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Learn cyber security through gaming and fun filled challenges.

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The wargames offered by the OverTheWire community can help you to learn and practice security concepts in the form of fun-filled games.
To find out more about a certain wargame, just visit its page linked from the menu on the left.

If you have a problem, a question or a suggestion, you can join us via chat.

Suggested order to play the games in

Each shell game has its own SSH port

Information about how to connect to each game using SSH, is provided in the top left corner of the page. Keep in mind that every game uses a different SSH port.

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We’re hackers, and we are good-looking. We are the 1%.

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Interactive cyber challenge to play online

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Please allow a minute or so for the game to load.

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Cyber security careers: a route map through the 16 cyber security specialisms

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Details for the 16 core cyber security specialisms. Each specialism is displayed adjacent to other specialisms that have associated functions and/or use similar sets of knowledge and skills.

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We're the Government Communications Headquarters - otherwise known as GCHQ. Tasked by UK government, we're a world-leading intelligence, cyber and security agency. Our mission is to keep the UK and its citizens safe. We're really proud of our purpose - and our people. Join us to be a part of it all.

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We're the Government Communications Headquarters - otherwise known as GCHQ. Tasked by UK government, we're a world-leading intelligence, cyber and security agency. Our mission is to keep the UK and its citizens safe. We're really proud of our purpose - and our people. Join us to be a part of it all.

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Good Tech Inc. has realised its machines were vulnerable. They have decided to deploy a permanent VAPT machine within their network, where contractors can remotely access to perform the necessary vulnerability assessment scans.

However, this has not been the most secure deployment. Can you root this machine?

If you MUST have hints for this machine: ELECTRICAL is (#1): well-intentioned but horrible in execution, (#2): has multiple paths to privilege escalation, (#3): how you should not configure vendor configurations for VAPT work.

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VulnHub provides materials allowing anyone to gain practical hands-on experience with digital security, computer applications and network administration tasks.

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From beginners to experts, this is where hackers level up! Join today and learn how to hack.

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CyberFirst is designed to identify and nurture a diverse range of talented young people into a cyber security career. CyberFirst activities are intended to…

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Learn the technical skills to get the job you want. Join over 50 million people choosing Codecademy to start a new career (or advance in their current one).

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Your gateway to cyber security skills and careers.

As of June 1, 2023 Cyber Aces was retired. The program was launched over ten years ago and the content is now out-of-date
We have included a series of resources and learning videos on this refreshed page to assist your cybersecurity education, and will continue to make updates in the future.

SEC275: Foundations - Computers, Technology, & Security

is the best course available to learn the core knowledge and develop practical skills in computers, technology, and security foundations that are needed to kickstart a career in cybersecurity. The course features a comprehensive variety of innovative, hands-on labs, and practical exercises that go far beyond what is offered in any other foundational course in cybersecurity.

Take a look at two segments of this course below, which we have made available for free.

Introduction to Computer Hardware CPU

This short segment of the course provides you with an introduction to computer hardware CPU, providing an overview of the functions and components.

Networking SMTP Protocol

In the networking section of the course, we cover the inner workings of a network in order to understand how computers communicate with each other, and for what reasons. Learn about networking concepts such as IP addresses, packets, protocols, and more. This particular segment provides you with a demonstration of the SMTP Protocol.

Get a Free Hour of SANS Training

Experience one hour of free SANS Cyber Security Training through course demos, available for 65+ courses. Preview course content, see our top instructors in action, evaluate difficulty level, and try out our OnDemand training platform. New to cyber? Here are some great course demos to get you started:

Why Take Free Cyber Security Courses Online?

Taking free cyber security courses is a great first step when searching for your new career in cyber security or your next career in another IT or cyber security field. Free courses allow you to get a feel for the subject matter without investing a lot of money: all you need is time and a drive and desire to learn.

Those in the cyber security community love to share their knowledge. Security experts often develop their own online courses, many of them for free. These free resources provide real-world experience and knowledge from security experts across the globe. These resources are not just for those who are short on cash. Industry experts also utilize these free resources due to the value of the content. It can't be understated how valuable the free information shared by the cyber security community is to experts as well as those new to the field.

