Security Course Recommendations: Free/Paid, Online/In-Person Complete Review [2025]

Introduction: Where to Start Learning Security?

"I want to learn security, but there are too many courses, I don't know which to choose."

This is a common struggle.

Google "security courses" and you get hundreds of thousands of results. Free, paid, online, in-person, in your language, in English... it's overwhelming.

This article has organized everything for you.

We'll tell you:

• What to start with when learning security
• Which free resources are worth using
• Which paid courses are worth investing in
• What government subsidies are available

Whether you're a student, career changer, or manager wanting to train employees, you'll find your answers here.

Want to understand the complete security career landscape? We recommend first reading Security Engineer Complete Guide.

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1. Security Learning Path Planning

Before picking courses, understand the learning sequence.

Recommended Learning Path

Phase 1: Build Foundations (1-3 months)

Security is built on IT fundamentals. Without basics, learning security directly will be painful.

Must learn first:

• Networking Concepts: TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, firewall principles
• Operating Systems: Windows and Linux basic operations
• Programming Basics: At least some Python

Phase 2: Security Fundamentals (2-4 months)

With foundations in place, start learning core security concepts.

Learning Focus:

• CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
• Common threat types (malware, phishing, DDoS)
• Basic protection measures (firewalls, encryption, access control)

This phase is good for preparing entry certifications (iPAS or Security+).

Phase 3: Professional Deep Dive (3-6 months)

Choose a direction for in-depth learning.

Direction	Learning Focus	Best For
Penetration Testing	Hacking techniques, vulnerability exploitation	Those who like offense
Defense/Blue Team	SOC operations, incident analysis	Those who like defense
Cloud Security	AWS/Azure/GCP security	Those with cloud background
Compliance Management	ISO 27001, regulations	Those not into deep tech

Phase 4: Practical Accumulation (Ongoing)

No amount of theory beats hands-on practice.

Practical Methods:

• Participate in CTF competitions
• Do Bug Bounties
• Build lab environments for practice
• Contribute to open source projects

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Skipping Fundamentals

Jumping straight to penetration testing without knowing what an IP is. Won't work.

Mistake 2: Only Taking Courses, No Practice

Finishing a course and feeling you've mastered it, then getting stuck when trying to actually do something. Security requires hands-on practice.

Mistake 3: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

Signing up for multiple courses simultaneously, ending up completing none. Focus is more important.

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2. Free Security Course Resources

There are many free resources, quality varies. Below are the truly worthwhile ones.

Government Resources

Cyber Security Talent Training Service (CTTS)

URL: https://ctts.nics.nat.gov.tw/

This is a platform built by the National Institute of Cyber Security. Completely free.

Advantages:

• Content in local language, suitable for local learners
• Has practical exercise environments
• Can accumulate learning hours
• Courses cover multiple areas

Disadvantages:

• Interface is somewhat basic
• Some course content is dated

Recommended Courses:

• Information Security Overview
• Network Security Fundamentals
• Penetration Testing Introduction

Government Learning Platforms

Various government agencies provide online learning platforms with security-related courses.

Some courses award certificates upon completion, which add points for job hunting.

International Free Resources

OWASP

URL: https://owasp.org/

Open Web Application Security Project.

Recommended Content:

• OWASP Top 10 (Must read!)
• Web Security Testing Guide
• Cheat Sheet Series

These are industry standards, commonly tested in interviews.

SANS Cyber Aces

URL: https://www.cyberaces.org/

Free entry-level courses provided by SANS Institute.

Content covers foundational knowledge of operating systems, networking, and system administration.

English content, but clearly explained.

Cybrary

URL: https://www.cybrary.it/

Has both free and paid courses. The free section is already rich.

Recommended Free Courses:

• Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity
• CompTIA Security+ Preparation Course
• SOC Analyst Path

YouTube Channels

High-quality free YouTube resources:

Channel	Content Type	Language
Professor Messer	Security+ Prep	English
NetworkChuck	Networking/Security Intro	English
IppSec	Hack The Box Walkthroughs	English
John Hammond	CTF/Penetration Techniques	English
LiveOverflow	Deep Security Tech	English

Unfortunately, quality security YouTube channels in other languages are fewer. If English ability permits, strongly recommend watching English channels.

