The 2024 Cyber Foundations Academy began on February 1, 2024
Participants in the 2024 Academy were required to complete their course registration no later than February 7 2024.
2024’s National Cyber Scholars were sent full instructions of how to register for the course and certification by email.
It is not possible to arrange late registration for 2024 Academy.
Accelerating the path to the cybersecurity industry
The Cyber Foundations Academy provides hands-on technical training, industry recognized certifications and interactive training sessions with world-class instructors and experts.
Free access to the best course to help you build practical skills in computers, technology & security
Earn the certification and knowledge desired by employers to put you ahead of your peers
Learn from industry professionals in the field in an engaging online environment
The essential skills and knowledge too many cybersecurity students and professionals are lacking
Through the Cyber Foundations Academy you will master 50 core knowledge and skills sets, many hands on, without which cybersecurity practitioners are unprepared at best and incompetent at worst.
The list of skills covered in the Academy were developed through a consensus process engaging more than 500 cybersecurity professionals from more than 300 of the largest cybersecurity employers, and managed by the Center for Internet Security and the Cyber Talent Institute. The resulting syllabus encompasses “the minimum acceptable technical skills needed to qualify for an entry-level technical job in cybersecurity in 2021.”
As ransomware and other scourges sweep through corporations and governments, more and more employers are refusing to consider applicants who cannot demonstrate they have mastered these foundations. The table below shows the large majority of practising cybersecurity professionals who said these skill areas are essential or valuable in their current roles. Mastering these skills early makes the study of more advanced cybersecurity topics much easier.
A four-month practical course that fits around your schedule
Access to the practical course will be offered to National Cyber Scholars who have demonstrated aptitude for cybersecurity through CyberStart.
Those invited to the Cyber Foundations Academy are sent full instructions of how to register for the course and certification by email.
Participants in the 2024 Cyber Foundations Academy were required to complete their course registration no later than February 7 2024.
Enjoyable learning
The course features hands-on lab experiences, unique practical exercises, and quizzes to consolidate your learning. Enjoy over 120 hours of engaging video tutorials, case studies, and personal accounts from the field, presented by cybersecurity expert and SANS CTO James Lyne.
Comprehensive syllabus
The fun and accessible course progresses you from the foundations of computers and cybersecurity to more in-depth and challenging concepts. You’ll learn the fundamentals in computer hardware, Linux, networking, programming and much more!
Respected outcomes
Be confident to secure your dream role after consuming content developed by leading subject-matter experts, drawing on the latest technology, techniques, and concepts in cybersecurity. Plus, finish the course with a desired and recognized GIAC certification.
“I think the biggest value add for SANS Foundations was simply how comprehensive it was. It covered a lot of topics, but each was covered in enough depth for a better handle on the basics without being overwhelming.”
U.S. government federal law enforcement professional
“The course covered so much breadth and depth of material and it was all very interesting and engaging. I have loved it very much indeed. James did a fantastic job teaching. I would highly recommend it to others”
Sheetal Patel, SANS Foundations student
Percentage of Cybersecurity Professionals Rating Basic Skill Area as Essential or Valuable for Success in their Roles
| JOB ROLE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASIC SKILL AREA | Security Operations Center and Monitoring | Forensics | Cyber Defence and Engineering | Pen Testing |
| Computers and Data | 92% | 95% | 91% | 93% |
| Operating Systems, Linux and Windows | 96% | 95% | 100% | 100% |
| Networking and Cloud | 100% | 97% | 100% | 100% |
| Programming | 76% | 87% | 90% | 96% |
| Security Concepts | 92% | 97% | 96% | 98% |
"We have stopped hiring people with cybersecurity degrees. They are untrainable. Now we just look for the basics – networking, computer internals, programming Linux, and Windows. Once they have those, they can learn security.”
CISO of a major Internet company
FAQs
How can I participate in the Cyber Foundations Academy?
Access to the Cyber Foundations Academy was awarded to those who participated and ranked highly in the CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack programs each year from 2021-2024.
What systems do I need to complete the course?
The online course requires a modern web browser (Chrome or Firefox preferred), which both for security and functionality should be updated to the latest version. All of the labs are provided via a web-based system, though we do recommend students have access to a system (e.g. virtual machine) where they can try out tools and techniques on their own. The learning platform and online labs make it easy to study even if you do not have access to high end hardware!
How do I register for the Academy?
Those invited to the Cyber Foundations Academy were sent full instructions of how to register for the course and certification. Participants in the 2024 Cyber Foundations Academy needed to complete their course registration no later than February 7 2024.
It is not possible to arrange late registration under any circumstances if this deadline was missed.