How can I get cyber security training for free?

Free cybersecurity training exists all over the internet. Several industry-leading organizations provide free cybersecurity training to combat the number of unfilled cybersecurity positions across the globe and to increase the number of those who are underrepresented in the field of cybersecurity.

One of the most well-known free cybersecurity training resources is YouTube. YouTube has millions of hours of content, much of it devoted to educating those interested in learning. Whatever your cybersecurity interest, YouTube will have content on that subject, often provided by cybersecurity experts or industry-leading businesses in the field.

Coursera is another great resource for training. While Coursera is probably most well-known for its faculty being made up of professors from some of the most prestigious universities across the planet, the training provider also allows students to audit many of their courses for free. There are some limitations, based on the course and the instructor, when auditing a course. For instance, when auditing a Coursera course, you may not have access to the class discussion forum or the tests or final exam, and you won't get a certificate of completion, however, in most cases you have access to all course materials and everything you need to complete the course.

Many of the top universities have open-source courseware freely available that allows you to learn cybersecurity concepts from some of the best college-level instructors. The world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has provided its OpenCourseWare program since 2001 as an avenue to help lead a "revolution in free access to knowledge."

Another excellent resource for free training is the SANS Institute. SANS, the world's largest provider of online cybersecurity training, has many free training resources. Joining the SANS community provides you free access to workshops, tools and cheat sheets, webcasts, white papers, newsletters, research, cyber ranges, and many other world-class cybersecurity training resources.

Are there any free cyber security certifications?

There are indeed free cyber security certifications available. Google recently released its new free . Google's expert cyber security professionals built this certification for those with no relevant experience and so students can learn at their own pace. Google's certificate program imparts skills that can have you in a new cyber security career in less than six months. Google's certificate program is hosted by the online training provide r Coursera.

The Google Cyber s ecurity Professional Certificate covers the following topics:

Can I learn cyber security on my own?

Yes! You can absolutely learn cybersecurity on your own! Thanks to the vast number of free resources available on the internet, self-learning has never been easier. The internet is awash in both free and paid materials and resources, (see the above question "How can I get cybersecurity training for free?")

Some tips for learning cybersecurity on your own:

Start with the basics. Learn the foundational IT and cyber skills first.

Join a community. The cyber community is robust and loves to share. Everyone in cyber learns from everyone else.

Take a course or two. Again, start with the foundational courses.

Find a specialty. Find an area of cyber that interests you most and research additional resources, courses, and certifications to learn more.

Certify! There are a ton of options when choosing a certification provider. Do your research!

How Long Do Free Online Courses Take?

Online courses vary in length based on several factors; subject, course format, and cost are but a few. Introductory courses may be shorter, in the 1-4-week range, while advanced courses can take months. Depending on the course format you choose, you could complete the course in as little as a week or in as many as four months. Self-paced online courses often provide the most flexibility and amount of time to complete the course.

Are Free Cyber Security Courses Worth It?

The short answer is it depends. If the provider is reputable and the material is current, then the course is worth it. Getting a straight answer to this question requires research. Research the provider, join a cyber security community and see what courses they say are valuable to them, and read reviews. Another way to learn if a course is worth it to you is to audit the course if the provider allows. Oftentimes, providers provide limited access or trials of their courses so you can get a feel for it and see if it is indeed worth it.

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UCAS connects people to University, post Uni studies including teacher training, apprenticeships & internships. Find all the information for your next step.

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Cybrary's accessible, affordable training platform provides curated career paths, threat-informed training, and certification preparation for professionals at all levels.

Launch Your Career

Start your cyber journey confidently with curated paths that teach the foundational concepts related to real, on-the-job skills.

Get Certified

Ace the exam with certification prep content developed by industry-leading instructors. Test yourself with our practice exams.

Upskill and Practice

Master hands-on skills and familiarize yourself with the latest vulnerabilities and threats so you can prepare for real-world attacks.