Practice Platforms

Learning security requires hands-on practice. These platforms let you practice:

TryHackMe

URL: https://tryhackme.com/

Features:

• Has guided tutorials, suitable for newcomers
• Lots of free content
• Complete learning paths

Recommended Paths:

• Complete Beginner Path
• Pre Security Path

Hack The Box

URL: https://www.hackthebox.com/

Features:

• Higher difficulty, suitable for those with foundations
• Active community
• Has Academy providing educational content

Suggestion: Build foundations on TryHackMe first, then challenge HTB.

PicoCTF

URL: https://picoctf.org/

CTF platform hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.

Difficulty ranges from easy to hard, suitable for practicing problem-solving thinking.

3. Paid Security Course Review

Free resources are enough for getting started, but for systematic learning, paid courses are more efficient.

Online Course Platforms

Udemy

URL: https://www.udemy.com/

World's largest online course platform.

Advantages:

• Huge number of courses
• Frequent sales (original $200 becomes $15)
• Instructors from around the world, learn different perspectives

Disadvantages:

• Quality varies, need to check reviews when selecting
• Mostly English
• May be challenging without subtitles

Recommended Courses:

• The Complete Cyber Security Course (Nathan House)
• Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch (Zaid Sabih)
• Practical Ethical Hacking (TCM Security)

Price: About $10-20/course during sales

Purchase Advice: Always wait for sales. Udemy has sales almost every week.

Coursera

URL: https://www.coursera.org/

Courses from universities and renowned institutions.

Advantages:

• Courses from prestigious schools (Stanford, Google, etc.)
• Complete learning paths
• Can earn certificates

Disadvantages:

• Requires subscription payment
• Mainly English

Recommended Courses:

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate
• IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Price: Subscription ~$50/month

In-Person Training Institutions

Various professional training centers offer authorized courses from organizations like EC-Council and CompTIA. These typically include:

Features:

• Officially authorized courses
• In-person classrooms for face-to-face Q&A
• Can take certification exams right after course completion

Disadvantages:

• Higher prices
• Need to attend in person

Recommended Courses:

• CEH Certified Ethical Hacker
• Security+ Certification Course

Price: $1,000-2,000+ per course

Professional IT Education Centers

Various professional IT education and development centers offer comprehensive training programs.

Features:

• Government-backed, quality assured courses
• Some courses qualify for government subsidies
• Courses cover complete security areas

Recommended Courses:

• Information Security Engineer Development Program
• Penetration Testing Practical Course

Price: Varies by course, some may be subsidized

Course Comparison Table

Platform	Type	Price Range	Best For
Udemy	Online/English	$10-20 (sale)	Budget-limited, English-capable
Coursera	Online/English	$50/month	Those wanting prestigious certificates
Local Training Centers	In-person	$1,000-2,000+	Those wanting official certifications
Government Programs	In-person	Varies	Those wanting complete training

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4. Government Subsidy Course Information

Learning security can be expensive, but government subsidies are available.

Youth Employment Programs

Target Audience: Unemployed youth aged 15-29

Subsidy Content:

• Training fees up to certain limits
• Monthly learning allowance

Related Courses: Security training programs at various institutions

Application Method: Through government employment services websites

Workforce Investment Programs

Target Audience: Employed workers

Subsidy Content:

• Training fee subsidy 80% (general workers)
• Training fee subsidy 100% (specific targets)
• Annual maximum per person varies by program

Application Method: Through workforce training networks

Specialized Security Talent Development

Digital development ministries promote programs for security talent development.

Subsidized courses open periodically, watch for official announcements.

Subsidy Application Notes

1. Apply Early: Subsidy quotas are limited, popular courses fill up quickly
2. Confirm Eligibility: Each subsidy has different qualification requirements
3. Keep Receipts: Post-reimbursement requires relevant documents
4. Watch Deadlines: Missing application deadlines means missing out

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5. Corporate Security Training Courses

If you're a corporate manager wanting to train employees on security, this section is for you.

Why Do Enterprises Need Security Training?

Regulatory Requirements

Various cybersecurity management laws require specific organizations to conduct regular security education and training.

