Get Started in Cybersecurity 2024 (A Guide)

Resources, timestamps, and links in the description below. 👇
⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:42 - Step 1: Read & Consume Content
1:56 - Step 2: Fundamentals of I.T.
2:48 - Step 3: Networking Deep Dive
3:30 - Step 4: Basics of Programming & Scripting
4:46 - Step 5: Operating System Basics
5:56 - Step 6: Security Fundamentals
7:00 - Step 7/8: Virtualization & Cloud
9:01 - Cybersecurity Careers Steps
9:07 - Step 1: Develop a Plan / Stay Consistent
9:50 - Step 2: Project-based Learning
10:19 - Step 3: Formal Qualifications
10:51 - Step 4: Apply with AI
11:36 - Step 5: Community
12:15 - Conclusion
🔗 Resources:
📰 Security News Websites:
- www.bleepingcomputer.com/
- thehackernews.com/
- threatpost.com/
- www.securityweek.com/
- www.helpnetsecurity.com/
- www.zdnet.com/
🔉 Podcasts (my favorites):
- Security Now by Steve Gibson: twit.tv/shows/security-now
- Unsupervised Learning by Daniel Miessler omny.fm/shows/unsupervised-le...
📕 CompTIA Exam Objectives (PDFs):
- CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives: shorturl.at/MNR23
- CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives: shorturl.at/iqSZ9
- CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives: shorturl.at/rCHU7
- CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam Objectives: certblaster.com/wp-content/up...
🤖 AI Websites:
- ChatGPT Sign-up: chat.openai.com/auth/login?re...
- LazyApply: lazyapply.com/
- Simplify Resume Builder: simplify.jobs/resume-builder
💻 Crash Courses:
- Python For Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Basic Intro: • Python For Ethical Hac...
- Google's Fundamentals of Python for Cybersecurity: • Fundamentals of Python...
📚 General Resources:
- Cybersecurity Books on Amazon: amzn.to/3Ht1YUA
- Humble Bundle Books (seasonal packages): www.humblebundle.com/?partner...
- NoStarch Press Books (use cybercademy25 for 25% off): nostarch.com/
🐕 Follow Me:
Twitter: / collinsinfosec
Instagram: / _collinsinfosec
Cybercademy Discord Server: / discord
🤔 Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: [e-mail]
🎧 Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): amzn.to/2O0UfAM​​​​​
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5” D3218HN): amzn.to/2EXlgRF​​​​​
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): amzn.to/2TEswfd​​​​​
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): amzn.to/2F4Tvq6​​​​​
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): amzn.to/3S9OxvG
💻 Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: amzn.to/44R4myD

[@collinsinfosec]

👉Timestamps, Resources, and URL Links: ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:42 - Step 1: Read & Consume Content 1:56 - Step 2: Fundamentals of I.T. 2:48 - Step 3: Networking Deep Dive 3:30 - Step 4: Basics of Programming & Scripting 4:46 - Step 5: Operating System Basics 5:56 - Step 6: Security Fundamentals 7:00 - Step 7/8: Virtualization & Cloud 9:01 - Cybersecurity Careers Steps 9:07 - Step 1: Develop a Plan / Stay Consistent 9:50 - Step 2: Project-based Learning 10:19 - Step 3: Formal Qualifications 10:51 - Step 4: Apply with AI 11:36 - Step 5: Community 12:15 - Conclusion 🔗 Resources: 📰 Security News Websites: - www.bleepingcomputer.com/ - thehackernews.com/ - threatpost.com/ - www.securityweek.com/ - www.helpnetsecurity.com/ - www.zdnet.com/ 🔉 Podcasts (my favorites): - Security Now by Steve Gibson: twit.tv/shows/security-now - Unsupervised Learning by Daniel Miessler omny.fm/shows/unsupervised-learning 📕 CompTIA Exam Objectives (PDFs): - CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives: shorturl.at/MNR23 - CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives: shorturl.at/iqSZ9 - CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives: shorturl.at/rCHU7 - CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam Objectives: certblaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CompTIA-Security-SY0-701-Exam-Objectives-1.pdf 🤖 AI Websites: - ChatGPT Sign-up: chat.openai.com/auth/login?ref=upstract.com - LazyApply: lazyapply.com/ - Simplify Resume Builder: simplify.jobs/resume-builder 💻 Crash Courses: - Python For Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Basic Intro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5_EmJlqgJl9q5o - Google's Fundamentals of Python for Cybersecurity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqHIYpmkaKyoqZI 📚 General Resources: - Cybersecurity Books on Amazon: amzn.to/3Ht1YUA - Humble Bundle Books (seasonal packages): www.humblebundle.com/?partner=grantcollins - NoStarch Press Books (use cybercademy25 for 25% off): nostarch.com/

