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Cybersecurity Roadmap Beginner to Expert (2025)



🔐 Cybersecurity Roadmap: Beginner to Expert (2025)

🟢 Stage 1: Foundation (Beginner Level)

✅ 1. Learn Basic Computer & Networking Concepts

  • Topics to study:

    • What is the Internet?

    • Operating systems (Windows, Linux basics)

    • Computer hardware & software

    • Networking basics (IP, DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, firewalls)

  • Tools: Wireshark, Cisco Packet Tracer

✅ 2. Understand Cybersecurity Fundamentals

  • What is cybersecurity?

  • Types of threats: malware, phishing, ransomware

  • CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability

  • Difference between cybersecurity & information security

📚 Resources:

🟡 Stage 2: Intermediate Level (Skill Building)

✅ 3. Learn Operating Systems Internals

  • Focus on Linux and Windows Security

    • User permissions

    • File systems

    • Logs and processes

  • Practice using command-line tools: Bash, PowerShell

✅ 4. Deepen Networking & Security Concepts

  • Network protocols & packet analysis

  • Common attacks: MITM, ARP spoofing, DNS poisoning

  • VPNs, Proxies, IDS/IPS (Snort, Suricata)

  • Firewalls (pfSense, Cisco ASA)

✅ 5. Learn Cyber Attack Techniques

  • Ethical hacking basics

  • Phases of hacking: Recon → Scanning → Exploitation → Privilege Escalation → Covering tracks

🔧 Labs to practice:

  • TryHackMe paths (Pre-Security → Junior Penetration Tester)

  • Hack The Box (Starting Point)

🟠 Stage 3: Specialization (Choose a Path)

🎯 Choose a Domain:

  1. Penetration Testing (Ethical Hacker)

    • Tools: Nmap, Burp Suite, Metasploit, John the Ripper

    • Learn Web app vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)

    • Practice with DVWA, Juice Shop

  2. Blue Team (Defensive Security / SOC Analyst)

    • Log analysis (SIEM tools like Splunk, ELK)

    • Incident Response

    • Threat intelligence

    • Malware analysis (basic)

  3. Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)

    • NIST, ISO 27001, SOC2, GDPR

    • Risk assessment and policies

  4. Cloud Security

    • AWS, Azure, GCP basics

    • IAM, VPC, security groups

    • Tools: ScoutSuite, Prowler, Azure Security Center

🔴 Stage 4: Advanced / Real-World Experience

✅ 6. Certifications (Recommended by Path):

Path Recommended Certs
General / Entry ✅ CompTIA Security+
Penetration Testing ✅ CEH, ✅ eJPT, ✅ OSCP
Defensive ✅ CompTIA CySA+, ✅ GCIA
Cloud Security ✅ AWS Certified Security, ✅ AZ-500
Management ✅ CISSP, ✅ CISM, ✅ ISO 27001 Lead Auditor

✅ 7. Build Projects & Portfolio

  • Start a blog (write about vulnerabilities or reports)

  • Create GitHub repositories

  • Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges

  • Bug bounty programs (HackerOne, Bugcrowd)

✅ 8. Join the Community

  • LinkedIn networking

  • Follow cybersecurity experts (e.g. @thecybermentor, @SwiftOnSecurity)

  • Attend conferences (DEFCON, Black Hat, BSides)

🧠 Stage 5: Mastery & Career Growth

  • Mentor beginners

  • Explore advanced malware reverse engineering

  • Learn threat hunting & digital forensics

  • Contribute to open-source security tools

  • Become a team lead, consultant, or CISO

🎓 Cybersecurity Career Paths

Role Average Salary (USD) Key Skills
SOC Analyst $60K–$90K Log analysis, SIEM, threat detection
Penetration Tester $80K–$120K Exploitation, scripting
Security Engineer $100K+ Secure architecture, incident response
Cloud Security Analyst $100K+ IAM, AWS/Azure security
GRC Specialist $90K+ Policies, audits, frameworks

🧰 Tools & Platforms to Learn

  • Learning: TryHackMe, Hack The Box, Cybrary

  • Labs: RangeForce, PortSwigger Web Security Academy

  • News: KrebsOnSecurity, ThreatPost, Dark Reading

  • Cert Prep: TCM Academy, INE, Offensive Security

🚀 Final Tips to Succeed

  • Stay curious—cybersecurity evolves fast!

  • Practice daily—labs, CTFs, news

  • Learn Python or Bash scripting

  • Focus on real-world skills, not just theory

  • Share your knowledge—blogging & networking help you grow



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