web Fundamentals and AI Security among others. Many of the initial courses are free and for more advanced options there are monthly payment options. Users can also benefit from a wide community of peers with a common interest and take part in group challenges to advance skills and knowledge. 

Udemy

Educational platform Udemy has a plethora of learning opportunities. The Stay Secure: Modern Information Security Awareness course can help users learn cybersecurity skills to prevent cyberthreats, avoid phishing scams, strengthen passwords and stay safe online. The course is for beginners, is free and consists of 15 lectures.

There is also an SOC Analyst Essentials: Introduction to Cybersecurity programme, where learners explore SOC basics, cybersecurity tools, threat detection, malware analysis and core skills for aspiring SOC analysts. There are 20 lectures and will take, on average, an hour and a half to complete. 

Additional courses include Cybersecurity Defence Fundamentals Encryption and OS Security, Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Don’t get Hacked, and Cybersecurity at Work: Stay Safe Online For Employees. 

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