Upskill your team with Cybrary's suite of learning activities and management tools, including hands-on practice labs, assessments, and custom guided pathways. Request a demo and learn how Cybrary tailors our deep library of trainings to your team's unique needs.

Live Certification Prep Training

Designed to complement Cybrary's on-demand certification prep content, Cybrary Live allows team members to interact directly with expert instructors in a boot camp-style virtual classroom environment.

Advanced Red Team and DFIR Content

Cybrary Select offers content focused on the industry's most cutting-edge skills. Keep your team challenged and engaged with specialized security concepts, operational tactics, leadership skills, and more.

Stand out from the crowd and advance your career with Cybrary

Popular Courses

New Courses

Words from our users

Join 3 million+ users, including 96% of Fortune 1000 companies who use our platform to upskill their teams. See what the buzz is about - start learning for free!

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Free Cybersecurity Training and Career Development | Cybrary

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Cybersecurity training from Cybrary will take your career to the next level. We have the cybersecurity courses that can help get you there!

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Recognising and supporting the best in cyber security education for students, employers and universities.

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GOV.UK - The place to find government services and information - simpler, clearer, faster.

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Some of our leading industries are threatened by skills shortages, inability to innovate to full potential, solve problems for new markets, monotonous company cultures, competitive disruptors with an inclusive perspective and ability to rethink how the world looks and works.

We aim to help change this by encouraging education, employers and industry to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based careers more appealing, encourage more innovation, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship.

We seek to promote leading females working across diverse STEM industries by engaging them to inspire others, highlight all routes to industry and leadership and offer career development opportunities to ensure wider participation and inclusion...

We have a north star goal - an inclusive society encompassing ALL talent.

But we cannot achieve our goals alone. Find out how you can help.

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Girl Geeks supports untapped talent and females in STEM through offering inspiration, role models, connections and career opportunities. Access STEM employers, job vacancies and career development. Supporting and engaging women in STEM: students, early career, managers, directors, C-Level leadership and female founders, women in business.

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YOUR TECH CAREER STARTS HERE

TechSkills Careers is where to find out if a career in tech is for you, what it's like and how to get there. Whether you want to work in fashion, media, business or engineering, there is a tech role for you. Want to know the tech role that suits your skills and personality?

Take our interactive quiz!

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TechSkills Careers is where to find out if a career in tech is for you, what it's like and how to get there. Whether you want to work in fashion, media, business or engineering, there is a tech role for you. Want to know the tech role that suits your skills and personality?

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The National Crime Agency leads the UK's fight to cut serious and organised crime.

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For anyone thinking about a career in cybersecurity, we hope this guide can become an invaluable resource as you get started and build your career. As with all things, some may disagree with the information, recommendations or tips we include in the posts contained in this career playbook. We believe in providing the most comprehensive information possible to help millions more get into and advance their cybersecurity careers. If you have strong opinions about what we've included in here, please reach out, let us know and we can improve it!

A quick note, before you begin. Moving into cybersecurity can be such a great experience. It is understandable if you do not know what career path to look at or where to start. It doesn't matter if you have zero experience; Cybersecurity is a field with a lot of opportunity. One of the key factors in achieving great things is understanding that this career field is anchored in continuous education.

Getting Started with a Career in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Certifications, Degrees and Certificates

Getting a Job in Cybersecurity

Upskilling/Leveling Up your Career in Cybersecurity

Learning New Skills and Earning Certifications as a Cybersecurity Professional

Cybersecurity News - Articles & Outlets - Stay Informed

Cybersecurity Twitter - Latest News: Threats and Trends

Cybersecurity Conventions: Networking & Learn Hands-On

Top Cybersecurity Newsletters for 2023

Cybersecurity Magazines - Top Publications We Read

Cybersecurity Organizations: Help With Best Practices

How to Learn about the Latest CVEs and Threat Actors?

Open Source Cybersecurity Tools to Learn in 2023

Best New Cybersecurity Products - 2023

Building and Managing a Cybersecurity Team

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Looking to start or advance your cybersecurity career? Check out our Cybersecurity Career Guide to get tips, advice, and information about the security industry.

