Boost your cybersecurity career with expert-led training from CBT Nuggets. Get certified with CompTIA Security+ training, prep for advanced credentials like CISSP and CISM, and level up your ethical hacking, penetration testing, and network security skills. Whether you’re breaking into infosec or going after senior cybersecurity roles, our training gets you certified and confident fast.
Looking to break into cybersecurity or move up in 2025? These five in-demand certifications are the best picks for today’s security roles, from entry-level to advanced. Use them to validate your skills, land a job, or earn that promotion. Start training for your next cybersecurity cert today.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) | Intermediate | 30 hrs 1 min |
| Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR) - NEW | Intermediate | 38 hrs 38 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.x | Intermediate | 25 hrs 40 mins |
| Cisco CyberOps Associate (200-201 CBROPS) v1.2 | Beginner | 19 hrs 45 mins |
| Check Point CCSA & CCSE R81 | Beginner | 19 hrs 44 mins |
New to cybersecurity? Start with core IT certifications like CompTIA Network+, (ISC)² CC, or ISACA training. These build the skills you’ll need for your first cybersecurity certification and your first job in the field.
These beginner-friendly cybersecurity courses are designed for IT pros new to security. With hands-on labs, real-world scenarios, and expert-led training, you’ll build the skills needed to pass entry-level security certs like CompTIA Security+ in as little as 6 to 12 weeks.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) | Intermediate | 30 hrs 1 min |
| Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) | Beginner | 21 hrs 41 mins |
| (ISC)² CC – Certified in Cybersecurity | Beginner | 8 hrs 49 mins |
| ISACA ITCA - Cybersecurity Fundamentals (ITCA-CF) | Beginner | 22 hrs 59 mins |
Cybersecurity is a hands-on field. There’s a lot more to it than passing a certification exam. These beginner-focused courses help you build real-world security skills, from threat detection and ethical hacking, to risk management and incident response. Learn what it actually takes to succeed in an entry-level cybersecurity role.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Forensics and Computer Examiner | Intermediate | 12 hrs 17 mins |
| Introduction to Digital Forensics | Beginner | |
| Supporting Secure Operations and Incident Response | Beginner | 6 hrs 32 mins |
| Network Penetration Testing Essentials (PEN-100) | Beginner | 24 hrs 11 mins |
| Secure Design and Architecture Fundamentals for Enterprise Environments | Intermediate | 8 hrs 33 mins |
| Security Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities | Beginner | 6 hrs 48 mins |
| Physical Security and Network Attacks | Beginner | 2 hrs 8 mins |
| Security and Risk Management | Intermediate | 1 hr 25 mins |
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This cybersecurity certification guide lists every major Palo Alto, OffSec, (ISC)2, Check Point, CompTIA, and Cisco cybersecurity certification on the market, as well as how each one can fit into your infosec career.
Many cybersecurity pros start their careers in IT. Network admins often become analysts or penetration testers. Developers move into application security. Systems admins pivot into systems or cloud security. These certifications and infosec skills help you make the move to your next cybersecurity role.
