Are you interested in a career in cyber-security? Do you see yourself as a cyber-security expert in the future, perhaps as a private consultant or maybe an employee at a leading company? These five cyber security courses could put you in line for one of the best courses in this century.

If so, you’re likely excited to add to your cyber-security knowledge and skill set. Doing this would boost your professional standing and give you a competitive edge when you apply for a relevant position. If you’re already employed, advancing your knowledge and skills can also open doors to promotions and potentially higher pay.

Fortunately, you can earn several cybersecurity certifications online by just registering for the cyber security courses, conveniently and without a hassle. Most cybersecurity online courses are also generally affordable and take just several months or a few years, at most, to earn. The following are five of the best cyber security courses to consider.

Top 5 Of the Best Cyber Security Courses You Can Start Online Today

1. StationX VIP Membership

StationX offers at least 100 courses related to cybersecurity, including multiple courses that teach ethical hacking, networking, penetration testing, digital forensics, security coding, and incident response. Some of the courses even touch on passing top security certifications and preparing for cybersecurity examinations.

However, if you want to benefit the most from the course, consider the VIP option. The VIP membership gives you access to all courses on the StationX platform. Once you’re on board, begin with The complete Cyber Security Course! It covers several important topics, including hackers exposed, network security, anonymous browsing, and end-point protection. VIP Membership costs just $149.

2. Introduction to Cybersecurity Specialization

The second on our list of top five cyber security courses is the introduction to cybersecurity specialization by Dr. Edward G. Amoroso available on Coursera and offered by New York University’s School of Engineering. It’s another introductory course, though some familiarity with IT management and concepts might be helpful. However, you can expect to gain valuable cybersecurity skills, especially in the areas of cryptography, risk assessment, information security, and cyber defense.

The course is divided into four parts – introduction to cyber-attacks, cyber-attack countermeasures, real-time cyber-attack threat detection and mitigation, and enterprise infrastructure security. It costs $49/month and takes about four months to complete all four parts.

3. Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Another excellent course, this time found on edX, is Cybersecurity Fundamentals. It’s a beginner’s look at the fundamentals of cybersecurity and focuses on cryptography basics while increasing your skills in the field. The course is taught by Jonathan S. Weissman, a senior lecturer at Computing Security RIT.

Skills you can expect to learn throughout the course include how to detect threats, protect systems and networks, and anticipate potential & future threats. You’ll also learn about malware and forensics as well as information assurance and confidentiality. It’s an 8-week course.

4. Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business

You may also want to consider a few short cyber security courses on business-focused cybersecurity solutions if you’re a business owner or part of an IT team. This specific course, Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business, found on Coursera, is a 13-hour course that you can complete in less than a week to bring yourself up to date on business security.

Some of the skills you’ll learn throughout the course include cybersecurity basics, introductory computer security for businesses, CIA Triad, risk assessment techniques, and why data breaches happen. You’ll also learn more about the protocols and tools associated with everyday computer security.

5. Thinking About Cybersecurity

Thinking About Cybersecurity; From Cybercrime to Cyber warfare is a course from Paul Rosenzweig, a lecturer at the George Washington University Law School. It’s meant to help you understand the structure of the internet, the dangers of getting online, and ultimately how to remain safe while online.

It comprises 18 lecturers, over which Rosenzweig delves into specific cybersecurity topics, including security vulnerabilities, computer viruses, and big data. He also discusses the government’s role in cybersecurity, privacy laws and practices, and the global spread of information. The course is available on The Great Courses platform and costs just $30 on instant video.

• Bonus: Harvard Cybersecurity; Managing Risk in the Information Age

Finally, this Harvard course is split into eight modules to be tackled in eight weeks. You’ll need to set aside about 8-11 hours per week. By the end of the eight weeks, you should be able to develop a cybersecurity risk mitigation strategy for your business or a client. You’ll have also learned the legal and compliance nuances of cybersecurity.

Every learner gets a certificate on successful completion of the course. It’s called an Advances in Learning certificate and comes directly from Harvard University’s Office of the Vice President. The only downside is that course is a little pricy, costing $2,800 currently. If you’re not on a tight budget, though, it would be an excellent course as most employers quickly recognize the certificate.

Ready to Begin Your Cyber Security Course?

As you can see, there are many excellent cyber security courses out there that you can take right away to boost your professional credentials or for personal gain. If you’re still undecided, sign up for the Plumlogixu.com newsletter for professional opinions and more useful resources.