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Trusted Cyber Security Services Glasgow | Ascent Cyber

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How To Get Into Cyber Security In The UK | Ascent Cyber

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Everything you need to know about getting started on a cyber security career pathway. Find out if cyber security is the right career for you.

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Q: Do I need a certification to work in cyber security?

A: Not at all. The Cyber Security industry has many vacancies across all specialisms, and they are seeking talent as opposed to certifications. Individuals learn in different ways, ranging from formal education to apprenticeships, to free or paid for courses. However, talent and enthusiasm are the key to success.

Q: What certification should I do?

A: This is no one answer to this question. Certifications can identify knowledge, but not necessarily skill and the number of certifications out there are vast and confusing. Check out our Certification Framework to learn more about different certifications. If you're unsure which area of cyber security you're interested in, you can use our Career Mapping tool to find out about the specialism.

Q: Do I need to have studied Computer Science?

A: Not necessarily, if you have studied Computer Science at GCSE, A Level or Degree Level then you will have learned about some Cyber Security concepts.

However, studying computer science is not essential to working in Cyber Security, and there are lots of routes into the sector. H ave a look at our Entry Routes - Qualifications and Entry Routes - Training to learn about the variety of routes into Cyber Security.

If you would like to apply for a degree in Cyber Security then you can find the NCSC-certified cyber security degrees here.

Q: What levels of education do I need?

A: There are opportunities available within Cyber Security at all levels. It's important that you can show your knowledge and skills off well. This may be from education or training, but don't forget other examples such volunteering, self-learning and previous work experience.

Q: Do I need to know how to code?

A: Some evidence of practical skills can be beneficial, and knowledge of coding is just one aspect in cyber security. Knowledge of networking, experience communication skills and attention to detail will always look great on an application.

Q: How do I get work experience?

A: There are many ways you can get work experience; job fairs, LinkedIn and networking are all valid approaches, and it often boils down to who you know and being proactive in selling yourself. Go to Cyber Conferences and talk to employers who are always looking for the right candidate and often willing to invest in an individual.

Q: What kind of interview questions should I expect at interview?

A: You can expect to be asked behavioural, communication, performance-based questions and brainteaser questions.

Find the specialism(s) that interest you the most on our Cyber Careers Framework. Within each specialism are details of the knowledge and skills needed. Prepare examples of how you can demonstrate developing or using the knowledge and skills listed.

Q: Where can I get free training?

A: For free training, you can find more information on our Entry Routes training page. Here you'll find many courses, some of which are free to enrol on. Another free training resource is the CyBOK Knowledgebase which you can find .

Q: How can I access events and webinars?

A: There are many ways to access events and webinars. We host many different events and webinars throughout the year, which you can find and posted on our LinkedIn page. You can also find other events and webinars on the website and might find some local events with the UKC3 clusters. Another useful way to identify events and webinars of interest is through LinkedIn, so sign up and network!

Q: What salaries are there in cyber security?

A: There are a wide range of roles within the industry and salaries depend on experience, expertise and location. The UK average salary in cyber security is around £62,500. A great resource to see and compare salaries is IT Job Watch .

If there's any questions that you feel we've not answered, please get in touch with us.

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Q: Do I need a certification to work in cyber security?

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a university course

a college course

an apprenticeship

working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

computer games technology

computer games development

computer science

interactive media

mathematics

If you'd like a job that includes game design as well as programming, you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like animation or graphic design.

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course before a higher level qualification. It might help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses you could take include:

A level in Computing

T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production Games Development

Entry requirements

You may need:

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do one of the following Higher Apprenticeships to get started in this role:

Software Developer Level 4

Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4

Game Programmer Level 7

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a games tester if you play a lot of games.

You'll usually need an IT qualification or some relevant work experience. Employers will be interested in your talent and creativity.

You may also find it helps to have A levels or a diploma in relevant subjects like computing or media production.

More Information

Career tips

You can create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.

You can get information on how to start creating your own games from Into Games.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in games development from ScreenSkills and Into Games.

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Computer game developers create video games for phones, tablets, PCs and consoles.