[@Izzyisgreen]

Do you suggest companies like Springboard?

[@aqwjawbreaker2380]

It's crazy, i feel like it was just last week you were making videos in your dorm room! Glad to see you are still at it, love the content.

[@zacharyedmond8223]

I work as a Senior Cyber Engineer! love it :)

[@niksatan]

Hey Grant, I just landed to your channel, long term IT guy, but now trying to brake into Cybersec, keep the good videos rolling.

[@tanookidooks3530]

Thanks for the insight and advice. Looking forward to learning and getting started in this industry

[@georgerobbins5560]

Great work, Grant. Thank you, Sir. Be well.

[@Kouangs_Productions]

Thanks for this!! Im going to school for cyber security and im trying to lewrn as much as I can

[@Sci-Fi_Fan296]

Great advice. Thanks Grant.

[@devedeveloper1248]

Thank you for your video. im 16 and trying to get into CyberSecurity before i finish school in 12 months. Keep up the good videos👍

[@mustafa-hasanrabah3945]

As someone who has struggled to develop their own roadmap and framework, this was extremely helpful. This was way outside of your normal “stick to it” video I’ve came across. Thank you for helping out in the community and I will be sure to forward your message. Keep up the great work!

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to share!

[@prem3957]

Great Video Collins! Do you edit them yourself?

[@CisotZilla]

Love this so much, I get out of the Military this Year and i took amazing notes from this. Thank you so much for putting out quality videos 👍

[@thomasconnell504]

What's your rate/mos?

[@richardkojo-ys6qe]

Thank you sir

[@arpit_nikhade]

Ok thanks. always love your content

[@76Macadamia]

WOW very intresting content and also your informations are very very GOOD.

[@mav3783]

Happy new year 😂

[@ivanshmilyk7614]

+100 to the "Security Now" podcast, it's a weekly show 1-2 hours long, and, I say if you are considering listening to only one source of cybersecurity news and looking for no-bullshit and not fully sponsored info, pick the "Security Now"

[@ywzx6275]

Hey Grant, thanks for the video.

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to share!

[@jasmineakagha4354]

Technical content,read and consume on security news.

[@udageethdias]

Great video ✌

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to share!

[@BubbleS1]

As always, another great video that is going to end up being crucial to my learning process

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to share!

[@ekoden]

Man, I must be doing all the wrong things and reaching out to the wrong people then. Both people in the industry I reached out to from a middle-man blew me off, I got one interview with no callbacks in over 200 applications, and HTB has blacklisted my IP apparently... I literally went there to create an account to start using the CTFs and was banned? All I've run into is gate-keeping so far, so I'd love to see these kind and welcoming individuals you speak of. Love your down-to-earth content and approach, though. Keep them coming.

[@tigere01]

Yes you are, I mean how many pple do you knw landed a role via a job application? They're likely to be very few. In my experience this doesn't work in tech. All the jobs I ever had in tech all came from informal conversations & in person meetings or contracting initially. The deciding factor being something interesting (tech related) that I had actually done or a problem I had solved.

[@CyDETECT]

Don’t just contact people about roles. I’ve contacted people just asking questions about something they know and I don’t. Then they might contact me a year later saying they have a position. It’s a long game and it won’t be easy.

[@GreenGoblin107]

Out of curiosity, why in the world would HTB ban you? Why would they blacklist you? This is so strange…

[@KBreezy_]

@@tigere01that’s honestly real fucking dumb tbh, getting a tech role or any role for that matter SHOULD be about what you know not who you know.

