Cyber Security Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners

This cyber security tutorial will let you dive into the world of cybersecurity. Here you will get to know everything about Cybersecurity.

Cyber security has become the center of focus for anyone, person or entity, who has an online presence. Since the future is certainly online-focused and digitally-dependent, the world faces an imperative need to direct attention towards finding better ways of dealing with malware threats/attacks and data breaches.

Cybercrime is expected to incur a cost of $9.5 trillion USD by the end of 2024, which will rise to $10.5 trillion USD in 2025. Amid this rising number, there is an opportunity for all those who are intrigued by the world of cybersecurity, ethical hacking, online threats and much more.

This cyber security tutorial for beginners with a step-by-step guide to help you understand this field and how you can have a successful career in it. Want to become a professional at handling all sorts of cyber crimes and threats? This is the right tutorial to help you get started!

Cyber Security Tutorials for Beginners- An Introduction

Before we move further into this cyber security tutorial, here is a brief introduction to what it is.

Cybersecurity refers to a widely accepted practice of providing protection to networks, programs and systems from all sorts of digital attacks. These could be aimed at changing, destroying or accessing sensitive data, harming business processes or even extorting ransom from users.

As we make advancements in cyber security, attackers become better, more refined and sophisticated. This is where the role of a cybersecurity professional comes into the picture. Before we step into the fields or career aspects, let's understand some common types of threats.

Types of Cyber Security Threats

Cyber threat is basically an indicating pointer towards an attempt for unauthorized access by a hacker. These can be some basic ones like an email with a clickable link. But sometimes, there are devious ones like a line of malicious code that overpasses cyberdefenses and sit idle for a long time before triggering.

Here are some of the common types of cyber threats every security employee must know about.

Malware

Malware is software code written specifically with the intention to harm a system. It is a part of almost all modern cyberattacks, which are used to gain unauthorized access to systems, rendering them inoperable. Malware is also of different types including

• Ransomware- Threatens to keep the victim's device or data locked, or publicly leak it, unless a random is paid.
• Spyware- It's secretive malware that accumulates sensitive data like passwords, usernames, credit card numbers, etc. that is transmitted to the attacker.
• Trojan Horse- It's a malicious code under the guise of legitimate software or a useful program. It paves way for attackers after penetrating the system.
• Worms- These are self-replicating programs. They spread to devices and apps automatically without any human interaction.

Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM)

This is where a malicious actor eavesdrops on a network connection to get unethical access to the messages being exchanged between two parties. It is often a result of unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Injection Attacks

Injection attacks are where malicious code is injected into a program to be able to execute remote commands. This allows attackers to change or read website data/database. Two common injection attacks are-

• SQL Injection Attacks - The SQL syntax is exploited to expose, destroy or tamper data/ identity.
• Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - It is quite similar to the previous one, except that it does not harm the website but those visiting it.

IoT Attack

The vulnerabilities in IoT devices are used to execute IoT attacks. This is becoming more common due to increased use of industrial control systems and smart devices.

Social Engineering & Phishing

Social engineering, also called human hacking, is manipulating targets so they themselves reveal confidential data. Phishing is the most pervasive type of social engineering. Fraudulent text messages, phone calls, downloadable links and emails are used to trick people. Common phishing types are

• Whale Phishing- Super specific phishing attacks on a large scale, targeting wealthy individuals or corporate executives.
• Spear Phishing- Specific phishing attacks on individuals by leveraging their public socal media profiles for additional authenticity.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC)- Scammers pose as vendors, trusted business associates or executives to reach their motives. These are smart actors who do thorough research.

Explore Cybersecurity trends to learn what is new in Cybersecurity.

Applications of Cybersecurity

As this cyber security tutorial in all about data, information, and applications. Here are a few applications of cybersecurity that are the common uses of this practice.

Securing Personal & Sensitive Data

Data needs to be protected, both on a personal and professional front. Even the smallest breach can lead to a huge impact on the organization's brand image. A lot of employee and client details are there, which can lead to a big ruckus if they go into the wrong hands.

This is why enterprises invest huge money to build secure systems and hire professionals.

Incident Management

Indecent management facilitates responding swiftly to feasible vulnerabilities and breaches in the organization's networks. Effective control is provided on data endpoints, which helps in finding plausible infiltration and attacks. As a consequence, the credibility of an organization's assets stay put and the brand value does not get hampered.

Creating Antivirus & Firewalls for Network Security

Cyber security best practices aids experts in developing different software and programs like antivirus and firewalls. These can be called shock absorbers that lower the impact of cyberattacks. Almost every organization's system built recently has the prowess to protect organizations from malicious attacks.

You May Also Read- 8 Best Cybersecurity Certifications To Upskill Your Career

Different Cybersecurity Fields/ Job Profiles

If you wish to step into this field, then one thing to know is that it is not restricted to any particular industry or area. Every business in every domain across the globe requires professionals to help them maintain security. Here are some of the top cyber security fields.