Risk Reduction

Over 90% of security incidents come from human error. When employees have security awareness, risk decreases dramatically.

Asset Protection

When employees know what to do and what not to do, company assets are truly protected.

Corporate Training Types

Security Awareness Training

Target: All employees

Content:

• Phishing email identification
• Password security
• Social engineering prevention
• Personal data protection

Duration: 2-4 hours

Technical Personnel Training

Target: IT department, developers

Content:

• Secure coding practices
• System security configuration
• Incident response handling

Duration: 8-40 hours

Management Training

Target: Mid to senior management

Content:

• Security governance
• Risk management
• Compliance requirements

Duration: 4-8 hours

Training Format Comparison

Format	Advantages	Disadvantages	Best For
In-person Instructor	High interaction, customizable	High cost, scheduling challenges	Budget-sufficient enterprises
Online Courses	Flexible, replayable	Low interaction	Geographically dispersed employees
Hybrid	Balance flexibility and interaction	Complex to plan	Medium-large enterprises
Phishing Simulations	Effective real-world results	Only covers specific topics	Combined with other training

Common Training Providers

Various cybersecurity consulting companies provide training services.

When selecting, note:

• Instructor's practical experience
• Whether content can be customized
• Whether follow-up tracking is provided

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6. Course Selection Recommendations

Finally, some specific course selection advice.

Selection by Identity

Students/Newcomers

Recommended sequence:

1. Use free resources to build foundations first (TryHackMe, etc.)
2. Take one paid introductory course (Udemy, etc.)
3. Prepare for entry certifications

Budget: Under $500

Career Changers

Recommended sequence:

1. Assess if IT foundations need supplementing
2. Participate in government-subsidized courses
3. Do CTF while taking courses to accumulate experience

Budget: Leverage subsidies, control out-of-pocket to under $1,000

Working Professional Development

Recommended sequence:

1. Apply for workforce investment subsidies
2. Choose professional courses related to work
3. Get certifications helpful for promotion

Budget: Leverage subsidies and company training budgets

Course Selection Checklist

Before signing up for any course, ask yourself these questions:

• Does this course's goals align with my learning objectives?
• What's the instructor's background and reviews like?
• Is the course content outdated?
• Are there opportunities for hands-on practice?
• Is the price reasonable? Are there more economical options?
• Do I have enough time to complete this course?

Avoiding Pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Only Looking at Price

Cheapest isn't necessarily best, most expensive isn't necessarily worth it. Check reviews, check content.

Pitfall 2: Hoarding Courses Without Taking Them

Buying 20 courses on Udemy during sales, completing none. If you buy it, take it!

Pitfall 3: Only Taking Courses Without Practice

Practice after completing courses. Without hands-on work, knowledge doesn't stick.

Pitfall 4: Pursuing Quick Fixes

There are no shortcuts in security. Courses claiming "Learn hacking in 7 days" are usually scams.

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7. Next Steps

After reading this article, you should know:

1. The correct sequence for learning security
2. Which free resources are worth using
3. Which paid courses are worth investing in
4. How to apply for government subsidies

Next Actions:

1. Assess your level: Do you have IT foundations? How's your English?
2. Set learning goals: What certification to pursue? Which direction to develop?
3. Pick your first course: Start with free resources or affordable online courses
4. Create a learning plan: How much time per week? Expected completion time?
5. Start learning: The most important thing is to start!

Recommended Reading:

• Security Engineer Complete Guide: Understand the complete security career landscape
• Security Certification Complete Guide: Plan your certification path
• Information Security Complete Guide: Overview of the security field

Learning security is a journey, not a destination.

Keep learning, keep practicing, you'll keep getting stronger.

Good luck with your learning!

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Need Corporate Security Training? We provide customized security awareness training programs to help your team build proper security mindsets. Schedule a consultation to learn more.

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References

1. National Institute of Cyber Security, Cyber Security Talent Training Service
2. Ministry of Labor Workforce Development Agency, Workforce Investment Programs
3. Ministry of Digital Affairs, Cybersecurity Excellence Talent Development Plan
4. OWASP Foundation, Official Learning Resources
5. TryHackMe, Learning Paths
6. Hack The Box, Academy