Want to become a cybersecurity analyst? These certifications teach the threat detection, incident response, and analysis skills you need. Ideal for sysadmins or network pros making the leap into security.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst CySA+ (CS0-003) | Intermediate | 14 hrs 38 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200) | Intermediate | 13 hrs 59 mins |
| Cisco CyberOps Associate (200-201 CBROPS) v1.2 | Beginner | 19 hrs 45 mins |
| (ISC)² CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional | Intermediate | 26 hrs 6 mins |
| Digital Forensics and Computer Examiner | Intermediate | 12 hrs 17 mins |
Security engineers stop attacks before they start. These certifications and infosec skills courses teach you how to build secure systems, harden networks, and prevent disruptions. Security engineer training is ideal for sysadmins, developers, and IT pros moving into security roles.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100) | Advanced | 11 hrs 18 mins |
| Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) | Intermediate | 27 hrs 38 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300) | Intermediate | 17 hrs 2 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate (SC-400) | Intermediate | 12 hrs 12 mins |
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) | Intermediate | 16 hrs 35 mins |
| Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) | Intermediate | 18 hrs 21 mins |
| Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) | Intermediate | 32 hrs 42 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) | Intermediate | 32 hrs 31 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR) - NEW | Intermediate | 38 hrs 38 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) | Intermediate | 19 hrs 34 mins |
| CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) | Intermediate | 21 hrs 45 mins |
| Check Point CCSA & CCSE R81 | Beginner | 19 hrs 44 mins |
Penetration testers, also known as ethical hackers, are hired to find vulnerabilities before attackers do. Strong networking skills are key, often more so than coding. These penetration testing courses help systems admins, network pros, and security analysts build the skills to exploit weaknesses, test defenses, and report findings.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Kali Linux Revealed (PEN-103) | Intermediate | 6 hrs 58 mins |
| Network Penetration Testing Essentials (PEN-100) | Beginner | 24 hrs 11 mins |
| Security Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities | Beginner | 6 hrs 48 mins |
| Physical Security and Network Attacks | Beginner | 2 hrs 8 mins |
| Penetration Testing | Intermediate | 12 hrs 8 mins |
| Cyber Security White Hat Hacking v10 | Intermediate | 20 hrs 58 mins |
| CompTIA Pentest+ (PT0-003) | Beginner | 37 hrs 49 mins |
| Penetration Testing Tools | Beginner | 25 hrs 9 mins |
| Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning for Penetration Testing | Intermediate | 5 hrs 2 mins |
| Penetration Testing Planning and Scoping | Intermediate | 2 hrs 45 mins |
Security managers lead both strategy and operations, from monitoring threats to enforcing compliance and governance. These cybersecurity certifications, including CISM and CISSP, are designed for professionals ready to step into leadership roles and manage risk at scale.
See (ISC)2 experience requirements
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| ISACA CISM – Certified Information Security Manager - NEW | Intermediate | 14 hrs 1 min |
| ISACA CRISC – Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control | Intermediate | 14 hrs 8 mins |
| ISACA CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor | Beginner | 13 hrs 53 mins |
| (ISC)² CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional | Intermediate | 12 hrs 38 mins |
| Governance, Risk, and Compliance | Intermediate | 12 hrs 41 mins |
| Check Point CCSA & CCSE R81 | Beginner | 19 hrs 44 mins |
The biggest threat to your systems isn’t malware — it’s user error. A careless click or weak password can expose your entire network. These end user security awareness training courses teach end users how to spot phishing, avoid scams, and follow best practices to keep your organization secure.
DoDD 8140 outlines the cybersecurity certifications required for U.S. federal employees and contractors working in information assurance roles. It’s the gold standard for government cybersecurity training. These courses meet the baseline certification requirements defined by DoDD 8140 and help you stay mission-ready and compliant.
Browse all DoDD 8140-approved courses
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ (220-1201) - NEW | Beginner | 34 hrs 59 mins |
| CompTIA A+ (220-1102) | Beginner | 30 hrs 19 mins |
| Cisco CyberOps Associate (200-201 CBROPS) v1.2 | Beginner | 19 hrs 45 mins |
| CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) | Intermediate | 30 hrs 1 min |
| CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-003) | Beginner | 37 hrs 19 mins |
| ISACA CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor | Beginner | 13 hrs 53 mins |
| (ISC)² CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional | Intermediate | 12 hrs 38 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200) | Intermediate | 13 hrs 59 mins |
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) | Intermediate | 16 hrs 35 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR) - NEW | Intermediate | 38 hrs 38 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) | Intermediate | 19 hrs 34 mins |
| CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst CySA+ (CS0-003) | Intermediate | 14 hrs 38 mins |
| CompTIA Pentest+ (PT0-003) | Beginner | 37 hrs 49 mins |
| CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) | Intermediate | 21 hrs 45 mins |
Every IT pro needs cybersecurity skills, not just security specialists. Threats touch every part of IT, from cloud to networking. That’s why most foundational certs now include security topics, and even role-specific certs that focus entirely on security. These are the top cybersecurity certifications for network engineers, systems admins, and cloud professionals.