[@tigere01]

@@KBreezy_ Hiring managers look at a whole lot more than what you know, are you a team player? a good fit into existing team? good character? if you're a dick head or not? and whole lot more. They'll do some digging into what kind of a person you are outside of expertise. This is all very normal in industry because no one wants to hire a douche bag if they can help it.

[@TANCEUS]

this video is so much helpful to me

[@ger9155]

Thanks for the guide, btw you look like Fabrizio Romano a bit

[@afifrazam6591]

Hahaha😭 thought im the only one

[@tebogo743]

I see it 😂, it's more the beard and hairstyle than his facial features

[@dfhfhjd6158]

I have no knowledge about cybersecuirty whatsoever, but it sounds like a fun stuff. I will give it a try!

[@Azriel172]

Same

[@gianni_4]

The hardest part about this is companies trying to give you a chance. I’ve been trying for entry positions and internship and hard to get feedback and on top of that someplaces asked for degrees

[@babajaga_666]

Great video like always. There’s so much stuff to study,at the moment I’m studying 4 things together lol comptia sec+, english 'cause my grammatar still sucks xD and i want to arrive at b2 level.....linux and i'm studying batch and bash but slowly with patience and passion everything is done

[@felixhernandeziii]

Can you make a video how to pivot or grow out of the helpdesk? Ive been on a help desk for a year now, I developed networking skills. I went from working as a help desk tech for my city to school district, I used that experience and pivot to work help desk contracted through information technology consulting company servicing billion dollar pharmaceutical company. Im currently working on my CCNA. A lot of us start at help desk. I think it would be good content. BTW Ive been watching your videos and it inspire to me get in the industry. Its legit do or die to me.

[@paufishing3782]

Get your CCNA for sure and other certs like sec+. That’s what helped me get out of help desk. I’m an engineer now.

[@awesomesuprise9141]

I got an offer to take the position of Security Engineer, there is no security team, only I would be eventually. With software and devops backend is it possible for me to jump in to this role and start creating more secure environment in whole company from the experienced guy perspective? From your video I think that I already pass all of those requirements but still I think that is a very challenging offer.

[@brucesewe6431]

When you meant we should learn the fundamentals of IT does that mean also learning computer science as well?

[@st33z17]

Hey grant , would you say all of this is doable on macOS or should I buy a windows based system ?

[@ilakianilakian4966]

wow, you're always amazing, please make a day in the life ( like the old one )

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to share! I try not to be too "trendy" with the day in the life genre.

[@MuffFlux]

Ah, the age old Cyber Security KZbinr "Try not to make a 'How to get into Cybersecurity [insert new year here]' vid challenge ( IMPOSSIBLE!) I kid... at least you have some substance, nuance and value in your vids, Grant. Unlike the majority who just regurgitate cert paths and cert deals all day every day, with the occasional out-of-date script kiddy hack demo to add some spice to the channel every couple of months. Keep up the good work.

[@collinsinfosec]

"the occasional out-of-date script kiddy hack demo" - You have described what I do at times 😂

[@jlprescott7243]

SANS 2024. Cheers!

[@itlackie]

Hey Grant, great video. What certifications do you recommend for someone who is in helpdesk that wants to move to a junior SOC analyst or junior cybersecurity engineer? Do you recommend getting a specific/general cloud cert? Or something more intermediate like CySa+ & Pentest+?

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi @itlackie, For a junior security engineer - I recommend getting the Security+ to get a fundamental understanding of IT and security basics. Then a few cloud certifications of your choosing for a provider. I chose AWS for time, I will eventually study for the entry-level Azure certifications. I recommend the AWS Architect Associate if you want to study AWS. For a junior SOC Analyst position - I have heard great things from Blue Team Security's BTL1/2 certifications and Cyber Defenders CCD certifications. I have not studied either one of these myself, so I can only offer a limited perspective. Happy to helps and happy 2024!

