Cyber Range Training for Beginners

Hi, if you're just getting started in cybersecurity or looking for a fun, hands-on way to learn, this is for you. Last week, I shared a post on how to gain experience with Forage. Today, I’m compiling and sharing another great resource that really helped me in my career. One of the best ways to build experience and confidence in cybersecurity is through realistic labs that simulate actual attacks and defenses and TryHackMe’s Advent of Cyber is one of my top recommendations. - It’s free - It’s beginner-friendly - It’s 100% hands-on, no setup required - It’s realistic and fun, like solving daily cyber puzzles Here are some of the past Advent of Cyber seasons you can still access and learn from: Advent of Cyber 2024 - https://lnkd.in/d3WHXwz4 - Topics covered - Penetration Testing, Cloud Security, Log analysis, Digital forensics, Hacking AI Chatbots, GRC and others Advent of Cyber 2023 - https://lnkd.in/dqdHU2TK - Topics covered - Penetration testing, Security operations and engineering, Digital forensics and incident response, DevSecOps, Machine learning, Malware analysis and others Advent of Cyber 2022 - https://lnkd.in/d6Qg87pr - Topics covered - Red Teaming, Secure Coding, Web Vulnerabilities, Blue Teaming, IoT Hacking, Smart Contracts and others Advent of Cyber 2021 - https://lnkd.in/drvQJ-Gq - Topics covered - Web Exploitation, Network Exploitation, OSINT, Cloud Hacking,  Defensive Blue Teaming and others. When I started learning cybersecurity, I had serious issues with my laptop. I couldn’t install heavy tools or run Virtual Machines, but I still wanted to study and practice. TryHackMe was my go-to platform. With just a browser, I could launch machines, complete real-world tasks, use a SIEM for incident response activities, explore various tools, and build my confidence. Advent of Cyber taught me about topics in a way that felt real, not just like a lecture. One unique thing about Advent of Cyber is that it covers multiple domains in cybersecurity, so you’ll quickly see where your strengths lie. Why I recommend it: - You get real-world, job-relevant skills - You learn by doing, not just reading - You earn badges/certificates to showcase on LinkedIn - You gain clarity on which cybersecurity path suits you So, if you're looking for where to begin or how to gain practical, hands-on experience, start here. Even if you’ve done it before, it’s a great refresher every year. I can’t wait for the 2025 version! Let’s repost this to help someone who needs it. And as always learning never ends.

🚀 Cyber Curious? Try Before You Apply. This is another one for Cyber Students and Career Changers: Are you thinking of becoming a digital defender, ethical hacker, or cyber analyst but not sure what that means? Good news: You don’t need a job offer (or a computer science degree) to start exploring. These hands-on platforms let you try risk-free, commitment-free, and budget-friendly cybersecurity roles. 🧑🏽💻🎮 🛠️ Try These Cyber Roles Like a Pro: 1️⃣ TryCyber 🎯 Built for beginners—this site lets you walk through real-life scenarios like a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst, digital forensics agent, or risk assessor. 🔗 https://www.trycyber.us 2️⃣ CyberStart 🎮 Originally designed for high schoolers—but don’t let that fool you. CyberStart’s gamified platform is highly engaging for all ages. Solve puzzles and hack systems (legally), and learn foundational cyber skills. 🔗 https://www.cyberstart.com 3️⃣ RangeForce Community Edition 💻 Want blue team training? Simulate defending real-world infrastructure with these free cyber defense modules. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/egmJxbJ8 4️⃣ Blue Team Labs Online (BTLO) 🧩 Test your threat hunter or forensic analyst skills with real-world logs and data challenges. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e8nX79q2 5️⃣ TryHackMe (Beginner Labs Section) 🌐 While often used for red teaming, THM has “Intro to Cyber” rooms and guided paths for blue team, web security, and SOC analyst training. 🔗 https://tryhackme.com ✨ Why this matters: Exploring cybersecurity roles before committing helps you: ✔️ Discover what fits your brain 🧠 ✔️ Build portfolio experience 📁 ✔️ Talk confidently in interviews 🗣️ 📔Note: This does not endorse any particular site or vendor. They are all very cool tools and available for use. Use your cyber sense when clicking on any and all environments and platforms. 😅 💬 Which role do you want to try first? Or if you’ve already dabbled, have I missed one? Drop your favorite lab training platform below! 👇🏾 #CyberCareers #TryCyber #CyberCurious #CareerChange #BlueTeam #RedTeam #CyberBeginners #WorkforceResilience #DrResiliency #CyberIsForEveryone #HandsOnCybersecurity #WomenInCyber #NextGenCyber Cyberminds Research Institute

Ever wonder if you can jump into a cyber range without any prior experience? A lot of beginners ask this, and the answer is yes. You don’t need to be an expert to start, but it helps to get some basics under your belt first. Think of it like learning to drive, you don’t need to know everything about engines before getting behind the wheel, but knowing the basics makes things way easier. Here’s what I’d suggest for beginners: • Listen to CyberWire Daily every day- it’s a great way to stay in the loop. • Check out Darknet Diaries from episode 1 and binge a few episodes - it’s storytelling, but you’ll learn a lot about real-world cyber incidents. • Get familiar with Security+ level knowledge, or even take the cert if you can. You can start the cyber range even if you haven’t mastered all this yet, but filling in these basics along the way will make things a lot smoother. Some free resources to check out: CyberWire Daily Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gne72MVn Darknet Diaries Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gYzj45PZ Security+ Practice Exams: https://lnkd.in/gyFb65q8 Security+ Videos (Professor Messer): https://lnkd.in/gnMVRYqi Other Free Practice Exams: https://lnkd.in/dBRhfeNb Starting out in cyber can feel like a lot at first, but just take it one step at a time. Try stuff that catches your interest, play around with it, and the skills will come as you go. Cyber range: https://lnkd.in/gW3gicW4