Systems engineers are on the front lines of cybersecurity, managing access, hardening systems, and keeping infrastructure secure. But access control is just the beginning. These cybersecurity courses help systems admins level up into security-focused roles with skills like patch management, intrusion prevention, and endpoint protection.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100) | Advanced | 11 hrs 18 mins |
| Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) | Intermediate | 27 hrs 38 mins |
| Implementing Microsoft 365 Security and Threat Management | Intermediate | 11 hrs 15 mins |
| Linux Security | Intermediate | 7 hrs 10 mins |
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) | Intermediate | 16 hrs 35 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200) | Intermediate | 13 hrs 59 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300) | Intermediate | 17 hrs 2 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate (SC-400) | Intermediate | 12 hrs 12 mins |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) | Intermediate | 32 hrs 31 mins |
| Check Point CCSA & CCSE R81 | Beginner | 19 hrs 44 mins |
Network engineers have always been on the front line of cybersecurity. From securing routers to configuring firewalls, network security is part of the job. These certifications from Cisco, Palo Alto, CompTIA, and Check Point validate your skills in protecting infrastructure and preventing threats.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Check Point CCSA & CCSE R81 | Beginner | 19 hrs 44 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR) - NEW | Intermediate | 38 hrs 38 mins |
| Cisco CCNP Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) | Intermediate | 19 hrs 34 mins |
| Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) | Intermediate | 18 hrs 21 mins |
| Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) | Intermediate | 32 hrs 42 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.x | Intermediate | 25 hrs 40 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiManager 7.x | Intermediate | 9 hrs 13 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer 7.x | Intermediate | 5 hrs 58 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiSwitch | Intermediate | 9 hrs 21 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 6 - Secure Wireless LAN | Intermediate | 6 hrs 5 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiAuthenticator Training | Intermediate | 9 hrs 8 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiADC | Intermediate | 9 hrs 57 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 7 - SD-WAN | Advanced | 11 hrs 12 mins |
| Fortinet NSE 7 - Enterprise Firewall | Advanced | 9 hrs 41 mins |
In AWS, security is a shared responsibility. They protect the cloud, you protect what’s in it. These cloud security courses help AWS professionals secure identities, configure access, and protect data and workloads. Learn how to lock down your cloud environment the right way.
Course | Level | Length |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Compliance and Governance | Intermediate | 3 hrs 52 mins |
| AWS Access Management | Beginner | 3 hrs 3 mins |
| AWS Protective Controls | Intermediate | 3 hrs 10 mins |
| AWS Data Security | Intermediate | 2 hrs 47 mins |
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) | Intermediate | 16 hrs 35 mins |
CBT Nuggets’ cybersecurity training is built around two things: real-world skills and certification prep. Skill-based training gives you hands-on practice with real world scenarios, virtual labs, and playground environments. Certification courses align with top cybersecurity certifications from CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, (ISC)², and more. Start training with CBT Nuggets to become a job-ready infosec professional.
CBT Nuggets cybersecurity training helps you prep smarter. Most courses include practice exams, hands-on virtual labs, and step-by-step guides to set up sandbox environments where you’ll learn to secure systems or ethically exploit them. Start earning your next cybersecurity certification today.
Cybersecurity skills training lets you zero in on one specific knowledge area, task, or tool. Whether you're a security pro brushing up or a manager building a custom learning path for your team, these easy-to-understand lessons help you build real-world expertise. Start training for valuable security skills you can implement right away.
Get quick answers to common questions about our cybersecurity training, from course content to certification and career impact.
The path to certification has never been clearer than with CBT Nuggets’ easy-to-use and results-proven learning platform.
CBT Nuggets is fun, bite-sized training led by experts in the field. I can confidently say that their instructors make learning something to look forward to.
Christopher W. | Technology Support Specialist
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