[@itlackie]

@@collinsinfosec Thank you for the information, I really appreciate it. I already have A+, Network+, Security+ (and a couple of others) bc of my college. If I grab an AWS Architect Associate or an AZ-900, could that fast-track my transition? For reference, I already have a mini lab with proxmox & Unifi and will eventually deploy Wazuh for anecdotal experience. Happy 2024 to you as well.

[@Sci-Fi_Fan296]

@@itlackiebuild a portfolio my friend

[@itlackie]

​@@Sci-Fi_Fan296 I love the idea but am unsure which projects specifically would be of use. What projects would you recommend for a portfolio? I already have a lab going with UniFi (plan to move to Opnsense soon), and XCP-ng to play around with self-hosting/securing. An example is deploying Wazuh or Elastic so I can mess around with SIEMs or grafana & prometheus for network monitoring. Or the other idea was to deploy jumpcloud in my lab, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on what projects might be good for a resume. Also, I did build an AD environment before I got my current job, which was a great help and I do have some projects planned with AWS to get into CSPs & cloud security.

[@hungry_khid1007]

Where can i find books or content (videos) can you please link bro

[@okwudilichimaobi7380]

Please make video on best programming language for cybersecurity

[@Idklol993]

Did u find out?😊

[@buttermilk_pie]

I just kind of trust this man's voice. This guy wouldn't knowingly lie to me or shiv me for my wallet.

[@GreatWoofu]

My man, how long you master about cyber security?

[@nicekobo3561]

Thank you Grant Collins for your great job here . Please can you be my mentor to this journey of cybersecurity? Thank you for your understanding, waiting to get your reply.

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to help. I can't be a 1-1 mentor at this time.

[@BartekFreestyle]

I'm massively overwhelmed, amount of concepts, protocols and acronyms is overbearing. Trying both THM and HTB but im really unsure how much is sticking. If you asked me now i probably wouldn't answer much. Then comptia test suggest 2 years experience and I see ppl doing them in like 6 months no prior experience. One thing that frustrates me about HTB which i find more in depth than THM is lack of examples. It's all good explaining lists of network protocols which mean nothing to a newbie without visually reinforcing the knowledge or better yet letting you have a go. I'm no good with focusing and reading for a long time, so learning is a steep hill. Just giving my 5cents since I have nowhere else to let go lmao 😂

[@nonyeirozuru6635]

Hey Grant, what do you think about the Google Cyber Security Certification? I just finished it today. Now I'm about to get my Sec +, then I'll learn python.

[@yakshpasawala1692]

same same same, lol

[@sJ-ls8pw]

Did you create a portfolio?

[@niceguyjake4718]

I'm currently a Computer Science student at a Community College, and when I transfer, I will continue CS with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Will this degree be worth anything? Will it help me get more senior positions in companies? And what can I do to get the most out of my time in college to give myself the best chance in the Cybersecurity industry? Thanks

[@mohitdodeja6688]

First of all Yes the degree will be worth your time as it will help recruitment team see that you were doing something that could be useful for them. Regarding getting senior positions well that depends on how hard you have worked on yourself and your knowledge. While you are pursuing your degree try to give more time to learning and building more projects and specifically learning new skills that will help you a lot in future to land your job

[@MohammedImran-pk6jr]

I am want to learn cyber security

[@hexticdev]

Hey so I’m trying to get into this field and I have honestly gotten a little burnt out, I have been doing college classes online and programming some in python but I also know I’m trying to learn to many languages at one time such as C# and LUA, Lua is easy. Anyways, any suggestions? I feel like I can’t translate what I’ve learned to the real world without having someone telling me what to do still

[@sJ-ls8pw]

Need a portfolio of projects video.

[@collinsinfosec]

Will do, I will add this to a new video pipeline.

[@sJ-ls8pw]

@collinsinfosec A how-to-video of making the portfolio. A step by step would be awesome. Github is hard to do this in, but everyone swears by it.

[@mldnighttruffle]

Im currently working on learning linux myself to prep for a job in this industry. What are the few primary commands cybersecurity pros use on a daily basis so I kind of know where to focus.

