Top 7 Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners
Ready to start a career in cybersecurity but not sure where to begin? These 7 certifications will open doors — even if you have no tech background.
🔐 Why Cybersecurity Certifications Matter
Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand, but without credentials, it’s hard to stand out.
Certifications prove your skills, even if you’re self-taught or switching from another career. They’re also one of the fastest ways to get job-ready, especially in a competitive market.
But here’s the challenge: there are dozens of certifications, and most guides are confusing or written for experts.
This post breaks down the 7 best beginner-friendly cybersecurity certifications for 2025 — and helps you choose the one that fits your goals.
Never Forget : Certifications prove your skills but don’t give you a job!
✅ The 7 Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners
1. CompTIA Security+
- Best for: Broad foundations
- Why it’s popular: Globally recognized baseline certification
- Focus areas: Threats, network security, access control, risk management
- Cost: ~$392
- Prep time: 2–3 months
👉 Great if you want a strong foundation and plan to work in IT support, network admin, or security analyst roles.
2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Best for: Ethical hacking
- Why it’s unique: Practical, hands-on approach to ethical hacking
- Focus areas: Reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, malware, social engineering
- Cost: ~$399 (exam + labs up to $1,199)
- Prep time: 3 months
🧠 Pro tip: You don’t need to take the expensive official EC-Council course. At Back2Skills, we offer a CEH prep course built for beginners — visual, simplified, and cost-effective.
3. Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- Best for: Career-switchers and non-tech backgrounds
- Why it’s trendy: Affordable, job-focused, taught by Google experts
- Focus areas: Tools like SIEMs, threat detection, playbooks, and security foundations
- Cost: ~$49/month on Coursera
- Prep time: 3–6 months
🎓 Entry-level but practical. Pairs well with other certs like Security+ or CEH.
4. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Best for: Free entry-level cert
- Why it’s emerging: Developed by the makers of CISSP, tailored for beginners
- Focus areas: Security principles, access control, network security, risk management
- Cost: Free exam voucher (for a limited time)
- Prep time: 1–2 months
📈 New but gaining traction quickly. Great entry point if you want to move toward CISSP later.
5. Cisco CyberOps Associate
- Best for: People interested in threat monitoring and SOC roles
- Why it’s valuable: Focus on hands-on detection and incident response
- Focus areas: Security monitoring, host-based analysis, attack methods
- Cost: ~$300
- Prep time: 3 months
🔍 Popular among those aiming for a career as a SOC analyst.
6. Fortinet NSE 1–3
- Best for: Free, vendor-based knowledge
- Why it’s beginner-friendly: Online and self-paced with certifications available at no cost
- Focus areas: Network security basics, firewalls, Fortinet tools
- Cost: Free
- Prep time: 1–2 weeks per level
💡 Great to boost your resume — especially if you want to explore firewall or networking paths.
7. Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
- Best for: Beginners interested in cloud & compliance
- Why it’s a good intro: Explains security concepts in the Microsoft ecosystem
- Focus areas: Azure, Microsoft Defender, cloud security, identity protection
- Cost: ~$99
- Prep time: 2–3 weeks
🌐 Ideal if you’re aiming for roles in companies that use Microsoft 365 & Azure.
🤔 So… Which One Should You Start With?
Here’s how to choose based on your goals and learning style:
| If you… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| Want broad fundamentals | CompTIA Security+ or Google Cyber Cert |
| Prefer visual, hands-on learning | CEH via Back2Skills |
| Have no budget but want to start | ISC2 CC or Fortinet NSE |
| Want to learn cloud & Microsoft stack | SC-900 |
| Aim for SOC or blue team roles | Cisco CyberOps or Google Cybersecurity |
🧠 How Back2Skills Helps You Prepare
If you choose CEH — one of the most practical and career-driven paths — our CEH Prep Course is made for beginners like you.
✅ What you get:
- Easy-to-understand
- Learning checkpoints + QCM quizzes
- Roadmap to CEH certification (no fluff, no confusion)
- No coding experience required
🎯 Special Launch Offer: €279 (instead of €399)
🧭 Final Thoughts: Pick One, Then Start Practicing
Certifications open the door — but your commitment opens the rest.
You don’t need to get them all. Just start with one that matches your interests and learning style.
📌 If you’re still unsure, take our free beginner cybersecurity lesson and see what learning with Back2Skills feels like.
Frequently Asked Questions


