Roadmap

1️⃣ Computer & IT Fundamentals

First, you must understand basic IT concepts.

Learn:

• How computers work
• Hardware basics (CPU, RAM, Storage)
• Operating Systems (Windows, Linux)
• Virtual Machines
• Basic troubleshooting

Tools to practice:

• VirtualBox
• VMware Workstation

Goal: Understand how systems work before securing them.

2️⃣ Networking Fundamentals

Cybersecurity is highly related to networking.

Learn:

• OSI Model
• TCP/IP
• IP Addressing
• Subnetting
• DNS
• HTTP / HTTPS
• VPN
• Routing & Switching
• Firewalls

Tools:

• Wireshark
• Cisco Packet Tracer

Certifications (optional):

• CompTIA Network+
• CCNA

3️⃣ Operating Systems (Linux & Windows)

Security engineers must understand both Linux and Windows systems.

Linux

Learn:

• Linux commands
• File permissions
• SSH
• Process management
• Package management

Windows

Learn:

• Windows Security
• Active Directory
• Group Policy
• User Management

Important: Many security tools run on Linux (Kali Linux).

4️⃣ Programming & Scripting

You don't need to be a full developer, but scripting is important.

Learn:

• Python (most important)
• Bash scripting
• PowerShell
• Basic JavaScript

Use cases:

• Automating security tasks
• Writing small security tools
• Understanding exploits

5️⃣ Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Now start learning core cybersecurity concepts.

Learn:

• CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
• Authentication & Authorization
• Encryption & Cryptography
• Risk management
• Security policies
• Vulnerabilities & exploits

Recommended certification: CompTIA Security+

6️⃣ Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing

Understand how attackers break systems.

Learn:

• Footprinting
• Reconnaissance
• Scanning
• Enumeration
• Exploitation
• Privilege escalation
• Post exploitation

Tools:

• Nmap
• Metasploit
• Burp Suite
• SQLmap
• Nikto

Practice platforms:

• TryHackMe
• Hack The Box
• PortSwigger Web Security Academy

7️⃣ Web Security

Many cyber attacks target websites.

Learn:

• HTTP requests
• Cookies & Sessions
• Authentication flaws
• OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities

Examples:

• SQL Injection
• Cross Site Scripting (XSS)
• CSRF
• Broken Authentication

Learn from: OWASP Top 10

8️⃣ Security Tools & Monitoring

Professional security engineers use many tools.

Important tools:

• Kali Linux
• Wireshark
• Burp Suite
• Nessus
• OpenVAS
• Snort
• Splunk (SIEM)

Learn:

• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
• Log analysis

9️⃣ Cloud Security

Modern companies use cloud infrastructure.

Learn:

• AWS Security
• Azure Security
• Identity & Access Management (IAM)
• Security Groups
• Cloud logging
• Cloud monitoring

Certifications:

• AWS Security Specialty
• Azure Security Engineer

🔟 Real-World Security Skills

Professional engineers must know:

• Incident response
• Threat hunting
• Vulnerability management
• Security architecture
• Security automation