[@tigere01]

I do not think "Few primary commands" is something that can pertain to linux. You want know how to interact with a Linux OS as fully as possible via CLI to leverage it's power. Think of how u use your pc or mac, now doing the same on linux without a gui.

[@mldnighttruffle]

@@tigere01 no I get that, but I’m meaning which commands someone who Worked in cybersecurity uses mostly so I know them. Working in cybersecurity, you don’t use a majority of the commands, so id like to focus on the ones I will actually use

[@hassanawal6571]

What about CCT and CEH?

[@Thad91]

I think you are more specialized in "technical\programming" part Cybersecurity. Rather then general Cybersecurity itself. I know alot of ISO \ CISO's that dont know anything technical.

[@yslbaby1942]

Hello, what aspects of cybersecurity would you consider non technical or would require little to no programming for someone with a non IT background?

[@Thad91]

​@@yslbaby1942 I have been in IT for 9 years now. And im also looking a way out of the technical side. I can only think of : ISO\CISO...Cyber risk consultant etc.

[@yakshpasawala1692]

from where should I learn for my CompTIA Security+ ?

[@tebogo743]

KZbin bruh, there's plenty of free courses

[@nazimsheikh9588]

Peace be upon on you bro .I have a intention to lear cyber security. Have a question to you,,,, can I make 100 dollar per month without any certifications after 1 year of ny learning??

[@moodishere]

Does anyone know of a company/program that pays you as you learn? I have no experience in the field at all

[@MohammedImran-pk6jr]

Please sussed me ,how to learn cyber security

[@OshkyDev]

Have you ever thought about starting your own company?

[@loading1092]

As a 16 year old graduating in 2025 how do you think I should start my journey I’m very interested in this field but I don’t really know anything please help

[@Lorddarklord666]

Do everything in this video and more , you’ll be fine

[@thaihoanguyen2331]

Starting at 24 yo, can I do it?

[@user-fi2gp9sd9p]

Does anybody got a cybersecurity associate degree is it worth it?I'm 20 m I'm thinking of going back to school at a school called Columbia basin collge they have a cybersecurity program I was thinking of applying but not to sure I was wondering if it's worth it to get a cybersecurity associates degree also what would be some good certs

[@user-ij8jj3xo7c]

Sir roadmap for bug bounty hunting for beginners....please

[@Sam-qo8fk]

What do you think of the Cyber Risk Management field?

[@collinsinfosec]

I am not well versed enough in the Cyber Risk Management domain, but I think it has a future if you are looking to pursue a career in risk management. Ultimately, everything in cybersecurity (from a pure business perspective) comes to risk. Learning to evaluate, assess, and quantify risk is imperative in a business. If you can do provide an accurate assessment for a company, it's a very valuable skill. It's what will give you the necessary resources (budget, tools, and personnel) to build and grow your security program.

[@lacemank7220]

I don’t know what so much means

[@malcolmjelani3588]

Why are these "high paying jobs" in cybersecurity to elusive to recent college graduates?

[@jermsz]

All of the CompTIA links in description are 404s

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you for heads up @jermsz, I have converted the links to short URLs.

[@TANCEUS]

What Languages you learn and which was your 1st language ?

[@collinsinfosec]

My first language is Python. I have ventured only into Bash and Powershell scripting. One of my learning goals of 2024 is to take a deep dive into another language and see how it compares to Python. I will be learning Go.

[@9cowbell9]

Cybersecurity is actually so boring in reality. My role as cybersecurity engineer is not what I expected the day to day to be like. Slightly disappointed but still wanna keep an open mind to see what comes.

[@anakinskywalker1509]

Jesus loves y’all

[@gourabsarker9552]

Sir do you earn 200k dollars a year in USA? Plz reply. Thanks a lot.

[@halowaffles]

Not to be immediately dismissive, but he most likely doesn't. Those salaries tend to be saved for those with 10+ years in the industry. Could you make that earlier in your career? Sure, but at that point it's mostly going to be who you know, rather than what you know.

[@collinsinfosec]

I am not close to the 200K mark. As @halowaffles hinted at, you need to be either highly skilled, very experienced or most likely both to make $200,000 in this industry. It can absolutely be done with time and dedication.