IT Foundations
Learn the foundational IT concepts essential to all cybersecurity roles, and stop wasting time trying to figure out where to get started. Too many beginners get discouraged navigating unreliable, outdated, and irrelevant information, making it feel impossible to know how to move forward. That’s why we’ve curated this IT foundations course, featuring thoughtful, bite-sized content from expert instructors who have helped thousands of other beginners grasp essential IT topics. Get ready to take your first steps into cybersecurity by diving into core IT concepts needed for any cybersecurity role.

Purpose Statement
Cybrary Career Paths are comprehensive training programs designed to prepare you for the most in-demand roles in the cybersecurity workforce. Each path follows a Learn, Practice, Prove model and includes different activity types aligned to key topics within the path’s security domain. As you progress through the path, your progress will be measured in real time using Experience Points (XP) that serve as a comprehensive capability score for each topic. Upon completing all of the requirements for a path, you will be rewarded with a shareable digital badge via Credly.
9
H
42
M
Time
beginner
difficulty
0
ceu/cpe
Overview
Who is this career path for?
This path is for newcomers who are just beginning to explore IT and cybersecurity careers and skillsets.",What skills will I gain by completing this path?
This path covers foundational IT skills that all cybersecurity roles and job functions are built upon. You’ll learn key IT concepts and skills including networks, systems administration with Linux, and end user security, plus an overview of common IT and security job functions.Will this prepare me for an entry-level role?
While the content in this path will fast track your progress, it’s designed to cover IT basics, preparing you for a deeper dive into cybersecurity skills. After completing this path, our Cybersecurity Foundations path is the next step on your way to your entry-level role.What prerequisites are needed for this career path? Do I need on-the-job experience?
No previous experience, knowledge, or skills are required for this path. All you need is intellectual curiosity and a growth-oriented mindset.Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can I get as a SOC Analyst?
While this course is focused on the SOC Analyst role and job title, there are other roles with similar responsibilities. Professionals trained in defensive security can pursue a variety of roles, including:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
- Incident Response Analyst
- Information Security Analyst
- SOC-focused Security Engineer
SOC Analysts are employed across every industry, from healthcare and government to manufacturing, finance, retail, and more.
What are some SOC Analyst responsibilities and job requirements?
SOC Analysts monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents, playing a critical role in protecting an organization’s computer systems, networks, and data. SOC Analysts must remain aware of emerging threats, attack techniques, and vulnerabilities.
Common SOC Analyst tasks and responsibilities include:
- Providing threat analysis and security logs for security devices
- Analyzing and responding to hardware and software weaknesses and vulnerabilities
- Investigating, documenting, and reporting security problems and emerging trends
- Managing network intrusion detection systems
- Performing internal and external security audits
- Maintaining security protocols and controls to protect systems and files against unauthorized access
Path Outline

Careers In Cybersecurity
Getting started in cybersecurity can be tough, and the number of careers seems endless. This course will get you hands-on with six of the most common cybersecurity roles, including penetration tester, digital forensics, cloud security, governance, security analyst, and security engineer. Decide which career is right for you today!
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