Information Security

IT security engineers and analysts are commonly sought-after entry-level job roles apt for those who wish to begin their cyber security career. The basic requirements for roles here include a background in software engineering or computer science. These professionals are a part of a larger team that is spearheaded by a security architect, admin or manager.

• A security analyst's job is to identify and respond to cyber threats, while undertaking security procedures.
• A security engineer's job is to create a company's individual security systems.
• A security architect is among the highest information security jobs. They design an organization's complete security infrastructure.

Penetration Testing/ Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking pertains to finding all the system vulnerabilities within a company's system to expose any flaws. A Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification will help you gain the desired skill set and knowledge.

Penetration testing is a key aspect of ethical hacking wherein simulated tests are conducted on certain areas to find any existing flaws.

Cryptography

Cryptographers have the role of writing encryption codes to ensure complete safety for sensitive data. Their background is usually in mathematics, computer engineering or programming since they write and refine complex ciphers and algorithms.

The EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES) certification is of utmost value here.

Software Development

Cyber security software developers are required to possess wide span knowledge and skills in all leading information security sectors. This is because they must assess needed software designs accurately. While they are not directly responsible for building security systems, they offer the product's client-facing solutions.

IT Auditing & Consulting

IT auditors carry out audits on the company's security compliance, infrastructure and standards to ensure it is capable of securing their data. These professionals must have the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification.

It is generally a mid-level role requiring three and five years of experience respectively.

How to Master Cybersecurity?

Becoming a engineer in cybersecurity requires following a set approach that is known to work for most people. This cyber security tutorial presents a few checkboxes to help you reach your goal.

Gain Imperative Skills & Experiences

There are a few key skills that you must have if you wish to master this field. These will ensure you have a strong footing to move ahead with.

• Programming

Experience in coding/programming means that you already have what it takes to get started. This familiarity with structure and logic can be utilized to develop security scripts, find vulnerabilities and understand malware. Python, SQL and JavaScript are essential field languages.

• Cybersecurity Laws

Learn about the FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) as well as other associated legislations. These will make you better at your job.

• Network Administration

Network management and setup knowledge paves the way to understanding how attacks are propagated and how organizations can secure their networks against them.

• Digital Forensics

Digital forensics knowledge means having knowledge to analyze breaches and investigate cybercrimes.

• Data Analysis

Data analytics skills and knowledge are imperative to understand attack patterns and interpret data breaches. Tools and techniques related to data analytics are invaluable in this field.

• Project Management

You will have to lead many security initiates to make sure that apt security measures are implemented everytime and at all stages.

• Ethical Hacking

Knowledge of basic ethical hacking and usage of associated tools like Kali Linux, Wireshark and Nmap is essential. Skills in penetration testing are important to pre-empt cyber attacks.

• System Administration

Having system administration best practices aid in securing endpoints while gauging the intricacies of different attacks.

Take a Course

Learning about this field entails enrolling in a cybersecurity training online. This is essential to give you a reliable and credible source of knowledge, one who can guide you to success.

An online course will enable you to learn from anywhere. This is highly advantageous for those who are either already working or are unable to commute daily. An online program gets you learning from experienced professionals, irrespective of geographical boundaries. You can also take specified courses aligned with certain certification exams.

Identity Your Specialty

In the above section, we have outlined certain fields that are most preferred in this sector. Over the course of years, cyber security has grown and spread into multiple fields requiring different professionals of varying knowledge. There is not just a single cyber security professional but a team, depending upon the size and nature of the organization.

Depending upon your existing skill set, your current position, your educational background and your future plans, you can pick your specialty and work towards excelling in it.

Get Certified

While there is no compulsion around having a certification to get going in this field, it is true that earning one will help you future tremendously. There are plenty of cyber security certifications out there and by getting the right one, you can benefit a lot. Here are some of the basic and popular certifications

• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
• CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional
• CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Conclusion

In 2021, the global market for cyber security was valued around $217.65 billion USD. Between 2022 and 2030, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% and be valued at $504.46 billion USD. This report by Polaris Market Research is a clear indication of how much scope is there in this sector.

This cyber security tutorial is for beginners who are still in the beginning stages of their career, uncertain of the path to pick. If this is a field that intrigues you, then you can step into it without worrying about the future.

FAQs for Cyber Security Tutorial

Q1. Which cybersecurity certification is best for beginners?

CompTIA Security+ is the best cybersecurity certification for beginners.

Q2. Can a beginner get into cyber security?

Yes, you can get into cyber security as a beginner. There are many roles like IT auditor, incident responder, specialist and technician, which are all entry-level jobs.

Q3. How do I start learning cyber security on my own?

The best way to start learning cyber security is by going for a self-paced online course. This will allow you to learn as and when you want.

Course Schedule